Lesson From History

Whenever we doubt our place in the world, or the impact we can have, it is helpful to realize the power one person’s action can have.

While being the largest country in Europe, Ukraine is often forgotten when the influential countries of Europe are discussed. For most of the 20th century it was an integral part of the Soviet Union, but as the Soviet empire collapsed in 1991 Ukraine achieved independence. After a period of instability, by the beginning of the 2000s Ukraine had gained economic progress despite a government tainted by corruption and centralized power in Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. Elections in 2004 would challenge his leadership, leading to the ascent of the main opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko. Approaching the end of what was a vigorously contested campaign, Yushchenko became gravely ill just one month from the planned October elections. Seeking treatment in Austria and England, it would eventually be proved that he was the victim of an attempted poisoning, as his blood levels of the organic pollutant dioxin were 6,000 times normal. Though his face was permanently scarred from the poisoning, he survived and pressed on with his campaign. But it is not this act of bravery that is the lesson from these events.

After the initial October election resulted in a statistical tie, a run off was set for November 2004. Despite polling giving Yuschchenko a clear lead and all initial results pointing to his victory, fraud and corruption permeated the process that culminated with the announcement of the results on the night of November 24. While the government run news broadcast announced Yuschchenko’s defeat, Nataliya Dmytruk, the sign language interpreter for the broadcast, refused to translate the lies of the state. Instead, she signed “I’m addressing all the deaf citizens of Ukraine. Our president is Viktor Yushchenko. Do not trust the results of the central election committee. They are all lies.... And I am very ashamed to translate such lies to you. Maybe you will see me again.” This single act of protest sparked a revolt among other figures in the media, which propelled what would become the Orange Revolution in Ukraine to demand a new election. This was held in December, with Yuschchenko achieving victory.

Of course, the rise of the Orange Revolution is more complex than the brief summary outlined here. But what is clear is the impact one person’s courage can have, and the importance to remember that similar courage lives inside all of us.