All - Leep Calendar

National Mutt’s Day was created in 2005 by Celebrity Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate Colleen Paige to encourage people to adopt mixed breed dogs and raise awareness on the plight of such dogs. Non-purebred dogs are the largest population of dogs euthanized. During this time, people visit their local shelters and perhaps adopt a mixed breed there or at least volunteer or donate to keep dogs in such shelters.

Africa

Jul

Naadam (MN)(1921/1990): July 11-13

06:20 AM | -

NAADAM: MONGOLIA'S CELEBRATION OF STRENGTH AND HERITAGE This centuries-old festival blends sport, culture, and independence in the heart of the Mongolian Steppes. Across the vast grasslands and bustling streets of Mongolia and in every province of Mongolia, the melody of pounding hooves, st-twanging bows, and ancient songs fills the air as the nation celebrates Naadam. Naadam is Mongolia's Independence holiday, celebrated with a vibrant display of its nomadic heritage and national identity. Annually, from July 11 to 13, Naadam marks Mongolia's independence from Chinese rule in 1921 and its July 1990 elections free of Russian control. However, the games are far older than the dates they represent. Naadam honors the legacy of the Mongol Empire. Known locally as "eriin gurvan naadam" or "the three games of men," with activities centered on traditional contests of wrestling, horse racing, and archery—sports dating back to the era of Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan in Western pronunciation). During the 13th century, the Great Khans organized competitions to keep their warriors fit and battle-ready. These games gradually evolved into festive gatherings. Under communist rule in the 20th century, Naadam received a rebranding to celebrate the 1921 revolution, but its essence remained steeped in Mongolian identity and pride. Today, the culminating festivities of Naadam take place in Ulaanbaatar, the capital, at the National Sports Stadium, with elaborate opening ceremonies featuring parades, traditional music, dance, and reenactments of historic battles. Prior to the finals, towns and villages hold regional Naadam games to determine contestants for the capital city's pageants. THE THREE GAMES OF MEN DURING NAADAM —WRESTLING: The most prestigious of the three sports, wrestling features men in traditional attire called zodog and shuudag, competing in elimination rounds. There are no weight classes—victory occurs when one opponent forces another to touch the ground with any body part other than his feet or hands. —HORSE RACING: Races can span 15 to 30 kilometers and feature child jockeys, some as young as five, riding semi-wild horses across open terrain. Winning showcases the horse's endurance and training, not just speed. —ARCHERY: Men and women compete using traditional Mongolian bows, aiming at leather targets set at long distances. The ranking is according to the archer's accuracy and style. Beyond athletics, Naadam is a time for Mongolians to don traditional clothing (deel), share festive foods such as khuushuur (fried meat pies), and express national unity. In 2010, UNESCO recognized Naadam as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. For Mongolians, Naadam exceeds the nomenclature of "holiday"; it's a living expression of Mongolia's nomadic spirit, warrior tradition, and ongoing journey as a sovereign nation.

Africa

Jul

NAIDOC Week (AU): July 5-12

06:20 AM | -

NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's history, culture, and achievements. NAIDOC is observed throughout Australia by local communities, cities, and states.

Africa

Jul

National Day, (CU)(1953): July 26

06:20 AM | -

National Day in Cuba marks the anniversary of July 26, 1953, the official inception of Fidel Castro's July 26 Movement toward independence. National Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Jul

National Day, (SO) (1960): July 1

06:20 AM | -

National Day in Somalia marks the anniversary of July 1, 1960, the official merging of British and Italian Somaliland into one republic. National Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Jul

Nature Conservation Day, World: July 28

06:20 AM | -

World Nature Conservation Day is celebrated on July 28th each year. The day is recognized worldwide to increase awareness about the best practices to protect and conserve the natural resources that our planet is endowed with. The day underlines the importance of a healthy environment for human society and all living creatures to coexist. It's a day to spread awareness about the conservation of nature and encourage sustainability. Every year, organizations, governments, and individuals come together to highlight the importance of conservation and sustainable living. Various activities and events are planned, such as tree planting drives, awareness campaigns, educational programs, and community clean-ups, to name a few. The goal of World Nature Conservation Day is to ensure the well-being of present and future generations. It emphasizes that a stable environment is the foundation of a stable and healthy society and that to ensure the long-term survival of species, we must ensure a sustainable environment. While the day is a designated date to focus on these issues, the core message is that every day should be Nature Conservation Day

Africa

Jul

Needle Day, Thread the: July 25

06:20 AM | -

Today is Thread the Needle Day, a chance to show off one’s sewing skills. This idiom describes a break dancing move involving jumping in between a leg held with a hand with your other leg. Threading the Needle Day can also mean finding the right path between two opposite opinions.

Africa

Jul

Nelson Mandela Day, Intl. (ZA)(1918): July 18

06:20 AM | -

In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly declared Nelson Mandela International Day in recognition of the former South African President's (1994-1999) contribution to the culture of peace and freedom. The day falls annually on the anniversary of his birth, July 18, 1918. Mandela died on December 5, 2013. General Assembly resolution A/RES/64/13 "recognizes Nelson Mandela's values and his dedication to the service of humanity in the fields of conflict resolution, race relations, the promotion and protection of human rights, reconciliation, gender equality, and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups, as well as the uplifting of poor and underdeveloped communities."

Africa

Jul

Newport Folk Festival (US-RI): July 24-26

06:20 AM | -

The Newport Folk Festival first began in 1959. Its founder is George Wein, who also created the famed Newport Jazz Festival. Over the years, Newport Folk Festival has become an iconic event in the music world. It is the festival where Bob Dylan went electric in 1965, a historical moment that stirred controversy and dramatically altered the course of popular music. Fast forward to today, the festival is still known for its spirit of musical innovation and discovery. While the event's roots are in folk music, you'll find artists across genres, including country, blues, folk-rock, and indie folk, showcasing big names and emerging talent. The waterfront festival occurs at Fort Adams State Park with Narragansett Bay and sailboats drifting by as music fills the summer air. Each of the festival's four stages comes with its unique vibe. The Fort Stage is the main one, set against the backdrop of the bay. Then there's the Harbor Stage, which is a bit more intimate, perfect for more mellow performances. The Quad Stage is inside a building within the fort itself, while the Museum Stage, as the name suggests, is inside the Museum of Yachting. The Newport Folk Festival features an element of surprise. The festival often keeps a handful of slots secret until the last minute, which has led to surprise performances from big names like Mumford & Sons and Dolly Parton. The atmosphere is relaxed, and there's a real shared love for music. Food trucks and stalls supply sustenance from local seafood to gourmet burgers. Those craving a cold one gather in the beer garden. Tickets sell out months in advance, so this is an event you must plan to visit rather than show up.

Africa

Jul

NHS Sustainability Day (UK): July 15 (est)

06:20 AM | -

Employees, suppliers, and organizations of the United Kingdom's beloved National Health Service set aside one day a year to celebrate their accomplishments and find ways to reduce waste and increase the sustainability of the service. Suggestions include: Have a cycle to-work day! Cut meat from the staff or patient menus for a day! Encourage staff to walk or cycle to work and leave the car at home! Plant a tree! Reduce paper usage across the organization! Host a recycling scheme! Run a ward v ward competition on who can save the most energy! The day is about looking toward the future and keeping the NHS cost-efficient, healthy and productive.

Africa

Jul

Night of Nights (US-CA)(1999): July 12

06:20 AM | -

Morse Code formed the standard of international maritime communication for much of the 20th century. Night of Nights celebrates the end of its use in the United States at Point Reyes Station on July 12, 1999. Each year, on this night, radio stations, ships at sea, and ports come together on-air, sharing stories and communications to honor the men and women of the radiotelegraph industry. What began as an American event is worldwide.

Africa

Jul

Night Watch (FR) (1789): July 13

06:20 AM | -

Bastille Day is a big event in France. Night Watch is the night before and it is celebrated with fireworks and festivities.

Africa

Jul

Nitrogen Ice Cream Day (1909): July 13

06:20 AM | -

Gustav Robert Paalen invented the Double Walled Vessel, a liquid nitrogen technology in tanks. The process allows the ice cream to be creamy and cool consistently. He received his patent on July 13, 1909, thus the reason for Nitrogen Ice Cream Day.

Africa

Jul

No Pet Store Puppies Day: July 21

06:20 AM | -

The ASPCA sponsors No Pet Store Puppies Day each year. From the event website: "Puppy mill cruelty is a national problem. Tens of thousands of breeding dogs spend their lives in puppy mills and large-scale commercial breeding operations where profit is prioritized over the dogs' well-being. Dogs in these facilities are housed in tiny, overcrowded cages in unsanitary conditions, without proper veterinary care or adequate access to food and water—and many live out their entire lives without ever experiencing human affection. Female breeding dogs are bred at every opportunity with little to no time between litters for their bodies to recover, produce as many puppies as possible, and generate more profit for the mills. Their offspring may suffer from behavior, congenital, and hereditary problems due to irresponsible breeding practices. Puppies are typically sold to pet shops as young as eight weeks. Since most pet store puppies come from puppy mills, this cruelty is perpetuated every time a puppy is purchased from a pet store." The ASPCA estimates there are 6,000 to 10,000 commercial breeding facilities in the United States.

Africa

Jul

Non-binary People's Day: July 14

06:20 AM | -

Non-binary people's day celebrates individuals who do not consider themselves male or female, but both or neither. Katje van Loon spawned the idea for Non-binary Day in a 2012 blog post after discovering on Wikipedia she is non-binary. She proposed placing a Non-binary Day between International Men's and International Women's Days on July 14 and then forgot the blog post. Several years later, she noticed the LGBTQ+ community had adopted her idea from the blog, and they were celebrating and marking the day.

Africa