All - Leep Calendar

National Buffet Day celebrates the Swedish dining invention of the 16th century, initially referred to as a "smorgasbord." A smorgasbord, or buffet, is a meal designed to accompany pre-dinner drinks like schnapps, where the guests walk around and choose what they want. Today, buffet meals often include all the courses and are especially useful in serving multiple guests simultaneously.

Africa

Jan

Creampuff Day, (Profiterole) Ntl.: January 2

06:20 AM | -

National Creampuff Day celebrates cream puffs! The creampuff, or the "profiterole" in French, is a pastry ball filled with a sweet filling such as whipped cream, custard, pastry cream, or ice cream. The words "creampuff" were first documented in 1604. In 1851, the pastry creampuff first appeared on an American menu.

Africa

Jan

Happy Mew Year (Cat): January 2

06:20 AM | -

One might say that counting time is a purely human and abstract invention, as we decide when a month or a year starts or ends. However, why shouldn't the animal world celebrate as well? Happy Mew Year is the day after the fireworks when felines can celebrate the beginning of a new year full of food, naps, cuddles, purrs, and a healthy dose of catnip.

Africa

Jan

Introvert Day, World: January 2

06:20 AM | -

Extroverts, who love attention and are easy to spot in a crowd, are approximately 60% of the population. Introverts tend to be quiet in public and are often unseen. Through quiet observation, introverts see and hear a lot. Therefore, after a month or so of socializing, family and holidays, introverts need a day to rest and recharge. Beginning in 2011, January 2 is set aside to celebrate the quietly powerful members of society and give them the greatest gift of all: relaxation.

Africa

Jan

Kakizome (JP): January 2

06:20 AM | -

The Japanese have a tradition of greeting the change of calendar with Kakizome, or the first writing of the year in Japanese calligraphy. These can be poetry, words of wisdom, hopes, or dreams. The tradition of writing on the second day of the new year symbolizes a return to work.

Africa

Jan

Perihelion Day: January 2

06:20 AM | -

Perihelion Day is the day when the Earth is closest to the Sun. This day changes yearly, but it's usually in early January. The word "perihelion" comes from the Ancient Greek words "peri," meaning "near" or "close," and "helios," which translates to "the Sun." Perihelion is the opposite of Aphelion when the Earth is at its furthest point from the Sun. "Apo" means "away, off, apart."

Africa

Jan

Personal Trainer Awareness Day: January 2

06:20 AM | -

Personal Trainer Awareness Day coincides with most people making New Year's resolutions to get in shape and exercise. From their 2005 press release on the day: PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA (PRWEB) DECEMBER 9, 2005 The co-founders of January 2's National Personal Trainer Appreciation Day, Jim Labadie and Joey Atlas, know the holidays can be a calorically challenging time of year. To avoid increasing weight this season, they advocate starting a fitness plan before the festivities begin. Most people realize getting more physical activity and eating a nutritious diet of small, frequent, and healthy meals six days a week is critical to keeping weight off. However, to keep one's sanity, especially around the holidays, it's a good idea for people to give themselves one "cheat" or "guilt-free" day per week. Other tips include: 1) Walk extra laps around the mall when shopping. 2) Take a 10-minute walk after a large holiday meal to burn calories and improve digestion. 3) Limit alcohol consumption as it often leads to poor food choices. 4) Write down fitness goals and stick to them. 5) Have a clear picture in your mind of how great you will feel after the holidays, having kept the weight off. The website no longer exists for this event, and it is currently unsponsored.

Africa

Jan

Pet Travel Safety Day, Ntl.: January 2

06:20 AM | -

National Pet Travel Safety Day might sound like a redundant holiday, but it addresses a serious issue. Unfortunately, statistics show that for too many pet owners, including most of those who believe they are doing everything right, pet travel safety is a mystery. Pets pay the price of our ignorance. Take some time during this day to read, think and talk about your pet's safety when traveling. They will thank you later!

Africa

Jan

Run-up-the-Flagpole Day: January 2

06:20 AM | -

Run-up-the-Flagpole Day is a day in the U.S. that comes from "Let's run it up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes it," a phrase that became popular in the 1950s. It means "to present an idea and see whether it is acceptable." The phrase is a cliché, but the day remains to encourage us to present unique ideas without hesitation.

Africa

Jan

Science Fiction Day (1920): January 2

06:20 AM | -

International Science Fiction Day is celebrated annually on January 2, the birthday of science fiction author Isaac Asimov (January 2, 1920 - April 6, 1992). Asimov was a Russian-American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and popular science. Asimov has multiple awards, including 2 Nebula awards and 9 Hugo awards. Although Asimov is far from being the first author in the genre, he is viewed by many as the father of modern science fiction through his works, including: The Foundation I, Robot Bicentennial Man Azazel The Edge of Tomorrow The Fantastic Voyage

Africa

Jan

Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, Ntl.: January 3

06:20 AM | -

Chocolate Covered Cherry Day celebrates the cordial of cherries covered in chocolate. The idea of covering fruits, nuts, and even nougat with chocolate wasn’t possible until the 19th century. The technology needed to separate the chocolate from cocoa butter wouldn’t be invented until 1828 by Conrad Van Houten in today’s Netherlands. Before this process, chocolate was used as a spice. Other techniques, including conching, invented by Rudolph Lindt in 1879, would eventually lead to that box of chocolates and candy bars we are familiar with today. Chocolate Covered Cherry Day is an unofficial holiday with no sponsor.

Africa

Jan

Festival of Sleep Day: January 3

06:20 AM | -

Now that Christmas is over and New Year's Eve is behind us, it is time to take a day (or a few hours) and get that well-deserved rest! Ergo the Festival of Sleep Day on January 3rd. Before jumping back into your everyday lifestyle, consider finding a person/pet or a stuffed animal to cuddle. Today is your day to sleep!

Africa

Jan

Fruitcake Toss Day: January 3

06:20 AM | -

This event was a joke but has become an excellent fundraising opportunity for charities. It's always newsworthy, and the dense consistency of fruitcakes makes them highly mobile when thrown. Fruitcakes are a dessert popular during Christmas. In some ancient cultures, it was a custom to bury one's loved ones with fruitcakes; today, it is more customary to re-gift fruitcakes! Most of us are guilty of this, or at least 38% of Americans report doing so. Those that re-gift have likely never tried a good fruitcake. Many are marinated in brandy and make quite a delicious addition to afternoon tea.

Africa

Jan

J.R.R. Tolkien Day (1892): January 3

06:20 AM | -

J.R.R. Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Tolkien is the father of modern fantasy literature. The professor's most famous works are the Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion, and all are still read and loved worldwide. Celebrate each January 3 at 9 pm by raising a toast for the professor.

Africa

Jan

Memento Mori (Mortality Day): January 3

06:20 AM | -

Memento Mori, or Mortality Day, is a day to remind us of our mortality and the unavoidable fact that one day, we will all die. It's essential to keep that in mind, not as a scare tactic, but to remain mindful of how short life is and how important it is to spend our time well. Today is about evaluating your life and legacy, then making adjustments where needed.

Africa