All - Leep Calendar

Each year the Audubon Society hosts a three-week bird count across the United States and Canada. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count mobilizes over 72,000 volunteer bird counters in more than 2,500 locations across the Western Hemisphere. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count utilizes the power of volunteers to track the health of bird populations at a scale that scientists could never accomplish alone. Data compiled locally will record every bird and bird species seen in a specified area, contributing to a vast citizen science network that continues a tradition stretching back more than 100 years. Over 300 peer-reviewed articles have resulted from analysis done with Christmas Bird Count data. Bird-related citizen science efforts are also critical to understanding how birds respond to a changing climate. This documentation enabled Audubon scientists to discover that 314 species of North American birds are threatened by global warming, as reported in Audubon’s groundbreaking Birds and Climate Change Study. The tradition of counting birds combined with modern technology and mapping enables researchers to make discoveries that were not possible in earlier decades. Birders of all ages are welcome to contribute to this fun, nationwide citizen science project, which provides ornithologists with a crucial snapshot of our native bird populations during winter. Each count is performed in a count circle with a diameter of 15 miles. At least ten volunteers, including a compiler to coordinate the process, count in each loop. The volunteers break up into small parties and follow assigned routes, which change little from year to year, counting every bird they see. Some people watch feeders, while others count in defined circles and paths.

Africa

Dec

Energy Conservation Day, World: December 14

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Created to promote energy conservation and prevent global warming and climate change, World Energy Conservation Day is observed in over 150 countries worldwide.

Africa

Dec

Halcyon Days: December 14-28

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Halcyon Days is an ancient tradition honoring the mythical bird of peace and tranquility, the halcyon. It always occurs during the seven days leading up to the winter solstice and the seven days following it.

Africa

Dec

Jumada al-Thani (M): December 14 - January 12

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Jumada al-Thani is the sixth month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is lunar and 11-12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar year.

Africa

Dec

Monkey Day: December 14

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Monkey Day in the United States is an annual event that aims to support and promote primate-related causes around the globe. These can include using primates in laboratory testing, supporting their native environment, and other issues related to the species.

Africa

Dec

Poh (S): December 14–January 12, 2021

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Poh is the tenth month in the Sikh calendar. During Poh, Sikhs celebrate Shaheedi Vada Sahibzada, the Shaheedi Chota Sahibzada, and the birth of Guru Gobind Singh.

Africa

Dec

Bill of Rights Day, National (1791): December 15

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On December 15, 1791, the first ten amendments to the US Constitution were ratified by all thirteen colonies of the United States. Known as the Bill of Rights, these amendments outlined the limits to government power over the people and were revolutionary. Whereas the Constitution outlines the duties and responsibilities of each of the three main components of the US Government (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial), the first ten amendments protect the people from government intrusion, authoritarianism, and false imprisonment. The Bill of Rights for the United States of America is: "Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Amendment II A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. Amendment III No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Amendment IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Amendment V No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. Amendment VI In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. Amendment VII In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. Amendment VIII Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Amendment IX The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Amendment X The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."

Africa

Dec

Cat Herders Day, Ntl.: December 15

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Cat Herders Day honors not cats, but recognizes futility in attempting to manage unmanageable situations, be these in the office, home, or school. Consider it an illustrated version of the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change The courage to change the things I can And the wisdom to know the difference.” Cat herding is a metaphor for being in over your head and yet trying your best. It is brought to you by the folks at Wellcat.

Africa

Dec

Curaçao Day, (CW)(1959): December 15

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Curaçao Day marks the anniversary of December 15, 1959, when the nation raised its flag for the first time after achieving independence from The Netherlands. Curaçao Day is a public holiday.

Africa

Dec

Ice Cream Cone Day (1903): December 15

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Ice Cream Cone Day celebrates the edible and portable summer treat. The first edible cone for ice cream was created in 1904 by Ernest Hamwi at the St. Louis World's Fair. The Syrian immigrant had his zalabis (Syrian Waffle) booth at the fair adjacent to the ice cream vendor. When his neighbor ran out of dishes to serve the ice cream, Hamwi displayed brilliance, rolled a waffle into a cone, and put ice cream in it. And thus, a legendary treat was born! There were other edible dishes for ice cream. That honor goes to Italo Marchiony, an Italian immigrant who created mini dishes from pastry to make ice cream a portable street food in 1896. He filed his patent for the ice cream cuplets on September 22, 1903, and received a patent on December 15, 1903. This day falls on the anniversary of that patent. The cone itself, though, was created and popularized by Hamwi. PROMOTION IDEA: The next time you eat an ice cream cone, pause and thank the immigrant who created it. Today, under the current laws, Hamwi would have difficulty immigrating to the United States because he was from Syria. Eating an ice cream cone today in his honor could protest immigration policies. For enterprising NGOs and vendors serving the Syrian refugee community, today is a chance to raise much-needed funds and awareness through the simple yet elegant ice cream cone.

Africa

Dec

Lemon Cupcake Day, Ntl.: December 15

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Lemon Cupcake day is an unofficial food holiday that celebrates the lemon cupcake. Best way to enjoy? Have one!

Africa

Dec

Navidades, (PR)(C): December 15-January 6

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Navidades is the official Christmas season in Puerto Rico. It begins ten days before Christmas and extends until Epiphany (January 6). Celebrations are vast, colorful, and spiced with the unique fusion of Caribbean and Latino culture, music, food, and relatively warm tropical weather.

Africa

Dec

Underdog Day, Ntl. (US/UK): December 15

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National Underdog Day in the United States and the United Kingdom was created in 1976 by the late Peter Moeller, self-described as the Chief Underdog. The term "underdog" originates in shipbuilding, and "dog" is a slang term for the wooden planks put in pits for sawing. The person standing in the hold would be the "underdog." The person standing above was the "overdog." Both sawmen did similar work, but the underdog would end up covered in the sawdust, and the overdog would not. Today the term is used as a David versus Goliath metaphor, with the underdog at a disadvantage in size, money, or power—which is why people love cheering for underdogs. Fun fact, December 16 is also the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party in 1773, a political protest in defiance of that year's Tea Act tax by the underdog American Colonialists against the world's most powerful empire, Britain. It is one of the critical events leading up to the American Revolution and a classic David versus Goliath triumph.

Africa

Dec

Barbie & Barney Backlash Day: December 16

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Barbie & Barney Backlash Day is a day for parents. You're in luck if you've had enough of Barney's "I Love You" song and the impossible dimensions of Malibu Barbie and friends. Today is the day to trash, thrash, and dump them both—if you dare. Just make sure your kids don't catch you doing it!

Africa

Dec

Chocolate Covered Anything Day, Ntl.: December 16

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The idea of covering fruits, nuts, and even nougat with chocolate wasn’t possible until the 19th century. The technology needed to separate chocolate from cocoa butter wouldn’t be invented until 1828 by Conrad Van Houten in today’s Netherlands. Without this process, chocolate could only be used as a spice, much the same way you would use cinnamon or ginger. Fortunately, the process was developed, and different techniques, including conching, invented by Rudolph Lindt in 1879, would eventually lead to that box of chocolates everyone loves to get. Chocolate Covered Anything Day is an unofficial holiday with no sponsor.

Africa