All - Leep Calendar

Thunder and lighting, snow, ice, hypothermia, and extreme cold are some of the weather-related hazards of winter. National Winter Weather Safety Day is the annual day the National Weather Service seeks to educate the public about the dangers and how to prepare for them. National Winter Weather Safety Day is one of four seasonal Safety campaigns sponsored by the National Weather Service each year.

Africa

Dec

Wreaths Across America Tribute: December 13 (est)

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Wreaths Across America is an annual December event dedicated to remembering and honoring United States military veterans during the holiday season. This tribute involves laying wreaths on the graves of fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery and over 1,400 additional locations across the United States and abroad. The tradition began in 1992 when Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, found himself with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Remembering a boyhood trip to Arlington National Cemetery, he was inspired to honor the country's veterans. With the help of volunteers and a local trucking company, Worcester arranged to place wreaths at Arlington in one of the cemetery's older sections, which had seen fewer visitors each year. This annual tribute went on quietly until 2005, when a photo of the snow-covered graves at Arlington adorned with wreaths circulated on the internet, drawing national attention. The outpouring of interest and desire to replicate Worcester's tribute in communities across the country led to the formation of Wreaths Across America as a non-profit organization in 2007. The mission of Wreaths Across America is simple yet profound: "Remember, Honor, Teach." It is a mission carried out in December and throughout the year. The organization aims to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach younger generations about the sacrifices made for freedom. Each year, on National Wreaths Across America Day, coordinated wreath-laying ceremonies are held at Arlington, veterans' cemeteries, and other locations in all 50 states, at sea, and abroad. The event is made possible by thousands of volunteers who lay wreaths on veterans' graves and by the trucking companies donating their services to transport them. This tribute has grown to encompass various activities, including parades, ceremonial events, and educational outreach. The act of laying wreaths is symbolic of gratitude and respect for those who have served and sacrificed for the nation.

Africa

Dec

Wright Brothers Day (1903): December 17

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Presidential Proclamation: Wright Brothers Day On December 17, 1903, after years of determination and creativity, Orville and Wilbur Wright's wooden aircraft sailed the steady winds of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. They conquered the age-old dream of manned flight. That day, the two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, could only imagine what we now know. Those moments aloft in the North Carolina sky would send mankind on a revolutionary journey and modernize transportation. On this day, we celebrate their historic accomplishment, the limitless potential they represent, and the vision they spurred for the next generation of inventors and entrepreneurs. The Wright brothers' monumental achievement solidified their place in history and earned them status as American and global icons. They moved aviation from a curiosity into an indispensable global industry. Self-taught and relentless in their years of work and experimentation, the brothers were a shining illustration of the limitless capacity of human intellect and the resourcefulness of the American entrepreneur. As part of an era of great visionaries, Orville and Wilbur Wright helped hasten an age of discovery and significant technological advancement. Their unyielding pursuit of powered flight stands as a proud example for young and curious minds eager to transform and advance the world around them. Just as the Wright brothers' breakthrough led to a new industry that forever altered our world, a new generation of space pioneers is now following in their footsteps and setting our Nation's sights even higher. Working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration, leaders in spaceflight are making significant progress in ushering in a new commercial space industry. America's long technological leadership and innovation history have been the product of learning and ingenuity. To maintain this tradition and propel it forward, America must empower the next generation of doers and makers. We must ensure our Nation's students receive the world-class mathematics and science education they need to challenge the boundaries of human knowledge and realize tomorrow what we can only dream today. We must also ready our children to become entrepreneurs whose tenacity and creativity will power the engine of our Nation's economy for centuries to come. On Wright Brothers Day, remembering that celebrated flight, let us recommit to preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, inventors, and entrepreneurs to create a future of promise and progress. The Congress, by a joint resolution, approved December 17, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 402; 36 U.S.C. 143), has designated December 17 of each year as "Wright Brothers Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation inviting the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 17, 2010, as Wright Brothers Day. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. BARACK OBAMA

Africa

Dec

Write a Business Plan Month, Ntl.: December

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December is a slow month for business if you're in anything but retail or shipping. It is the perfect time to jumpstart your new year and develop that idea you've been working on. Use this month to plan the rest of your life and become your boss. Use National Write a Business Plan Month as your motivation.

Africa

Dec

Write a Friend Month, Ntl.: December

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National Write a Friend Month is popular with school teachers and bloggers as it provides a chance to develop writing skills and connect with people using more than shorthand and texts. Take this opportunity to pen a letter to a friend you have yet to connect with. Better yet, create a letter to send out with your Christmas Cards. It's a great way to stay in touch, work on your penmanship and bring a smile to someone's face!

Africa

Dec

Yalda (IR): December 21

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Yalda, Shab-e Chelleh, or Shab-e Yalda could be considered equivalent to the "Thanksgiving Day" celebration in the Persian world, dominated by Iran but including Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Tajikistan, and non-Islamic communities in Turkey. The winter solstice, the longest night of the year, is a time for family and friends to gather together and feast. Yalda originated between the second and third centuries AD, 300 years before Islam, within pagan communities distressed by the celebrations of Christians moving into the area. Over the years and centuries, it became part of the social fabric, and in 2008 the government of Iran officially recognized Yalda on its List of National Treasures.

Africa

Dec

Yule: December 21

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"Troll the ancient yuletide carols, fa la la la la..." If you've been in a Christian country during the holiday season, no doubt you've heard a reference to Yule in the carol "Deck the Halls." This event is the song's topic. Yule is the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, the shortest day of the year. Pagan faiths previously, and Wiccans today, believe the Yule, or Alban Athan, occurs on the year's longest night. The faithful believe this night marks the sun god's death and the earth goddess's rebirth. Feasting, bonfires, and singing mark celebrations. Enter Rome. Pope Julius I, who shepherded the Christian faith between February 6, 337 - April 12, 352, chose December 25 as the birthday of Jesus Christ. The date coincided with the pagan Roman holiday "Dies natalis solis invicti," which translates to "the birthday of the invincible Sun," permitting those who hadn't converted to celebrate their traditions with others, including caroling, feasting, and fire. Fire brings us to the symbol of the Yule log, which originated in Scandinavia. The Yule log was an entire tree set alight on the solstice to entice the sun to return. The tree would burn for twelve days, and its ashes were folded into the soil at spring planting to ensure a bountiful harvest. In modern times it is tradition to burn a large log on the fire on Christmas Eve. Streaming services also provide a Yule log screen saver for those without a fireplace.

Africa

Dec

Zoo, Ntl. Day to Visit: December 27

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December 27 in the US is the National Day to Visit the Zoo. The family holidays are still ongoing on the third day of Christmas, but the primary celebration has passed. By this point, the kids are getting restless, and though the weather may be a bit chilly, most zoos have discounts and specials for this day to entice you to get out of the house and spend some quality time together. National Day to Visit the Zoo is an unofficial event with no specific sponsor, and many zoos around the country hold special events on this day. Check with your zoo to see if it is doing anything special for National Day to Visit the Zoo.

Africa

Dec

A'phabet Day: December 25

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A'phabet Day occurs on Christmas and can provide a little amusement for the family. Try to make it through a conversation without using the letter 'L.' It's a lot harder than it sounds. Just writing this, we used eight. A'phabet Day originated with Robert Birch, who passed away on July 25, 2005. If you love playing with words, his obituary is masterful: http://users.erols.com/jbirch/rlb/memorial.htm.

Africa

Dec

AFL-CIO Day (1955): December 4

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Today marks the anniversary of combining the two largest labor unions in the United States, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), on December 4, 1955. According to the AFL-CIO, unions are about the following: “Unions are about a simple proposition: By joining together, working women and men gain strength in numbers so they can have a voice at work about what they care about. They negotiate a contract with their employer for a fair and safe workplace, better wages, a secure retirement, and family-friendly policies such as paid sick leave and scheduling hours. They have a voice in how their jobs get done, creating a more stable, productive workforce that provides better services and products.”

Africa

Dec

Africa Cup of Nations (MO): December 21 - January 18

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February 10, 1957 is when the Africa Cup of Nations became a reality. The first series was won by Egypt. The founding members are Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and South Africa. Today membership includes 54 Associations, the secretariat is based in Egypt. This series of football competitions (soccer) in the African nations occurs on an annual basis.

Africa

Dec

AIDS Day, World: December 1

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World AIDS Day is held in December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and commemorate people who have died. In 1988, World AIDS Day was the first global health day ever created.

Africa

Dec

Ambrosia Day: December 12

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Ambrosia Day is an unofficial holiday without a sponsor celebrating the fruit salad known as ambrosia. Ambrosia salad includes a variety of tropical fruits, usually mixed with coconut flakes and whipping cream.

Africa

Dec

Anger Awareness Week, Ntl. (UK): December 1-7

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Held the first week of December annually, National Anger Awareness Week provides tools and education to families leading into the highly emotional Christmas season. Sponsored by the British Association of Anger Management (BAAM), multiple resources are available on the "Beating Anger" website to assist with managing the stresses and triggers that instigate anger. http://www.beatinganger.com

Africa

Dec

Anne and Samantha Day: December 21

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Anne and Samantha Day occurs on the summer and winter solstice to honor the work of two teenage women who died too young. Its purpose is to create a postage stamp to commemorate their actions promoting world peace and understanding. It also encourages girls and young women to make their voices heard and take action. Anne is for Anne Frank, the author of The Diary of Anne Frank. Anne died in a Nazi concentration camp less than two months before WWII ended in Europe. She was just sixteen years old. Her diary is one of the most widely read books in the world. Samantha is for Samantha Smith, who is known as the world's youngest ambassador. Passionate about peace, she wrote a letter to the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Yuri Andropov, in November 1982, congratulating him on his new job and with a desire to promote peace during the Cold War. After a couple of letters, Smith received an answer from the Soviet leader with an invitation to visit. She wrote the book describing the trip, Journey to the Soviet Union. Samantha died on August 25, 1985, in a domestic plane crash in Maine at age 13.

Africa