All - Leep Calendar

National Therapeutic Recreation Week is observed in the second week of July since 1984 in the United States. The National Therapeutic Recreation Society, a National Recreation and Park Association division, champions the event. The campaign raises awareness of the therapeutic programs that aid in improving the health and wellness of individuals with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities.

Africa

Jul

Bagelfest, Mattoon (US-IL) : July 13-20

06:20 AM | -

Bagelfest is a Lender's Bagel Company promotion, now under Pinnacle Foods. It began in 1986. Later, it was picked up as a five-day festival by the city of Mattoon, Illinois, to honor Murray Lender. The automation of bagels came about in the 1960s when Harry Lender, Murray Lender, and Florence Sender first developed such a system. Crunchy on the outside yet chewy on the inside, bagels were first brought to the US by Polish Jews. For decades, all bagel bakeries in New York were controlled by Bagel Bakers Local 338.

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 unknown until 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

Jul

Cake Day, Intl.: July 20

06:20 AM | -

The Kingdom of Love organizes international Cake Day to celebrate friendship and peace between people. Cake symbolizes how different ingredients (people) combine to make great things happen (cake). The official motto of the day is "I CAKE YOU."

Africa

Jul

Chess Day, Intl. (1924): July 20

06:20 AM | -

Fédération Internationale des Échecs (The World Chess Federation) was formed on July 20, 1924. International Chess Day celebrates that anniversary and one of the most thought-provoking and strategy teach games ever developed: chess.

Africa

Jul

Feast of the Redeemer (IT)(1577): July 20

06:20 AM | -

In 1575, a plague ripped through Venice, in today's Italy, killing over 50,000 people or one-third of the population. In fear and panic, the Venetians prayed and vowed to build a new church for the Redeemer once the plague passed. On July 20, 1577, they laid the foundation for the city's Church of the Redeemer. Today, Venice celebrates the end of this plague with the Redeemer Festival each year, including a colorful parade of gondolas through the canals of Venice.

Africa

Jul

Fiddling Championships, Louisiana (US-LA): July 20 (est)

06:20 AM | -

Louisiana State Fiddling Championship is part of the Folk Music and Craft Festival at Northwestern State University each year. The focus is on authentic and traditional folk music and customs. Annually in July.

Africa

Jul

Independence Day, (CO)(1810): July 20

06:20 AM | -

Independence Day in Columbia marks the anniversary of July 20, 1810, the official declaration and the beginning of the uprisings toward sovereignty from the nation of Spain. Columbia gained its independence in 1819, and this is a national holiday.

Africa

Jul

Lollipop Day, Ntl.: July 20

06:20 AM | -

National Lollipop Day celebrates the lollipop, although the origin of the candy is unknown. What is known is the lollipop first appeared in the late 18th century. The story is that the current-day iconic candy on a stick is attributed to George Smith, a partner at confection manufacturer Bradley Smith Company, who began selling lollipops in 1908. The company trademarked "Lollipop" on October 13, 1931. Legend says the candy received its name to honor a famous racehorse named Lolly Pops. Racine Confectioner's Machinery Co. was the first to automate the lollipop-making process. But there is a glitch in this story popularized on the internet. Smith couldn't trademark "lollipop" because the word was already in the dictionary. Lollipop is described in this early 19th-century printing as a "hard sweetmeat sometimes on a stick." The entry was over 100 years old in 1931. So, Smith didn't invent the lollipop or the word. However, he did manage to market it, and like Ray Kroc with burgers and McDonald's, marketing made Smith the lollipop king. Ultimately, he did get the trademark. Happy Lollipop Day!

Africa

Jul

Moon Landing Day (1969): July 20

06:20 AM | -

Today is the anniversary of the Moon Landing. If you were alive on July 20, 1969, you were watching television. Personally, though alive, this writer does not recall it (I had just turned three, and my sister was only seven months old). However, like millions of parents, mine sat us in front of the black and white television at 1:OO PM California time. We watched as Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon 17 minutes later. It was a defining moment in history and science, capping a decade of tremendous upheaval. The event occurred six hours after landing at 4:17 PM EDT (with less than 30 seconds of fuel remaining). Neil A. Armstrong stepped off the Lunar Module onto the moon's surface, exclaiming: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Buzz Aldrin joined him, and the two astronauts spent 21 hours on the lunar surface, returning with 46 pounds of lunar rocks.

Africa

Jul

Strawberry Rhubarb Wine Day, Ntl.: July 20

06:20 AM | -

This event honors the acceptance of the Double Gold Award by the Maple River Winery in Casselton, North Dakota. The winery received the 2010 Indy International Wine Competition award for its Strawberry Rhubarb Wine. Local company National Day Calendar chose to create a celebration day in honor of their company neighbor's victory, ergo National Strawberry Rhubarb Wine Day.

Africa

Jul

Ugly Truck Day, Ntl.: July 20

06:20 AM | -

National Ugly Truck Day celebrates the four-wheeled beasts that only an owner could love and is a popular event for radio stations and car dealers, which will have contests to determine the ugliest truck. The first Ugly Truck Contest appears to have occurred in 1989 at the behest of the pop group Duran Duran. It has since been a regular fixture on event calendars; Jason Lancaster champions it.

Africa

Jul

Women's Dive Day: July 20

06:20 AM | -

Wherever you are in the world, and whatever your current situation, make plans to participate in the Annual PADI Women's Dive Day. It can be as simple as taking part virtually with PADI or, if your situation and local regulations allow, rally divers, to join you for a virtual or local event. Tag #padiwomen and #padiwomensdiveday so your adventures become part of the global conversation.

Africa

Jul

Woodie Wagon Day, Ntl.: July 20

06:20 AM | -

Woodies are a style of car that existed in the 1940s and 1950s. These vehicles had wood sides and doors associated with freedom, Americana, and surfing. Across the United States, woodie car clubs hold special events on Woodie Wagon Day. Check your local classifieds or clubs for festivities in your area. Always on the third Saturday of July.

Africa

Jul

British Open (Golf)(UK): July 14-21 (est)

06:20 AM | -

The British Open, or "The Open," is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. Held in the United Kingdom and organized by The R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews), it's the only major golfing championship held outside of the United States before 2022. That year, Saudi Arabia introduced the LIV Golf Invitational, which may play outside of the United States in years to come.

Africa

Jul

10th National Eucharistic Congress (C)(US-IN): July 17-21

06:20 AM | -

The National Eucharistic Congress is the largest gathering of Catholics in celebration and faith in the United States since 1941. Over 80,000 devotees will descend upon Indianapolis, Indiana, for a week of community and prayer, making this a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage for many Catholics leading into the 2025 Year of Jubilee. The National Eucharistic Congress will be a week of deep spiritual intimacy, drawing the Catholic Church closer to the Eucharistic Lord and igniting hearts with divine love. With participants attending from across the country, the Congress will be marked by prayer and liturgical offerings to the Father, through the Son, and in the Holy Spirit. This five-day event will begin with the convergence of the four branches of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, symbolizing unity. Gathered as one Church, participants will offer their imperfect hearts to God and seek revelation by breaking bread, echoing the Road to Emmaus (post-resurrection appearance of Christ) experience. The first full day will be centered on a kerygmatic proclamation, inviting attendees into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. It will include a celebration of the Eucharist and an exploration of personal stories within salvation history. Day three will focus on healing and repentance, addressing the Church's individual and corporate levels. Attendees will be provided opportunities for whole-person healing and recognize areas where the Church has failed, seeking unity through purification and restoration. On the fourth day, inspired by Acts 2:42 and the early Church, the Congress will emphasize devotion to apostolic teaching, communal life, the breaking of bread, and prayers. Participants will be encouraged to emulate the disciples in their love for God and neighbor. The final day will resonate with Pope Francis' views on the Eucharist as a call to missionary action. It will mark the commissioning of participants to bring the Father's message of mercy to the world. This closing of the Congress sets the stage for the third year of the National Eucharistic Revival, ushering in the Year of Mission. The Congress seeks to recognize, heal, and unify the Church, inspiring a renewed zeal in the hearts of believers. Reservations are limited for this amazing event. Those wanting to attend are encouraged to do so early.

Africa