All - Leep Calendar

Rocky Road ice cream is made with chocolate ice cream, nuts, and marshmallows. The ice cream favorite was created by William Dreyer when he mixed almonds, chocolate ice cream, and marshmallows in 1929. Rocky Road Ice Cream Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

Africa

Jun

St. Erasmus (Elmo) Day (303AD): June 2

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The patron saint of sailors and seamen, St. Erasmus, or as he's popularly known, St. Elmo, is believed to have been martyred on or near this day, June 2, 303 AD. WHY SO MANY FEAST DAYS? Have you ever noticed that there seem to be feast days for just about everything in the Catholic and Orthodox Christian faiths? There is a reason for that. The church granted feast days to allow all subjects of the Crown to take a day off. As most worked six days a week, feast days provided a break that landowners and nobility couldn't deny. If they tried, they were going against the church, and that you did not do. In medieval times, there were approximately 60 feast days a year. Add this to 52 Sundays, Christmas, and Easter; workers received at least 114 days off a year. Contrast that to today. The average American gets 104 weekend days and seven national holidays off work. That's three days less than the commoners of the Dark Ages, just in case you're feeling a little overworked.

Africa

Jun

Yell "Fudge" at the Cobras in North America Day: June 2

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Yell "Fudge" at the Cobras in North America Day falls on June 2. Traditionally, on this day, North Americans should step out of their houses at noon and shout "Fudge" to scare cobras that might be nearby. Snakes are thought to hate fudge, and the mere mention of the word scares them away. Don't worry if this doesn't make sense. The date isn't supposed to.

Africa

Jun

Ardbeg Day (UK): June 3 (est)

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Ardbeg Day celebrates the kickoff of summer with local carnivals featuring Ardbeg Whisky in multiple countries worldwide.

Africa

Jun

Bike Day, World: June 3

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World Bicycle Day celebrates the two-wheeled wonder, the bicycle, and its contribution to health, transportation, freedom, and the environment. Where did bicycles come from? The history of the bicycle can be traced back to the early 19th century, with several key innovations and milestones shaping its development over the years. Here's a brief overview of the bicycle's evolution: The Walking Machine (1817): Invented by German Baron Karl von Drais, the "laufmaschine" or "draisine" was the first human-powered two-wheeled vehicle. It had no pedals, momentum by the rider pushing his feet against the ground. The Velocipede (1860s): Known as the "boneshaker" due to its rough ride, the Velocipede was an early version of the bicycle with pedals attached directly to the front wheel. Frenchman Pierre Michaux and his son Ernest are credited with this invention. The High-Wheel Bicycle (1870s): Also called the "penny-farthing" or "ordinary bicycle," the high-wheel bicycle featured a large front wheel and a small rear wheel. The design allowed for increased speed, but it was difficult to mount and prone to accidents. The Safety Bicycle (1880s): John Kemp Starley, an English inventor, introduced the safety bicycle in 1885 with his "Rover" model. This design featured two equal-sized wheels, a chain-driven rear wheel, and a diamond-shaped frame. Riding was much safer and more comfortable than the high-wheel bicycle, which led to its widespread popularity. Pneumatic Tires (1888): John Boyd Dunlop, a Scottish inventor, developed the first practical pneumatic tire, which used air-filled rubber tubes to provide a smoother ride. This innovation significantly improved the comfort and efficiency of bicycles. Derailleurs (1900s): The derailleur, a mechanism for changing gears, was introduced in the early 20th century. It allowed cyclists to switch between different-sized sprockets on the rear wheel, enabling them to tackle varying terrain more easily. Mountain Bikes (1970s): Mountain biking emerged as a popular sport in the 1970s, with pioneers like Gary Fisher and Joe Breeze modifying bicycles for off-road use. The first mass-produced mountain bike, the Specialized Stumpjumper, was introduced in 1981. BMX Bikes (1970s): Bicycle motocross, or BMX, originated in the United States in the 1970s. These small, sturdy bikes were designed to race on dirt tracks and perform stunts. The sport gained popularity and eventually became an Olympic event in 2008. Carbon Fiber Frames (1980s): In the 1980s, manufacturers began using carbon fiber to create lighter, more robust bicycle frames. This material allowed for more efficient energy transfer and improved aerodynamics, making bicycles faster and more responsive. Electric Bikes (1990s): The first electric bicycles, or e-bikes, appeared in the 1990s, using battery-powered electric motors to assist with pedaling. E-bikes have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a more accessible and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bicycles and other forms of transportation. Bicycles continue to evolve and diversify, with various styles and technologies available to suit diverse needs and preferences. From casual riders to professional racers, bikes remain a popular and enduring mode of transportation and recreation worldwide. World Bicycle Day began in 2018. Header image: Workers' bicycles at the Taj Mahal complex in Agra, India. Photo LD Lewis

Africa

Jun

Black Pound Day (UK): June 3

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Born in 2020 in the wake of the Black Lives Matter global protest, Black Pound Day in the United Kingdom is a monthly event occurring on the first Saturday of each month (except the first day, which was held in June 2020). The purpose is to ask consumers to support Black-owned businesses on this day by shopping at them or giving their patronage. Musician DJ Swiss created it.

Africa

Jun

Chimborazo Day (EC): June 3

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Chimborazo Day commemorates the non-active volcano representing the closest point on Earth to the Moon and the farthest point from the Earth's center. Though Mount Everest is the highest peak, in relation to the sea level, Chimborazo protrudes into space 1.5 miles further than Everest due to its location at the equator. The Earth bulges in the middle (equator), making this Ecuadorian mountain higher than the tallest mountain on Earth if seen from the Moon. Edward Whymper of England was the first to reach Chimborazo's summit on January 4, 1880. Chimborazo is a UNESCO world heritage site in the Sangay National Park of Ecuador.

Africa

Jun

Chocolate Macaroon Day, Ntl.: June 3

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Chocolate Macaroon Day celebrates macaroons (macarons). This sweet appeared on the world stage in 791 AD at a convent in Commercy, France. Macaroons are cookies made of egg whites, sugar, and almond paste. It includes no leavening agent or flour. It is a favorite treat and part of the Jewish tradition of Passover. Coconut, the ingredient most often associated with macaroons, was added to the recipe in the 1890s. The French introduced the idea of drenching macaroons in chocolate syrup around the turn of the last century, creating the highly coveted and delightfully sweet chocolate macaroons we celebrate today.

Africa

Jun

Clothesline Week, Intl.: June 3-10

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International Clothesline Week encourages people worldwide to bypass the dryer, save energy and hang their clothes to dry. Annually the first Saturday to Saturday in June.

Africa

Jun

Confederate Memorial Day (US-TN, KY, LA)(1808): June 3*

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Confederate Memorial Day occurs in several former states of the Confederacy on different days of the year. In some cases, like Georgia, it is no longer referred to as Confederate Memorial Day but rather as a state holiday. It is an official state holiday that honors the men who died fighting for the Confederacy during the American Civil War, 1861-1865. The dates are as follows: Alabama, Georgia: fourth Monday in April Mississippi: Last Monday in April Florida: April 26 Tennessee, Kentucky, and Louisiana: June 3, Jefferson Davis's birthday, 1808 North and South Carolina: May 10, Anniversary of the death of General "Stonewall" Jackson in 1863 Texas: January 19, Birthday of Robert E. Lee 1807 Due to the 400-year legacy of slavery (ending in 1865) and state-supported racial segregation (ending in 1964), this event is highly contentious and seen as a celebration of racism by many critics. Detractors insist this plays into existing racism and celebrates white supremacy and slavery. Proponents of the observance insist that the Confederacy played a part in shaping who we are, its ramifications, and its contributions continue today. To deny a portion of our past, good and bad, is selective censorship. On the contrary, use this event to explore the unspoken but oft-felt prejudices and perceived reality that political correctness squelches. Whether you side with the detractors or the proponents, the best way to acknowledge this month is to read the Constitution of the United States and learn history, not social studies. A great place to start is with Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States, which some states, including Arizona, have tried to ban from their schools. Why? Because it is a history of the American people, not the leaders, and looks at the nation from the perspective of the 99%, the immigrants, migrant workers, women, religious minorities, slaves, and the common man.

Africa

Jun

Eel Festival (DK): June 3-4

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Each year since 1968, the town of Jyllinge, Denmark, has hosted an eel festival. Eel has been a long-time staple and delicacy of the Danish people. The festival includes music, theater, markets, saying competitions, and fireworks. You might even hear Hasse Havgaard’s eel song: Now here we sit and grease our gums with eel – skol An eel that has come so far it deserves a skol – skol And shame on the ass who won’t raise his glass to the eel – skol For now, it has finally come to its goal – skol Annually the first weekend of June. This event does not have a website.

Africa

Jun

EU Green Week: June 3-11

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Refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle are the five Rs of a Green office. #EUGreenWeek Businesses and individuals throughout Europe use EU Green Week to become more eco-friendly and find ways to streamline their offices and homes in a more environmentally friendly way. This event first ran in 2009 in the United Kingdom, and it crossed the pond beginning in 2019 to the United States with support from the USDA.

Africa

Jun

FA Cup Final, Emirates (UK): June 3

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First played to determine the champion of the 1871-72 season, the Football Association of England (FA) Cup is the world's longest-running association-led football (soccer) competition. London's Wembley Stadium played host for most of the Cup's history. Tradition governs that the FA Cup final is played after all Premier League games end, traditionally in May.

Africa

Jun

Fishing & Boating Week, Ntl.: June 3-11

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During National Fishing and Boating Week, most states offer free fishing days where anglers can fish on public waters without a fishing license. Now there is no excuse not to go fishing or boating anymore! The best way to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week is to get out on the water!

Africa

Jun

Grand Final A-League (AU): June 3

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The Football (Soccer) Federation Australia (FFA) holds its annual championship game in May. The A-League Grand Final was initiated in 2006.

Africa