All - Leep Calendar

Mascots have been around since the mid-nineteenth century and often serve as ambassadors for sports teams, municipalities, and brands beginning in the 20th century. The word comes from the original French "mascotte' which means 'lucky charm,' or can also refer to a female sorceress. The New York Times was responsible for the spelling of mascot when it published the word, with one 't,' about baseball player Charlie Gallager's teeth and his pension for superstition on June 20, 1886. Unsurprisingly, these symbols, whether furry, feathery, scaled, or human, should find their day. Alas, we can't figure out why June 17 is the date. The baseball player Charlie Gallager was born in April and died June 23.1924. The Chicago Times first mentioned the word mascot concerning sports on June 18, 1886. It could be about Handsome Dan, Yale's bulldog mascot, the first of its kind and one of 17 known bulldog mascots. Whatever the reason, one thing is sure. National Mascot Day has no mascot.

Africa

Jun

Picnic Week, Ntl. (UK): June 17-25

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Brits love a picnic! In fact, 70 percent of Brits will picnic at least once a year. National Picnic Week aims to inspire the public to get out and enjoy the British summer with a picnic, friends, and tantalizing recipes. Adam Cox founded National Picnic Week. This event first occurred in 2005.

Africa

Jun

Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week, (AU): June 17-23

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week is one week yearly to focus on arthritis education and prevention in the United Kingdom and Australia. One in six Australians suffers from arthritis, accounting for 8 percent of the country's total burden of disease and injury. There are more than 100 forms of arthritis, with Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gout the most common conditions. There is no "too young to get arthritis" age; it affects children, adults, and seniors.

Africa

Jun

Root Beer Day (Stewart's): June 17

06:20 AM | -

Stewart’s Root Beer Day is when people can enjoy a bottle of Stewart’s Root Beer. Stewart’s Root Beer is an old-fashioned soda that originated in Mansfield, Ohio, and the company began producing soda in 1924. Root beer is a beverage of the Native Americans, created from the sassafras or sarsaparilla root. Charles Elmer Hires was the first to produce root beer commercially in 1876.

Africa

Jun

Special Olympics (DE): June 17-25

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The Special Olympics is an international sports organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of President John F. Kennedy, the organization aims to foster inclusion, acceptance, and empowerment for individuals with intellectual disabilities through the transformative power of sports. The Special Olympics offers opportunities for athletes to participate in a wide range of sports, including basketball, swimming, track and field, soccer, and many others. These sporting events allow athletes to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and camaraderie with their fellow competitors. There are local, regional, national, and international competitions, culminating in the Special Olympics World Games every two years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games. The Special Olympics significantly impacts the lives of its participants, offering them a platform to showcase their abilities and break down barriers related to disability. The organization has grown substantially since its inception, and today, it supports over 5 million athletes from more than 190 countries. In addition to sports competitions, the Special Olympics promotes acceptance and inclusion through various initiatives, such as Unified Sports, which brings together individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to compete on the same team. This program provides free health screenings and education to participants. Overall, the Special Olympics plays a crucial role in advocating for the rights and well-being of individuals with intellectual disabilities while providing meaningful opportunities to participate in sports and develop essential life skills.

Africa

Jun

The Great Willy Waddle (UK): June 17

06:20 AM | -

How do you get men to take male cancers seriously? You throw The Great Willy Waddle fundraiser! The primary two-kilometer run or walk in Edinburgh, with a brotherly event in London, is a favorite with groups and cancer survivors. Participants wear inflatable male membrane costumes (which participants get to keep). Then all the decked-out inflated willies waddle, jog, or walk the two-kilometer route through Holyrood Park in Edinburgh, Scotland (June), or Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London (May). Willies waddle for sponsorship dollars, with all funds going to support Orchid for research into male cancers and helping those with it. Open to participants aged 16 years or over.

Africa

Jun

Vegetables Day, Eat Your: June 17

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Eat Your Vegetables Day runs congruent with National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month. This event emphasizes the importance of vegetables as part of a healthy diet.

Africa

Jun

Watergate Break-in (1972): June 17

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Today is the anniversary of the beginning of the cover-up that brought down a President, the infamous Watergate scandal. The break-in occurred on June 17, 1972. The Watergate, the name of the condominiums and hotel where the event occurred, was a major political scandal in the United States in the early 1970s. It stemmed from a break-in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, DC, on June 17, 1972, and the subsequent cover-up efforts by the administration of President Richard Nixon. Members of the Committee orchestrated the break-in to Re-elect the President (CRP), also known as CREEP, who were trying to gather intelligence on the Democratic Party's campaign strategies. The burglars were caught, and the investigation revealed that they had connections to high-ranking officials in the Nixon administration. As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that the Nixon administration had engaged in various illegal activities, including wiretapping, sabotage, espionage, and using secret slush funds to finance political campaigns. The President's involvement in the cover-up of these activities led to a series of revelations, congressional hearings, and legal proceedings. The scandal eventually led to the resignation of several key administration officials, including White House Counsel John Dean, Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman, and Attorney General John Mitchell. The White House's role in the cover-up was revealed through a series of tape recordings made by President Nixon himself, which he was ordered to release by the Supreme Court in a unanimous decision in the case United States v. Nixon. Facing impeachment proceedings and the likelihood of being removed from office, Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, becoming the first and only U.S. president to do so. Nixon was succeeded by Vice President Gerald Ford, who later pardoned Nixon for any federal crimes he may have committed during his presidency, citing the need for national healing. The Watergate Scandal significantly impacted American politics and public trust in the government. It led to the implementation of numerous political reforms, including establishing the Federal Election Commission, campaign finance laws, and greater congressional oversight of the executive branch. The scandal also spawned the suffix "-gate" to describe political scandals and controversies.

Africa

Jun

Wine Week, English (UK): June 17-25 (est)

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English Wine Week seeks to raise awareness of English wine across the United Kingdom. Retailers, bars, restaurants, and vineyards participate in this event, introducing people to the best British wines. Promoted by UK Wine Producers Limited.

Africa

Jun

Alan Turing Week: June 18–23

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Alan Turing (1912-1954) was an English mathematician, logician, computer scientist, and cryptanalyst who made significant contributions to various fields, including theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence, and cryptography. He is often considered the father of computer science and artificial intelligence. Some of Turing's most notable contributions include: Turing Machine: In 1936, Turing introduced the concept of a theoretical computing machine, now known as the Turing Machine. It is a simple, abstract model of computation designed to simulate the logic of any computer algorithm. This groundbreaking idea laid the foundation for the theory of computation and modern computer science. The Universal Turing Machine: Turing also conceived the concept of a Universal Turing Machine, a machine capable of simulating any other Turing Machine. This idea is fundamental to developing the stored-program computer, with data in its memory and the ability to execute commands. The Turing Test: In 1950, Turing proposed a test, now known as the Turing Test, to determine if a machine can exhibit human-like intelligence. If the judge cannot reliably distinguish between the machine and a human, the machine is said to have passed the test, demonstrating human-like intelligence. Codebreaking: Turing broke the encrypted German messages during World War II. He worked at Bletchley Park, the British codebreaking center, where he helped develop the Bombe, a machine that significantly improved the efficiency of breaking the German Enigma cipher. His work shortened the war and saved countless lives. A homosexual, Turing was persecuted, and in 1952, he was convicted of "gross indecency" and subjected to chemical castration as an alternative to imprisonment. Turing died in 1954, aged 41, from cyanide poisoning, believed to be suicide. In 2013, Queen Elizabeth II posthumously granted Turing a royal pardon, acknowledging the profound injustice he had suffered. Today, Turing is remembered as a pioneer and a hero, with his work and legacy continuing to shape computer science and artificial intelligence.

Africa

Jun

Animal Rights Awareness Week, Ntl.: June 18-24

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Created in 1999 by In Defense of Animals, Animal Rights Awareness Week focuses on the basic needs and humane treatment of all wild or domesticated animals. Whether used for research, transport, food, or trade, animals deserve dignity and humanity. This week is about educating the public on instances where this is not happening and advocating an end.

Africa

Jun

Carpenter Ant Awareness Week: June 18-24

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Carpenter Ant Awareness Week began with Batzner Pest Control in 1992 to educate the public about this common pest at a time when they are most active. Carpenter ants excavate wood to build their nests, compromising a home's structural soundness. The only sure way to erase a carpenter's ant infestation is by eliminating their nests. Carpenter ants can be challenging to control once they have entered a home. The following preventative measures can help avoid an infestation: 1) Eliminate sources of moisture and standing water 2) If you store firewood at your home, keep it as far as possible from your home. 3) Identify and eliminate any water-damaged or damp wood to avoid attracting carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are the number one nuisance pest nationwide in the United States.

Africa

Jun

Craft Spirits Week, Ntl.: June 18-24

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Gin, whisky, and even rum made from locally sourced ingredients, Craft Spirit Week, celebrates the distilled adult beverages lovingly made in small batches.

Africa

Jun

Evacuation Day (EG) (1954): June 18

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On June 18, 1954, the British army formerly withdrew from the Suez Canal region of Egypt. Evacuation Day is a national holiday that celebrates that event.

Africa

Jun

Father's Day, Intl. (1910): June 18

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"Every day, fathers across our the world give everything they have to build a better future for their family, asking nothing in return but their children's love. Parenthood is the ultimate gift and an incredible responsibility," stated President Barak Obama in his 2011 Father's Day proclamation. Father's Day honors men's vital roles in their children's lives. Unlike Mother's Day, which occurs on different days throughout the world, Father's Day tends to be universal and observed on this day in a majority of countries. The first Father's Day was held on June 19, 1910, at the Spokane, Washington, YMCA. Sonora Smart Dodd hosted it to honor her father, a single father who raised her and her five siblings.

Africa