All - Leep Calendar

Numerous historical accounts testify that fairies appeared in Greek mythology about 3,000 years ago, but their popularity has increased over the years. According to legends, the worlds of humans and fairies overlap or mingle only during the summer months. In mainstream culture, the world's most famous fairies come from William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and J. M. Barrie's character Tinkerbell from "Peter Pan: The Boy Who Would Never Grow Up." Fairy Day is for everyone who believes in the magic of fairytales.

Africa

Jun

Falafel Day, Intl.: June 12

06:20 AM | -

The vegetarian favorite, falafel, is believed to have originated in Egypt with Coptic Christians as a substitute for meat during the forty days of Lent. The actual history is unknown, but this is plausible. Today it is a mainstay at Middle Eastern restaurants and a favorite of food truck vendors. Falafel is created from fava beans or chickpeas mixed with spices and deep fried into balls and is often served on flat bread or atop rice, and each country makes its version of this, now an international favorite. International Falafel Day is a grassroots event that has gained popularity online.

Africa

Jun

Family Fitness Day, Ntl.: June 13

06:20 AM | -

Family Health & Fitness Day is celebrated on the second Saturday in June and promotes the importance of parks and recreation in keeping communities healthy. Agencies everywhere are encouraged to participate by inviting families to get active at their local park or recreation center or hosting an event, such as a health fair or family fun run. Healthcare community members are encouraged to participate, as well, even as sponsors.

Africa

Jun

Family History Day: June 14

06:20 AM | -

Family History Day focuses on inter-generational family health and strength. It is a day to learn about your ancestors and develop family history records—brought to you by the people at Wellcat.

Africa

Jun

Family Remittances, Intl. Day of: June 16

06:20 AM | -

The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR), observed on 16 June, recognizes the contribution of over 200 million migrants to improve the lives of their 800 million family members in their home countries. This globally recognized day brings attention to the significant impact that these financial contributions have on households, communities, countries, and regions. It encourages governments, private sector entities, and civil society to maximize the impact of remittances. The theme for the 2023-24 IDFR campaign highlights the role of digital technologies in enhancing financial inclusion in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It also focuses on reducing the cost of remittances to the target of 3% as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10.c. The United Nations calls for promoting digital and financial solutions for remittances to foster greater social and economic resilience and inclusion. In 2022, international remittances to LMICs totaled US$626 billion. These funds, typically transferred monthly in amounts between US$200-US$300, support basic household needs and have transformative effects on both households and local communities, enabling many families to achieve their ‘own’ SDGs. However, the cost of transferring funds remains high —averaging 6% for a US$200 transfer in the second quarter of 2022. The adoption of digital technologies in remittance services offers potential for reducing these costs and increasing efficiency, with mobile providers offering the best rates at 3.5%, though less than 1% of transactions are currently made through digital channels.

Africa

Jun

Father's Day, Intl. (1910): June 21

06:20 AM | -

"Every day, fathers across our the world give everything they have to build a better future for their family, asking nothing in return but their children's love. Parenthood is the ultimate gift and an incredible responsibility," stated President Barak Obama in his 2011 Father's Day proclamation. Father's Day honors men's vital roles in their children's lives. Unlike Mother's Day, which occurs on different days throughout the world, Father's Day tends to be universal and observed on this day in a majority of countries. The first Father's Day was held on June 19, 1910, at the Spokane, Washington, YMCA. Sonora Smart Dodd hosted it to honor her father, a single father who raised her and her five siblings.

Africa

Jun

Federal-Aid Interstate Highway Act (1956): June 29

06:20 AM | -

Today is the anniversary of the passage of the Federal-Aid Interstate Highway Act in 1956. The story of how the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (also known as the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act) came about is interesting. In 1919, 28-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower participated in the popular convoy across the Lincoln Highway, the longest road in the country then. The trip was exhausting and took too long for Eisenhower's liking. During World War II, Eisenhower observed the popular German autobahn network and was very impressed by it. These two events spurred him to announce his "Grand Plan" for highways in 1954 once President of the United States, and it became law two years later on June 29, 1956.

Africa

Jun

Fiddlers' Contest and Festival (US-ID): June 21-27

06:20 AM | -

Old Time Fiddlers' Contest and Festival is a citywide event in Weiser, Idaho. First run in 1953, this is the largest fiddling and folk festival in the United States. Enjoy the free outdoor entertainment stage, shop at the booths, visit the beer garden, partake in the carnival, and enjoy the family atmosphere in one place. Highlights include the Fireman's Hose Competition and Battle of the Bluegrass Bands right after the parade. Daily entertainment from 10 a.m. until closing each day of the event. See the website for camping and lodging information. 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

Jun

Fido Friday, Bring Your Dog to Work Day, Ntl. (UK/US): June 26

06:20 AM | -

Fido Friday or Bring Your Dog To Work Day is part of Bring Your Pet to Work Week and is an annual nationwide event in the US and UK that raises money for charities dedicated to making a difference to the welfare of dogs.

Africa

Jun

Firearms Day, Ntl. (1934): June 26

06:20 AM | -

The National Firearms Act (NFA), or Title II of the Federal Firearms Laws enacted on June 26, 1934, imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms. The Act was passed shortly after the repeal of Prohibition. All ownership transfers of registered NFA firearms occur through the federal NFA registry. The NFA also requires that the owner's permanent transport of NFA firearms across state lines must be reported to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF, or BATFE). With the increased attention guns are getting in recent years, National Firearms Act Day is becoming increasingly crucial for gun ownership advocates.

Africa

Jun

Fireworks Safety Months: June 1-July 4

06:20 AM | -

Fireworks Safety Month is observed in June to emphasize that fireworks can be fun and cause harm when mishandled. Sixty percent of fireworks injuries recorded in the US occur on or around the July 4th holiday. Most injuries occur to the hands, eyes, and fingers. In nearly every instance, these injuries are caused by mishandling this small explosive device.

Africa

Jun

Fish and Chips Day, Ntl.(UK): June 5

06:20 AM | -

Not to be confused with Friday Fish Fry Day (a different sponsor), National Fish & Chip Day first ran in 2015. For 2024 and 2025 it falls on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Fish and Chips played a big part in keeping morale up during WWII. The day honors their place in British history and this historical event. NEODA, the National Edible Oil Distributors Association, sponsors the event. Fish and Chips are considered the national dish of the United Kingdom.

Africa

Jun

Fishing and Boating Week, Ntl.: June 6-14

06:20 AM | -

During National Fishing and Boating Week, most states offer free fishing days where anglers can fish on public waters without a fishing license. Now there is no excuse not to go fishing or boating anymore! The best way to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week is to get out on the water!

Africa

Jun

Fishing, Intl. Day Against Illegal Fishing: May 5

06:20 AM | -

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities pose a serious threat to the sustainability of global fisheries, leading to a loss of 11–26 million tonnes of fish each year and costing the world's economy $10–23 billion annually. This impacts not just the fishing industry but also disrupts the balance of the marine ecosystem, threatening biodiversity. It undermines international efforts towards achieving food security, especially with the growing global population. In response to this challenge, the UN has adopted measures to effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing and IUU fishing as a part of its Sustainable Development Agenda (Goal 14, Target 4). The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been actively promoting awareness about the detrimental effects of IUU fishing. To encourage responsible practices, the FAO adopted the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries in 1995, a voluntary agreement aiming for effective conservation, management, and development of living aquatic resources. Subsequently, in 2009, the FAO introduced a binding agreement, the Agreement on Port State Measures, to deter and eliminate IUU fishing. Furthermore, 5 June has been declared as the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing to emphasize the importance of this issue. This date commemorates the day when the Agreement on Port State Measures came into effect. In addition, 2022 has been declared as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, emphasizing the role of small-scale fishers who make up 90% of the global fisheries workforce. Ultimately, the fight against IUU fishing is not limited to the actions of governments and international organizations. Consumers have a role to play as well, as it is estimated that 1 in every 5 fish comes from IUU fishing. By being more discerning about the sources of the seafood they consume, individuals can contribute to the fight against IUU fishing and promote sustainable practices.

Africa

Jun

Flag Day (1777): June 14

06:20 AM | -

Flag Day was created in 1886 by Bernard Cigrand, a school teacher in Wisconsin. He decided to hold a Flag Birthday Party on June 14, the Stars and Stripes US flag creation anniversary in 1777. Cigrand continued to advocate for this day by advertising it in magazines and newspapers. Soon, people from New York and some organizations in Pennsylvania started to follow suit. They began to display flags in various public buildings and homes. Schoolchildren were also given small flags and were encouraged to sing patriotic songs. On June 14, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that there should be a National Flag Day. It was in August of 1949 that this occasion became official through the signing of legislation by President Harry Truman, making June 14 National Flag Day.

Africa