All - Leep Calendar

Music, entertainment, cowboys, rodeo, sports, vendors, and lots of food, The Calgary Stampede is an annual festival in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 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 unknown until 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

Jul

Canada Day (CA)(1867): July 1

06:20 AM | -

Canada Day is Canada's National day. On July 1, 1867, the British North America Act was enacted, creating the country of Canada within the British Empire and empowering it with full self-governing authority. Before this day, the Canadian territory was three different regions. The holiday was known as Dominion Day until 1982 when it changed to Constitution Day. 1982, Canada finally declared its independence from the British Crown and ratified its constitution. Today this compilation of historical events is known as Canada Day, a day equivalent to the 4th of July in the United States for the Canadians. However, Canadians did not need to fight a revolution to establish and enact their constitution. The monarch in the United Kingdom continues as their monarch. When Canada Day falls on a weekend, it is observed as a national holiday on the following Monday.

Africa

Jul

Canada Day, Ntl. Respect for (US): July 15

06:20 AM | -

National Respect for Canada Day encourages Stateside Americans to give the nod to our northern neighbors. Despite the jokes Canadians and the States like to throw at one another, most stateside will readily admit that Canada is undoubtedly the best neighbor the U.S. could ever have.

Africa

Jul

Captive Nations Week (1959): July 16-22

06:20 AM | -

President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed the first Captive Nations Week in 1959. It affirmed America's support of individual liberties, an idea absent under communism, apartheid, and colonialism. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, coupled with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, initiated new democracies. Many became steadfast allies of the United States and critical contributors to the expansion of human rights worldwide. With each generation, people have breathed new life into democratic ideals, striving for personal freedom, political and economic reform, and justice. This week is about recognizing the millions of people worldwide who continue to fight for their rights and suffer under oppression, occupation, and captivity. Today, nations seeking freedom range from Palestine, Kashmire, and Mayanmar to Ukraine and North Korea.

Africa

Jul

Caribbean Day (1973): July 3

06:20 AM | -

Caribbean Day is celebrated on the first Monday of July and marks the anniversary of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. This treaty established the Caribbean Community and Common Market. The agreement was signed by Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago on July 4, 1973. It came into effect on August 1, 1973.

Africa

Jul

Carousel Day, Ntl. (1871): July 25

06:20 AM | -

International Carousel or Merry-Go-Round Day celebrates the amusement park ride found at carnivals and fairs. This event marks the anniversary of its patent by William Schneider of Davenport, Iowa, in 1871.

Africa

Jul

Carpe Diem, (All or Nothing) Day: July 26

06:20 AM | -

Carpe Diem (All or Nothing) Day celebrates the term "Carpe Diem," which translates to "Seize the day" in English. Today, go for whatever you want without fear.

Africa

Jul

Carver Day: July 8

06:20 AM | -

George Washington Carver was one of the most influential scientists of the early 20th century. He pioneered crop rotation and several food products we use today, including sweet potatoes, peanuts, and soybeans. He discovered alternative uses for various products and established the Agricultural Studies program at Tuskegee Institute. Born into slavery during the waning days of the US Civil War, Carver found his way to Iowa. Here, with the help of others who recognized his talent and potential, he attended university. In 1894, Carver became the first African American to earn a Bachelor of Science degree. Due to his extra research on fungi and their impact on crops, benefactors convinced him to pursue a graduate degree in agriculture, which he completed in 1896. Carver's work touches on multiple aspects of agricultural products and processes. A staunch supporter of education and civil rights. Carver died from a fall on January 5, 1943. Carver Day is a testament to his contributions and a celebration of his life.

Africa

Jul

Cat, Born Free Cat Nap: July 3-9

06:20 AM | -

Born Free Cat Nap highlights the plight of the world's largest felines (and an endangered species). This fundraiser asks people to submit pictures of napping cats to social media. The best/funniest becomes the spokescat for the following year's event. Additional activities include wearing cat-themed PJs and sponsoring sleep-ins. Born Free Cat Nap is a freeform fundraising event, meaning dates for localized cat naps may occur any time in July.

Africa

Jul

Caviar Day, Ntl.: July 18

06:20 AM | -

Caviar is a food immediately associated with luxury and exquisite taste. First developed in Persia (Iran), the salted delicacy of sturgeon fish eggs (only sturgeon eggs can be caviar) gained popularity with the Czars of Russia in the 12th century. By the 1500s, the nobility of Europe took to the delicacy. Sensing an opportunity, Russians began importing the luxury item in the mid-nineteenth century. The sought-after garnish catapulted to popularity when Henry Schacht opened the first caviar business in the US using Delaware River sturgeon rather than Caspian Sea sturgeon. The United States quickly ascended to the number two producer of caviar in the world. Bartenders would even offer it free, as its saltiness made people drink more. Free caviar came to a dramatic halt in 1910 when the North American sturgeon was nearly extinct due to overfishing. Suddenly the salty bartender's primer became a costly luxury item and a mark of status in the United States. Several decades later, Iranian and Russian caviar faced a similar fate. In 1988, due to pollution and over-fishing, Caspian sturgeon found themselves on the endangered species list. Currently, affordable caviar is farm-raised in the US, Russia, Iran, and elsewhere. Wild caviar from the Caspian Sea maintains a premium, whether from Russia or Iran. Today is the day to tip your toast to the little fish egg garnish considered culinary gold and the lessons learned from the near extinction of the sturgeon due to greed.

Africa

Jul

Cell Phone Courtesy Month, Ntl.: July

06:20 AM | -

Founded in 2002 by etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore, National Cell Phone Courtesy Month occurs each year in July. In a 2010 poll, 40% of Americans stated they “often experience generally rude or disrespectful behavior, cursing, near-cursing or people interrupting conversations to use e-mail or cell phones.” Cell phone rudeness is on the rise. This is a month to focus on what you can do. The following are some basic guidelines: 1) If live people are with you, pay attention to them. The calls and text can wait. 2) Don’t advertise your business. Excuse yourself from a gathering if you need to speak on the phone. 3) If you know taking the call will be emotional, reject it until you’re in a quiet place without an audience. 4) Keep your phone on vibrate when in public. 5) Watch your voice volume. If you have to yell to be heard, hang up and resume when you are at a quieter place. 6) Excuse yourself ahead of time by alerting your companions if you’re expecting a call and will need to leave the group to take it. 7) Send a text message when you want to send a quick message, but not as a replacement for a conversation. 8) Use earphones or a headset to avoid distracting others in public areas whilst listening to streaming media. 9) Never text and drive. 10) Avoid texting and social media postings if you’ve been drinking.

Africa

Jul

Cheer Up the Lonely Day: July 11

06:20 AM | -

Cheer Up the Lonely Day focuses on those we don't see, including the elderly and people with illnesses or mental issues. It's a day to give back and spend time with others. Some familiar places to find lonely people include retirement homes, homeless shelters, hospitals, and prisons. Check with your local institutions to see if they plan any specific programs for this day. Several countries have match programs for families looking for older adults and older people looking for families. These include: Adopt a Grandma in the United Kingdom: www.adopt-a-grandma.co.uk. Find a Grandparent in Australia: findagrandparent.org.au. Central Michigan University's Adopt-a-Grandparent program: http://www.cm-life.com/article/2015/03/adopt-a-grandparent Many faith-based organizations in the US have similar programs on a local level. Big Sisters/Big Brothers Program pairs at-risk youth with same-sex adults in the United States. Cheer Up the Lonely Day was created by Francis Pesek of Detroit, Michigan, and is celebrated on his birthday, July 11th. His daughter, LJ Pesek, continues the tradition.

Africa

Jul

Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day: July 29

06:20 AM | -

Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day is an unofficial holiday with no sponsor promoting ridding your house of pests. The idea is to purchase some cheese and sacrifice a piece in a mouse trap to cleanse your home of mice. If you've ever had mice (or rats), you know they can be challenging. Some are cute, and some are not. It's up to you if you choose to sacrifice some cheese to be rodent-free.

Africa

Jul

Cheesecake Day, Ntl.: July 30

06:20 AM | -

National Cheesecake Day celebrates the decadent dessert made of creamed cheese, eggs, flour, vanilla, and sugar with a crushed graham cracker base. Cheesecake has always been famous, even during the time of the Romans. The earliest record of a cheesecake was made by Aegimus, a Greek physician living during the 3rd Century BC.

Africa

Jul

Cherry Day, Ntl. (UK): July 16

06:20 AM | -

National Cherry Day celebrates the fruit that tops life, the cherry. Cherries are high in antioxidants, fiber, and melatonin, making them an excellent before-bed snack. National Cherry Day in the United Kingdom is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

Africa