Inspire your day: Red Cross History - Be humane, as Serbia in 1885
As you who knows me are very aware of, I am not a nationalist. But some peaces of history of my country do make me proud. I am about to share one of them. I am aware that due to current politic interests of forces, some facts are getting berried, so I think blockchain is a perfect place to save them. At the end of the day, it's not important who did it. What's important is to get inspired by this historic event, and save it for the future generation to get inspired. Because this do matters.
Small Intro
In the hall of the International Red Cross headquarters in Geneva, there was a board with the inscription "Be a Human as Serbia was in 1885." It was set in memory and the recognition given by this organization to the Serbian Government and people, for the first of its kind precedent, in history of war.
What was about?
This strange story began with the expansion of Bulgaria in the Balkan during the last decades before 20th century. This was a direct violation of the decisions of the Berlin Congress, and for Kingdom of Serbia, it was interpreted as a direct threat and provocation. After the unsuccessful diplomatic activity, King Milan issued a war.
At that time, Serbia had already organized hospitals, and the Red Cross was already established.
Bulgaria, on the other hand, did not have any military sanitary facilities. Because of this, the Bulgarian wounded had no one to take from the battlefield nor to provide them with medical care. The International Red Cross collected aid from all over Europe that was supposed to be delivered to this country.
Ironically, the only way to Bulgaria was through Serbia.
And then something happened that the world never saw, the precedent, in history of war
The military command of Serbia decided to announce interrupt of the war for one day, opened the front line and allowed medical transport across its territory.
Serbia has done even more: aded medicines, blankets and beds from their supplies to Bulgarian soldiers to hand over all that is necessary for the opening of one hospital.
Serbia helped the country with which it was at that time in a state of war.
In memory of this precedent, the International Red Cross awarded Serbia a special acknowledgment for humanity, and the panel with the inscription "Be Human as Serbia was in 1885" until a few years ago stood in the building of this institution in Geneva.
The table is no longer there, nor anyone is aware about the reason for its removal. Serbia is one of the founding members of Red Cross, however, official statement for removal was never released nor anyone responded.
(Pictures are in public domain license)
BONUS History Fact:
Serbia was among first countries that banned slavery. Moreover, the 1835 constitution had a rule:
Each slave, that put a step to a theritory of serbia, immediately becomes a free man.
Update: Read about how it is now: https://steemit.com/history/@crt/whats-left-of-serbia-the-dark-side
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I did not know that history !! It's a shame that panel were removed
It is an unfortunate event. Not talking from the perspective of nationalist, because I consider myself a citizen of the world. I did a post of how things work now, as I believe it addresses many "why" questions.
The's the good thing about blockchain :) It can't get removed. Ok, maybe i'll get some bucks removed from wallet as a fine for taking a picture within restricted zone :D
I dint know that table was removed. Who did that, and when?
I guess the same one who is taking care to remove such facts from school textbooks. Probably the same people are taking care that we learn about Galileo discovery of Sphere Earth, removing the fact it's discovered by Eratosthenes 276 BC. By the way, that's probably my next post :)
Guy Fawkes! :D
By the way, this post is also because @cryptogee expressed a wish to learn more about local culture in communication with @mcertic, so i picked up one of the brightest moments of Serbs history. Hope I picked a good one. At least this is the one I am most proud of.
God bless those Soldiers, Serbians and every humane person on heart. This is a message or trait which humans need develop regardless of country, tribe, colour of skin because we are firstly human others were later added.
Wonderful post, I learnt something new.
I'm glad I was able to share something inspiring @seento. As you said, it's not important who did it, but what he did. I am totally agree with you. We are all humans above anything else, no matter of race or color. I would be equally proud if this event is from history of any other country.