All - Leep Calendar

Going into heat is when a female animal becomes fertile and can conceive a litter. Each year tens of thousands of kittens and puppies are born, exploding the population of unwanted pets and overwhelming shelters. Unfortunately, most of these animals never find forever homes and have to be put down. Beat the Heat Month reminds pet parents to get their pets spayed or neutered before their animals go into heat. It's a small thing you can do that makes a big difference. Look for discounted spaying and neutering services during this month within your community. There are multiple organizations sponsoring spay and neuter awareness during February. You will also see this month listed elsewhere as 'Prevent a Litter Month,' 'Spay/Neuter Awareness Month,' and various other concept combinations.

Africa

Feb

Berlin International Film Festival (DE): February 13-23

06:20 AM | -

Initiated in 1951 and drawing over 300,000 people annually, the Berlin International Film Festival includes competitions between documentaries, children’s films, and general entertainment. Awards include Gold and Silver Bears awarded for best in each category.

Africa

Feb

Bhishma Ashtami (H): February 5

06:20 AM | -

Bhishma Ashtami occurs on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha during the month of Magha. It marks the day Bhishma of Mahabharata (Ganga Putr Bhism), the supreme commander of Hindu forces, was killed. Mahabharata is one of the Hindu faith's foundational historical books/stories. The other is the Rāmāyaṇa Fasting and various rituals are performed on this day to safeguard the soul of Bhishma. 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

Bike to Work Month (NZ): February

06:20 AM | -

New Zealand's Bike to Work Month, celebrated in February, is a testament to the country's growing commitment to sustainable transportation and health. The history of this event traces back to the early 2000s when environmental concerns and health issues prompted local communities and organizations to promote cycling as a viable alternative to motor vehicle commuting. Bike to Work Month encourages New Zealanders to consider biking as a regular mode of transportation. This initiative aims to reduce traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, and promote physical fitness. The event has gained momentum over the years, supported by local governments, cycling groups, and environmental activists. Each February, cities across New Zealand host various activities, including group rides, bike maintenance, safety workshops, and challenges with incentives to motivate participation. Employers play a significant role by providing bike racks and showers to accommodate cycling employees. The event has also sparked conversations about urban planning and infrastructure, including developing more bike lanes and safer cycling routes, making biking more accessible and appealing for daily commuters. Bike to Work Month reflects New Zealand's broader environmental goals and commitment to promoting a healthy, active lifestyle among its citizens. By encouraging more people to cycle, the event contributes to a greener, more sustainable future for the country.

Africa

Feb

Bird Feeding Month, Ntl. : February

06:20 AM | -

Created by Congressional decree in 1994, National Bird Feeding Month occurs each year during the height of winter, when finding food for many birds is difficult. This campaign encourages people to provide food, water, and shelter to help wild birds survive. Currently, one-third of the U.S. adult population feeds wild birds in their backyards. The National Bird-Feeding Society sponsors the event.

Africa

Feb

Bird Nest Box Week (UK), Ntl.: February 14-21

06:20 AM | -

National Nest Box Week takes place every February 14-21, when people put nest boxes in their community to conserve indigenous birds and enhance biodiversity. During this time, people are encouraged to build boxes for birds and monitor what birds reside in them. Supported by Jacobi Jayne & Co. and collaborated with Chris Mead, this event is part of the ornithological calendar and has been going on for over two decades.

Africa

Feb

Birthday of King Harald V (NO)(1937): February 21

06:20 AM | -

Howdy! We're working on the description for this event. It's one of over two thousand events added to the calendar this year. We have verified it is an authentic event and have included the organization behind it for our members. In the meantime, we wanted to make sure you were able to include it in your search for events this month and in this category. We appreciate your patience!

Africa

Feb

Black Girl Magic Day, Ntl.: February 15

06:20 AM | -

"Black Girl Magic Day" during Black History Month celebrates the power, resilience, and beauty inherent in black women and girls by acknowledging and honoring the achievements, strength, and potential of black females in various spheres of life, including education, arts, politics, and sciences. It's a day that empowers black women and girls to embrace their identity and culture with pride and joy. The term "Black Girl Magic" entered popular culture around 2013 when CaShawn Thompson coined it. Thompson created the hashtag #BlackGirlMagic on social media platforms to celebrate black women and girls' accomplishments and general resilience. The phrase quickly gained traction, evolving into a movement and a rallying cry for black females across the globe. The term "Black Girl Magic" is used in the black community to affirm black women and girls' beauty, power, and resilience. It serves as a counter-narrative to the often negative stereotypes and systemic challenges faced by black females, including racism and sexism. "Black Girl Magic" highlights the achievements and contributions of black women and girls, historically underrecognized or marginalized. "Black Girl Magic Day" provides a platform to showcase black women and girls' diverse talents, accomplishments, and experiences. It's a celebration, reflection, and empowerment day, where stories of success and perseverance are shared. The day acknowledges the struggles that black women and girls face and underscores their ability to overcome these challenges with grace and strength. Communities celebrate "Black Girl Magic Day" through various events such as educational seminars, art exhibitions, community gatherings, and online campaigns. These events often feature stories of prominent black women in history and those making significant impacts today. The day is also marked by personal expressions of pride and solidarity on social media, with individuals sharing stories, images, and messages of empowerment. "Black Girl Magic Day" is more than just a day of celebration; it's a reminder of the ongoing need to support and uplift black women and girls. It calls for recognition of their contributions, respect for their journey, and creating spaces where they can thrive and inspire future generations.

Africa

Feb

Black History Month (US/CA): February

06:20 AM | -

Black History Month focuses on the African American experience in the United States, its history, triumphs, and stories. This specific demographic is unique in American culture, forced to come here in chains and as slaves. But even at such odds, the African American community fought and won their rights and freedoms. That fight continues today. This event includes multiple champions, including The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Africa

Feb

Black Literacy Day, Ntl.: February 14

06:20 AM | -

DL Mullen, owner of Chicago's Semicolon Bookstore, launched National Black Literacy Day in 2021 to coincide with the month of Fredrick Douglass' birth and death to encourage more reading amongst black and brown youth. His initiative aims to address illiteracy rates in Chicago, especially among Black and brown communities, coincides with Black History Month. Mullen's petition to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Governor J.B. Pritzker seeks to gain wider recognition for the holiday. The day encourages community engagement in literacy programs, with Semicolon's #ClearTheShelves program playing a pivotal role by distributing free books to young readers. Mullen emphasizes the responsibility of Black-owned bookstores in fostering community literacy and hopes other bookstores will participate in promoting literacy and access to literature. Between 2012 and 2014, various surveys indicated that an average of 23% of Black adults and 34% of Hispanic adults in the United States possessed low literacy skills. These literacy challenges have various causes, including historical abuse, inequalities, lack of education, and English not being a native language. It is possible to be literate in one language and illiterate in another. Literacy in English is particularly difficult for people from non-Latin language backgrounds where the words, letters, and sentence structure differ entirely from their native language. To people from Russia, Asia, Greece, and many islands, as well as indigenous and African tribes that do not have an alphabet, English writing and grammar rules are very strange. Literacy has little to do with intelligence and everything about opportunity and familiarity. Most Americans would find themselves illiterate in other countries if they were to travel or emigrate, too.

Africa

Feb

Black Lives Matter Day (2013): February 26

06:20 AM | -

Africa

Feb

Black Love Day: February 13

06:20 AM | -

Africa

Feb

Black Pound Day (UK): February 1

06:20 AM | -

Initiated in 2020 in response to the Black Lives Matter global protest, Black Pound Day occurs on the first Saturday of each month in the United Kingdom. The purpose is to ask consumers to support Black-owned businesses on this day by shopping at them or giving their patronage. Musician DJ Swiss created black Pound Day.

Africa

Feb

Black Saturday (2009): February 7

06:20 AM | -

Black Saturday is a series of devastating bushfires that swept through Victoria, Australia, on February 7, 2009. The day is considered one of the darkest moments in Australia's history due to the extensive damage and loss of life it caused. The fires ignited after prolonged extreme heat and drought, conditions that made the region particularly susceptible to wildfires. Several fires were sparked by fallen power lines and lightning strikes, while at least one was determined to result from arson. The fires on Black Saturday burned through an estimated 450,000 hectares (1.1 million acres) of land, destroying over 2,000 homes and claiming 173 human lives. In addition to the tragic loss of human life, the fires engulfed millions of wild and domestic animals, leading to significant ecological and environmental impacts. The fires decimated entire communities, leaving thousands of people homeless and causing billions of Australian dollars in damage. The impact of the Black Saturday fires was felt more profoundly than other bushfires for several reasons. Firstly, the scale of the fires and the speed at which they spread overwhelmed emergency services and communities. Many victims had little warning and were trapped by the fast-moving flames. Secondly, the fires struck densely populated areas, including regions on the outskirts of Melbourne, Victoria's capital, exacerbating the human and property losses. Climate change is believed to have contributed to the intensity and devastation of the Black Saturday bushfires. Leading up to the fires, Victoria experienced years of below-average rainfall and record-breaking temperatures, conditions scientists link to global climate change's broader effects. These factors created an arid and combustible landscape, primed for one of the worst fire disasters in Australian history. The extreme weather conditions on February 7, including temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) and strong winds, further fueled the fires' ferocity. The aftermath of Black Saturday led to significant changes in Australia's fire management and emergency response protocols, including improvements to early warning systems, building codes, and fire preparedness measures for communities in fire-prone areas. The tragedy also intensified the conversation around climate change in Australia, highlighting the need for action to mitigate its impacts and prevent future disasters of similar magnitude.

Africa

Feb

Black Women in the Arts, Week of, Intl.: February 7-15

06:20 AM | -

The International Week of Black Women in the Arts honors the contributions of black women to visual arts, literature, music, and performing arts during Black History Month. This event showcases the extraordinary work of black female artists and writers and highlights the unique challenges they face in their artistic journeys. It serves as a platform to amplify their voices, showcase their talents, and inspire future generations of black women in the arts. Throughout history, black women have significantly contributed to the arts, often overcoming substantial barriers. Some notable black female artists and writers include: MAYA ANGELOU—A celebrated poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographical novels, which include the highly acclaimed "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." Her work explores themes of identity, family, and racism; her powerful use of language captures the black experience in America. TONY MORRISON—A Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, is renowned for her richly detailed characters and epic themes. Her novels, including "Beloved," "Song of Solomon," and "The Bluest Eye," delve into the complexities of black identity and the impacts of racism in the United States. FAITH RINGGOLD—An artist best known for her painted story quilts, Ringgold combines fabric, storytelling, and painting to create powerful narratives that address issues of race, gender, and class. Her works, including "Tar Beach," have brought African-American stories and perspectives to a broader audience. KARA WALKER—A contemporary artist, Walker is known for her provocative silhouettes depicting scenes of antebellum violence and power dynamics. Her work challenges viewers to confront the legacy of slavery and racism in America. LORRAINE HANSBERRY—Best known for her play "A Raisin in the Sun," Hansberry was the first black female playwright to have a work performed on Broadway. Her writings often dealt with the struggles of black families in a racially segregated society. The International Week of Black Women in the Arts is not just a celebration; it's a call to action to support and recognize black women's vital role in enriching the world's cultural landscape. The event encourages dialogue, promotes diversity in the arts, and fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of the work of black female artists and writers. Through exhibitions, readings, performances, and workshops, this week offers an opportunity for communities to engage with and learn from the art and stories of these talented women.

Africa