All - Leep Calendar

On December 12, Mexico celebrates Our Lady of Guadeloupe Day. Our Lady of Guadalupe (Virgin of Guadalupe and Our Mother of Guadalupe, The Madonna of Tepeyac, Tonantzin) celebrates the appearance of the Virgin Mary on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City, December 12, 1531, as witnessed by San Juan Diego. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City now stands on the site and is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world. With 20 million visitors a year, it is the world's third most-visited sacred site, right behind the Meiji Shrine and Sensoji-Temple in Tokyo and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, India.

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Dec

Poinsettia Day (1851): December 12

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Poinsettia Day in the US celebrates the beautiful red, white or pink plant most people associate with Christmas. Poinsettia Day marks the anniversary of the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett on December 12, 1851. Poinsett was an American botanist, physician, and diplomat who discovered the gorgeous plant in 1828 in Southern Mexico. Botanically, the plant is known as Euphorbia Pulcherrima, but its common name since 1828 is Poinsettia. National Poinsettia Day became an official US observance in 2002 via US House of Representatives resolution HR471.

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Dec

Taboo Day/Festival of Unmentionable Thoughts: December 12

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Taboo Day, or the Festival of Unmentionable Thoughts, sheds light on dark thoughts that all of us have and reminds us that they are something inherently human and all of us have them. It is also a day to discuss challenging issues, whether racism, sexuality, or a loved one's addiction or illness. Today provides you the opportunity if you've been looking for an excuse to address something.

Africa

Dec

Twelve-Twelve (CN): December 12

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Whereas 11/11 or Singles Day focuses on significant retailers, Twelve-Twelve is a second initiative of the Chinese government, mega-retailer Alibaba, and other businesses. Twelve-Twelve asks consumers to concentrate on small to mid-size companies rather than the mega brands. It’s an online version, global in scope to American Expresses November Small Business Saturday event in the United States. Twelve-Twelve appears to have begun in 2016.

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Dec

Universal Health Care Coverage Day, Int.: December 12

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On December 12, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed a resolution urging countries to work towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC), which aims to ensure that everyone has access to quality and affordable healthcare. In recognition of this goal, December 12 was proclaimed as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) by the United Nations on December 12, 2017 (resolution 72/138). UHC Day serves as an annual occasion to raise awareness about the importance of strong and resilient health systems and the need for universal health coverage. It brings together various stakeholders to advocate for UHC, share stories of individuals still awaiting healthcare, celebrate achievements, and call on leaders to invest more in health. The goal is to accelerate progress towards UHC by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the interconnectedness of UHC and health security. It emphasizes the importance of having robust health systems that can respond effectively in times of crisis and ensure equitable access to healthcare for everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status or location. Prioritizing the most vulnerable populations, such as women, children, adolescents, and marginalized groups, is essential to achieving UHC and overcoming barriers to essential care. On December 12, people around the world are encouraged to join in demanding action on UHC, urging leaders to invest in health systems and primary healthcare for all. The achievement of UHC is critical for the well-being and future prospects of individuals and communities, and it requires collective commitment and action.

Africa

Dec

Cocoa Day: December 13*

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Cocoa, the base ingredient of chocolate, is truly a family affair. Currently, 90% of all cocoa comes from family farms of fewer than five hectares each. The Mayans were the first to use cocoa beans with peppers for medicine as a beverage and spice. The debate continues as to who, the ancient Olmec or the Mayans, were the first civilization to farm cocoa beans around 1000BC purposely. What we do know is this delicacy of the new world was first encountered by Christopher Columbus when he landed on the island of Guanaja in 1502. However, it would have to wait until Hernan Cortez arrived in Tabasco in 1519 before the world realized its actual culinary value. Cortez was presented with cocoa beans by the ruler of the Aztecs, Montezuma. For the Aztecs, the cocoa plant was sacred. Cortez brought the beans back to Europe, and the customs of drinking and preparing the bitter bean were made heavenly by sweetening. The rest is history. On National Cocoa Day, we appreciate the origins of the cocoa bean and enjoy the delicacies it creates. The most common way to celebrate in the cold months of December is with a cup of hot chocolate. National Cocoa Day is an unofficial holiday with no sponsor.

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Dec

Nanking Massacre Memorial Day (CN)(1937): December 13

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One of the most horrific events in Chinese History, the Nanking Massacre (Nanjing Massacre), began on December 13, 1937. Japanese troops invaded the city. For the next six weeks, using torture, executions, rape, and violence, imperial forces murdered the citizens of Nanking in the hundreds of thousands. Many were buried alive. Estimates range from 142,000 to up to 300,000 people perished. This day is remembered each year in China with reverence and solemnity, honoring the dead and assuring it never happens again. Image: Bodies of victims along Qinhuai River out of Nanjing's west gate during Nanjing Massacre, 1937/1938. Photographer Moriyasu Murase.

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Dec

National Guard Day (US)(1636): December 13

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The National Guard is the oldest institution in the United States. It was the first militia regiment in North America, created on December 13, 1636, by the Massachusetts Bay Colony's General Court. It was organized into three permanent units to defend the colony better. Today, the descendants of these first regiments—the 181st Infantry, the 182nd Infantry, the 101st Field Artillery, and the 101st Engineer Battalion of the Massachusetts Army National Guard—share the distinction of being the oldest units in the U.S. military. Most Americans know the National Guard through service or its deployment to assist with natural and manmade disasters. These include fighting fires, rescue, and infrastructure repair after tornados, floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Assisting with civil unrest and providing extra manpower during health emergencies, including COVID-19, are other ways the National Guard helps keep Americans safe. Happy Birthday, National Guard. Header Image: NOME, Alaska - Members of the 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, unload pallets of gifts from an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft on December 2, 2021, at Nome, Alaska, before loading them onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter for delivery to Buckland as part of Operation Santa Claus 2021. This year marks the 66th year of the program—photo by Dana Rosso.

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Dec

Pathologist Pal Day, Pick a: December 13

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Pick a Pathologist Pal Day is another Wellcat.com event. It is a day encouraging people to overcome their fear of death and make friends with a pathologist or coroner.

Africa

Dec

Popcorn Day, On a String, Ntl.: December 13

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Created in 2010 by the foodie blog Foodimentary, National Popcorn on a String Day pays homage to the European custom of stringing popcorn, nuts, and berries together to form a garland. During the medieval times through the Victorian era, this custom served as a wild bird feeder during the winter months, attracting the colorful birds that braved the cold and hung around through yuletide. During the Great Depression, Americans took to the custom in force. With little money for Christmas decor and extravagance, the popcorn garland became a way to entertain the children and decorate the tree. Often referred to as the ‘poor man’s tinsel,’ though of European origin, the popcorn garland is firmly entrenched in today’s Americana and most often associated with US culture. What is the best way to celebrate? Pop some corn and get stringing!

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Dec

Republic Day, (MT)(1974): December 13

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Malta's Republic Day marks the anniversary of December 13, 1974, when the island nation ended the monarchy and became a republic. Republic Day is a national holiday.

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Dec

Santa Lucia Day (SE): December 13

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Like Saint Sebastian, Santa Lucia (Lucy) was persecuted and executed for her faith in pre-Christian Rome in 304 AD at 19. She is considered the bearer of light and the patron saint of authors, salesmen, laborers, and peasants. One of eight venerated women in Christianity, she is celebrated in Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox communities. Sweden and other Christian countries celebrate her feast day on December 13 each year.

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Dec

Tevet (J): December 13 -January 10

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Tevet is the fourth month of the civil year and the tenth of the ecclesiastical year in the Hebrew calendar, and it comes after Kislev and before Shevat. The two major Hebrew holidays during Tevet are Hanukkah, from 25 Kislev to 2 Tevet, and the Tenth of Tevet, a fasting day. PLEASE NOTE: All Hebrew calendar months and celebrations begin and end at sundown. LEEP Calendar marks Jewish months and events on their first full day. Observant people of the faith will observe the beginning at sunset the day prior.

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Dec

Violin Day: December 13

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Violin Day celebrates the centuries-old instrument common to several genres of music. Italian Andrea Amati of Cremona (1511-1577) created the first four-string violin in 1555. The oldest original violin still in existence was made by Amati in 1560 and is currently on display at the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States of America. How much are classic violins worth? A lot. The most expensive violins in the world today include: The Titanic violin, played by Wallace Hartley as the ship sank, is valued at $1.7 million. The Carrodus Guarneri, $10 million, by Guarneri del Gesu in 1743. The Lady Blunt by Antonio Stradivari was created in 1721 and is valued at $15.9 million. Guarneri Del Gesu created the Vieuxtemps Guarneri in 1741. It is valued at $16 million. Vieuxtemps Guarneri is played by American violinist Anne Akiko Meyers (May 15, 1970 - ), who is endowed with it for the rest of her life by an anonymous donor. The most expensive violin in history is the Messiah Stradivarius at $20 million. The Messiah was created in 1716 by Antonio Stradivari. The violin has been played three known times, the last was in the 1930s.

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Dec

Bouillabaisse Day, Ntl.: December 14

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National Bouillabaisse Day in the US celebrates bouillabaisse, a classic southern French dish made with several varieties of fish. Bouillabaisse can differ quite a bit depending on the ingredients used. It is essential to use several different kinds of fish and season them with saffron, the spice that gives the dish its distinctive color and flavor. National Bouillabaisse Day is an unofficial holiday with no sponsor. Happy Bouillabaisse Day!

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