All - Leep Calendar

Union Day in Myanmar marks the anniversary of the Panglong Agreement on February 12, 1947. The agreement unified the nation of Burma, which changed its name in 1989 to Myanmar. Union Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Feb

Unity Day (BI)(1991): February 5

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Burundi's Unity Day, celebrated annually on February 5, is a significant national holiday commemorating the signing of the Unity Charter in 1991. This day marks a crucial moment in the country's history, representing efforts to foster peace and unity among its ethnically diverse population. The origins of Unity Day are rooted in Burundi's complex and often turbulent history, characterized by ethnic tensions primarily between the Hutu and Tutsi groups. These tensions have led to periods of violence and civil strife, most notably the genocidal violence in the 1970s and the civil war from 1993 to 2005. The Unity Charter, signed in 1991, was a landmark attempt by the government to address these deep-seated divisions and to promote national unity and reconciliation. Unity Day is a day of reflection and celebration, where Burundians commemorate the strides made towards reconciliation and the ongoing efforts to build a cohesive national identity. Various events and activities occur throughout the country, including cultural performances, sports, and community service activities. These events serve as platforms for bringing people together, fostering a sense of national pride, and promoting understanding and respect among different ethnic groups. The day also involves official ceremonies and speeches by government officials, who emphasize the importance of unity for the country's stability and development. Schools and educational institutions often hold special programs and discussions to educate the youth about the country's history and the significance of unity. Remembering Unity Day is crucial for Burundi as it underscores the importance of peace and cohesion in a country with a history of ethnic conflict. It serves as a reminder of the nation's collective journey towards unity and the need to continue working towards a harmonious and inclusive society. The day is a celebration of the progress made and a call to action to uphold the values of unity and reconciliation in everyday life. In essence, Burundi's Unity Day symbolizes hope and resilience, reflecting the country's commitment to overcoming its past divisions and building a united and prosperous future for all its citizens.

Africa

Feb

USO Day, (1941): February 4

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USO Day marks the anniversary of the founding of the United Services Organization in the months before the United States entered WWII. For many servicemen, especially those on active duty, the USO is a bright spot in an otherwise bleak and scary war. Many of America's greatest entertainers have performed for the USO. USO HISTORY from their site: Supporting America's troops was the first mission of the USO. In 1941, as it became clear that the nation was heading into World War II, several organizations mobilized to support the growing U.S. military: the Salvation Army, Young Men's Christian Association, Young Women's Christian Association, National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created synergy among these agencies by forming the United Service Organizations to provide the emotional support the troops needed. Over time, the USO has evolved, developing new programs and services to meet the ever-changing needs of the troops and their families while holding fast to the original mission. Today, the USO continues to lift the spirits of America's troops and their families and will continue to be there for them until everyone comes home.

Africa

Feb

Valentine's Day (269 AD): February 14

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Saint Valentines Day commemorates the work of Bishop Valentine, who died in 269 AD. At that time, Christianity was not a significant faith (that changed in 361 AD), and the Roman Empire ruled one-quarter of the world's population. The Romans decided married men did not make good soldiers because they always wanted to return to their families. Their solution? Outlaw marriage. Bishop Valentine was imprisoned for performing marriages. Couples used to pass notes through his cell window (why we send Valentines), and he'd marry them in secret. Eventually, Emperor Claudius ordered Bishop Valentine executed for his part in illegally marrying men and women. However, the order was primarily because the bishop tried to convert the emperor to Christianity. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius declared February 14 Saint Valentine's Day to honor the anniversary of Bishop Valentine's martyrdom. St. Valentine is the Patron Saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travelers, and young people. The following is a longer explanation of the holiday. THE WINDING ROAD TO VALENTINE'S DAY Like many other feasts and celebrations in Christianity, Valentine's day incorporates ancient pagan holidays, in this case, Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a springtime celebration of renewal and a time of purification. Cleansing began at the Ides of February (the 15th) and continued for a few days, ending with the ritual slaughtering of goats or sheep for the gods of Rome, Romulus, and Remus. The festival provided offerings to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. The Luperci, an ancient order of priests, led festival rituals and preserved their role in society by keeping the masses under control. Young boys were said to take strips of the slaughtered animal and slap the blood-soaked meat on crops and women to promote fertility and a bountiful harvest. WEAR YOUR HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE Practices evolved (thankfully) by the beginning of the Christian era. Rather than raw meat, young women placed their names in an urn, to which bachelors of any age would pick and become paired with that woman for the year. These lottery pairings often ended in marriage. The tradition went even further in the middle ages. Young men and women pinned names to their sleeves for a week to ward off suitors and seclude themselves with the person he or she desired. This practice is where the expression "wearing your heart on your sleeve" originated. In 498 AD, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as Saint. Valentine's Day. Pairing by lottery was banned as un-Christian through clandestine celebrations continued into the middle-ages. With the ascendency of Gaul (modern-day France) and Spain and England as Christian powers, the three countries inserted the realities of bird's mating seasons in the middle of February as proof and the need for a celebration of coupling and fertility. The ancient worship of mother earth and Druidism practiced by the ancient Celts was rolled into modern St. Valentine's celebrations in the lead-up to the equinox in March. THE VALENTINE RENAISSANCE ROMANCE The Duke of Orleans, Charles, captured in the battle of Agincourt in 1415 AD, sent a "greeting" to his wife from his prison cell in the Tower of London. Carefully written, he used the sentiment as a cover to communicate France's predicament to the King of France. His is considered the oldest Valentine card in existence. The English King Henry V later hired a writer to send a romantic note to Catherine of Valois. Some attribute the flourishing of Valentine's affection to the father of British literature, Geoffrey Chaucer, who died in 1400 AD, recorded the detailed mating rituals of birds to amuse the royal court. Ultimately, British King Henry VII declared February 14 as Saint Valentine's Day, formally ensconcing it into the modern calendar. X'S & O'S Valentine's day reached popularity in Britain by the middle of the 17th century with the proliferation of the printing press. The press allowed more people to hear authors like Chaucer through the town crier. Most people were illiterate, so upon completion of a note by a scribe, most signed with an "x." Signing with an X led to the letter being shorthand for a kiss. In 1797, a primer for men called "The Young Man's Valentine's Writer" was published to help the linguistically challenged compose verse and poems of love for their intended. Some of the text was rather racy; pre-printed, it could be sent anonymously. Most cards, however, were still handmade, representing a higher station in life and an ability to provide a comfortable life for the chosen Valentine. Americans began to send printed cards as postage rates became more affordable. Around 1840, a woman named Esther Howland created the first mass-produced Valentine's Day cards, citing her desire to help women gain an appreciation for their hard work and cultivate commitment from men. ENTER THE AGE OF CONSUMERISM Hallmark printed its first Valentine's Day card in 1913. Cards, flowers, chocolates, and jewelry are the most popular gifts purchased, with $20 billion annually spent on Valentine's Day. FLOWERS Giving flowers on Valentine's Day is believed to originate with a French princess who presented them to her lover on Valentine's Day. Flowers were unattainable to most people due to their cost and rarity until recently. As a symbol of love, the red rose, the favorite flower of the Roman goddess of love, Venus, was often chosen in the Victorian era. Positioning the flower as such did come with PR help from a Dutch florist. CHOCOLATE Richard Cadbury, in 1868, put his confections in a heart-shaped box and gave it to his daughter. He denied that it had anything to do with the holiday, but those who could afford such luxuries started to adopt it as a ritual along with hand-written and printed cards. The Second World War and the boom in the economy catapulted Valentine's Day into popular culture. Suddenly nearly anyone could afford small gifts and cards. Today, men purchase 75 percent of all chocolate for Valentine's Day; women buy the majority of chocolate throughout the year. Men tend to purchase lingerie, flowers, and chocolate within two days of February 14; women begin buying their special someone a gift by January 15, an entire month before the holiday. Women also tend to take care of themselves, with 15 percent admitting to buying flowers on Valentine's Day for themselves. JEWELRY During the 1980s, DeBeer's, the South African diamond conglomerate, saw an opportunity to extract revenue from an increasingly wealthy North American population by marketing diamonds and jewelry as a Valentine's Day gift option. The campaign was highly successful. DeBeer's is also the company that, in the 1930s, made the diamond essential for engagement rings. Happy Valentine's Day.

Africa

Feb

Vasant Panchami (H): February 2

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Vasant Panchami, Saraswati Puja, or the Basant Festival of Kites, marks the beginning of Holi, the holy season for both Sikh and Hindu faiths. The signature color of this event is yellow, and it is one of two spring festivals in the Hindu faith. This festival pays tribute to Maa Saraswati, the goddess of learning, wisdom, knowledge, fine arts, refinement, science, and technology, and occurs 40 days before Holi. Vasant Panchami is a popular celebration for tourists with its animated display of children flying kites. PLEASE NOTE: We use the Indian civil calendar, the official holiday calendar in India, the largest Hindu nation. The Hindu faith has many calendars, each specific to different regions and tribes, with dates and celebrations marked by differing positions of the sun, moon, and stars. Names of months and holidays and the corresponding dates in the Gregorian Calendar may vary widely from one calendar to the next. Determine the proper calendar before attending local events.

Africa

Feb

Vasant Panchami (H): February 2

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Africa

Feb

Vegan Cuisine Month: February

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February is "Vegan Cuisine Month," focusing on the eating part of veganism. There are already multiple vegan-inspired events throughout the calendar, including November, Vegan Days, Love a Vegan Day, Vegan Leather Day (synthetic pleather), and others. The American Vegan Society decided that more was needed and added another month to promote their unique lifestyle. Unlike vegetarianism or pescetarianism, veganism is a lifestyle that reaches into all areas of your life, including what you wear, how you bathe, what you eat, and even your entertainment choices. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "GO VEGAN?" Vegan is an ultra-austere form of vegetarianism, requiring drastic lifestyle changes and staunch adherence. The idea began in 1944 with British woodworker Donald Watson (1911-2005), who coined the term "vegan," defined its parameters, and founded the Vegan Society. Unlike vegetarianism, with its roots in ancient religions, veganism is agnostic and tied to the fringes of the animal rights movement. Avowed vegans refrain from eating, using, working with, wearing, or enjoying human activities with animals. There is significant heavy lifting and abstinence if one wants to be vegan rather than vegetarian. Fortunately, veganism was created after internal combustion, so using transportation is allowed. GENERAL VEGAN GUIDELINES 1) No eating meat, poultry, game, dairy, fish, eggs, honey, gelatin, or aioli (mayonnaise). 2) No clothing, products, or home furnishings made from animals, including leather, fur, wool, ivory, bone, shells, or silk. 3) No products tested on animals; no services using animals, including transportation. 4) No attending, participating, or watching entertainment that uses animals, including film, television, circuses, aquariums, zoos, races, sports, rodeos, hunting, and wild animal parks. 5) No animal husbandry. 6) Most vegans, but not all, are antivaccine and anti-medication due to the necessity of testing new drugs and vaccines on animals first. 7) Extreme vegans reject having pets, though the pet issue is unsettled and debated in the community. WHAT IS A VEGETARIAN? In contrast, most vegetarians eat animal products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs. The key is that vegetarians don't eat dead animals. Honey is a staple, often replacing sugar in recipes. Vegetarians will wear silk, wool, and leather, visit zoos, enjoy films with animals, and support humane farming and ranching. Vegetarians, as a group, do not have issues with medication, and many happily have pets. Pescatarians are a hybrid between omnivores (most global humans who eat plant and animal-based diets) and vegetarians. Pescatarians eat fish but do not eat beef, lamb, pork, game, or poultry. Vegan Cuisine Month is another month in the calendar to try vegan foods and sample the lifestyle. It is fitting, perhaps, as The American Vegan Society was founded in 1960 by Freya Dinshah, the author of "The Vegan Kitchen," the first vegan cookbook in the United States.

Africa

Feb

Vegan Lipstick Day, Ntl.: February 28

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Lipstick brand CakeLipps created Vegan Lipstick Day on the birthday of the founder's grandmother. It promotes lipsticks made without animal-derived ingredients or by-products, highlighting the shift towards more ethical and sustainable practices in the cosmetics industry. The concept of a product being "vegan" implies that it contains no animal-derived ingredients. Traditional lipsticks often contain ingredients like beeswax, lanolin (from wool), and carmine (a red pigment from cochineal insects), which are not vegan. Vegan lipsticks, on the other hand, utilize alternative ingredients derived from plants or synthetic sources. These may include natural oils, waxes from plants like candelilla or carnauba, and synthetic dyes. Vegan Lipstick Day aims to raise awareness about these alternatives and encourage consumers to consider vegan options. The day is not only about abstaining from animal-based ingredients but also often intersects with cruelty-free practices, meaning the products and their ingredients are not tested on animals. The celebration of Vegan Lipstick Day involves various activities and initiatives by cosmetic brands, beauty influencers, and consumers. Cosmetic brands may launch new vegan products, offer special promotions, or host events to educate consumers about vegan options. Beauty influencers often take to social media to showcase vegan lipsticks, share information about different brands, and discuss the benefits of choosing vegan products. The significance of Vegan Lipstick Day extends beyond the realm of cosmetics. It reflects a growing consumer consciousness about their choices' ethical and environmental impact. As demand for vegan and cruelty-free products increases, more cosmetic brands adapt their formulations and practices, leading to greater innovation and variety in the market. Vegan Lipstick Day is a celebration of ethical beauty choices. It serves as a reminder that fashion and ethics can coexist and that small changes in consumer habits can contribute to broader animal welfare and sustainability efforts.

Africa

Feb

Vet Girls Rise, Ntl.: February 19

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Created in 2019 to honor female veterans of the US military, Vet Girls Rise highlights the accomplishments and contributions of women to military service.

Africa

Feb

Victory Day (IR)(1979): February 11

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On February 11, 1979, the Shah of Iran, installed by the US and UK after a successful coup in 1953 against the democratically elected government, was deposed and forced from power by a popular uprising headed by Sayyid Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini, a strict adherent to Shi'ia Islam. It marked the beginning of the modern-day state of Iran. Victory Day marks that anniversary and is a national holiday in the country.

Africa

Feb

Vijaya Ekadashi (H): February 24

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Known as "The Great Fast" in the Hindu faith, Vijaya Ekadashi occurs over two days. Devotees fast to seek blessings of love and affection from Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is the Hindu faith's supreme god of truth and peace. There are four primary sects of Hinduism: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. PLEASE NOTE: We use the Indian civil calendar, the official holiday calendar in India. The Hindu faith has many calendars, each specific to different regions and tribes, with dates and celebrations marked by differing positions of the sun, moon, and stars. Names of months and holidays and the corresponding dates in the Gregorian Calendar may vary widely from one calendar to the next. Determine the proper calendar before attending local events.

Africa

Feb

Violent Extremism Prevention Day, Intl. February 12

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Violent extremism poses a significant threat to peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development, impacting countries and regions worldwide. While it lacks a clear definition, recent years have seen terrorist groups like ISIL, Al-Qaida, and Boko Haram shape our understanding of violent extremism and the need to address it. These groups propagate messages of intolerance, challenging our shared values of peace, justice, and human dignity through their heinous acts and effective use of social media. The spread of violent extremism has exacerbated existing humanitarian crises, resulting in the displacement of millions of people. The movement of individuals away from and towards conflict zones has disrupted regions, with some seeking safety while others are drawn into the conflict as foreign terrorist fighters. While violent extremism cannot be justified, it is crucial to recognize that it does not arise in a vacuum. Narratives of grievances, perceived injustice, and the denial of human rights contribute to its appeal. Addressing the root causes of violent extremism involves promoting good governance, respecting human rights, and addressing grievances to prevent its emergence. In response to this global challenge, the General Assembly declared February 12 as the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism. This day aims to raise awareness about the threats associated with violent extremism and enhance international cooperation in countering it. Member States bear the primary responsibility in addressing terrorism, while intergovernmental organizations, civil society, academia, religious leaders, and the media also play crucial roles. The resolution reaffirms that terrorism and violent extremism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group. The Office of Counter-Terrorism, in collaboration with relevant entities, is tasked with facilitating the observance of the International Day.

Africa

Feb

Viticulturist's Day (BG): February 14

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Wine lovers will love this day, celebrated annually in Bulgaria. Viticulturist's Day honors the men and women involved in the study, science, and production of grapes and the products created from them. This holiday and festival of wine and merriment have been part of Bulgarian culture since the fourth century BC. It is celebrated each year in honor of the ancient god Dionysus, the god of wine and merriment.

Africa

Feb

Waitangi Day, Ntl. (NZ)(1840): February 6

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February 6, 1840, is the day the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by the British Empire and the 540 tribes of the Māori people, the indigenous of New Zealand. Waitangi Day is a national holiday honoring the founding of the country.

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Feb

Walking the Dog Day: February 22

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However, since dogs need walking daily, use this day as a reminder. There is National Walk Your Dog Week, which occurs in October. National Walking the Dog Day began in 2010 and focuses on the increasing problem of canine behavior issues and obesity in America. October's National Walk Your Dog Week is an official, sponsored event.

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