All - Leep Calendar

A few nights before Christmas is Go Caroling Day. Caroling, or wassailing, is an English Christian oral tradition of singing songs and walking the neighborhood passed down from generation to generation. The original word, wassailing, is derived from the Old Norse, "ves heill," or "to your health / luck / happiness." Hard cider, mead, or ale usually played a part in traditional wassailing. Originally, caroling occured any time of year. In the 13th century, Saint Francis of Assisi began to incorporate wassailing in his Christmastide sermons. Assisi wrote down the songs, and the tradition of singing them at Christmas and sharing them with friends and family carried on. In 1582, his collection of carols was published, upon which they became a standard for holiday celebrations throughout Europe and later the Americas.

Africa

Dec

Human Solidarity Day, Intl.: December 20

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International Human Solidarity Day appreciates and demonstrates camaraderie towards our fellow human beings and focuses on working together for a better tomorrow. It's a day to celebrate diversity and focus on sustainable solutions that allow people to escape poverty, hunger, and disease.

Africa

Dec

Mudd, Dr. Samuel, Day (1833): December 20

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"That's it, young lady," My mother would often say, "Your name is mud!" Okay, so I wasn't always an angelic child, but I always wondered what mud had to do with misbehaving. In Old English, mud meant "a stupid twaddling fellow." Well, I have indeed resembled that comment in my life, except for the fellow part. Mudd Day, marked on December 20 each year, has nothing to do with being called mud and everything about legal issues and trying to clear your name. Dr. Samuel Mudd was born on December 20, 1833. In adulthood, he advocated for slavery and supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. He often expressed his dislike and hatred for then-President Lincoln and his policies. John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln on April 14, 1865, but in the course, broke his leg. Escaping the authorities searching for him, he ended up at Dr. Mudd's home, where the doctor treated his leg and let him go. It is believed Dr. Mudd did not know about the assassination then. However, after learning he helped the president's assassin, he waited 24 hours before reporting to the police. Mudd was convicted of aiding and conspiring with several others in the murder of President Lincoln. In 1869 President Andrew Johnson pardoned and released Mudd and two others from jail. Eventually, the doctor was able to get his family on even footing and re-establish his practice. He became active in politics and supported several initiatives in his hometown. He died of pneumonia in 1875 at the age of 49. After a century of lobbying by the family, Mudd's conviction was cleared on July 27, 1979.

Africa

Dec

National Underdog Day (US/UK): December 20

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National Underdog Day in the United States and the United Kingdom was created in 1976 by the late Peter Moeller, self-described as the Chief Underdog. The term "underdog" originates in shipbuilding, and "dog" is a slang term for the wooden planks put in pits for sawing. The person standing in the hold would be the "underdog." The person standing above was the "overdog." Both sawmen did similar work, but the underdog would end up covered in the sawdust, and the overdog would not. Today the term is used as a David versus Goliath metaphor, with the underdog at a disadvantage in size, money, or power—which is why people love cheering for underdogs. Fun fact, December 16 is also the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party in 1773, a political protest in defiance of that year's Tea Act tax by the underdog American Colonialists against the world's most powerful empire, Britain. It is one of the critical events leading up to the American Revolution and a classic David versus Goliath triumph.

Africa

Dec

Anne & Samantha Day: December 21

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Anne and Samantha Day occurs on the summer and winter solstice to honor the work of two teenage women who died too young. Its purpose is to create a postage stamp to commemorate their actions promoting world peace and understanding. It also encourages girls and young women to make their voices heard and take action. Anne is for Anne Frank, the author of The Diary of Anne Frank. Anne died in a Nazi concentration camp less than two months before WWII ended in Europe. She was just sixteen years old. Her diary is one of the most widely read books in the world. Samantha is for Samantha Smith, who is known as the world's youngest ambassador. Passionate about peace, she wrote a letter to the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Yuri Andropov, in November 1982, congratulating him on his new job and with a desire to promote peace during the Cold War. After a couple of letters, Smith received an answer from the Soviet leader with an invitation to visit. She wrote the book describing the trip, Journey to the Soviet Union. Samantha died on August 25, 1985, in a domestic plane crash in Maine at age 13.

Africa

Dec

Bright Side Day, Look on the: December 21

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Look on the Bright Side Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor that encourages people to see the glass half full and seek out the silver lining. Always celebrated on the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, and amidst frantic Christmas preparations, the date of this holiday is not chosen randomly. Winter and the holiday season are times of great stress and heightened depression. No matter how difficult things look, there is always a brighter side—you have to look for it!

Africa

Dec

Crossword Puzzle Day (1913): December 21

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The first officially published crossword puzzle was created by the journalist Arthur Wynne of Liverpool, England, on December 21, 1913. However, his was not the first crossword puzzle ever created. A simple version of wordplay first appeared in England during the 19th century. National Crossword Day celebrates the anniversary of the first crossword puzzle published in a major newspaper.

Africa

Dec

Dōngzhì Festival (CN): December 21

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The Dōngzhì Festival, or Winter Solstice Festival, is celebrated by Chinese around the world on or around December 21st. It celebrates harmony and balance in the universe, represented by yin and yang. With each longer day following the solstice, the Chinese believe more positive energy flows into the world. It is traditional to make dumplings of lamb and other ingredients and distribute these to the poor on this day.

Africa

Dec

Father’s Rights Day (1955): December 21

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Desmond Doyle (1924 - 1986) was an Irishman and father whose wife left him and their children for another man. The state took care of his children when he went abroad for work, then refused to give them back. Poor, single, and alone, Doyle would have to fight tradition, the Irish state, and the Catholic Church for the right to raise his children, regardless of marriage. After years of fighting, he won. At the time, fathers were considered incapable of caring for children alone. Doyle set a legal precedent and led the fight for fathers' rights, changing family law in Ireland by challenging the system and proving that a father could and should be able to raise his children. Over the following decades, his example would influence fathers and family law worldwide. He is a primary reason many fathers now receive partial or full custody of their children in divorce. December 21 is the anniversary of that ruling in 1955. The 2002 film "Evelyn" with Pierce Brosnan celebrates his story and struggle.

Africa

Dec

Flashlight Day, Ntl. : December 21

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National Flashlight Day occurs on December 21, the Winter Solstice, the year's longest night. It is a reminder to ensure emergency candles and lighting are ready for the winter. The flashlight was invented by David Misell of the United Kingdom in 1899, three years after the batteries used to power it were created.

Africa

Dec

Fried Shrimp Day: December 21

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Rejoice, shrimp lovers. Fried Shrimp Day is here! Did you know that all shrimp are born male? As they develop, some become female. Shrimp is America’s favorite seafood, and we have the Chinese first, then the native American tribe of the Muskogee to thank. The Chinese have been eating shrimp for thousands of years, and Marco Polo brought this delicacy to Europe. The combining of shrimp with grits and other grains, common to Southern dishes, comes from the Muskogee. It takes 2 pounds of fish to produce one pound of farmed shrimp. Prawns are commonly used in the US to designate large shrimp from small shrimp.

Africa

Dec

Homeless Persons Remembrance Day, Ntl.: December 21

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National Homeless Persons Remembrance Day occurs on the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a day to remember that there are more than 600 000 homeless people in the USA now and that they live brutal and unforgiving lives. It is a day to try and do good for the less fortunate than you and to raise awareness about their struggles.

Africa

Dec

Humbug Day, Ntl.: December 21

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How do you propel Ebenezer Scrooge toward the epitome of curmudgeon? Dedicate a Christmas season holiday to him! Humbug Day is dedicated to those frustrated by all the Christmas preparations and jibber-jabber. It's a holiday meant to help us vent our seasonal frustrations.

Africa

Dec

Martyrdom, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (S)(1705): December 21

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Martyrdom, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, marks the death of the Older Sahibzadas brother, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh. He was eight years old when he was executed for refusing to renounce his Sikh faith. At five years old, his brother died the same way five days later. The brothers were two of four sons born to Guru Gobind Singh.

Africa

Dec

Phileas Fogg Day (1872): December 21

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For fans of Jules Verne, Around the World in 80 Days is a perennial favorite. Phileas Fogg made a bet in the book that he could make it around the world in 80 days, and the bet was for 20,000 English pounds. He achieved his goal on December 21, 1872, in 79 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds—Now that is cutting it close! Phileas Fogg Day is annually on December 21.

Africa