In the third Sunday of July, Ukraine traditionally celebrates the Day of Workers in the Metallurgical and Mining Industries. In 2025, it falls on July 20 — though some publications and calendars mark it on the 19th. Whether coincidence or not, on the same Sunday, Americans celebrate National Ice Cream Day — a holiday that was also born from a presidential decree.
Metal Under Pressure — Literally
According to Ukrmetallurgprom, Ukrainian enterprises smelted 4.26 million tons of steel in January–July 2025 — 7% less than in the same period of 2024. Rolled products declined by 2.8%. The reasons are military risks, logistical constraints, and unstable demand. The industry, according to the association's assessment, "is operating essentially in survival mode."
Meanwhile, 2024 ended with growth: steel production increased by 25.7% compared to 2023. In other words, recovery occurred — and it has stalled.
"Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises smelted 4.26 million tons of steel in January–July, which is 7% less than in the same period last year."
Ukrmetallurgprom, 2025
The Origins of the Holiday
Metallurgist Day in Ukraine has been celebrated since Soviet times — every year on the third Sunday of July. The holiday encompasses not only steelworkers but also miners, cokemakers, and workers in ferroalloy and pipe plants. Prior to the full-scale invasion, the industry accounted for approximately 25–30% of Ukrainian exports and was one of the main sources of foreign currency.
Ice Cream — Also by Presidential Decree
National Ice Cream Day in the United States is not a folk tradition but a formal act: in May 1984, Congress passed Resolution No. 298, and President Ronald Reagan signed it on July 9, 1984, proclaiming July "National Ice Cream Month" and the third Sunday of the month as Ice Cream Day. Since then, the holiday has been celebrated annually; in 2025, it also falls on July 20.
An interesting coincidence: the recipe for vanilla ice cream kept in the Library of Congress is attributed to Thomas Jefferson — and is considered the oldest American ice cream recipe.
Saint Macrina and Autumn's Forecast
According to the new church calendar, on July 19, Orthodox believers honor the memory of Saint Macrina of Cappadocia — sister of Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa. In folk tradition, this day is associated with weather signs: the weather on Macrina's Day foretells the autumn. Rain on July 19 predicted a wet autumn, while heat predicted a dry and warm one.
- Day of Metallurgists — third Sunday of July, in 2025: July 20
- National Ice Cream Day (USA) — third Sunday of July, in 2025: July 20
- Saint Macrina — July 19 by the new calendar
If steel production in Ukraine continues to decline in the second half of 2025 at the same rate of minus 7%, the industry will end the year below not only 2024 figures but also partially below 2023 — and then the question of whether recovery will hold will become not a holiday matter, but a budgetary one.
