All - Leep Calendar

Walpurgisnacht is a favorite Christian feast day with European college students. European legends in Medieval times taught that witches and warlocks would fly through the land on this night, the eve of St Walpurga's feast (May 1). St. Walpurga (Patron saint of coughs, storms, hydrophobia, and sailors) was a Devonshire Englishwoman born in 770 AD. She was sent to Germany as a young nun and took over monastery duties after her brother died. Upon her death, it is said the walls of her tomb oozed with an oil with unusual healing properties. Like many traditions, Christianity and common pagan customs intertwined to create this unique holiday of bonfires, spindles, grain, witches, warlocks, and merrymaking. Farmers believed their crops would grow as high as they could jump on this day. Bells adorned the necks of cattle, and women hopped over brooms. All worn-out items in the home feed the bonfire as part of spring cleaning. Today, college students in Germany, Scandinavia, and other nations have made this a huge Halloween-style party that signals the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. The largest parties are in the Harz Mountains of Germany. The date is the anniversary of May 1, 870 AD, when Pope Adrian II canonized Saint Walpurga.

Africa

Apr

Black Sunday (1935): April 14

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Africa

Apr

Blue & Green Day, Ntl.: April 14

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National Blue and Green Day raises awareness of the importance of organ, eye, and tissue transplantation and donation. On this day, the public is encouraged to wear blue and green, hold events and fundraisers, and partner with local restaurants, malls, media, and community organizations to raise awareness.

Africa

Apr

Chagas Day, World: April 14

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Chagas is a disease first diagnosed in 1909. Approximately 6.5 million are affected by it, predominantly in poor communities of Latin America. The condition originates with parasites that feed on human blood at night through open sores and wounds, resulting in an infection that can severely impede cardiac and digestive functions. The disease can be fatal. 2020 sees the first World Chagas Disease Day with the World Health Organization and International Federation of Associations of People Affected by Chagas Disease. Its purpose is to raise awareness about the disease and address its causes.

Africa

Apr

Children with Alopecia Day: April 14

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Children with Alopecia Day is an awareness and self-esteem day for children suffering from alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease distinguished by hair loss. Today is a day for children to take pride in who they are.

Africa

Apr

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (US-CA): April 14-23

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Coachella is an annual music and arts festival held over two weekends in Indio, California, United States. Coachella has since become one of the world's largest and most popular music festivals, with multiple stages featuring performances by a wide range of music artists, as well as art installations and other attractions. The festival is typically held over two weekends in April and draws a large crowd of music and art enthusiasts worldwide. The exact dates for the festival can vary from year to year. The first Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival occurred in October 1999. 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

Apr

Dolphin Day, Ntl.: April 14

06:20 AM | -

Dolphin Day is an unofficial event observed globally for over 25 years. Initially focused on raising awareness of the Southeast Asia hunting practices affecting dolphins, today, it is simply a celebration of these beloved mammals of the sea. Currently, two official events occur annually focusing on raising awareness: one in February, World Love for Dolphins Day, and the International Day of Awareness for the Dolphins of Taiji in September.

Africa

Apr

Equal Pay Day (1963): April 14

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Equal Pay Day is dedicated to promoting the idea of equal pay for equal work, irrespective of gender. On average, women continue to make less money, doing the same job as men. The US Equal Pay Act passed on June 10, 1963, establishing a minimum wage and maximum hours that a person could work without incurring overtime. It prohibited sexual discrimination based on pay in commerce and manufacturing. Service industry positions, including food service and agriculture, were excluded in specific instances. President Obama said: "On National Equal Pay Day, let us resolve to become a Nation that values the contributions of our daughters as much as those of our sons, denies them no opportunity, and sets no limits on their dreams." Read the entire Equal Pay Act at: https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/epa.cfm.

Africa

Apr

Fire Service Day, Ntl.(IN)(1944): April 14

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India's National Fire Service Day and Week are observed on April 14 every year to commemorate the lives lost in the Mumbai Dock Fire of 1944, one of the most devastating fires in Indian history. The day and week raise awareness about fire safety, prevention, and protection measures and recognize the invaluable contributions and sacrifices made by firefighters and first responders. The day honors and pays tribute to the 71 firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Throughout the week, various events and activities promote fire safety and prevention to the public. Fire stations often hold open houses, conduct demonstrations and drills, and organize seminars and workshops to educate people about fire hazards and how to respond in case of an emergency. ABOUT THE MUMBAI DOCK FIRE The Mumbai Dock Fire, also known as the Bombay Explosion, occurred on April 14, 1944, during World War II, at the Victoria Dock of Bombay (now Mumbai), the busiest port city in British India. The disaster occurred when the freighter SS Fort Stikine, a ship carrying a mixed cargo that included ammunition, cotton bales, gold, and other materials, caught fire. The fire quickly spread, and the ship's cargo of explosives detonated in two massive blasts, causing widespread destruction in the surrounding area. The explosion resulted in the deaths of between 800 and 1,300 people and injured over 3,000 others. The blast caused extensive damage to the Victoria Dock, nearby buildings, and infrastructure, leaving a significant part of the dock area in ruins damaging or destroying several ships moored nearby. The exact cause of the fire is believed to be a combination of factors, including the highly combustible cotton bales in the proximity of the explosives. The tragedy highlighted the dangers of handling hazardous materials in congested port areas and led to changes in the handling and storage of such materials.

Africa

Apr

Fire Service Week, Ntl. (IN)(1944: April 14-20

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Africa

Apr

Great Friday (C): April 14

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Great Friday in Orthodox Christianity is its most solemn observance. It is the day Jesus Christ was tortured and crucified. The date is different annually, based on the day of Easter, which is based upon when Passover falls. Great Friday can also occur on different days, depending on which form of Christianity is Orthodox or Western due to which calendar is used: the Julian calendar (created by Julius Cesar 2000 years ago) versus the Gregorian calendar instituted in the 1750s and created by the Roman Catholic Pope, who Orthodox Christians do not follow. Easter and Good/Great Friday usually come a couple of weeks later in the Orthodox faiths compared to Catholicism and mainline Protestant versions of the faith.

Africa

Apr

Guru Nanak (1469) (S): April 14*

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Today is the anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak. Born on April 15, 1469, in the Punjab village of Talwandy, he was part of a simple Hindu family. Guru Nanak spent his life spreading the words of reform and challenging the existing religious dogmas and tenants, thus successfully laying the foundations of Sikhism.

Africa

Apr

Khalsa Day, Vaisakhi (S)(1699): April 14

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Khalsa Panth marks the anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh's initiation of the first five members of the Khalsa on April 14, 1699. It is a joyous festival in the Sikh faith.

Africa

Apr

Look Up at the Sky Days: April 14

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Look Up at the Sky Day urges each to pause from their regular life and look at the world around them. Celebrating is as simple as putting down your mobile devices, taking a deep breath, and looking up at the sky. Beautiful!

Africa

Apr

Moment of Laughter Day, Intl.: April 14

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International Moment of Laughter Day encourages people to laugh out loud in public and make others laugh too. Organized by "America's Humorologist" Izzy Gesell, on this day, everyone is invited to laugh out loud, tell a funny story, or indulge in a light-hearted prank at home or the office. What is most important is that you laugh!

Africa