National Pan American Week falls yearly around National Pan American Day in the US, and it marks the anniversary of the formation of our Pan-American partnership. On April 14, 1890, delegates from countries throughout the Americas gathered in Washington, DC, united in the belief that cooperation would lead to a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous hemisphere. This event is created via a presidential proclamation. The purpose of this event is to commemorate the progress of the Pan-American nations and their efforts to continue working together in the pursuit of democracy and economic opportunity.

Africa

Apr

Paris Marathon, Schneider Electric (FR): April 13

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The Schneider Electric Paris Marathon occurs in France. It is an annual long-distance running race that starts on the Champs-Élysées heading towards the Place de la Concorde, continuing through the city, and finishing at Foch Avenue. It's one of the most popular marathons in the world, together with the London and Berlin Marathons.

Africa

Apr

Peach Cobbler Day: April 13

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Peach Cobbler Day celebrates the easy-to-make dessert of baked peaches in a sugar crumble topping. Cobblers have been a favorite dish in America for centuries. In the United Kingdom, cobblers go by the name crumbles.

Africa

Apr

Pet ID Week, Ntl.: April 13-19

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National Pet ID Week has one sole purpose: to raise awareness about the importance of updating your pet's identification tags and microchips. Each year tens of thousands of house pets go missing. Only two percent of cats and 15-20 percent of dogs, once lost, ever find their way home. Tagging your pet improves the chances your pet will return. Vets, pet stores, and shelters throughout the country support Pet ID Week. Check with your local entities for specials and resources. The American Humane Association began promoting National Pet ID Week in the 1980s, occurring annually during the third week of April (not on the fixed dates of April 17-23 noted on many calendar websites). The American Humane Association encourages pet owners to take the time to ensure their pets have proper identification and to keep their contact information up to date.

Africa

Apr

Public Safety Telecommuter Week, Ntl.: April 13-19 (est)

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NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW), observed annually during the second week of April, celebrates the critical work of public safety telecommunicators, also known as dispatchers. This event honors the thousands of men and women who answer emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to the public. NPSTW's objective is multifaceted. It aims to honor public safety telecommunicators' hard work and dedication, increase public awareness of their critical role in emergency response, and foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the challenges they face. By recognizing these individuals, NPSTW also seeks to boost morale within the profession and encourage retention and recruitment to be more appreciated by staff. HISTORY AND PURPOSE NPSTW was established in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of California's Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office. Initially a local observance, it gained national recognition in 1994 when Congress formally designated the second week of April as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The primary purpose of NPSTW is to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication of public safety telecommunicators. These professionals are the unseen first responders who provide a critical link between the public and emergency services. They handle many emergencies, ranging from medical crises to natural disasters, and their ability to remain calm under pressure can be the difference between life and death. Public safety agencies nationwide participate in NPSTW, including police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) departments. During this week, agencies typically organize various activities and events to honor their telecommunicators. These activities may include award ceremonies, appreciation luncheons, and community outreach programs. Some agencies also use the week to educate the public about the role of telecommunicators and the importance of their work. Telecommunicators participate by sharing their stories and experiences, fostering community and mutual support among their peers. Social media campaigns and local news stories often highlight the significant contributions of these professionals, helping to raise awareness of their critical role. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is a vital reminder of emergency dispatchers' invaluable service. It celebrates their contributions and promotes a deeper appreciation for their essential work in public safety.

Africa

Apr

Scrabble Day (1899): April 13

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Scrabble Day, the word spelling game's inventor Alfred M. Butts, was born on April 13, 1899. The game was created in 1931 and called Criss Cross Butts. It was later renamed Scrabble, redesigned, and marketed by James Brunot in 1948. It's been a big part of the board gaming scene in the United States and beyond ever since.

Africa

Apr

Songkran (B): April 13-15

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Songkran, or the Songkran Festival in Thailand, is the Thai New Year's festival. Songkran comes from the Sanskrit word saṃkrānti, which means "astrological passage" and denotes change or transformation. It falls in the spring, keeping with the Buddhist and Hindu solar calendar, and coincides with several religious New Year's in other countries in south and southeast Asia.

Africa

Apr

Sterile Packaging Day: April 13

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The Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) founded Sterile Packaging Day to celebrate patient safety. The event champions provide a toolkit with ideas on how you can join the celebration and raise awareness for all the partners in the supply chain who work collaboratively to deliver safe, life-saving devices and supplies to the medical community.

Africa

Apr

Vaisakha (H): April 13- May 12

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Vaishakha is the second month in the Hindu calendar and heralds the beginning of summer with Vaisakh and the harvesting festival. 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

Apr

World Expo 2025 (JP): April 13 - October 13

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THE WORLD EXPO (WORLD'S FAIR) COMES TO JAPAN

2025 is a World Expo year

The World Expo, also known as the World's Fair, is a large international exhibition designed to showcase the achievements of nations. These exhibitions vary in character and are held in different parts of the world at a specific site for a time, usually from three to six months.

A TRADITION OF INNOVATION

The tradition of World Expos began with the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, housed in the Crystal Palace. This event was the brainchild of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort, and was the first international exhibition of manufactured products to promote exchanging ideas and innovations across nations. Prince Albert's idea has since evolved into a platform for cultural dialogue and a showcase for state-of-the-art technology and architecture.

ICONIC ARCHITECTURE

Over the years, World Expos have been responsible for introducing several landmark architectural structures.

Notable examples include:

—The Eiffel Tower was built as the Paris entrance arch to the 1889 World Fair.
—The Columbian Exposition introduced the Ferris wheel in 1893 for Chicago's hosting.
—The iconic Space Needle and Alweg monorail were built for hosting in 1962 in Seattle.

World Fairs promote technological achievements, often debuting life-changing inventions, such as the telephone (1876, Philadelphia), the X-ray machine (1901, Buffalo), and simple ideas like the ice cream cone (1904, Saint Louis).

World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, will be the nation's second hosting; its first ran in 1970. The theme for the 2025 Expo is "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," focusing on the challenges facing modern society, including sustainability, health, and the digital revolution. Osaka's theme reflects a shift in the focus of World Expos from industrial and technological achievements to broader social and global issues.

Africa

Apr

Bahag Bihu (Assam) (H): April 14-16

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Bahag Bihu (Assam) or Rongali Bihu celebrates the coming of the new Assamese year and the arrival of spring. It is observed in Bengal, Manipur, Nepal, Orissa, Punjab, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, although it’s known by different names depending on location. 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

Apr

Black Sunday (1935): April 14

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Heralded “worst manmade ecological disaster in American history,” the Dust Bowl plunged America’s heartland into the dark ages with violent winds, dust storms, and drought. At the beginning of the 20th century, farmers dug up the natural grasslands and prairies, replacing the sawgrass and natural vegetation with wheat, corn, and barley. After years of drought, the topsoil disappeared and the Great Plains evolved into a veritable desert. April 14, 1935, was a Sunday in Oklahoma, and it started relatively normal with light breezes and moderate temperatures. By early afternoon, the Texas and Oklahoma panhandle would completely change. Temperatures dropped quickly, and to the southwest, a massive black wall appeared on the horizon. As it drew closer, it became clear what it was. Thousands of feet high and over 1000 miles in width, the wall of sand swept over the land like a freight train, plowing through everything in its path. People caught in it found the dust so thick they could not see their hands before their faces. Winds reached upwards of 60 mph. The air was thick with dirt; the sun blocked out. It was impossible to tell if it was night or day. The dust weighed heavy, crushing the lungs of cattle and clogging up water wells. The wind and sand blinded hundreds of people caught in the storm. All of this occurred in the 20 minutes it took for the dust gust to pass. When it was all said and done, 2209 people died, 396 of whom were children, and another two million people were displaced. Entire towns disappeared from the map, and the dust storm became known as Black Sunday.

Africa

Apr

Chagas Day, World: April 14

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Chagas is a disease first diagnosed in 1909. Approximately 6.5 million are affected by it, predominantly in poor communities of Latin America. The condition originates with parasites that feed on human blood at night through open sores and wounds, resulting in an infection that can severely impede cardiac and digestive functions. The disease can be fatal. 2020 sees the first World Chagas Disease Day with the World Health Organization and International Federation of Associations of People Affected by Chagas Disease. Its purpose is to raise awareness about the disease and address its causes.

Africa

Apr

Children with Alopecia Day: April 14

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Children with Alopecia Day is an awareness and self-esteem day for children suffering from alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease distinguished by hair loss. Today is a day for children to take pride in who they are.

Africa

Apr

Dolphin Day, Ntl.: April 14

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Dolphin Day is an unofficial event observed globally for over 25 years. Initially focused on raising awareness of the Southeast Asia hunting practices affecting dolphins, today, it is simply a celebration of these beloved mammals of the sea. Currently, two official events occur annually focusing on raising awareness: one in February, World Love for Dolphins Day, and the International Day of Awareness for the Dolphins of Taiji in September.

Africa