All - Leep Calendar

British Sandwich Week celebrates the sandwich and is a week-long celebration of the iconic British culinary invention, the sandwich. It is annually hosted by The British Sandwich & Food to Go Association.

Africa

May

Santacruzan, Flores de Mayo (PH): May

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May is an ideal month if you've dreamed of visiting the Philippines. Several festivals honor the Virgin Mary, considered the month's patron and the most fragrant and colorful festival is Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan. Santacruzan is legendary pageantry, with parades, beauty contests, and period costumes, all in the unique flavor of the Philippines. It is glamorous, beautiful, and ultimately celebrates the search for the Holy Cross and the celebrations of it in Jerusalem by the first emperor of the Roman Empire, Constantine. The several centuries-old celebration occurs during May and is observed by the Filipino diaspora worldwide. Image: Connie Veneracion, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

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

Schizophrenia Awareness Week, World (AU): May 17-23

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Held during the week of World Schizophrenia Awareness Day, May 24, Schizophrenia Awareness Week first appeared in Australia in 1986. Its purpose is to raise awareness of schizophrenia and mental illness while educating the public and caregivers on how to support those with it.

Africa

May

Schizophrenia Day, World: May 24

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World Schizophrenia Awareness Day does not have a specific sponsor, though it is supported by mental health professionals worldwide each year. The actual origins of this event are still being determined, though it is likely that May 24 is the anniversary of something to do with the mental illness (we have yet to find that correlation as of this writing). The date does not relate to the birth or death of Eugen Bleuler, the Swiss psychiatrist who first coined the term in 1908. Schizophrenia is a mental illness currently affecting over 24 million people worldwide.

Africa

May

School Lunch Hero Day, Ntl: May 1

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Between preparing healthy food, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, school nutrition professionals have a lot on their plate. Schools throughout the United States celebrate School Lunch Hero Day in May to celebrate their hard work and commitment. Created in 2013, the School Nutrition Association and Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the “Lunch Lady” graphic novel series, designated this event. School Lunch Hero Day allows parents, students, school staff, and communities to thank those who provide healthy meals to 30 million of America’s students each school day. All across the school district, school nutrition professionals will be honored with thanks, cards, and recognition from students, school staff, parents, and the community.

Africa

May

School Nurses Day, Ntl.: May 13

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National School Nurse Day occurs on the Wednesday within National Nurses Week each year. The event was established in 1972 by the American Nurses Association to highlight the importance and contribution of nurses in K-12 education.

Africa

May

School Principal's Day, Ntl.: May 1

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This day honors K-12 Principals in the United States and was created by Janet Dellaria of Michigan. It has now become a regularly acknowledged event but is not backed by influential organizations. October is National Principal’s Month. In early April each year, there is a National Associate Principal’s Week; both major events are sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and renewed each year through congress.

Africa

May

Science and Technology Workers' Day, Ntl.(CN): May 30

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NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WORKERS' DAY CELEBRATING CHINA'S INNOVATORS AND TALENT China formally established its National Science and Technology Workers' Day on May 30, 2017, following official approval from the State Council in December 2016. The day underscores the vital role of innovation in national development by elevating public recognition of scientific talent. It highlights the contributions of science and technology professionals and promotes policies that enhance their working conditions and career development. China chose May 30 for its symbolic significance: on that date in 2016, three landmark scientific events took place simultaneously in Beijing—the National Science and Technology Innovation Conference, academies' meeting, and the ninth national congress of CAST—during which President Xi Jinping outlined a vision for China to become a global science and technology power. That moment is considered a milestone in the nation's scientific progress. The holiday honors approximately 81 million technology professionals, including researchers, engineers, technicians, and science communicators across the country. The event responds to the growing call from the scientific community and national leadership to recognize and acknowledge those who drive technological innovation. CAST and the Ministry of Science and Technology organize the annual observance and related programs. The celebration is nationwide, with activities led by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. Major ceremonies continue in Beijing, most notably at the China Science and Technology Museum or the National Communication Center for Science and Technology. OBSERVATIONS —The main recognition event in Beijing features awards such as the National Award for Excellence in Innovation, recognition of model workers, and presentations by key science and policy leaders. —Public exhibitions, lectures, film premieres, and cultural performances celebrating scientific contributions and researchers' lives. —Scientific outreach and engagement locally, including volunteer campaigns, school visits, drone shows, and facility openings, aimed at inspiring broader public interest in science and acknowledging the community impact of science workers. Over the years, the observance has grown in scale and prestige. For example, the 2025 celebration emphasized the spirit of scientists and supported the national agenda of building a technology-strong nation by 2035.

Africa

May

Scrapbooking Day, Ntl.: May 2

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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.

Africa

May

Scripps National Spelling Bee: May 26-28

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The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the largest and oldest educational promotion in the United States. Not-for-profit, it was created by the E.W. Scripps Company and sponsored by people and organizations in the United States, American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Europe, the Bahamas, Canada, Japan, and others. The Spelling Bee's sole purpose is to raise students' spelling abilities, vocabulary, and learning. This event first ran in 1925.

Africa

May

Scurvy Awareness Day: May 2

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Scurvy Awareness Day brings in the United States and highlights the hundreds of cases of Scurvy reported each year. It's a sickness largely plaguing homeless people due to their lack of access to fresh produce. Scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin C, something most common in citrus fruits. Live Strong initially sponsored Scurvy Awareness Day. It is currently unsponsored.

Africa

May

Sea Monkey Day, Ntl.: May 16

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National Sea Monkey Day celebrates the brine shrimp, a group of crustaceans that go through cryptobiosis and are sold in hatching kits as novelty aquarium pets. Sea monkeys originated in the United States in 1957 by Harold von Braunhut and have been a part of pop culture ever since. There is no specific reason for choosing this date. It is not the anniversary of the birth/death of the creator, date of patent filing, product premier, or trademark acquisition.

Africa

May

Senior Health and Fitness Day, Ntl.: May 27

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National Senior Health & Fitness Day is promoted by over 1,000 organizations across the United States; it's a day for helping seniors get and stay in shape and maintain fitness.

Africa

May

Service Dog Eye Examination Month, Ntl.: May

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The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists/StokesRX champions National Service Dog Eye Examination Month, a philanthropic effort generously provided to the public by the board-certified Diplomats of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists who donate their time, staff, and services to provide free screening ocular exams to qualified service animals. Service Dog owners can register their animals for the free exam in April each year prior to National Service Dog Eye Exam Month, which occurs in May. Free screening-wellness eye exams to service animals, including those who provide the following services: guidance, hearing assistance, drug detection, police/military, search and rescue, therapy, and those assisting people with disabilities other than blindness. Registration takes place in April each year. Exams are performed in May. Register on the ACVO site: https://www.acvoeyeexam.org.

Africa