All - Leep Calendar

National Blonde Brownie Day recognizes the blonde brownie, the first brownie ever included in a cookbook, The Boston Cooking-School Cookbook by Fanny Merrit Farmer, in 1896. This book changed the way American families cook. It was written in a teaching format rather than simply recipes. The day chosen for Blond Brownie Day may coincide with the book's release date. We are unable to confirm that. It was in 1898 that the words chocolate and brownie would finally appear together in an advertisement in the Kansas City Journal, and in 1899 before a chocolate brownie recipe would be published. Blonde brownies contain zero chocolate and are cookies baked in a pan and cut into rectangles. Today we often do this with chocolate chip cookie dough to shorten the time it takes to cook the cookies one sheet at a time. Technically, these pan chocolate chip cookies would be brownies. What differentiates a brownie from cookies and cake is the density of the finished product. Cookies tend to be flat and dense. Cake is high and light. Brownies are high and dense.

Africa

Jan

Polka Dot Day, Ntl.: January 22

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National Polka Dot Day celebrates the fabric pattern of dots on a solid background. The term "polka dot" first appeared in Godey's Lady's Book in 1857, describing the pattern on a muslin scarf as "for light summer wear, surrounded by a scalloped edge, embroidered in rows of round polka dots." The word "polka" is a descriptor for Polish women. The pattern of dots on fabric hit its height in the 1930s and 1940s following its debut in Minnie Mouse's dress in 1926. Other popular culture references to the pattern include Marilyn Monroe's 1951 bikini, The song by Brian Hyland, "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini," and the Marvel comic hero Polka Dot Man. For more on the history of polka dots, see https://www.thehairpin.com/2013/06/a-brief-history-of-polka-dots.

Africa

Jan

Roe-v-Wade Day (1973): January 22

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January 22, 1973, saw the landmark decision by the United States Court on Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. This ruling made abortion legal in the United States and gave women the choice of having a child if pregnant or ending the pregnancy. The ruling passed seven to two, upholding a right to privacy under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment, extending it to a woman's decision to have an abortion. It was a tricky decision because it needed to balance the state's two legitimate interests—protecting women's health and protecting the potentiality of human life. The court decided that a woman has a right to abort a pregnancy until fetal viability. Viability is defined as "potentially able to live outside of the mother's womb, albeit with artificial aid." Today this is translated to 23 or 24 weeks, with medical advances making headway to shorten that period even further. Update: In June 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, forcing over half the women in the United States to live in states where the procedure is either banned or extremely limited. American cities and states will not know the full ramifications of this regression in women's rights for several years. Over the next decade, if it remains struck down, expect universities in states with bans to see a reduction in students applying and attending. Employers in these states will have difficulty attracting young workers, thus forcing a decline in home values and, therefore, the tax base. Reduced taxes impact other public services as younger workers seek states that protect their rights and place the value of a woman's life before the unborn. Those of childbearing age, particularly the educated and those with means, will choose to live where they can control their lives over locations where they cannot.

Africa

Jan

Saint Vincent's Day: January 22

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If the sun is shining today, viticulturists (winegrowers) rejoice. Legend states that if the sun is shining on Saint Vincent's Day, that year's grapes will yield excellent wine. Saint Vincent of Saragossa, a Spanish deacon, is the patron saint of viticulturists. Martyred for his faith on this day in 304 AD, January 22 is his feast day in the Roman Catholic tradition. Orthodox Christians celebrate it on November 11.

Africa

Jan

Sanctity of Human Life Day (1973): January 22

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Sanctity of Human Life Day in the United States symbolizes the sacredness of human life and is meant to fight for the lives of the unborn and against abortion. Today is the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court ruling in the United States legalizing abortion. Sanctity of Human Life Day originated with President Reagan in 1984.

Africa

Jan

Ukrainian Day (UA)(1918): January 22

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On January 22, 1918, Ukraine proclaimed its independence from Russia. Freedom would last until 1921, when the Soviet Union took control of the country. In 1991 it regained its independence again. Beginning in February 2014, the region of Crimea fell under Russian occupation again. Russia invaded Ukraine again in February 2022. That war continues, with several eastern provinces currently occupied by Russia.

Africa

Jan

Babinden (RU/BG): January 23

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Babinden is a traditional Bulgarian observance celebrated in Russia and known as the Day of the Midwives. At dawn, women, and children under three rise and head to the local well, where they draw water and infuse it with basil or geranium. Drinking the infusion, they make their way to the midwife's house, where she is bathed by the mothers and presented with a bouquet of geraniums tied in red and white ribbon. The ribbons symbolize a healthy child with rosy cheeks. The midwife removes the ribbons to secure a silver coin. Each coined ribbon then embellishes each child born with the midwife's help, along with a gift of new socks and shirts. Next, another pitcher of water is drawn, infused with basil or geraniums, and taken to the local church, where it is blessed. Mothers will use the blessed water a little bit each day to bathe for the next forty. At noon, the party returns to the midwife's house, where the mothers and their female relatives prepare a feast exclusively for women. Upon its conclusion, the town's men join the festivities, usually dressed as oxen and pulling a cart. Their job is to parade the midwife through the village. Should the men encounter any women, a fee to pass is paid. Babinden's elaborate customs celebrate motherhood and the essential services of midwifery. It's a celebration of life and an assurance that the midwife blesses each child during its first three years to ensure a long, healthy life.

Africa

Jan

Handwriting Day, Ntl. (1737): January 23

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National Handwriting Day celebrates the art of handwriting, be your script cute, elegant, beautiful, or doctor-like illegible. WIMA sponsors National Handwriting Day every year on the anniversary of John Hancock’s birthday, January 23, 1737. Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence and is famous for his large, bold signature.

Africa

Jan

Measure Your Feet Day: January 23

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Measure Your Feet Day commemorates how we measure feet, though why it is not on the birthday (May 16, 1903) of the device’s inventor or the day patent US1682366 was approved (August 28, 1928) or filed (November 4, 1925), or even his death (November 22, 1992) is unknown. There seems to be nothing significant about this date, historically. The Brannock Device® was revolutionary, simple to use, and increased the wear and comfort of shoes. Charles F. Brannock invented the device to attract more customers to his store. The US Army took notice in the 1940s, and it became the standard for determining shoe size and fit. We still use his invention today. Brannock was inducted into the Inventor’s Hall of Fame in 2007.

Africa

Jan

Pie Day, Ntl.: January 23

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Created in 1975, National Pie Day celebrates the pastry called 'pie.' Cherry, apple, pumpkin, key lime, pecan, or mince; choose your favorite and have a slice today.

Africa

Jan

Rhubarb Pie Day, Ntl.: January 23

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Rhubarb is a perennial plant that arrived in Europe via Marco Polo’s expeditions to China. This tart plant was later cultivated during the 1600s in England and became a popular base for today’s celebrated food, rhubarb pie.

Africa

Jan

Rid the World of Fad Diets & Gimmicks Day: January 23

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Rid the World of Fad Diets & Gimmicks Day promotes a healthy lifestyle and educates people on the dangers of supplements, gimmicks, and diet drugs in the battle of the bulge. Rid the World of Fad diets and Gimmicks Day falls on the Tuesday of Healthy Weight Week each January.

Africa

Jan

Snow Plow Mailbox Hockey Day: January 23

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Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day is created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays & Herbs. The day demonstrates appreciation for snowplow drivers who spend the entire winter plowing streets and avoiding mailboxes. Snowplow mailbox hockey is a made-up game in which snowplow drivers hit mailboxes. The farther away a driver can fling a mailbox after hitting it, the more points are rewarded. Make-believe game, remember? Please note that attacking mailboxes is a crime, vandalism. Practice at your own risk.

Africa

Jan

24 Karat Day (1848): January 24

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International 24 Karat Day marks the anniversary of the discovery of gold on January 24, 1848, by James W Marshal at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. Dubbed the California Gold Rush in 1849, this single event was responsible for massive migration in the United States across the country to the Western States. Those chasing gold in California were affectionately referred to as Forty-niners.

Africa

Jan

Alasitas Festival (BO)(1781): January 24

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Making a little deal out of big dreams, Alasitas is a unique festival found only in Bolivia. The pre-Columbian (before 1492) Aymara people of Bolivia ushered in the fall harvest season with a pagan festival celebrating the goddess of abundance, Ekeko. Prayers with offerings of miniaturized objects to the goddess informed the ritual, with hopes of being blessed with abundance in the coming year. With the arrival of Christianity, the festival folded into the pre-Lent celebrations. Later, the anniversary of the January 24, 1781 battle between the Bolivians and imperial Spain marked its beginning, making it a civic holiday. Today Alasitas is held annually beginning on the battle's anniversary in the city of La Paz and continues for a month, usually until the first day of Lent. Priests and shamans perform blessings. Everything in the town goes small, from fun-size food to tiny bicycles, dolls, and plants. Even money and houses are miniaturized for those wishing for either in the upcoming year. These little dreams and indulgences are part of the celebration. Bolivians purchase and collect miniature dolls, furniture, plants, and other collectibles to represent their hopes and wishes for the coming year and eat mini meals of itty bitty foods. Globally, Alasitas is often referred to as The Festival of Miniatures, bringing the festival and traditions full circle to their cultural origins.

Africa