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Barbershop quartets, that unique sound of blending voices at various ranges, is attributed to the African American street musicians beginning in the 1870s; they often played in barbershops before radio became available, but this was not the only place. The first time this style of music had the word ‘Barbershop’ attached to it was a 1910 song, “Play that Barbershop Chord.” When the radio and record player gained popularity, the simple harmonic melodies of the Barbershop Quartet drifted out of favor. However, to revive the now nearly lost art, OC Cash (a tax attorney of all things) and Rupert Hall created the “Society for the Preservation and Propagation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in the United States (SPEBSQSA)” in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Today is the anniversary of their first meeting on April 11, 1938.

Africa

Apr

Black Maternal Health Week: April 11-17

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The inaugural (2018) National Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) campaign, founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, is a week of awareness, activism, and community building intended to: 1) Increase attention to Black maternal health in the US, the root causes of poor maternal health outcomes, and community-driven policy, program, and care solutions. 2) Amplify the voices of Black mamas, women, families, and stakeholders on this vital issue. 3) Serve as a national platform for Black women-led entities and efforts on maternal health, birth justice, and reproductive justice, including African immigrant and Afro-Latino groups. 4) Enhance community organizing on Black maternal health via community conversations, events, and outreach.

Africa

Apr

Cheese Fondue Day: April 11

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National Cheese Fondue Day celebrates cheese fondue, a heated cheese dish where bread is typically dipped. Fondue reached its height of popularity in the 1970s. National Cheese Fondue Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

Africa

Apr

Clean Up Your Pantry Day, Ntl.: April 11

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When was the last time you cleaned out your pantry? If you cannot remember, it’s probably time! Remove the expired, restock what is missing, and you might be surprised what you find. Annually on April 11.

Africa

Apr

Dog Therapy Appreciation Day: April 11

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Therapy dogs are different than service dogs. Service dogs perform specific tasks their owners can't do due to disabilities, such as seeing-eye dogs. Therapy dogs fulfill a psychological function, providing comfort and companionship. Whereas a service dog is on the job wherever its owner goes, a therapy dog seeks affection, cuddles, and touching. National Therapy Dog Day educates the public on the differences and shares the essential benefits these animals bring to all they meet.

Africa

Apr

Eight Track Tape Day (1964): April 11

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Today is the anniversary of the premier eight-track tape, invented in 1964. The eight-track tape, or Stereo 8, used magnetic strips to record sound via eight separate tracks. The storage form existed for about 20 years and was deployed through the early 1990s at radio stations for advertising and other short-form audio. The eight-track was replaced by the cassette and then the compact disk. All three formats were made obsolete by digital music recorders beginning with the iPod in the late 1990s.

Africa

Apr

Frozen Four (US-MN): April 11-13

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The Frozen Four is the playoff season and championship for NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey. The field begins with 16 teams in the first round and will whittle down to the national champion on the final day of the Frozen Four.

Africa

Apr

Gangaur (H): April 11

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Gangaur is a colorful festival in Rajasthan, India, associated with Parvati, also known as Gauri, the wife of Lord Shiva. Unmarried women worship her in hopes of being blessed with a good husband, and married women worship her for the welfare, health, and long life of their husbands and to ensure a happy marriage. The festival commences on the first day of Chaitra, the day following Holi, and continues for 16 days. 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.

Africa

Apr

Juan Santamaria Day (CR)(1856): April 11

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Juan Santamaria is a hero in Costa Rica and throughout Central America. Mercenary and American pro-slavery advocate William Walker saw that slavery would end soon in the United States. His answer was to overthrow and colonize Central American nations and establish slave-holding states to continue the practice. Walker briefly succeeded in Nicaragua, which was in the midst of a civil war in 1854. In 1855 he arrived with mercenaries, recruited additional men from the local population, and began engaging in the fight as the "Filibusters." Within a few months, he took control of the country, running a fraudulent election that made him president for nearly ten months. Walker immediately revoked Nicaragua's emancipation act of 1821 and encouraged southern US slaveholders to relocate, with their slaves, to Central America. Next, he set his sights on Costa Rica and Guatemala. Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala were not willing to play along and mounted a defense led by General José Joaquín Mora Porras and General José María Cañas. The year was 1856, and during the second Battle of Rivas on April 11, 1856, an unlikely hero emerged: Juan Santamaria. Santamaria was a soldier, a peasant, and a patriot. Born in the village of Alajuela to an unwed mother, he hustled to make a living, selling sweets, working as a day laborer, coffee picker, and finally, as a lead drummer in the Costa Rican army. On April 11, 1856, General Cañas of El Salvador surrounded Walker's men in a wooden fort. As long as the Filibusters remained in the fort, they held the high ground. Cañas decided to burn them out. Knowing it was likely a suicide mission, Santamaria requested his mother be cared for if he fell. The general agreed, so the young man grabbed a torch and ran toward the fort, setting it ablaze before a bullet found him and killed him. Santamaria's single action of bravery is believed to have led to the defeat of the Filibusters and assured the independence of Costa Rica. Juan Santamaria Day is a national holiday in Costa Rica.

Africa

Apr

Liberation Day (UG)(1979): April 11

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If you’ve ever heard the name Idi Amin, one of the most brutal dictators of the modern era, then you know what this day is all about. On April 11, 1979, the people of Uganda, with the help of Tanzania, successfully overthrew him and took back their country. Liberation Day marks that anniversary and is a national holiday.

Africa

Apr

Louie, Louie Day, Intl. (1935): April 11

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Louie Louie Day is an annual opportunity to celebrate the song called best party song of all time, recorded more times than any other rock song in history, and nearly declared the official state song of Washington State. Richard Berry, who composed Louie Louie, was born on April 11, 1935. The mayor of Seattle declared this event in 1985.

Africa

Apr

Masters Tournament (US-GA): April 11-14

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The start of April welcomes the Master's Golf Tournament, played at the Augusta National Golf Course. It is one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year and one of the four major golf tournaments in the world. After his first win, the winner receives a green jacket, which is kept on the club's grounds throughout his life. This event premiered on March 22, 1934.

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, the event should always be verified 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

Apr

Parkinson's Disease Day, World (1755): April 11

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April is National Parkinson's Awareness Month in the United States. In the United Kingdom, Parkinson's Awareness Week occurs during the week of World Parkinson's Disease Day, mid-month. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning symptoms continue and worsen over time. Nearly one million people in the US are living with Parkinson's disease. The cause is unknown, and although there is no cure, there are treatment options such as medication and surgery to manage its symptoms. Primary motor signs of Parkinson's disease include the following: a) Tremor of the hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face b) Bradykinesia or slowness of movement c) Rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk d) Postural instability or impaired balance and coordination The US National Parkinson's Helpline is (800) 457.6676 or by email info@pdf.org.

Africa

Apr

Pet Day, Ntl.: April 11

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National Pet Day celebrates pet owners everywhere (and provides an excuse to spoil our furry, gilled, scaled, and feathered friends). Whether it's with some extra treats, a longer, special walk somewhere, a new toy, or just lots and lots of extra love - your pets may not be able to read the calendar, but they will surely be happy that it's National Pet Day!

Africa

Apr

Shangsi Festival (CN): April 11

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The third day of the third lunar month in China is the Shangsi Festival. Also known as the Double Third Festival, it's an ancient Chinese celebration during which people picnic, harvest orchids, and commune with family. It's a day for going into cleansing rituals that aim to prevent disease and bad luck. In Korea, this day is called Samjinnal or Sangsa, and the Japanese refer to this day as Hinamatsuri.

Africa