All - Leep Calendar

May is the Walk in the Woods Month. Sponsored by The Tree Council, this event highlights the need to enjoy trees and wildlife. During this time, there are wildlife tours, talks, and other activities where people can enjoy trees. People can check out the Tree Council website for maps and events to participate in their locality. Those who wish to organize a Walk in the Woods event can list theirs on the website.

Africa

May

Walking Month, Ntl. (US/UK): May

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National Walking Month is the perfect hook for getting colleagues and employees on their feet and more active. Try a walking meeting, progressive lunch, or take the long way to the office. Whatever you do United Kingdom and America, get up and start walking.

Africa

May

Wetlands Month, American.: May

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American Wetlands Month is a joint initiative of the Environment Protection Agency and federal, state, tribal, local, non-profit, and private sector organizations to celebrate the vital importance of wetlands to our Nation’s ecological, economic, and social health. Wetlands help improve water quality and supply, reduce flooding, and provide critical habitats for plants, fish, and wildlife.

Africa

May

Woman, Victorious Woman Month Intl.: May

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Victorious Woman Month celebrates women's achievements, an initiative of the Victorious Woman Project, annually in May.

Africa

May

Women's Health Care Month, Ntl.: May

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National Women's Health Month encourages women to take steps in their health care that will allow them to live longer, healthier and happier lives. Listed below are standard screening tests to include in any annual visit with your doctor: Clinical Breast Exam Gynecological Care Pap Smear Mammography Colonoscopy Blood Pressure Check Cholesterol Screening Colorectal Screening Physical Check-ups HIV and other testing for sexually transmitted diseases Bone Mineral Density screening Eye, ear, and dental exams A1C (blood glucose) test Immunizations

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May

Young Achiever's Month: May

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Young Achievers Month honors students in grades 5-10 (ages 10-15) who have shown early leadership, mentorship, and act as positive role models for their peers. This is an international initiative.

Africa

May

Youth Traffic Safety Month, Global: May

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Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in the United States and a leading cause of death worldwide. Youth-led campaigns like Global Youth Traffic Safety Month (GYTSM) promote safe teen driving through a peer-to-peer model. Global Youth Traffic Safety Month (GYTSM) is in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to support the United Nations 2007 Global Road Safety Week. It was initially called National Youth Traffic Safety Month, but in 2011, the campaign became a global effort and was rebranded as Global Youth Traffic Safety Month. GYTSM is an annual May campaign that encourages youth organizations to engage in traffic safety projects in their local communities. The campaign offers a toolkit for ideas on projects, and youth are empowered to create unique ways to address teen driver safety.

Africa

May

Solidarity with Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories, Week of: May 25-31

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The United Nations General Assembly champions The Week of Solidarity with Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

This annual awareness campaign calls attention to the plight of people who lack self-governance, often due to decolonization. As of 2024, 17 territories continue to lack any form of self-governance.

During this week, member States of the United Nations are encouraged to provide moral and material assistance to the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories.

For a list of these locations, see https://www.un.org/dppa/decolonization/nsgt.

Africa

May

Advertising Week, Tokyo (JP): May 29-31 (est)

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Advertising Week is a conference and the world's premier gathering of marketing & communication leaders. This event is held in London, Mexico City, New York City, Sydney, and Tokyo on different dates throughout the year. Established in 2004, Advertising Week is a global thought leadership platform featuring the industry's best and brightest. Advertising Week combines inspiring thought leaders with engaging special events and year around content. Advertising Week draws from the brand, agency, technology, startup, media, and broader cultural communities, focusing on critical conversations designed to drive the business forward and influence the global industry. 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

65 Roses Day (AU): May 31

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Each May, Australia observes 65 Roses Month, focusing on Cystic Fibrosis in Australia to highlight the growing need for awareness about cystic fibrosis (CF). The last Friday is 65 Roses Day. The disease is called 65 Roses by children with cystic fibrosis (CF) because it is easier to pronounce (like when a child says ‘butter footed’ instead of ‘barefooted.’The name stuck and is now the official terminology for Cystic Fibrosis. Throughout May in Australia, volunteers and people with CF and their families unite to help shine a spotlight on what CF is and the progress made toward a cure. The United States also observes Cystic Fibrosis Month in May. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that: Cystic fibrosis clogs the lungs, leads to life-threatening lung infections, obstructs the pancreas, and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s, and beyond. The symbol of Cystic Fibrosis is the 65 Roses Campaign.

Africa

May

Gaza Freedom Flotilla Attack (2010): May 31

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On May 31, 2010, the Israeli navy attacked the unarmed protest ship, the Mavi Marmara, the lead boat in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea within international waters, resulting in the murder of nine activists, eight from Turkey and the ninth from the United States.

Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (iHH) created the "Free Gaza Movement" and organized the flotilla to bring humanitarian aid and construction materials to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel has and continues to maintain a complete blockade since 2007.

International outrage over the incident was immediate and dramatically shook Turkish-Israeli relations. As of 2023, the Gaza Strip, with over two million people, over 70 percent under the age of 30, is still under the complete stranglehold of the Israeli military with limited movement of goods and people in or out. Despite paying taxes, the people of Gaza have no rights or status under Israeli law. The Israeli army has occupied, blockaded, or quarantined the Gaza Strip since 1967.

In the centuries leading up to 1967, the coastal region was a thriving agricultural and commercial hub, with beautiful beaches and a steady tourism trade. Today, it is one of the most impoverished places in the world, regularly surveilled, bombed, and starved of even the most basic necessities by the occupying nation. Under international law, Israel's behavior in the Gaza Strip is collective punishment, a war crime. The situation is so dire that Gaza is described as an "open-air prison" by human rights advocates worldwide.

The Freedom Flotilla and the Mavi Marmara were trying to alleviate the situation; it is the only reason they were attacked. The hasbara (propaganda) by the attacking nation attempted to spin the story in favor of the military. However, though the falsified videos and reporting remain easily accessible on the internet (we will not link to them), investigations proved deception, and the state ultimately paid modest reparations to the families of the murdered human rights workers.

The full report on the Mavi Marmara attack is in the document download section below, including the details on how and where the attacking nation manipulated the videos and story to distort the attack and change the narrative.

Africa

May

Macaroon Day, Ntl.: May 31

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Macaroons first appeared in Italy during the ninth century AD. They are miniature bite-sized cakes made with nut paste, usually almonds, sweeteners, and spices. The first recipe for macaroons appeared in 1725. Macaroon Day celebrates the dessert.

Africa

May

Parrot Day, World: May 31

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World Parrot Day, first held in 2004, celebrates the beautiful tropical species of birds called parrots. Three hundred and fifty varieties of parrots exist, and one-third face potential extinction due to loss of habitat and the exotic pet trade. World Parrot Day seeks to raise awareness about protecting parrots in the wild and best practices in caring for parrots as pets. Annually May 31.

Africa

May

Save Your Hearing Day (1976): May 31

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First observed in 1976, Save Your Hearing Day focuses attention on the importance of hearing and how to prevent problems as you age. Medical experts believe that 50% of hearing loss could be prevented through various common sense and health practices. Today is a day to find out what you must do to ensure you have excellent hearing for the rest of your life. Practical actions you can do today to save your hearing. 1. Turn down the volume on radios, TVs, and headphones. 2. Reduce exposure to loud noises like jackhammers, sirens, lawnmowers, and concerts. 3. Wear hearing protection/ 4. Use the 60/60 rule. Listen at 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes a day. 5. Avoid cotton buds and fingers when cleaning ears. 6. Stay healthy. 7. Get your hearing checked at your annual physical.

Africa

May

Speak in Full Sentences Day / No Texting Day: May 31

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Speak in Full Sentences Day, or No Texting Day urges people to communicate properly. Whether speaking or writing, try to use language as intended and refrain from using abbreviations, emojis, and other shortcuts to good communication. The creator of this event is unknown. However, it's been around for a few years and precedes the Trump Twitter administration.

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