All - Leep Calendar

On February 28, 2022, the nation of Switzerland, typically neutral in all international conflicts, officially froze the accounts of Russian individuals and businesses in response to Russia's invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Africa

Feb

Tailor Day, World: February 28

06:20 AM | -

World Tailor Day is rumored to mark the birthday of Elias Howe, Jr., the man who invented the first sewing machine. At least, that is what LEEP's competitors say. There's a problem with that. Mr. Howe was born on July 9, 1819, and died on October 3, 1867. His machine received a patent on September 10, 1846. Sadly, there is no way to tie February 28 to Mr. Howe. It's still a great day to honor these meticulous craftsmen and women worldwide, whether in London, Hong Kong, Milan, or Bahrain. The word "tailor" appears in the 1297 Oxford dictionary for the first time. It is a derivative of the French word for cut, "tailler." Tailors were essential to royalty during the eleventh century, and the profession gained significant popularity during the Renaissance. The wealthy would go to professionals who styled clothes based on their shape. Before this, most clothing draped on a body was not constructed for it. Today, elite tailors are referred to as bespoke. These custom artisans create one-of-a-kind fashions for their elite clientele. When you find a good one, hang on tight. There is nothing finer than well-fitting clothes.

Africa

Feb

Teal Ribbon Day (AU): February 28

06:20 AM | -

Teal Ribbon Day supports Australians living with ovarian cancer, honors those who have succumbed, and raises awareness of this deadly disease to change the story for future generations. Every day in Australia, four women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and three will die. Ovarian cancer has the lowest survival rate of any women’s cancer.

Africa

Feb

Tooth Fairy Day, Intl.: February 28

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The first known accounts of the idea of a Tooth Fairy originated in Arabia in the 1300s. To this day, in Islamic countries, parents continue to toss lost teeth in the air, a practice dating well before the advent of Islam. However, the tradition of paying children for teeth (or rewarding children for such) is seen in the Viking culture as early as the 7th Century. During the profoundly superstitious Middle Ages, several myths surrounded the loss of teeth. At this time, children began leaving them under their pillows for a prize, and parents left a trail of fairy dust for the children to find in the morning. The Tooth Fairy is genuinely an international myth that borrows from traditions worldwide. No single culture is responsible for the myth; it grew with the global trade routes.

Africa

Feb

Chili Day, Ntl.: February 29

06:20 AM | -

Chili is a spicy stew of chili peppers, meat, tomatoes, and often beans that originated in San Antonio, Texas, during the 1880s. Beans were added to chili in the 20th century, and the original recipes were hot mole, beef, and a variety of hot chilies. It's become an American (and now international) phenomenon to create the "best chili." As long as the stew includes the base ingredients, you're good to go. A personal note from Laura: My recipe (pictured in the masthead) includes four types of chilies: roasted green, red flake, lion chilies, and two habanero chilies; four types of meat (Portuguese sausage, bacon, ground turkey, and sliced tri-tip), two types of beans (black and kidney), mushrooms, black olives, garlic, lemon, cinnamon, cilantro, bay leaves, liquid smoke, green onions, V-8 juice (base), dried tomatoes and tomato paste. I simmer it for 12 hours in the crockpot. It is amazing! Top it with extra sharp cheese, sesame seeds, and/or sour cream. It makes about 25 servings. Chili is an equal-opportunity dish. You make it what you will, and it freezes beautifully. There is no right or wrong way to make chili—as long as it includes chilies, you've got the stew called chili. Enjoy National Chili Day. Also, see the Great American Chili Cook-off week, which occurs in October.

Africa

Feb

Digital Learning Day: February 15

06:20 AM | -

Digital Learning Day ensures every child has access to the tools they need to learn in a digital world, whether tablets, desktops, or laptops. As more classes go online and technology advances allow us to communicate in real time, digital learning will grow in importance. The source link for this event takes you to the organization responsible for this event, the Alliance for Excellent Education.

A personal note on this event from Laura:

It was 1978 at Collins Junior High in Cupertino, California, when the first two Apple computers arrived at our school. I was in the seventh grade and had never seen a desktop computer, nor did I know how important those two little machines would be to my future and many others. I remember seeing the Mortonson twins, two toe-head boys like myself, sitting at them for hours. About ten years later, I remember seeing an article about the boys, now programmers, in a national magazine. How long ago that now seems, and how far we as a society have come.

Africa

Feb

Leap Day: February 29

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A Leap day is an additional day in the calendar during a leap year, which occurs once every four years. A leap year is divisible by four, except for years divisible by 100 but not by 400, meaning that the years 2000 and 2400 are leap years, but the years 1700, 1800, and 1900 were not, even though they were divisible by four. The purpose of leap day is to keep the calendar year in sync with the astronomical year, which is the time it takes for the Earth to complete one orbit around the sun. The astronomical year is approximately 365.24 days long, which means that the calendar year, which is 365 days long, is slightly shorter. Adding an extra day is necessary for the calendar to stay in sync with the seasons, resulting in events traditionally associated with particular times of the year, such as the spring equinox or the summer solstice, which would gradually shift over time. Leap day is traditionally associated with various customs and superstitions. In many cultures, it is considered unlucky to be born on leap day, and people born then earn the nickname "leaplings" or "leap year babies." Leap day is also sometimes associated with events or occasions that only occur once every four years. For example, in some countries, elections are held only in leap years, and the Summer Olympics and Paralympics are also held on a four-year cycle, with leap years marking the midpoint between games.

Africa

Feb

Premio Lo Nuestro: February 22

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Premio lo Nuestro, established in 2003, is the Central and South American music awards broadcast on Univision. It honors the song of the year, new solo act or group of the year, established group of the year in pop/rock, female and male artists of the year, and the year's album in the Latino music industry.

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

Feb

Rare Disease Disorder Day, World: February 29

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Rare Disease Day raises awareness amongst the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives. The campaign targets the general public, patients and patient representatives, politicians, public authorities, policy-makers, industry representatives, researchers, health professionals, and anyone with a genuine interest in rare diseases. Rare Disease Day originated with EURORDIS and its Council of National Alliances in 2008. Since, thousands of events have taken place worldwide, reaching hundreds of thousands of people and media coverage. The political momentum resulting from the day has also served advocacy purposes. It has notably contributed to developing national plans and policies for rare diseases in several countries. Though this began as a European event, it has progressively become a world event observed on the last day of February.

Africa

Feb

Summer's Day, National (AU): February 29

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Summer's Day in Australia is a national day to remember all the children who have lost their lives due to preventable injuries and to assist those children and family members who are still struggling with the consequences of avoidable injuries (accidents). Summer's Day is named in honor of four-year-old Summer Steer, who swallowed a button battery and died when it burned through her esophagus into her aorta. Summer's mother started the holiday to educate parents, honor her daughter and prevent other such deaths from happening. It is held annually in Australia on the last day of summer, usually the 28th of February, unless it is a leap year.

Africa

Feb

Toast Day, Ntl. (UK): February 29

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Toast Day celebrates all types of toasted bread and is created by Wilkin & Sons Ltd., a manufacturer of jams and jellies and host of the World Bread Awards out of Essex, England.

Africa

Feb

Saraswati Puja (H): February 14

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Saraswati Puja occurs on Vasant Panchami in the Hindu faith to celebrate the goddess of music, art, and knowledge, Saraswati. Yellow is the signature color of Saraswati Puja. Clothing is yellow, food is yellow, and offerings are yellow flowers, gulal, fruits, yellow-colored sweets, roli, and moli. Idols of goddess Saraswati are displayed. Educational institutions celebrate this day with devotion and rituals. PLEASE NOTE: We use the Indian civil calendar, the official holiday calendar in India, the largest Hindu nation. 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

Feb

Chinese Year of the Dragon, 4722: February 10 - January 28, 2025

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The Chinese calendar is the backdrop of the Chinese year and is based upon the moon's phases and runs in 12-year cycles, each year denoting a different animal in the Chinese astrological lineup. 2024 is the year of the Dragon. Numerically, this year would be 4722. The Chinese Year of the Dragon is a vital zodiac year in the Chinese calendar. The Dragon is the fifth animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle and is considered one of the most influential and auspicious of the twelve. The Dragon symbolizes strength, good fortune, and power in Chinese culture. People born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to inherit these characteristics as they are often seen as confident, ambitious, and charismatic individuals with natural leadership qualities. Dragons possess a magnetic personality that attracts others to them. The Year of the Dragon is favorable for important undertakings and significant life events, and Dragon years are believed to bring prosperity, success, and good luck. Many Chinese couples plan their pregnancies to ensure their child is born in the Year of the Dragon; businesses plan major expansions, acquisitions, or new products. Traditionally, Dragon years are celebrated with various customs and festivities. These may include dragon dances, where a team of performers carries a long dragon puppet through the streets, symbolizing the mythical creature. Fireworks, lantern festivals, and family gatherings are common during the Chinese New Year celebration.

Africa

Feb

Festival de la Virgen de la Candelaria (PE): February 2-14

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The Festivity of Virgen de la Candelaria, held in Puno, Peru, is one of the most significant cultural events in the country. It has been declared a part of the world's cultural heritage by UNESCO and takes place every February, attracting large crowds worldwide. The festival honors the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron saint of Puno, and the celebrations involve traditional music, colorful costumes, vibrant dances, and religious processions, bringing together Catholic traditions and indigenous Andean religious customs, making it a unique blend of cultures. Historical Background: This festival's origins intertwine with the Catholic faith and indigenous beliefs. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to the locals as a beautiful woman. When the locals tried to approach her, she disappeared and was replaced by a statue of the Virgin. This miraculous event led to the Virgin of Candelaria being proclaimed the patron saint of Puno. The festival also incorporates indigenous Andean traditions. Many of the dances performed during the festival illustrate stories about the spirits of the mountains (known as "Apus"), the devil ("Supay"), and various animals sacred to the indigenous peoples of the region. Experience of the Festival: The celebration begins on February 2nd, the Catholic feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria. Festivities start with a grand parade that includes different brotherhoods from various communities in and around Puno, each wearing unique costumes and dancing to traditional music. One of the most captivating parts of the festival is the dance competition, held in the main stadium of Puno. Different dance troupes compete, each performing a traditional dance, like the Diablada (Dance of the Devils), Morenada, or Caporales. These dances often tell stories or depict battles between good and evil. The festival peaks between February 10-12, with the day-long dance competition in the stadium. During this period, the city of Puno is awash with parades, parties, and processions, creating an atmosphere of festivity and celebration. For a visitor, the Festivity of Virgen de la Candelaria offers an opportunity to immerse oneself in Peruvian culture. It's a time when the city of Puno comes alive with vibrant colors, traditional music, and a sense of shared cultural pride. The festival is a testament to Peru's rich cultural heritage, uniquely combining Catholic and indigenous traditions.

Africa

Feb

Aggressive Driving Month (US): February

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Aggressive Driving Awareness Month occurs each February in the United States. Aggressive Drivers cause accidents and fatalities, make the roads less safe, and often intimidate other drivers. In support, the American Automobile Association (AAA) has created a Q&A on aggressive driving. Discover if you fall into this category. Take the Driver Stress Profile to Measure Your Hostility on the Road: https://www.aaafoundation.org/are-you-aggressive-driver

Africa