Today is the 1,544th anniversary of the founding of Kiev (as it was known then). Although the exact date is the subject of ongoing debate, it has come to be accepted as the year 482 A.D., and is celebrated on May 31st.

(Just as a matter of interest, the city of Moscow was not founded until 1147 A.D. — nearly 700 years later. So all of the talk about Ukraine historically “belonging” to Russia is . . . well . . . so much talk.)

Today, even in the midst of war, the spirit of the people of Kyiv shines through the pain and the misery, as expressed in a post that I found on Facebook today. It reads in part:

“This is a city that is truly impossible not to love. A city of chestnut trees and golden domes, bustling streets, morning traffic jams, and evening walks along the Dnipro River. A city where every street has its own story and every district its own character.

“ . . . Kyiv is its people. It is the rescuers who are first to arrive after strikes, the soldiers defending its skies, the doctors, volunteers, utility workers, teachers, public transport drivers, and everyone who works every day to keep the capital alive.

“Kyiv is a city of resilience and a city of hope. Happy Kyiv Day — to the city that inspires, fights, and wins!”

– Ukraine Breaking News, May 31, 2026

Happy anniversary, Kyiv. May you see 1,544 more!

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/31/26