All - Leep Calendar

The first La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros (Celebration of the Cowboys) originated in 1925. Today, the event has grown to a nine-day celebration centered on the Tucson Rodeo, one of North America's top 25 professional rodeos. The Tucson Rodeo Parade is the world's longest non-motorized parade, a two-hour spectacle featuring western-themed floats and buggies, historic horse-drawn coaches, festive Mexican folk dancers, marching bands, and costumed riders. An estimated 200,000 spectators view the parade each year. Rodeo events include bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, and women's barrel racing. Also featured each day are kids' events: RAM Mutton Bustin', when four-to-six-year-olds test their riding skills on sheep, and the Justin Junior Rodeo for young cowpokes ages seven to twelve. Annually in February.

Africa

Feb

Future Farmers of America (FFA) Week, Ntl.: February 17-24

06:20 AM | -

Future Farmers of America Week is an opportunity for FFA members, alumni, and sponsors to advocate for agricultural education and careers in Agriculture. Over 600,000 Junior High and High School children are involved through over 7,500 chapters. Activities include hosted teacher appreciation breakfasts and “Ag Olympics” competitions. The week seeks to ignite a passion for agriculture with the next generation of farmers and ranchers.

Africa

Feb

Global Tourism Resilience Day: February 17

06:20 AM | -

Resilient tourism plays a crucial role in the economic development of many countries, particularly in developing nations, small island developing states, Africa, and middle-income countries. It serves as a significant source of income, foreign currency, tax revenue, and employment. Sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, has the potential to contribute to all three dimensions of sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It can foster economic growth, alleviate poverty, create employment opportunities, promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, and support the sustainable use of oceans and marine resources. Sustainable tourism also has broader societal benefits, such as promoting local culture, improving quality of life, empowering women, young people, indigenous communities, and rural populations. It can contribute to rural development, enhance living conditions, and support small-holder farmers. By embracing sustainable and resilient tourism practices, countries can achieve sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development, financial inclusion, environmental protection, and poverty eradication. This includes the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources, as well as promoting investment and entrepreneurship in sustainable tourism. In recognition of the importance of resilient tourism, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 17 through resolution A/RES/77/269. This day highlights the need to foster resilient tourism development to address shocks and emergencies that affect the tourism sector. It calls for the development of national strategies for rehabilitation after disruptions, emphasizing public-private cooperation and diversification of activities and products. Overall, resilient tourism is essential for sustainable development, economic stability, and the protection of natural and cultural heritage. It encourages countries to invest in sustainable practices, cooperate in times of crisis, and adapt to changing circumstances to ensure a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector.

Africa

Feb

Human Spirit Day, World: February 17

06:20 AM | -

World Human Spirit Day encourages people worldwide to stop what they are doing and hold a moment of silence for two minutes beginning at 15:00 GMT-5 (3 PM EST). The idea is to raise global consciousness and share a joint solidarity event with millions worldwide.

Africa

Feb

Kindness, National Day of (CA)(1920): February 17

06:20 AM | -

National Day of Kindness is for our members and clubs to celebrate our founding (February 20, 1920) and commitment to serving the community's greatest need. Every community needs kindness and people performing selfless acts; our clubs can spearhead this in their communities each year. In 2017, 162 clubs participated and handed out Kindness cards and stickers during their acts of kindness, encouraging others to #PassItOn. Members kindly packed groceries for customers, gave away free coffee and snacks, made donations within their communities, and spread cheer to everyone they met.

Africa

Feb

My Way Day, Ntl.: February 17

06:20 AM | -

My Way Day is a day to reflect on the meaning of a song Frank Sinatra made popular called "My Way." The song was recorded on December 30, 1968, and released on June 14, 1969. Though several decades old, the song continues to be a favorite of free spirits. It's about a man looking back at his life and feeling content with you he lived it. The lyrics were written by Paul Anka, and the composition comes from a 1967 French song composed by Claude François and Jacques Revaux entitled Comme d'habitude. Have a look at the song below. ________________ MY WAY And now the end is near And so I face the final curtain My friend I'll say it clear I'll state my case of which I'm certain I've lived a life that's full I traveled each and every highway And more, much more than this I did it my way Regrets I've had a few But then again too few to mention I did what I had to do And saw it through without exemption I planned each charted course Each careful step along the byway And more, much more than this I did it my way Yes there were times I'm sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew But through it all when there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all And I stood tall and did it my way I've loved, I've laughed and cried I've had my fill, my share of losing And now as tears subside I find it all so amusing To think I did all that And may I say not in a shy way Oh no, oh no, not me I did it my way For what is a man what has he got If not himself then he has not To say the things he truly feels And not the words of one who kneels The record shows I took the blows And did it my way Yes it was my way ###

Africa

Feb

Pangolin Day, World: February 17

06:20 AM | -

World Pangolin Day raises awareness about the importance and plight of the pangolins. One aspect making pangolins unique is their scales, as no other mammal has them. Quiet and diligent, pangolins range from the size of a house cat to a medium-weight dog. The eight pangolin species live in Asia and Africa and are becoming endangered due to their status as the world's most trafficked animal. These gentle and shy mammals are highly sought after in Asia for their scales and tender meat, which is expensive and considered a status symbol when eaten. Like many rare animal parts, though nothing more than keratin (the material comprising fingernails), their scales are sought for several thoroughly debunked "natural" medicines; essentially, they're killed for superstition as fingernail clippings provide the same ingredient. Not a single medical application using pangolin parts, ranging from alieving arthritis to menstrual cramps, has been scientifically proven effective. Pangolin scales are sought as good luck charms for wealth attraction and to protect from evil spirits—a use also scientifically debunked. What about the ever-present quest for male virility for which many animals, from tigers to gorillas, are sacrificed on the altar of the masculine potency myth? Men in some Asian cultures believe eating a stewed pangolin fetus enhances their sexual efficacy and vigor. It doesn't. Pangolins reproduce just one offspring a year; each fetus destroys two—the mother whose belly is sliced open and the baby inside. Pangolins, when threatened, curl up into a ball. Their scales protect them from natural predators, but their position and their passivity make them very easy to handle, abuse, and cage by humans. Though they look like an anteater, they are closely related to wolves and bears. Pangolins support the ecosystem by reducing insect populations, and their preferred food is termites. That alone is a great reason to keep pangolins around.

Africa

Feb

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Founders Day, Ntl. (1897): February 17

06:20 AM | -

February 17, 1897, the Parent Teachers Association was founded under the National Congress of Mothers, chaired by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst. National PTA is a strong advocate for public education, bettering the lives of every child in education, health, and safety. The PTA continues to be the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the nation. It is responsible in whole or part for creating Kindergarten classes, child labor laws, public health services, hot and healthy lunch programs, the juvenile justice system, mandatory immunization, arts in education, and school safety programs.

Africa

Feb

Random Acts of Kindness Day: February 17

06:20 AM | -

Random Acts of Kindness Day occurs during Random Acts of Kindness Week. Dr. Chuck Wall, a professor at Bakersfield College, recalled hearing about "random, senseless acts of violence" on the news in 1993 and was inspired to assign his students the task of committing "one random act of senseless kindness" as homework. He has since copyrighted the phrase. The grass-roots movement encourages people to spontaneously do something nice for someone else without expecting anything in return, which built up steam during the 90s. In 2004, Oprah Winfrey devoted an entire episode to the concept. People around the globe have embraced the concept. Websites have been developed to encourage and record these acts, movies like "Pay It Forward" and "Amelie" use the concept as their premise, and schools have monthly Random Acts of Kindness Awards for students who commit them.

Africa

Feb

Who Shall I Be? Day: February 17

06:20 AM | -

Who Shall I Be? Day encourages you to decide and determine who you are and how the world will see you, not what others think you should be.

Africa

Feb

Asperger's Day, Intl. (1906): February 18

06:20 AM | -

International Asperger's Day aims to highlight the significance of Asperger syndrome for society and individuals and also illustrates one of the many challenges to the newcomer trying to understand the autism spectrum. The day marks the anniversary of the birthday of Hans Asperger on February 18, 1906.

Africa

Feb

Battery Day (1745): February 18

06:20 AM | -

Today marks the birthday of the creator of the invention that would become the first necessity of the future communications age: the battery. On February 18, 1745, Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta was born in Como, Lombardy, Italy. Volta's contribution to life, the humble battery, impacts everything from cars to iPads. The Italian physicist developed the voltaic pile, the predecessor of the electric battery. In his honor, the measurement of this unit, 'volt' and 'voltage,' carry his name.

Africa

Feb

Crab Stuffed Flounder Day: February 18

06:20 AM | -

Simple yet elegant crab stuffed flounder is often available at finer dining establishments. If you enjoy stuffed chicken breasts, pork chops, or other main dishes combining flavors and textures, Crab Stuffed Flounder Day is your opportunity to try a new flavor and fall in love with your new favorite.

Africa

Feb

Daylight Savings (BR), Ends: February 18

06:20 AM | -

Daylight Savings in Brazil’s southern states commences on the third Sunday in October (spring forward) and ends on the third Sunday in February (fall back). The saying, “spring forward, fall back,” is an excellent way to remember, and it works in the northern and southern hemispheres as the seasons reverse. On this day, Brazilians move the clock one hour ahead at 2 AM in October, or one hour back in February at 2 AM on Sunday. American Benjamin Franklin was the first to propose daylight savings time (DST) in 1784, and modern DST commenced in 1895. Throughout history, several variations of daylight savings ranged from 30 minutes to two hours. Only some nations observe DST, which can make setting appointments very challenging. The primary purpose of DST is to make better use of daylight hours for farming, early morning activities (such as children walking to school in daylight rather than darkness), and saving energy. The closer one lives to the north and south poles, the longer the period of daylight in the summer months. _______________________ DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ABOVE THE EQUATOR United Kingdom, Albania, Adorra, Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Holy See, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Kosovo, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Western Sahara—Last Sunday of March (spring forward) and the last Sunday of October (fall back). United States, Bahamas, Canada, Cuba, Saint Pierre & Miquelon—Second Sunday of March; first Sunday of November Iran—Begins March 21/22; Ends September 20/21 Israel & Palestine—Friday before the last Sunday, March; last Sunday, October Jordan, Syria— Last Friday, March; last Friday, October Mexico—First Sunday, April; last Sunday, October _______________________ DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BELOW THE EQUATOR Australia—First Sunday of October (spring forward ); first Sunday in April (fall back). Brazil—Third Sunday in October; third Sunday in February. Chile—Second Sunday in August; second Sunday in May. Fiji & Tonga—First Sunday of November; third Sunday of January. Namibia—First Sunday of September; first Sunday of April. New Zealand—Last Sunday of September; first Sunday of April. Paraguay—First Sunday of October; fourth Sunday of March. Samoa—Last Sunday of September; first Sunday of April.

Africa

Feb

Daytona 500: February 18

06:20 AM | -

Today is the annual running of the 500-mile race known as the Daytona 500, the most prestigious NASCAR auto race. NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is a race of stock cars, that is, ordinary vehicles modified for racing (including the elimination of extras, the addition of rollbars, and other safety or weigh reducing modifications. The Daytona 500 began in 1959, with the first race won by Lee Petty, who was driving an Oldsmobile at an average speed of 135.521 MPH (218.0999 km/h). The fastest-ever car in the Daytona 500 was Bill Elliot, driving a Ford in 1987. He won the race averaging 176.263 MPH (283.6687 km/h)! Seven men died racing in the Daytona 500, including the legendary Dale Earnhardt, on February 18, 2001. NASCAR racing is second in popularity to American football in the United States.

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