All - Leep Calendar

These events take the idea of a sister city to a new level. Concurrently, Sherwood, Oregon, and Nottingham, England, hold Robin Hood-themed festivals. In England, Nottingham Archery Tournament & Festival. In Oregon, step back into the 12th century with music, food, knights, and ladies for the Robin Hood Festival. Archers compete in both locations (across the pond), and attendees rejoice. The Sherwood Festival came about in 1956 due to a friendly challenge between the yeoman of Nottingham and the festival president in Sherwood. From the event champion's website: "In February 1956, the President of the Robin Hood Festival Association of Sherwood, Oregon, issued an archery challenge to the yeomen of Nottingham, England. The archers would come from the entire Northwestern part of the United States. To cement their bond with the people of Nottingham, England, Sherwood sent 50 redwood oak trees as a living memorial. In March 1956, England accepted the challenge and immediately started working out the details. The rounds would be a double American 810, and each round would be 90 arrows at the distance of 60, 50, and 40 yards and follow the FITA. equipment rules. In July 1956, a picture of the silver Tiffany bowl trophy donated by the Robin Hood Festival Association was sent to Nottingham, England, along with communication rules during the shoot. Both competitions occurred on the same day, but England was shooting eight hours later due to time differences. Thus went the first competition, and the mayor of Sherwood has sent a new challenge each year since."

Africa

Jul

Rock Day, Drop a, Intl.: July 3

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It's a day for your creativity to shine. International Drop a Rock Day was created in 2015 to encourage rock painting and creativity in children. Examples and projects are available on the World Rocks Project website and its Instagram pages.

Africa

Jul

Running of the Bulls (ES): July 6-14

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The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, launches the Festival of San Fermin, which runs July 6-14 each year. It is a tradition nearly 1,000 years old, and the actual running of the bulls begins on July 7. Adventure seekers, locally known as mozos, come for the Running of the Bulls. The tradition now runs nine days, with the bulls released at eight each morning. Runners must be in place by 7:30. The run is 825 meters from start to finish and lasts approximately three minutes. For the Spanish people, bulls represent power and life. The mozos wear white shirts and pants with red bandanas on their necks and waists to honor San Fermin. The French beheaded Fermin in 303AD. The festival began in 1196AD, with butchers as the original runners. A rocket signals the start of the run. After the run, mozos enter bars for breakfast.

Africa

Jul

Saba-Saba Day, (TZ)(1954): July 7

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Can you say"Saba-Saba?" If you can, you just learned a new word. Saba is seven in Kiswahili (Swahili); it is also the official name of this holiday, marking the anniversary of the formation of the ruling party, the TANU, on July 7, 1954.

Africa

Jul

Safar (M): July 16 - August 13

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Safar is the second month in the Islamic calendar. The Arabic word means "whistling of the wind." As the Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter than the solar calendar, each Islamic month falls at a different time each year and is not associated with a specific season.

Africa

Jul

Saint James Day (ES): July 25

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Saint James is the patron saint of Spain. His feast day is celebrated on July 25. When the 25th falls on a Sunday, the entire year is considered a holy year. Pilgrims come from throughout the nation to visit the saint’s tomb in Santiago de Compostela in sacred years.

Africa

Jul

Saint Swithin's Day (UK)(971 AD): July 15

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Legend says if rain falls on Saint Swithin's Day, the next 40 days will be wet, and if it does not, the next 40 days will be dry. The tradition began on July 15, 971 AD, a day it rained heavily as the relics of the Saint Swithin were transferred to Winchester Cathedral. So will the rest of summer be wet or dry? We won't know until the end of the day. Happy Saint Swithin's Day!

Africa

Jul

Sand and Dust Storms, Intl. Day on Combating: July 12

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THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY ON COMBATING SAND AND DUST STORMS The United Nations has launched the International Day for Action to Combat Sand and Dust Storms in a world increasingly impacted by environmental challenges. This ambitious initiative underscores the pressing need to address the global impact of these formidable natural phenomena. The objectives of this day are multifaceted. At the forefront is the goal of mitigating and adapting to the ever-growing threat of sand and dust storms. Countries worldwide are called upon to develop and implement strategies to lessen the frequency and severity of these storms. Enhancing the capacity of affected regions is also critical, ensuring that countries have the tools and knowledge necessary to manage and reduce the impacts effectively. Scientific research and improved monitoring systems are pivotal to this endeavor, providing the data needed to understand better and predict these storms. Furthermore, the initiative emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, recognizing that the transboundary nature of sand and dust storms necessitates a global response. Dust and sand storms threaten human health, the environment, and the economy. They bring with them a host of health risks, including respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and eye infections. Environmentally, these storms can devastate ecosystems, degrade soil quality, and lead to the loss of arable land. The economic impact is equally severe, with damage to infrastructure, reduced agricultural productivity, and increased healthcare costs. Agriculture, in particular, suffers immensely. Crops are often buried under layers of dust, disrupting soil fertility and diminishing planting and harvesting cycles. Infrastructure is also at risk, with buildings, roads, and other structures suffering damage that requires costly repairs. Public health concerns rise as respiratory and cardiovascular issues become more prevalent, leading to higher healthcare expenditures. Furthermore, economic activities such as transportation and tourism are inhibited, resulting in significant financial losses. Sand and dust storms typically originate in the world's arid and semi-arid regions, where strong winds easily lift loose sand and soil. Primary sources of these storms include the Sahara Desert in Africa, the Arabian Desert in the Middle East, the Gobi Desert in Asia, and the Great Victoria Desert in Australia. However, the impact of these storms is not confined to their points of origin. Atmospheric transport can carry dust across continents, affecting regions far from the source. Some sand storms have historically left an indelible mark due to their severity. In 1935, the Black Sunday Dust Storm in the United States devastated the Great Plains, symbolizing the Dust Bowl era. In 2009, a massive dust storm originating in the Lake Eyre Basin blanketed eastern Australia, including Sydney, causing widespread health issues and transportation disruptions. Similarly, a 2008 dust storm from the Gobi Desert enveloped Beijing and northern China, reducing visibility and causing respiratory problems. More recently, the "Godzilla dust cloud" of 2020 traveled from the Sahara Desert across the Atlantic, impacting air quality and visibility in the Caribbean and parts of the Americas. In 2008, a colossal dust storm in the Middle East affected Iraq, Iran, and the Arabian Peninsula, leading to health crises and daily life disruptions. These historical storms highlight the vast and devastating impact that sand and dust storms can have. The United Nations' International Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms aims to mitigate these effects through coordinated global efforts, offering hope for a future where the impact of these natural phenomena can be significantly reduced.

Africa

Jul

Sankashti Chaturthi (H): July 3

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In the Hindu faith, Chaturthi celebrates Lord Ganesha. Sankashti Chaturthi (Sankata Chaturthi) occurs on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (dark lunar phase or the waning phase of the moon). Devotees observe daylight fasting until darshan (the sight of the moon). Once seen, prayers to Lord Ganesha are said, and the fast ends. When this Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, it is called Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi. 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

Jul

Junk Food Day, Ntl.: July 21

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National Junk Food Day celebrates the high-calorie, low-nutrition foods people crave. This unsponsored, unofficial holiday is an excuse to skip the diet and load up on the sweets and treats we usually consume in moderation throughout the year.

Africa

Jul

Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month (US): July

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The Arthritis Foundation sponsors National Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month in the United States in July, and Canada observes it in March. Though most people associate arthritis with aging, it affects all ages, and two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65. Several severe forms of arthritis occur in teenagers and people in their 20s and 30s. Arthritis Awareness Month is a multi-year campaign geared at debunking the myths of arthritis. Campaigns include The Faces of Arthritis featuring public service ads focusing on the harsh realities of arthritis and dispelling the common stereotypes often associated with the disease. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States and affects 50 million people, 20% of the population or one in five adults. The United Kingdom has an arthritis care awareness week in mid-May, and Canada has set aside September as its arthritis awareness month. The Arthritis Foundation also sponsors Arthritis Awareness Month in May.

Africa

Jul

Kindergarten Month, Get Ready for: July

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The first day of school is an exciting time for parents and children. Each year 2 million children enter the education system through Kindergarten. This month is about helping parents and children prepare for this important day. An unsponsored version of this month occurs in August as well.

Africa

Jul

King's Birthday (TH)(1952): July 28

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King Maha Vajiralongkorn was born July 28, 1952, ascending to the Thai throne in 2016, where he was crowned in 2019. King Maha Vajiralongkorn's birthday is a national holiday in Thailand.

Africa

Jul

Kissing Day, World (UK).: July 6

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World Kissing Day encourages revisiting the simple pleasures of kissing for kissing's sake, as opposed to kissing as a mere social formality or prelude to other activities. Kissing is an expression and experience of intimacy. National Kissing Day began in 2005 in the United Kingdom on July 6.

Africa

Jul

Kiswahili Language Day, World: July 7

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In the 1950s, the United Nations established the Kiswahili language unit of United Nations Radio. Today, Kiswahili is the only African language within the Directorate of Global Communications at the United Nations. The UN General Assembly, through its resolution 71/328 of 11 September 2017, advocated for a day dedicated to each of its official languages to promote awareness of their history, culture, and use. The resolution also encouraged the expansion of this initiative to other non-official languages spoken globally. In response, the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO adopted resolution 41 C/61, which recognized the role of the Kiswahili language in promoting cultural diversity, fostering dialogue among civilizations, and advancing multilingualism as a core value of the UN. As such, UNESCO proclaimed 7 July each year as World Kiswahili Language Day, making Kiswahili the first African language to be recognized in such a manner by the UN. Kiswahili, a Bantu language, is one of the most widely spoken African languages, with over 200 million speakers and more than a dozen main dialects. It is a common form of communication in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, bridging both past and present.

Africa