All - Leep Calendar

Be a Blessing Day honors The Bible/Tanakh verse Genesis/Bereishit 12:3. This day is about orchestrating your life to be a blessing to others, breaking down barriers, and forging unity between all mankind. This verse 12:3 explains a promise to Abram (Abraham/Ibrahim) from God for his obedience and faith. The three great religions of The Book originate from Abram: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Jesus Christ and the Prophet Mohammed are both descendants of Abram. All three faiths and their followers include this scripture in their books. The differences occur in the telling. The Tanakh and Bible tend to narrate genealogy in this chapter, and the Qur'an tells a narrative, or Sura, from a religious rather than genealogical perspective: Tanakh version—Bereishit 12:3: "And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you." Bible version—Genesis 12:3: "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Qur'an version—Surah An-Nisa 4:125: "And whose way of life could be better than that of he who submits his whole being to Allah, does good, and follows exclusively the way of Abraham whom Allah took for a friend?." This event was first held in 2015.

Africa

Dec

Be a Lover of Silence Day: December 22

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As the hecticness of the holiday season comes to a climax, take some time for yourself and find a quiet place and be. Be a Lover of Silence Day is your opportunity to give yourself a mini-vacation from sound.

Africa

Dec

Beer, Holiday Ale Fest, Portland (US-OR): December 3-7

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Annually at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Downtown Portland, Oregon, the Portland Holiday Ale Fest is five days of fun and beer tasting for adults (21 and over. No children allowed) between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Designated Drivers receive free non-alcoholic drinks for the duration. This event first ran in 1995.

Africa

Dec

Bicarbonate of Soda Day, Ntl.: December 30

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Native Americans first used baking soda, soda ash, or bicarbonate of soda as a leavening agent for bread. 1835 marked the first time a pre-packaged version of baking soda went on sale, dubbed Royal Baking Powder. It was a combination of baking soda and cream of tartar. Once introduced to moisture, these two chemicals release CO2, causing the bread to rise. The first recipes published using baking soda for soda bread appeared in Ireland in "The Southern Planter," published in 1843. Yeast was often challenging, and baking soda became a much less expensive substitute. December 30 is dubbed 'bicarbonate of soda day' due to another use of baking soda: as an antacid. With all the eating and drinking during the holidays, some will inevitably overeat and overdrink, causing tummy trouble. A teaspoon of baking soda mixed with a cup of water often suffices as the perfect antacid.

Africa

Dec

Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day: December 1

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Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day is an ode to the forty-plus crowd. If you’re over 40, you’ll get this. It comes out of nowhere. You’re going along daily with no need for reading glasses when suddenly, the screen gets fuzzy. At first, you fight it, increasing the screen font, contrast, and lighting to pretend it isn’t happening. As the days go by, it gets worse. Without warning, now you cannot read labels in the grocery store, see your nails to do a manicure, or anything else within 12 inches of your face. It dawns on you—you are officially in middle age, and you’ll never be able to pick up anything to read without your trusty glasses again. And, if you wear bifocals, it’s even worse. Will you use the far-sighted or reading lenses inserted into your far-sighted lenses? How do you decide? Should you decide? Whatever you do, one thing is sure. With all that up and down and side to side to see what’s on the screen, at least your neck gets a good workout!

Africa

Dec

Bike Shop Day, Ntl.: December 6

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National Bike Shop Day began in 2017. Its purpose is to bring together independent bike stores across the country and educate the public about the economic, ecological, and health benefits of bicycling. Annually on the first Saturday in December.

Africa

Dec

Bill of Rights Day, National (1791): December 15

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On December 15, 1791, the first ten amendments to the US Constitution were ratified by all thirteen colonies of the United States. Known as the Bill of Rights, these amendments outlined the limits to government power over the people and were revolutionary. Whereas the Constitution outlines the duties and responsibilities of each of the three main components of the US Government (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial), the first ten amendments protect the people from government intrusion, authoritarianism, and false imprisonment. The Bill of Rights for the United States of America is: "Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Amendment II A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. Amendment III No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Amendment IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Amendment V No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. Amendment VI In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. Amendment VII In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. Amendment VIII Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Amendment IX The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Amendment X The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."

Africa

Dec

Bingo Month, Ntl. (1929): December

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International Bingo Month marks the anniversary of the promotion of the modern game of bingo (the one now associated with church basements), in December 1929, by toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe. First seen at a carnival, the game became an answer for creating income at the onset of the Great Depression. It was a hit! The original name was 'Beano.' It became bingo due to mispronunciation. Initially, players used beans to cover the numbers called. Today we use stamps. Lowe used two methods, one with twelve cards and one with 24 cards, charging $1 and $2, respectively. But Lowe wasn't the originator of bingo. The game was first played in 1530s Italy and was a lottery called Lo Giuoco del Lotto d'Italia. Over the centuries, it spread throughout Europe and morphed into several different formats, from educational to gambling. Today it is often associated with fundraising and senior citizens. No matter what you call it, bingo is beloved by millions worldwide.

Africa

Dec

Black Pound Day (UK): December 6

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Born in 2020 in the wake of the Black Lives Matter global protest, Black Pound Day in the United Kingdom is a monthly event occurring on the first Saturday of each month. 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 it.

Africa

Dec

Bodhi Day (B)(JP)(532 BC): December 8

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Bodhi Day celebrates the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, on the anniversary of his becoming the Buddha on December 8, 532 BC. Japan celebrates this event annually on December 8th. However, the Chinese religious calendar celebrates it on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month in the Chinese Calendar, which is why there is more than one Bodhi Day. Siddhartha Gautama was born in Nepal, a source of great pride for the Himalayan country.

Africa

Dec

Bonza Bottler Day™, Intl: December 12

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When the number of the month matches the number of the day, that's Bonza Bottler Day. It is a play on numbers. There are twelve Bonza Bottler Days a year. This event began in 1985. Bonza is Australian for "Super." Bottler is slang for "something excellent."

Africa

Dec

Bouillabaisse Day, Ntl.: December 14

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National Bouillabaisse Day in the US celebrates bouillabaisse, a classic southern French dish made with several varieties of fish. Bouillabaisse can differ quite a bit depending on the ingredients used. It is essential to use several different kinds of fish and season them with saffron, the spice that gives the dish its distinctive color and flavor. National Bouillabaisse Day is an unofficial holiday with no sponsor. Happy Bouillabaisse Day!

Africa

Dec

Boxing Day (UK/AU/ZA/CA): December 26

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Boxing Day in the Commonwealth countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and South Africa, is a day of thanks and sharing. The tradition of Boxing Day began during the Victorian era in England. The day after Christmas, the gentry granted the day off to their servants, presenting each with a box of gifts to take home to their families. For those who provided services over the year, including doormen, delivery people, and salon workers, tips are given. Traditionally, Boxing Day is the second day of Christmastide (The 12 days from Christmas to Epiphany). In the countries mentioned above, Boxing Day is a bank holiday. There is also a legend tying Boxing Day to Christmas originating in the tenth century with the Duke of Bohemia, Wenceslas—the same as the Christmas song. Wenceslas, the legend goes, once helped a poor man passing through his kingdom by giving him food and wine in boxes (prior to Franzia, of course!) The traditions of Boxing Day continue today, and the holiday continues throughout the Commonwealth as a uniquely British holiday.

Africa

Dec

Bright Side Day, Look on the: December 21

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Look on the Bright Side Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor that encourages people to see the glass half full and seek out the silver lining. Always celebrated on the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, and amidst frantic Christmas preparations, the date of this holiday is not chosen randomly. Winter and the holiday season are times of great stress and heightened depression. No matter how difficult things look, there is always a brighter side—you have to look for it!

Africa

Dec

Brown Shoes Day: December 4

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Brown Shoes Day, or Wear Brown Shoes Day, is a day for wearing brown shoes. The origins of this jokey holiday aren’t clear, but one can easily assume that someone got tired of everyone wearing the same boring black shoes every day and tried to urge people into spicing things up and wearing brown shoes for at least a day. And with brown socks too!

Africa