All - Leep Calendar

GI Joe Day marks the anniversary of the launch of the first action figure created for boys, the GI Joe doll, on February 2, 1964. The doll was retired in 1994 but continues in video games. GI stands for "galvanized iron" and was adopted by soldiers in the US Army during World War II as an expression of their strength and unwillingness to bend.

Africa

Feb

Give Kids A Smile Day: February 2

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The Give Kids A Smile program began in 2003 to allow dentists and related organizations to join together and provide dental services to underserved children. Originally a one-day event in February, many cities have expanded it into a year-round service providing screenings, treatments, and education to children throughout the United States. Each year, approximately 450,000 children benefit from more than 1500 localized events, all because of the efforts of 40,000 or more annual volunteers.

Africa

Feb

Groundhog Day (1886): February 2

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Groundhog Day is an American tradition with roots in the Roman Empire, though it combines pagan rituals with Christian observances. It coincides with Candlemas, the date in the Christian calendar 40 days after the birth of Christ, representing the purification of the Virgin Mary. It is the reason Groundhog day occurs on February 2nd. Various legends in Europe state that winter will continue if the sun shines on Candlemas, and if it is cloudy, winter will end early. The idea of using an animal to predict the length of winter comes from the Romans. The Romans often used the exit from the hibernation of various animals to predict future events, regarding the creatures as omens. Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is the name of the groundhog used to predict whether winter will continue or spring will be early. It’s a big event each year reported all over the United States. The first time Punxsutawney Phil predicted the weather was in 1886.

Africa

Feb

Heavenly Hash Day: February 2

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Heavenly Hash is mixed together with rice, pineapples, marshmallows, and whipped cream. Sometimes ice cream with nuts, marshmallows, and fruits is used instead, mixed up and plopped into a bowl. Most food holidays have no origin and are unofficial, and heavenly Hash Day is one.

Africa

Feb

Hedgehog Day: February 2

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Meet the original groundhog from the times of ancient Rome, the hedgehog. This little rodent is the original inspiration for shadow or no shadow day and is still celebrated as a European folk holiday.

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Feb

Major League Baseball Birthday (1876): February 2

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Major League Baseball was founded on this day in 1876.

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Feb

Marmot Day: February 2

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In the lower 48, we celebrate Groundhog Day. In Alaska, it is known as Marmot Day (an animal part of the same family. This event was established in 2009 by the state of Alaska. Marmots, native to the Northern Hemisphere, are charismatic rodents about the size of a house cat. They are hunted for their fur and meat, a delicacy in some parts of the world. The town of Owosso, Michigan, also celebrates Marmot Day in July.

Africa

Feb

Moon—Third Quarter: February 2

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Today is the third quarter of the moon, meaning it is halfway between the full and new moon.

Africa

Feb

Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day: February 2

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Rheumatoid Awareness Day exists to give people with rheumatoid arthritis a day of recognition. Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive inflammatory disease causing damage to joints and organ tissues, resulting in severe pain, frequent disability, and increased mortality. For most patients, current treatments neither relieve all symptoms nor assure a healthy future, and Remission is rare. Rheumatoid disease affects about one percent of the world’s population, with 1.6 to 2 million Americans currently diagnosed. Mayo Clinic says the lifetime risk of the disease is 3.6 percent for women and 1.7 percent for men. Rheumatoid Awareness Day comes at the start of Heart Disease Awareness month, underscoring a severe aspect of rheumatoid disease: heart health.

Africa

Feb

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival (US-NY): February 2-11 (est)

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The longest-running winter carnival in the eastern United States, New York's Saranac Lake Winter Carnival first ran in 1897. The event features an ice castle, winter sports, food, music, parades, and fireworks. Each year has a different theme.

Africa

Feb

Sled Dog Day, Ntl.(1925): February 2

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National Sled Dog day honors Balto, perhaps the most famous sled dog in history. In 1925, during a diphtheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska, Balto and his master Gunnar Kaasen braved the Alaskan wilderness with the life-saving medicine needed. Balto wasn’t alone. Like the Pony Express, sled dog teams ran in relays. Balto and his team relayed with another sled dog leader Togo driven by Leonhard. The two dogs and their teams ran a total of 674 miles and arrived in Nome, Alaska, at just shy of 5:30 AM on February 2, 1925. National Sled Dog (also written Sled dog)is about acknowledging the place in history sled dogs have occupied in exploration, search and rescue, transportation and sport.

Africa

Feb

Tater Tot Day, Ntl.: February 2

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National Tater Tot Day celebrates the bite-sized molded hash browns that are deep-fried. An invention of the Or-Ida food company in the early 1950s, Tater Tots have been a school lunch favorite for decades. This event first ran in 2009 and was created by the food blog Foodimentary.

Africa

Feb

Tinnitus Awareness Week (US/UK): February 2-8 (est)

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National Tinnitus Awareness Week (TAW) in the United States and the United Kingdom raises awareness of the disorder "ringing in the ears," which affects nearly 14% of people worldwide. Of those, 7% test positive for chronic tinnitus. Most commonly caused by exposure to loud noise (amplified music, machinery, workplace noise), tinnitus is one of the world's most widespread and underestimated health issues. This week is about learning about the disease and what you can do to safeguard your hearing. In the United States, see the American Tinnitus Association. In the United Kingdom, consult the British Tinnitus Association (BTA).

Africa

Feb

Ukulele Day, World: February 2

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The late ukulele teacher and musician Mike Lynch created Ukulele Day. Over 40 years of his life were devoted to teaching music, with his favorite instrument, the small four-string guitar-like instrument called a ukulele. His wife continues his legacy with Ukulele Day by distributing his books, music, and videos. Mike Lynch passed away on January 2, 2018.

Africa

Feb

Wear Red Day for Heart Disease, Ntl.: February 2

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Created by the National Institute of Health in 2002, National Wear Red Day occurs on the first Friday of February. Women wear the color red to raise awareness and remind the dangers of heart disease and what they can do to prevent it. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. National Wear Red Day promotes the symbol and allows everyone—men and women alike—to unite in this life-saving awareness-to-action movement by wearing anything and everything red.

Africa