World Lindy Hop Day occurs annually on the birthday of Frankie Manning.

Frankie Manning was a pivotal figure in developing and popularizing the Lindy Hop. Born May 26, 1914, in Jacksonville, Florida, and raised in Harlem, New York, Manning started dancing at a young age and quickly became a regular at the Savoy Ballroom, the epicenter of the Lindy Hop during the Harlem Renaissance. The Savoy Ballroom was a unique cultural venue because it was one of the first racially integrated public places in the United States. Dancers of different races could share the floor, which was uncommon in many parts of the country then. The Savoy featured nightly battles between top bands and drew the best dancers in New York, helping to cultivate the dance's development and spread in popularity.

Manning is credited with many innovations in the dance, most notably the creation of aerial maneuvers or "air steps" that became a hallmark of the Lindy Hop. One of his most famous contributions was the "over-the-back" aerial, which he reportedly first choreographed in 1935 for a performance at the Apollo Theater. This move helped his team win a crucial dance contest and set a new standard for what Lindy Hop could look like, introducing a level of acrobatics and showmanship new to popular dance. Manning and others toured with jazz greats like Duke Ellington and Count Basie, performing in dance sequences integral to the Swing era.
By the mid-20th century, the Lindy Hop had evolved into other swing dance styles in different regions.

Beyond his physical contributions to the dance, Manning also shaped Lindy Hop's cultural impact. He worked as a choreographer and dancer with Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, a professional dance troupe formed at the Savoy that performed on stage and screen, helping to spread the popularity of the dance internationally during the 1930s and 1940s.

Manning and his colleagues showcased the Lindy Hop to a global audience through films, performances, and tours, embedding it within the broader context of Swing music and dance culture.

POST SWING

After a period away from the limelight following World War II and the decline of the big band era, Manning and the Lindy Hop experienced a revival in the 1980s and 1990s. He became a beloved teacher and ambassador for the dance, traveling the world to teach workshops, judge dance competitions, and share his passion and knowledge with a new generation of dancers. His teaching emphasized the joy, social interaction, and musicality of the Lindy Hop, influencing countless dancers and ensuring the dance's preservation and continuation.

WHY LINDY HOP?

The name Lindy Hop is commonly attributed to George "Shorty" Snowden. During a 1928 dance marathon in New York City, legend says reporters asked Snowden to name his unique style of dance. He reportedly called it "Lindy Hop" in honor of Charles Lindbergh's recent transatlantic flight, famously nicknamed "Lindy's Hop" across the Atlantic. This spontaneous moment helped propel the Lindy Hop into the spotlight.

Today, Lindy Hop is popular worldwide. It is celebrated for its rich history and role in advancing social integration through dance. It continues to be a symbol of cultural expression and creativity, taught in dance studios and performed in competitions and social gatherings around the globe.

Africa

May

Mother's Day (HT): May 26

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Mother's Day traditionally falls in May because it is the ceremonial birth month of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Though most nations celebrate it on the second Sunday of May, Haiti chooses the last Sunday as its day. Children (adult and minor) will wear red flowers if their mother is living and either purple or white to honor those who have passed.

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May

Sally Ride Day (1951): May 26

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On May 26, Americans celebrated the birth of Sally Ride, a female astronaut with NASA and the first woman to fly in space. Sally Ride was an esteemed NASA Astronaut born in 1951 in Los Angeles, California. She was a Mission Specialist on STS-7, launched on June 18, 1983, and STS 41-G. She crewed STS 61-M, but NASA canceled the mission training in January 1986 after the space shuttle Challenger accident. A prominent advocate for improved science education, Dr. Ride has initiated education projects to increase students' interest in science and has written five science books for children - To Space and Back; Voyager, The Third Planet; The Mystery of Mars and Exploring Our Solar System. Today celebrates what one woman and all women can achieve in science and technology.

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May

Sankashti Chaturthi (H): May 26

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In the Hindu faith, Chaturthi celebrates Lord Ganesha. Sankashti Chaturthi (Sankata Chaturthi) occurs on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (the dark lunar phase or the waning phase of the moon). If this Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, it is called Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi. Devotees observe strict fasting during daylight until darshan (the sight of the moon). Prayers precede the breaking of the fast to Lord Ganesha. PLEASE NOTE: We use the Indian civil calendar, the official holiday calendar in India. The Hindu faith has many calendars, each specific to different regions and tribes, with dates and celebrations marked by differing positions of the sun, moon, and stars. Names of months and holidays and the corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar may vary widely from one calendar to the next. Determine the proper calendar before attending local events.

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May

Sorry Day, National Apology Day (AU)(1997): May 26

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National Sorry Day marks and remembers the mistreatment of Australia’s aboriginal people by the crown and government throughout history. May 26, 1997, is the anniversary of the delivery of the report “Bringing Them Home: a Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families” to the Australian Parliament. A year later, on May 26, 1998, the first Sorry Day was observed in Australia. However, a decade later, a public apology from the highest office would occur. On February 13, 2007, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia made the first public apology on behalf of the government to the indigenous people of Australia and its territories.

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May

Sunscreen for Sunday: May 26

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The Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend in the United States is Sunscreen for Sunday Day. The Centers for Disease Control promotes the importance of sunscreen in protecting skin and health and its vital role in preventing skin cancer and other skin diseases.

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May

Trinity Sunday (C): May 26

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Trinity Sunday is a Christian observance marked a week after Pentecost Sunday. Trinity Sunday is a feast honoring a fundamental Christian belief: the Holy Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Each is an expression of God, equal and undivided, and confidence in the Trinity is required to be Christian.

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May

Bank Holiday (UK): May 27

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Bank holidays are public holidays in several countries, most notably the United Kingdom and its former colonies. Bank holidays are days the banks are closed. Often the general population is given the day off as well, but this is not guaranteed.

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May

Beaufort Day (1774): May 27

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Sir Francis Beaufort, the Beaufort wind force scale inventor, was born on May 27, 1774. His device measures wind force without the use of special instruments. He created it while serving as a Royal Navy officer on HMS Woolwich in 1805. The Beaufort Scale was used in shipping forecasts for England and adapted for international use in 1874. Today it is used by the Netherlands, Germany, China, Malta, Greece, and Taiwan. Though other methods of measuring wind were devised years prior, Sir Beaufort standardized it to capture wind speeds of 22 knots to 64 knots.

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May

Cheese Rolling Competition, Gloucestershire (UK): May 27

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All you need is a seven to nine-pound ball of cheese, good running legs, and a sense of humor for the 300-yard downhill race on the last Monday in May. The Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling Competition occurs annually on Cooper's Hill, near Gloucester, England. Participants chase a round of Double Gloucester Cheese down a steep hill, and the first person to cross the finish line at the bottom wins the cheese (and bragging rights). The competition became official during the 19th century and has since become a beloved and iconic event in the region, attracting participants and spectators worldwide. Cooper's Hill is known for its steep and uneven terrain making the competition dangerous. Spectators watch participants tumble, trip, and slide downhill, chasing the rolling cheese. Several people are injured each year. Who and why it started is unknown (though ale was likely involved). Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling is a tradition from the Roman occupation nearly 2,000 years ago. The village of Brockworth champions the event, and though technically not a fundraiser, it is a critical event in supporting local businesses each year. The event was officially canceled in 2010 due to safety and insurance concerns—but that didn't stop it. A fan favorite, over 4,000 people a year still head for Cooper's Hill and celebrate the running of the cheese.

Africa

May

Grape Popsicle Day (1905): May 27

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Grape Popsicle Day celebrates the grape popsicle. Popsicles were invented on May 27, 1905, by eleven-year-old Frank Epperson. Frank was outside, mixing water with some grape flavoring to make soda. He left the mixture and forgot about it, with the stirring stick still in. The next day, after the temperature had reached a record low, Frank discovered that the drink had frozen to the stick. Epperson died in 1983 at the age of 89.

Africa

May

Memorial Day: May 27

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The last Monday of May is Memorial Day in the United States. It is one of seven major US holidays that most people are given as a paid holiday (the others are Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Labor Day). The day remembers all whom have given their lives for the nation. Typically Americans use this three-day weekend for family gatherings, BBQs, outdoor activities, and recreation. Memorial Day is considered the official kick-off of summer.

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May

Stock Exchange Holiday (NYSE Closed): May 27

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Stock Market holidays are days when the American stock exchange is closed, and no trading occurs.

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May

Fleet Week, (US-NY): May 21-27

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You know it is almost Memorial Day in New York City when the Navy Fleet from the mid-Atlantic sails into town. Thousands of sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen share their experiences and ships with the citizens of the tri-state area in the lead-up to Memorial Day.

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

May

Amnesty International Day, (1961): May 28

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Today is the anniversary of the London Observer publishing the article "The Forgotten Prisoners" on May 28, 1961. This story led to the creation of Amnesty International in July of that year by its author, British lawyer Peter Benenson. Amnesty International is a global movement of more than seven million campaigning for human rights. It is independent of any political ideology, economic interest, or religion. As an organization, it investigates and exposes abuses violating international agreements on human rights. Additionally, the non-profit lobbies governments, companies, and organizations to ensure they keep their promises and respect international law, treaties, statutes, and conventions.

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