All - Leep Calendar

International Firefighters' Day (IFFD) is when the world recognizes and honors firefighters' sacrifices to ensure their communities and environment are as safe as possible. Show your support by proudly wearing and displaying blue and red ribbons pinned together or participating in a memorial or recognition event. Firefighting became an occupation at the time of Jesus in ancient Rome under Augustus Cesar. Many communities through the ages have supported volunteer fire departments in the absence of full-time departments. George Washington, the United States' first President, was a volunteer firefighter. May fourth was chosen as the day to honor firefighters, as it is the Feast of Saint Florian. Saint Florian is the patron saint of firefighters. WHY SO MANY FEAST DAYS? Have you ever noticed that there seem to be feast days for just about everything in the Catholic and Orthodox Christian faiths? There is a reason for that. The church granted feast days to allow all subjects of the Crown to take a day off. As most worked six days a week, feast days provided a break that landowners and nobility couldn't deny. If they tried, they were going against the church, and that you did not do. In medieval times, there were approximately 60 feast days a year. Add this to 52 Sundays, Christmas, and Easter; workers received at least 114 days off a year. Contrast that to today. The average American gets 104 weekend days and seven national holidays off work, three days less than the commoners of the Dark Ages—just in case you're feeling a little overworked.

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May

Fitness Day, Ntl.: May 4

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Celebrated on the first Saturday in May since 2017, National Fitness Day is an opportunity for people to share their passion for fitness and the benefits they receive from it.

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May

Green Up Day (US-VT): May 4

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In 1969 Burlington Free Press reporter Robert Babcock approached then-governor Deane Davis with an idea: set aside one day a year to clean up Vermont's roads. By 1970, it became a reality. A poster contest was added in the 1980s, and by 2000 corporate sponsors began taking part. In 2014 Green Up became a recognized charity in the state, and 2020 saw Green Up's 50th anniversary.

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May

Greenery Day (JP)(1901): May 4

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Greenery Day is a national holiday in Japan originating from the celebration of Emperor Shōwa's birthday on April 29. In 1989 the name of the holiday was changed from "Birthday of the Emperor" to "Greenery Day." The day provides a reason for people to commune with nature and acknowledges the emperor's love for plants. In 2007 Greenery Day was moved to May 4, and April 29 was renamed Shōwa Day.

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May

Horace Mann Day (1796): May 4

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Horace Mann Day began at the Horace Mann School in the Bronx, New York. Horace Mann was born on May 4, 1796. An American, he was vital in reforming the education system in the United States and promoting public education for all. Mann served on the Massachusetts State Board of Education and in the US House of Representatives between 1848 and 1853. He died on August 2, 1859.

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May

Kentucky Derby (US-KY): May 4

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The Kentucky Derby falls on the first Saturday of May in Louisville, Kentucky. Known by many names such as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," "The Run for the Roses," or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports," the Kentucky Derby usually lasts for two minutes. The track length and many of the traditions for this race pay tribute to the Epson Derby in England. The winning horse receives a blanket of roses. The Kentucky Derby is the first race of the American Triple Crown; the others are the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. 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.

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May

Learn to Ride a Bike Day: May 4

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May is National Bike Month in the United States. The first Saturday in May has been set aside as Learn to Ride a Bike Day since 2018, and adults and children are encouraged to give bike riding a spin.

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May

Lowcountry Shrimp Festival, South Carolina: May 4

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In the summer of 1977, the Archibald Rutledge Academy sponsored the first Lowcountry Shrimp Festival. Central to the festival is the blessing of the village’s shrimping fleet, their captains, and crews. Trawlers, adorned with colorful flags and pennants, slowly parade down Jeremy Creek to receive the prayers of the local clergy for a safe and bountiful season. Following the blessing, a floral wreath is laid in the waters to memorialize those lost at sea.

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May

Scrapbooking Day, Ntl.: May 4

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National Scrapbooking Day was created in 1994 by Creative Memories. Today it is an internationally observed day by hobby practitioners and may include contests, get-togethers, and other locally organized events. Scrapbooking (also referred to as memory keeping) has existed since the 15th century when families created homemade books for journaling, drawing, and saving knickknacks for the family record. These were referred to as commonplace books, and each marked a specific time. In later centuries, scrapbooks became known as friendship books, family albums, and clipping books. Typical memorabilia included in scrapbooks is newspaper articles, ticket stubs, photographs, stickers, journal entries, drawings, report cards, ribbons, locks of hair, first dollar (or, in this writer’s case), first nickel earned. Often childhood drawings are included as well. The modern-day scrapbook is a worldwide multi-billion dollar industry started in 1980 by Marielen W. Christensen in Utah. Part of the Mormon tradition is tracing one’s family tree and documenting your family’s journey, and this task usually falls to the mother. Unlike previous generations, Christensen embellished her photo album pages with a ribbon, artwork, captions, and other frills and bling. After creating over 50 of these three-ring binders, she exhibited these at the World Conference on Records in 1980. Based upon the feedback from those attending, she wrote a book entitled “Keeping Memories Alive” and opened the first store dedicated to scrapbooking in Spanish Fork, Utah, in 1981. That store is still open today. With the advent of digital photography, easy accessibility of scanners, and drag-and-drop technology, scrapbooking moved from the physical and digital worlds during the early 2000s. Popular social media websites grew from this trend, including Pinterest and Instagram. Today many news and information sites copy the same idea of embellished layout with a short commentary on how they present themselves. Scrapbooking has played a critical role in safeguarding the family history of generations. Today, thanks to digital technology, it is a custom practiced and enjoyed worldwide. The industry did experience a sharp decline in popularity in the late 2000s, most likely attributed to the Great Recession. Scrapbooking can be expensive if one chooses to purchase professional embellishments.

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May

Star Wars Day: May 4

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Star Wars Day is a play on words from the famous film series that premiered in 1977. "May the Fourth be with you" is derived from the classic saying in the film "May the Force be with you." It's a day when social media and the rest of the Internet explode with this greeting from one Star Wars fan to another.

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May

Varuthini Ekadashi (H): May 4

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Each Ekadashi has a different name and significance, though this observance can fall into two categories: annual and monthly. All Ekadashi honor Lord Vishnu. Varuthini Ekadashi is the Ekadashi of the waning moon (Krishan Paksha)fortnight of the Hindu month of Chaitra. Vamana, the avatar of Lord Vishnu, is worshipped on Ekadashi, with rituals strictly followed, including an all-night vigil and prayers. Songs are sung in the company of family members. All violence is to be avoided during this Ekadeshi. 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

Youth Day (CN)(1919): May 4

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Celebrated in China as a national holiday since 1949, National Youth Day commemorates the May 4, 1919 demonstrations by students in China that kicked off the revolution that eventually led to its shedding of colonial rule and adoption of communism. Youth Day is part of the seven-day holiday period in China known as the Golden Week.

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May

Iris Festival (BE): May 4-5 (est)

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The Brussels capital region celebrates Iris Day each year at the beginning of May with a festival. The Iris Festival occurs over a weekend and includes free concerts and activities. The iris is associated with faith, wisdom, friendship, hope, valor, compliments, promises of love, and wisdom. It is the perfect flower to give someone you are newly dating, a college graduate, someone returning from military duty, and special friends. 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.

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May

Amar Das Jayanti (S): May 5

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Sri Guru Amar Dasn was born May 5, 1479, and achieved the title of Guru within the Sikh faith in 1552. He is honored for his establishment of centers of worship devoted to Guru Nanak's messages, condemning the Caste system's practice in India and allowing widows to remarry. This day celebrates the day of his birth.

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May

Blessing of the Bikes: May 5

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Motorcycles are a popular form of transportation worldwide and come with their romantic ideals. Each year since 1969, thousands of bikers gather at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, New Jersey, to receive a blessing for the upcoming summer season. Granted by the Bishop, it places a prayer of safety on the bikes, riders, and their friends. The Blessing of the Bikes is a Mass and ceremony held on the first Sunday in May.

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