All - Leep Calendar

National Day of Prayer for Law Enforcement was created in 2011 by the non-profit Wives Behind the Badge and occurs annually on the third Friday in June. The day's purpose is to ask that people pause for a moment to pray for the peacekeepers in their town and that they may return home safe each night. You may also simply thank your local police officer for his or her service.

Africa

Jun

Martyrdom Guru Arjun Sahib (S)(1606): June 16

06:20 AM | -

The martyrdom of Guru Arjun Sahib, the fifth Guru of the Sikh faith, is observed each year to mark the last time he was seen, June 16, 1606, after five days of torture. The Mughal Emperor Jahangir ordered the torturing of Sikh gurus after their preaching resulted in conversions. As part of his torture, Guru Arjan Dev sat on a burning hot sheet while hot sand poured over him. On the fifth day, his torturers took him to the river, where he disappeared.

Africa

Jun

Sea Turtle Day, World: June 16

06:20 AM | -

Sea Turtles live much of their early life at sea, not returning to nesting grounds for up to 20 years after hatching. A group of different turtles, sea turtle species can range from about 70cm/40kg to the giant leatherback at 180cm and 500kg. Sea turtles don't have teeth, and only one out of every 1,000 born survive to adulthood. Sea turtles can swim thousands of miles in most oceans worldwide. The biggest threat to their existence is humans when hunted for food or through the plastic waste we discard in the oceans. Plastic bags resemble jellyfish, which turtles eat, and other waste forms barricades, making it impossible for hatchlings to reach the sea. Currently, six of the seven species are threatened. World Sea Turtle Day is a global awareness campaign highlighting the conservation of these gentle giants and the threats of human activity, specifically plastic, to their existence.

Africa

Jun

Shaheedi Arjan Dev (S) (1606) : June 16

06:20 AM | -

Today is the anniversary of the Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib, who was born on what would today be May 2, 1563, in the Gregorian calendar. Arjan was the fifth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism, achieving that title on September 16, 1581. He was assassinated on June 16, 1606, and was the first Sikh guru martyred. Guru Arjan Dev Ji is noted for: a) Compiling the hymnal foundation of the Guru Granth Sahib b) Contributing 2218 hymns to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib c) Authoring Sukhmani Sahib Bani (Prayer for Peace) d) Compiling the Adi Granth (Sikh Bible) e) Building the Golden Temple f) Developing the Amritsar g) Founding the Masund system

Africa

Jun

Smell Day, World.: June 16

06:20 AM | -

World Smell Day began in 1988 and celebrates the sense of smell. Dr. George Dodd is the founder and driving force behind World Smell Day (WSD). "On World Smell Day, our olfactory abilities are celebrated in prose, poetry, music, and of course, through scents and aromas. It is a day pregnant with Joycean possibilities and an appreciation of Leopold Bloom's love of scents and aromas."—George Dodd.

Africa

Jun

Veggies Day, Fresh: June 16

06:20 AM | -

Fresh Veggies Day is kicking off the summer harvest season, a reminder to indulge in the bounty of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Try a salad for lunch or eggplant for dinner. Bake some radishes in orange sauce (you’ll be surprised how good they taste). Today, try something new you’ve never eaten before too. You just may be surprised and find a new favorite.

Africa

Jun

Wear BLUE day: June 16

06:20 AM | -

National Wear BLUE Day is a Men’s Health Network fundraising initiative to raise awareness and funds for education about men’s health. Biological men are encouraged to get annual checkups, including testicular and prostate cancer screenings. Additional health issues with heightened occurrences in men include cardiovascular disease, skin cancer, lung cancer, diabetes, and gout. National Wear BLUE Day occurs annually on the Friday before Father’s Day during Men’s Health Week.

Africa

Jun

Work @ Home Dads Day, Ntl: June 16

06:20 AM | -

Juggling children, work, and home—a father's work is never done, doubly so when he works from home. This week is about honoring all the dads who make money from home while juggling family and house. Annually the Friday before Father's Day.

Africa

Jun

Youth Day (ZA)(1976): June 16

06:20 AM | -

Youth Day in South Africa marks the anniversary of the Soweto Uprising. The Soweto Uprising, also known as the Soweto Rebellion, was a series of protests led by black South African students on June 16, 1976, in the township of Soweto, located in the southwestern part of Johannesburg, South Africa. The uprising was a turning point in the country's struggle against apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the South African government from 1948 to 1994. The uprising began as a protest against implementing the Bantu Education Act of 1953, which promoted racial segregation in the education system and reinforced the inferior quality of education for black students. The immediate trigger for the protests was the government's decision to enforce the use of Afrikaans, along with English, as the medium of instruction in African schools. Many black South Africans viewed Afrikaans as the oppressor's language to marginalize their culture and identity further. On June 16, 1976, an estimated 20,000 students took to the streets in a peaceful protest, marching toward the Orlando Stadium in Soweto. The police responded with tear gas and live ammunition, leading to widespread violence and chaos. An estimated 176 people were killed, with some sources suggesting the death toll may have been as high as 700. Many more were injured, and thousands were arrested. The Soweto Uprising sparked protests and unrest throughout South Africa, drawing international attention to the apartheid regime and its oppressive policies and creating a pivotal moment in the country's fight against apartheid. The events of June 16 are commemorated annually as Youth Day, a public holiday in South Africa.

Africa

Jun

Apple Strudel Day, Ntl.: June 17

06:20 AM | -

If you love apple strudel, Apple Strudel Day is for you. In celebration of this sweet, strudel competitions abound with awards for the best recipe given. This sweet pastry originated in Vienna, Austria. The pastry pocket is filled with apples, sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and breadcrumbs, then baked and served warm with a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

Africa

Jun

Bunker Hill Day (US-MA)(1775): June 17

06:20 AM | -

The Battle of Bunker Hill occurred over three weeks during the Siege of Boston, before the Declaration of Independence in the American colonies and in the early days of the Revolutionary War. It began on June 17, 1775. The Americans were underrepresented and needed more ammunition. Because of this, the famous battle command "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes" became part of American history. The British won the battle, though with high casualties. Its importance in American history remains in its impact on the colonists' morale. It proved they could fight the most powerful military in the world and hold their own. George Washington would take command of the colonial army three weeks later. Ultimately, the Americans would win the war, but it would take eight years to do it. Bunker Hill Day is a state holiday in Massachusetts.

Africa

Jun

Cherry Tart Days, Ntl.: June 17-18

06:20 AM | -

Cherry Tart Day began in Michigan during the National Cherry Festival. Although cherries were abundant, where to use this berry was very limited. Organizers thought of creating a festive day to focus on the cherry, and National Cherry Tart Day was born. Through custom, the day has migrated to June. However, the Cherry Festival still occurs in July.

Africa

Jun

Combat Decertification & Drought, World Day of: June 17

06:20 AM | -

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is an awareness campaign sponsored by United Nations. It aims to prevent desertification (where fertile land turns into a desert) and find ways to improve drought conditions worldwide. Officially recognized by the organization on January 30, 1995, under the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/49/115, each year's event has a different theme.

Africa

Jun

Independence Day (IS)(1944): June 17

06:20 AM | -

On June 17, 1944, Iceland gained its independence from Denmark. Independence Day is its national holiday celebrating this event.

Africa

Jun

Juggler's Day, World (1947): June 17*

06:20 AM | -

World Juggler’s Day occurs on the Saturday closest to June 17 each year. June 17, 1947, is the day the International Juggler’s Association (IJA) came into being. IJA is an organization consisting of jugglers who wish to have regular meetings and promote camaraderie and friendship. World Juggler’s Day honors juggling and the people who push boundaries to keep this skill alive. Today, people learn how to juggle or watch a professional juggler do his thing. World Juggler’s Day is one of two Juggling Days in the LEEP calendar. The day set aside for master multitaskers occurs in mid-April each year.

Africa