All - Leep Calendar

Cordon Bleu Day celebrates the decadent sandwich invented in the United States in 1967, the Cordon Bleu. The chicken Cordon Bleu is a piece of cheese wrapped in a slice of ham and stuffed inside a butterflied chicken breast which is breaded and fried. Previous versions used veal or pork pounded thin, then rolled around the stuffing, breaded, and fried.

Africa

Apr

Creativation (US-WA): April 4-8

06:20 AM | -

Creativation is the largest and longest-running creative industries event featuring hands-on education, innovative product launches, trendspotting, influencer appearances, order writing, and networking opportunities for thousands of creative businesses worldwide. PLEASE NOTE: Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are only a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

Africa

Apr

Crossword Puzzle Tournament, American (US-CT): April 4-6 (est)

06:20 AM | -

The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (ACPT), a revered event among enthusiasts, is the nation's oldest and largest crossword competition. Founded in 1978 by Will Shortz, the renowned puzzle editor of The New York Times, the tournament annually attracts hundreds of participants from across the United States and even internationally. The ACPT began in Stamford, Connecticut, with Shortz's vision of bringing together crossword enthusiasts in a competitive yet friendly atmosphere. The inaugural event saw 149 contestants; since then, it has grown significantly in size and prestige. The tournament typically spans a weekend and includes several original crossword puzzles of increasing difficulty, created and judged by a panel of expert constructors and editors. The New York Times plays a significant role in the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Will Shortz, the tournament's founder, has been the crossword puzzle editor for The New York Times since 1993. His involvement has created a strong association between the newspaper, known for its high-quality puzzles, and the tournament. The Times' crossword puzzles are considered a benchmark in the field, and the competition often features puzzles by constructors who regularly contribute to the newspaper. Participants in the tournament compete in various categories based on skill level, from rookies to veterans. The event culminates in a playoff round, where the top three contestants solve a final puzzle on giant boards in front of an audience, showcasing their speed and skill under pressure. Over the years, the ACPT has gained a reputation for its challenging puzzles and its sense of community. The event provides a platform for puzzle solvers to meet, exchange ideas, and celebrate their love for crosswords. The event is featured in the 2006 documentary "Wordplay," which spotlights the tournament and several of its most notable competitors. In summary, the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, founded by Will Shortz and closely associated with The New York Times, is a landmark event in the world of crossword puzzles. It attracts diverse puzzle enthusiasts annually, celebrating the intellectual challenge and communal joy of crossword solving.

Africa

Apr

Grand Prix of Japan (JP): April 4-6

06:20 AM | -

The Japanese Grand Prix is a prestigious Formula One (F1) motor racing event held in Japan. It has been part of the F1 World Championship calendar since 1976, with the exception of a few years. The race has been held at two different circuits over the years: the Fuji Speedway and the Suzuka Circuit. The first Japanese Grand Prix took place in 1976 at the Fuji Speedway, located near the base of Mount Fuji. After the 1977 race, the event was discontinued due to safety concerns and financial issues. The Japanese Grand Prix returned to the F1 calendar in 1987, this time at the Suzuka Circuit. The Suzuka Circuit, located in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, is a 5.807 km (3.608 miles) long track with a unique figure-eight layout. The circuit is known for its challenging combination of high-speed sections, technical corners, and elevation changes, which test the drivers' skill and car performance. Iconic corners like the high-speed 130R and the tight hairpin turn contribute to the circuit's reputation as a demanding and exciting track. Over the years, the Japanese Grand Prix has produced many memorable races and moments that have played a crucial role in the outcome of the World Championship. Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost had their infamous collisions in 1989 and 1990 at Suzuka, and Michael Schumacher secured his first World Championship for Ferrari in 2000 at the same track.

Africa

Apr

Gumboot Friday (NZ): April 4

06:20 AM | -

Rainboots, wellies, or gumboots are the symbol of a nationwide effort since 2019 to raise funds to support mental health for New Zealand’s youth. Held annually on the first Friday of April, the fundraising drive aims to prevent 175 youth deaths by suicide and over 3500 attempts each year by connecting vulnerable youth with the needed resources. One way of showing support is wearing gumboots on this day, and another is hosting a fundraiser.

Africa

Apr

Hate Week (1984): April 4-10

06:20 AM | -

Few books are more apropos to modern times than George Orwell's 1949 masterpiece, "1984." Peace is war. Love is hate. Facts are alternative, and news is fake—oh wait, that's today. Back to the book. In 1984 everything is the opposite of what you think, and Big Brother is always watching. Populism backed by ultra-nationalism, with fear and hatred of the 'other,' is necessary to "Make Oceania Great." Conform. Don't question, and above all, shelve your curiosity and don't learn. Corruption runs rampant. Anyone who opposes the status quo is the enemy. In the book, the lead character Winston Smith slowly wakes up to the alternate reality the state has crafted for him as he sees the Hate Rally unfold. On April 4, 1984 (in the book), he does the unthinkable: he begins writing his thoughts in a secret diary. Through this simple act of fictional civil disobedience, Hate Week has originated. It's also a reminder that without vigilance, fiction can become fact.

Africa

Apr

Hug a Newsman or Newswoman Day, Ntl. (1906): April 4

06:20 AM | -

National Hug a Newsman Day honors the people who collect and disseminate the news. Newsmen and women have been keeping our society informed and updated for more than a century if we count paper media as well. This event honors the birthday of John Cameron Swayze, the pioneer of television newscasting in 1949. His trademark was a carnation in the lapel, and he became the voice of Timex watches later in his career, making famous the phrase “It takes a licking but keeps on ticking.” Swayze was born on April 4, 1906, and died on August 15, 1995.

Africa

Apr

Independence Day (SN)(1960): April 4

06:20 AM | -

Senegal is the most western nation in Africa. Independence Day in Senegal celebrates its release from French rule on April 4, 1960. Independence Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Apr

Infection Preventionists (IP) Day Intl.: April 4

06:20 AM | -

International Infection Preventionist, or IP Day, celebrates the men and women on the frontlines of disease and infection prevention. An Infection Preventionist (IP) is a healthcare professional who works to prevent and control the spread of infections in healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Their role is crucial because infections, including those resistant to antibiotics, can spread quickly in these settings, causing serious illness or even death. Here are some of the critical duties of an Infection Preventionist: Surveillance: IPs regularly monitor and analyze infection data from various hospital departments to identify trends and outbreaks. They might use sophisticated software to help with this. Education: IPs provide training and education to healthcare staff on infection prevention and control best practices. They may also be responsible for educating patients and their families. Policy Development and Implementation: IPs often develop and implement infection control policies and procedures. They must ensure that these policies comply with local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Outbreak Management: If an infection outbreak occurs, IPs take the lead in managing it, including identifying the source, implementing control measures, and evaluating their effectiveness. Consultation: IPs work with other healthcare professionals on preventing and controlling infections related to anything from a specific patient case to the design of a new healthcare facility. Research and Quality Improvement: IPs participate in research to develop new infection prevention and control techniques. They also lead and participate in quality improvement initiatives related to infection prevention. Collaboration: IPs often collaborate with other professionals such as microbiologists, epidemiologists, public health officials, and hospital administrators. They might also be part of an interdisciplinary Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) committee. Infection Preventionists typically have a background in nursing, medical technology, microbiology, or public health. They also usually have specialized certification in infection control, such as the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) certification. Their role is critical in healthcare settings to protect patients and staff from infectious diseases.

Africa

Apr

Kids' Yoga Day, Intl.: April 4

06:20 AM | -

Healthy habits begin early. International Kids' Yoga Day is an opportunity to introduce children to yoga and create a life-long love of it. This event first ran in 2016.

Africa

Apr

Martin Luther King Assassination (1968): April 4

06:20 AM | -

April 4, 1968, is the day of Martin Luther King's Assassination. Only 39 years old, he was assassinated on a motel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee. Today we mark the anniversary of the civil rights leader's death and honor his legacy.

Africa

Apr

Mine Awareness Day, Intl.: April 4

06:20 AM | -

One of the most horrifying weapons of war remains mines. Buried and hidden from view, one doesn't know one is caught until it blows up. The problem is, once the war ends, these mines are often left in place, waiting for an unfortunate person to step on them and die. Mines can continue killing decades after the war has ended. For this reason, the United Nations declared International Mine Awareness Day, and its sole purpose is to rid the world of these deadly traps. As Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said: "On this International Day, let us work together to advance the goal of a world free of the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war."

Africa

Apr

NCAA Women's Final Four (US-FL): April 4-6

06:20 AM | -

It's down to the end of the season for NCAA Women's Basketball. The last four teams play this weekend to determine who plays in the NCAA Women's Final Four championship games.

Africa

Apr

Norman Medieval Fair (US-OK): April 4-6

06:20 AM | -

Norman's Medieval Fair is one of the few free medieval fairs in the nation and has been held annually since 1977. Each year the event draws over 250,000 people. The event includes a medieval village with over 200 art and craft booths, food, music, and costumes from the era. PLEASE NOTE: Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are only a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

Africa

Apr

Qingming Festival (CN/TW): April 4

06:20 AM | -

The Quingming Festival, Tomb-sweeping Day, or the Pure Brightness Festival occurs each year in early April and is a public holiday in most Asian nations historically tied to China. The festival signals the beginning of the planting season and a day for paying respect to ancestors. The holiday originates from the legend of the acts of Jie Zitui (770 - 476 BC). Legend says that Jie cut a piece of meat from his leg and gave it to his lord to save his life during exile. When the lord returned to power, he initially forgot about Jie but later found and rewarded him. Jie, however, sequestered himself and his mother within a mountain. To find Jie, the lord set the mountain on fire, only to find Jie and his mother died. Heartbroken, the lord established the day of Jie's death as the Hanshi (Cold Food) Festival. The following year the lord went to the mountain again and found the willow trees revived. He instructed that the day after the Hanshi Festival was called Qingming Festival. In time, the two festivals became one.

Africa