All - Leep Calendar

December 27 in the US is the National Day to Visit the Zoo. The family holidays are still ongoing on the third day of Christmas, but the primary celebration has passed. By this point, the kids are getting restless, and though the weather may be a bit chilly, most zoos have discounts and specials for this day to entice you to get out of the house and spend some quality time together. National Day to Visit the Zoo is an unofficial event with no specific sponsor, and many zoos around the country hold special events on this day. Check with your zoo to see if it is doing anything special for National Day to Visit the Zoo.

Africa

Dec

Card Playing Day: December 28

06:20 AM | -

Card Playing Day is celebrated in the U.S. each year. Organized by several different groups, including the International Playing Card Society, this is a day to honor and celebrate one of the most prominent forms of entertainment throughout human history, playing cards! Since the late 14th century, card playing has been integral to every European culture.

Africa

Dec

Childermas (C): December 28

06:20 AM | -

It is believed, and told through the Gospels, that King Herod ordered the killing of all newborn to two-year-old male babies in Bethlehem in an attempt to destroy Jesus Christ. Called the Slaughter of Innocents, it is believed up to 20 children lost their lives, though there is no mention of it in secular historical records of the time. Childermas is the day of remembrance for this action.

Africa

Dec

Chocolate Candy Day: December 28

06:20 AM | -

Chocolate candy required several inventions before it could come to reality. Chocolate beans have been used since around 1900 BC by the people of Central America, usually as a bitter drink, often alcoholic or with red peppers. (It is quite a treat if you’ve never tried hot chocolate with red peppers using hot water instead of milk!) On his fourth voyage, it would take Christopher Columbus brought this delicious bean to Europe. He noted the encounter in his ship’s log on August 15, 1502. Later, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés would bring the bean back in bulk a few decades later (he was only 17 when Columbus found it). But in its Central American form, it wasn’t the sweet treat we see today. That required several inventions: John Baker’s process of grounding between millstones of cocoa beans to create a powder in 1764. Conrad Van Houten developed a method for extracting cacao liquor from the fat in the cocoa bean in 1828, which made chocolate affordable. And finally, the development of conching by Swiss chocolatier Rodolphe Lindt in 1879. The rest is sweet history. There are several different types of cocoa beans. Though native to the Americas, nearly two-thirds of cocoa production today occurs in Africa, and Ivory Coast is the largest producer.

Africa

Dec

Pledge of Allegiance Day (1945): December 28

06:20 AM | -

Pledge of Allegiance Day marks the anniversary of Congress’ recognition of the US Pledge of allegiance on December 28, 1945. The pledge was penned in August 1892 by minister Francis Bellamy. The original version was: I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. __________ The version adopted by the US Congress was: I pledge allegiance; To the flag; Of the United States of America; And to this Republic; For which it stands; One nation; [Under God] Indivisible; With Liberty and Justice for all. _________ The line “under God” was added in 1954.

Africa

Dec

Short Film Day, Intl. (1895): December 28

06:20 AM | -

On December 28, 1865, two brothers from Paris, Auguste and Louis Lumière introduced 33 people to the future: film. They showcased to the crowd ten short films, each less than a minute, and changed the world as we know it. Today, movies are a multi-billion dollar entertainment and educational industry. What is the best way to mark this day? Watch a short film. We recommend 1956’s The Red Balloon by Albert Lamorisse. This Academy Award-winning film, at just 34 minutes, will charm the oldest and youngest members of your family! Header Image: Scene from the Red Balloon, 1956 Janus Films, available through the Criterion Collection.

Africa

Dec

Cotton Bowl, Goodyear (US-TX): December 29

06:20 AM | -

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl is an annual college football game played in Arlington, Texas. J. Curtis Sanford, a Dallas oilman and business executive, founded the game as a promotion. He guaranteed each institution $10,000, pitching TCU against Marquette on January 1, 1937, at Fair Park's Cotton Bowl Stadium before 17,000 fans. In 1941, the Southwest Conference (SWC), with the champion continuing to the Classic as the host institution. In 1998, a partnership was formed to create one of the top collegiate matchups in postseason play. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company became the official title sponsor of the game on November 7, 2014.

Africa

Dec

No Interruptions Day: December 29

06:20 AM | -

It's the last day of the year and a time to get as much done as possible. No Interruptions Day seeks to give you an excuse to bury yourself in work or cut off distractions at home.

Africa

Dec

Peach Bowl (US-GA): December 29

06:20 AM | -

The Peach Bowl is an American college football game played annually in Georgia and is currently title sponsored by Chick-fil-a. The Peach Bowl was first played in 1971.

Africa

Dec

Pepper Pot Day (1777): December 29

06:20 AM | -

The origins of Pepper Pot Day and the pepper pot itself go to the Revolutionary War. As the American army was camped at Valley Forge for ten days, on this especially harsh winter night, George Washington asked the army's chef to cook a meal that would boost the soldiers' morale and warm them up. The soup the chef came up with on December 29, 1777, was the pepper pot soup, also known as Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup. The soldiers were so well received that it was called "the soup that won the war."

Africa

Dec

Tick Tock Day: December 29

06:20 AM | -

Thomas and Ruth Roy create Tick Tock Day from Wellcat to remind people that there are only two days until the end of the year and that time is running out to outline their New Year’s resolutions.

Africa

Dec

Bacon Day, Ntl.: December 30

06:20 AM | -

It's the end of the year and the New Year's Diet Resolution countdown. Time to satiate all those cravings, ergo National Bacon Day. Like many great things, from sunglasses to pasta, bacon originated in China around 1500 BC. By salting pork, the Chinese could preserve it during hot months. The same technique made its way to Europe and eventually America. Bacon is considered an adequate hangover food (ever notice you seem to crave fatty foods when hungover?), and the choline found in bacon is said to help in fetal brain development. PS: For those on Halal, Kosher, or Vegan diets, nobody said your bacon couldn't be turkey, beef, or plant-based. Also, check out the Los Angeles Times' 18 ways to enjoy bacon (including a bacon martini, bacon-bourbon-pumpkin pie, and salads): http://www.latimes.com/food/la-dd-recipes-for-bacon-lovers-from-the-la-times-test-kitchen-20140829-photogallery.html Or Weber's favorite bacon grill recipes. https://www.weber.com/US/en/blog/grilling-inspiration/six-recipes-to-celebrate-national-bacon-lovers-day/weber-29555.html. National Bacon Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

Africa

Dec

Bicarbonate of Soda Day, Ntl.: December 30

06:20 AM | -

Native Americans first used baking soda, soda ash, or bicarbonate of soda as a leavening agent for bread. 1835 marked the first time a pre-packaged version of baking soda went on sale, dubbed Royal Baking Powder. It was a combination of baking soda and cream of tartar. Once introduced to moisture, these two chemicals release CO2, causing the bread to rise. The first recipes published using baking soda for soda bread appeared in Ireland in "The Southern Planter," published in 1843. Yeast was often challenging, and baking soda became a much less expensive substitute. December 30 is dubbed 'bicarbonate of soda day' due to another use of baking soda: as an antacid. With all the eating and drinking during the holidays, some will inevitably overeat and overdrink, causing tummy trouble. A teaspoon of baking soda mixed with a cup of water often suffices as the perfect antacid.

Africa

Dec

Choral Music, World Symposium on (QA): December 30 , 2023 - Janauary 5, 2024

06:20 AM | -

Doha, Qatar, is the location for the 13th World Symposium of Choral Music in 2023. The event is a meeting point for choirs, choral musicians, composers, and editors worldwide to share and celebrate the choral community's diversity and artistic excellence.

Africa

Dec

Dancing Bears Festival (RO): December 30

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If you're wandering around any city in Romania on December 30, you'll see a lot of bears! Romanian tradition goes back centuries when local legends believed misfortune was avoided through the appearance of wild animals. The belief translated into people dressing as dancing bears and visiting neighbors to share good luck for the new year. Bukarest holds the largest Bear Festival, with thousands of people dressed in 100-pound bear suits marching through the streets with red tassels on their backs. The bear skins are real, often handed down from generation to generation. Additional costumes include dressing in adorned former soviet era military uniforms and marching in a parade.

Africa