This week in history

Nov. 13 1708: Russian troops under Aleksandr Menshikov’s command seize Hetman Mazepa’s capital of Baturyn. Most of the defenders and local residents are massacred.

2004: The Central Election Committee approves a decision to hold a televised debate between presidential candidates Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych.

Nov. 14 1939. An extraordinary session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR passes a bill joining Western Ukraine to the USSR and its “reunification” with the Ukrainian SSR.

2004: In Kyiv and Lviv artists hold rallies known as the Orange Autumn in support of Viktor Yushchenko.

Nov. 15 1919: At a state meeting of the Ukrainian National Republic (UNR) the members of the Directory and the UNR government appoint Symon Petliura “commander in chief of all affairs of the republic.”

2004: Ukraine’s First National TV Channel (UTV-1) broadcasts a televised debated between presidential candidates Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych.

Nov. 16 1913: Ukraine’s first music conservatory opens in Kyiv.

1994: The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passes a bill on joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of July 1, 1968.

Nov. 17 1993: The Ministry of Justice registers the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists in Ukraine.

2004: The noted British journalist Askold Krushelnycky publishes a sensational article in The Independent, reporting that the Ukrainian militia was instructed to rig the presidential elections in Ukraine.

Nov. 18 1994: The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine outlaws the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Crimea.

2004: The Washington Times report that the “US is canceling entry visas for people who actively support the Ukrainian presidential candidate that is favored by the Kremlin and the current leader Leonid Kuchma.”

Nov. 19 1991: The 1st All-Ukrainian Interconfessional Forum convenes in Kyiv.

2004: President George Bush calls for measures to secure free and fair presidential elections in Ukraine.