All - Leep Calendar

National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is an initiative spirited by animal lovers. Falling on April 30 each year, the objective is to put the national spotlight on homeless animals and get them into the caring homes they deserve. Participants are encouraged to write the White House and urge the President to declare this a national day. You can add your signature to the following letter sponsored by Tails Magazine: “Too many homeless animals in the U.S. live most of their lives in shelters without ever knowing the love of a family of their own. According to national studies, six to eight million cats and dogs enter shelters yearly, and three to four million are euthanized annually, losing their chance for human affection forever. To add your name to the above letter, go to: http://www.tailsinc.com/lettersforpets. In the meantime, mark this day by saving a shelter animal and increasing the size of your family with a new friend.

Africa

Apr

Akshaya Tritiya (H): April 30

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Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej) is one of the Hindu faith’s most auspicious and anticipated festivals. The holiday marks the birth of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Prosperity, luck, and good fortune represent the sought-after blessings of its observance. 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

Animal Advocacy Day, Ntl.: April 30

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Each year the ASPCA sponsors Animal Advocacy Day to champion the rights of animals. The latest initiative is getting the HEART Act passed through congress. ASPCA explains: "The Help Extract Animals from Red Tape (HEART) Act (H.R. 398/S. 2633) would expedite the lengthy process for rehoming and rehabilitating animals seized in federal animal fighting cases. It would also hold their owners financially responsible for their cost of care, relieving the burden on the shelters that house and care for victims pending the outcome of court proceedings. Notably, the HEART Act would allow courts to consider animals' welfare when facing delays in the judicial process. These victims of animal fighting deserve every chance we can give them to move swiftly to their new lives, and the shelters and law enforcement agencies who come to their rescue should not be hampered by the sometimes overwhelming financial burden of their care." To view the complete act, go to: https://secure.aspca.org/action/us-heart-act.

Africa

Apr

Beltane (UK): April 30

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Beltane (Bealtaine, May Eve, Walpurgis Night, Cyntefyn, Roodmass, and Cethsamhain) is a Wiccan and Celtic neopagans celebration that falls between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. Considered one of the essential celebrations in Gaelic regions, it commemorates the union of the goddess May Lady and the god May Lord. Customs include lighting bonfires and driving cattle between them to protect the animals from disease in the coming year. May flowers are left on doorsteps to ward off evil. Beltane Fire Festival occurs at Calton Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland, every year on April 30.

Africa

Apr

Bugs Bunny Day (1938): April 30

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Bugs Bunny Day marks the anniversary of the creation of the cartoon character "Bugs Bunny," which first appeared in the animated cartoon "Porky's Hare Hunt" on April 30, 1938. Bugs Bunny is the joint creation of Warner Bros. cartoonists Ben Hardaway and Cal Dalton. Between 1938 and 1943, Bugs went through several updates with the help of several animators, including Bob Clampett, and multiple directors, including Tex Avery. During this time, he morphed into the character we know today, helped mainly by the man who gave him the "What's up, Doc?" voice, Mel Blanc. Today is about celebrating his birthday—perhaps with carrot cake? Happy Bugs Bunny Day!

Africa

Apr

Dia de los Libros (US) (1925): April 30

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Public and school libraries celebrate Día de los Libros. Children's Day/Book Day, also known as El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Día). It is an annual observance on April 30 and a year-round commitment to connecting children with diverse books and programming opportunities. Día is an enhancement of Children’s Day, which began in 1925. Children’s Day was designated as a day to bring attention to the importance and well-being of children. In 1996, nationally acclaimed children’s book author Pat Mora proposed linking the celebration of childhood and children with literacy to found El día de los niños/El día de los libros.

Africa

Apr

Guide Dog Day, Intl.(1989): April 30

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International Guide Dog Day raises awareness of the importance of these service animals in helping the blind to participate in society. American Dorothy Harrison Eustis developed the idea for guide dogs in Switzerland following WWI. This annual event marks the anniversary of the creation of International Federation of Guide Dog Associations on April 26, 1989

Africa

Apr

Hairstylist Appreciation Day: April 30

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The importance of hairstyles throughout human history is indisputable. From the pre-Columbian Americas, through ancient Rome and Egypt, to China, Japan, Africa, and Australia, hairstyle has been a symbol of beauty, status, office, wealth, religion, and, more recently, sexual orientation and rebellion. Hairstylist Appreciation Day is your opportunity to tip your hat to the men and women that keep you looking your best. This day is also noted as Hair Appreciation Day.

Africa

Apr

Honesty Day, Ntl. (1789): April 30

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National Honesty Day is for open communication, absent lies, half-truths, omissions, and obfuscations. National Honesty Day was created by former Maryland state press secretary M. Hirsh Goldberg in the early 1990s as he was writing his book "The Book of Lies: Fibs, Tales, Schemes, Scams, Fakes, and Frauds That Have Changed The Course of History and Affect Our Daily Lives." It commemorates the inauguration of the first president of the United States, George Washington, on April 30, 1789. Washington's legend states that upon chopping down a cherry tree, he admitted it by saying, "I cannot tell a lie. I chopped down the cherry tree." It is also the antithesis of April Fools Day.

Africa

Apr

Jazz Day, Intl.: April 30

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Jazz Day is an international celebration of the magic of jazz. The day caps off American Jazz Appreciation Month each year. Jazz is a unique form of music that came about in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Africa

Apr

Oatmeal Cookie Day, Ntl.: April 30

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Every April 30 is a day to celebrate the oatmeal cookie! For around three centuries, oatmeal cookies have made our lives tastier and healthier. They are an excellent source of iron and fiber, plus a delicious treat.

Africa

Apr

Raisin Day, Ntl.: April 30

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National Raisin Day celebrates the sweet treat most often made from dried grapes. However, other berries have become popular raisins in recent years, including currents, goji berries, blueberries, and cranberries. National Raisin Day is an unofficial celebration each year.

Africa

Apr

Spank Out Day, Ntl.: April 30

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The Center for Effective Discipline (CED) promotes National Spank Out Day to urge parents to look for healthier and more effective discipline options and limit corporal punishment for their children. Spanking is not only a crude and violent attempt at discipline but also an ineffective one. Spanking and hitting a child causes alienation and induces fear-based adherence, and it fails to teach understanding and behavior modification. National Spank Out Day encourages organizations to implement a No Hit Zone. A No Hit Zone is an environment that supports a culture of safety and health where: No adult shall hit another adult. No adult shall hit a child. No child shall hit an adult. No child shall hit another child. No Hit Zones provide education and promote healthy relationships and safe environments across the lifespan.

Africa

Apr

Tabby Day, Ntl.: April 30

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The most common marking is the familiar stripped pattern on cat fur known as "tabby." Eighty percent of cats can be considered tabby. These tiny tigers warm the hearts of millions of people worldwide, so it is only fitting they have their day. Like Bulldog Day, Sandy Robins created this event as a book promotion for "Making the Most of all Nine Lives: The Extraordinary Life of Buffy the Cat." You can often guess a cat's sex by its markings. Orange tabby cats are 80% male, whereas a male calico cat is extremely rare. Solid-colored cats often show their tabby roots faintly on their tail or when the sun hits them just right. Enjoy National Tabby Day! Image: Joey or 'Jojo,' an 18-pound, solid muscle, Saudi Arabian spotted desert tabby and beloved adopted pet of LEEP's Founder.

Africa

Apr

Therapy Animal Day, Ntl.: April 30

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Therapy animals are different than service animals. Service animals perform specific tasks their owners can't do due to disability, such as seeing-eye dogs or public service like K-9 police dogs. Therapy animals fulfill a psychological function, providing comfort and companionship. Whereas a service animal is 'on the job' wherever its owner/handler goes, a therapy animal seeks out affection, cuddles, and to be touched. Therapy animals can be cats, dogs, birds, rodents, or anything that brings comfort to a human. Goals of National Therapy Animal Day: Recognize and honor therapy animals. Raise awareness and educate the public about the role therapy animals play in enhancing the health and well-being of humans. Honor the thousands of dedicated handlers (the human members of therapy animal teams) who volunteer their time and compassion during visits.

Africa