All - Leep Calendar

Random Acts of Kindness Day occurs during Random Acts of Kindness Week. Dr. Chuck Wall, a professor at Bakersfield College, recalled hearing about "random, senseless acts of violence" on the news in 1993 and was inspired to assign his students the task of committing "one random act of senseless kindness" as homework. He has since copyrighted the phrase. The grass-roots movement encourages people to spontaneously do something nice for someone else without expecting anything in return, which built up steam during the 90s. In 2004, Oprah Winfrey devoted an entire episode to the concept. People around the globe have embraced the concept. Websites have been developed to encourage and record these acts, movies like "Pay It Forward" and "Amelie" use the concept as their premise, and schools have monthly Random Acts of Kindness Awards for students who commit them.

Africa

Feb

Shabbat Shekalim (J): February 17/18

06:20 AM | -

Shabbat Shekalim, or the Sabbath (Saturday) of Shekels, is a Jewish calendar event that occurs prior to Purim. On Shabbat Shekalim, adult males of the Jewish faith read Exodus 30:11-16 and contribute 1/2 of a biblical shekel (seven grams) toward maintaining the Tent of the Meeting. Shabbat Shekalim always begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. In leap years, the Hebrew calendar has two months of Adar. In these years, Shabbat Shekalim is on the Shabbat before the 1st of Adar II. The Jewish Shabbat begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday.

Africa

Feb

Who Shall I Be? Day: February 17

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Who Shall I Be? Day encourages you to decide and determine who you are and how the world will see you, not what others think you should be.

Africa

Feb

Asperger's Day, Intl. (1906): February 18

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International Asperger's Day aims to highlight the significance of Asperger syndrome for society and individuals and also illustrates one of the many challenges to the newcomer trying to understand the autism spectrum. The day marks the anniversary of the birthday of Hans Asperger on February 18, 1906.

Africa

Feb

Battery Day (1745): February 18

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Today marks the birthday of the creator of the invention that would become the first necessity of the future communications age: the battery. On February 18, 1745, Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta was born in Como, Lombardy, Italy. Volta's contribution to life, the humble battery, impacts everything from cars to iPads. The Italian physicist developed the voltaic pile, the predecessor of the electric battery. In his honor, the measurement of this unit, 'volt' and 'voltage,' carry his name.

Africa

Feb

Bread, Real Bread Week: February 18-26

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A vital component of the Real Bread Campaign, Real Bread Week began in 2009. The international awareness campaign celebrates authentic bread and the people who make it. The campaign encourages bakeries and baking schools worldwide to organize and hold classes, feasts, and related activities celebrating this staple of worldwide diets.

Africa

Feb

Carnival of Binche (BE): February 18-21

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Carnival of Binche falls on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday in Binche, Belgium. Hailed by UNESCO as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity," dancing, food, and music are all part of the festivities. The highlight of the festivities is the Gilles. The Gilles are male performers dressed as clowns in wax masks, wooden shoes, and colorful costumes. In the afternoon, they change costumes donning large hats with ostrich feathers, and distribute oranges to the crowds; oranges are considered good luck. 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 only 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

Feb

Crab Stuffed Flounder Day: February 18

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Simple yet elegant crab stuffed flounder is often available at finer dining establishments. If you enjoy stuffed chicken breasts, pork chops, or other main dishes combining flavors and textures, Crab Stuffed Flounder Day is your opportunity to try a new flavor and fall in love with your new favorite.

Africa

Feb

Democracy Day, Ntl. (NP)(1952): February 18

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Nestled between India and China, the mountain nation of Nepal ratified its constitution on February 18, 1952. National Democracy Day celebrates that anniversary. Democracy Day, also known as Prajatantra Diwas, is celebrated annually on February 19th (Falgun 7th in the Nepali calendar). This public holiday commemorates the end of the autocratic Rana regime and the establishment of democracy in Nepal on February 19, 1951. The Rana dynasty ruled Nepal for over a century. The hereditary Prime Ministers from the Rana family exercised de facto control over the country while the King remained a figurehead. Democracy Day is when King Tribhuvan, who had been in exile in India, returned to Nepal and overthrew the Rana regime with the help of political parties and the people's support. Democracy Day is observed with various activities and events throughout the country. Celebrations include flag-raising ceremonies, parades, cultural performances, and speeches by political leaders. The day serves as an opportunity for Nepalis to express their national pride and unity and to honor the struggle and sacrifices made for democracy in their country.

Africa

Feb

Fiesta de los Vaqueros and Tucson Rodeo (US-AZ): February 18-26

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The first La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros (Celebration of the Cowboys) originated in 1925. Today, the event has grown to a nine-day celebration centered on the Tucson Rodeo, one of North America's top 25 professional rodeos. The Tucson Rodeo Parade is the world's longest non-motorized parade, a two-hour spectacle featuring western-themed floats and buggies, historic horse-drawn coaches, festive Mexican folk dancers, marching bands, and costumed riders. An estimated 200,000 spectators view the parade each year. Rodeo events include bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, and women's barrel racing. Also featured each day are kids' events: RAM Mutton Bustin', when four-to-six-year-olds test their riding skills on sheep, and the Justin Junior Rodeo for young cowpokes ages seven to twelve. Annually in February.

Africa

Feb

Future Farmers of America (FFA) Week, Ntl.: February 18-25

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Future Farmers of America Week is an opportunity for FFA members, alumni, and sponsors to advocate for agricultural education and careers in Agriculture. Over 600,000 Junior High and High School children are involved through over 7,500 chapters. Activities include hosted teacher appreciation breakfasts and “Ag Olympics” competitions. The week seeks to ignite a passion for agriculture with the next generation of farmers and ranchers.

Africa

Feb

Kindness, National Day of (CA)(1920): February 18

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National Day of Kindness is for our members and clubs to celebrate our founding (February 20, 1920) and commitment to serving the community's greatest need. Every community needs kindness and people performing selfless acts; our clubs can spearhead this in their communities each year. In 2017, 162 clubs participated and handed out Kindness cards and stickers during their acts of kindness, encouraging others to #PassItOn. Members kindly packed groceries for customers, gave away free coffee and snacks, made donations within their communities, and spread cheer to everyone they met.

Africa

Feb

Maha Shivaratri (H): February 18

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Maha Shivratri is a Hindu observance related to Lord Shiva celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi during the month of Magha. Maha Shivratri marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Devotees worship Lord Shiva and offer the god bel leaves (bel Patra), Dhatura, Bhang, milk, and water with flowers. Devotees observe all-day fasting, and devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya," the sacred mantra of Shiva. PLEASE NOTE: We use the Indian civil calendar, the official holiday calendar in India. The Hindu faith has many calendars, each specific to different regions and tribes, with dates and celebrations marked by differing positions of the sun, moon, and stars. Names of months and holidays and the corresponding dates in the Gregorian Calendar may vary widely from one calendar to the next. Determine the proper calendar before attending local events.

Africa

Feb

National Day (GM)(1965): February 18

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On February 18, 1965, the West African nation of Gambia gained its independence from Great Britain, continuing as part of the Commonwealth. National Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Feb

Pangolin Day, World: February 18

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World Pangolin Day raises awareness about the importance and plight of the pangolins. One aspect making pangolins unique is their scales, as no other mammal has them. Quiet and diligent, pangolins range from the size of a house cat to a medium-weight dog. The eight pangolin species live in Asia and Africa and are becoming endangered due to their status as the world's most trafficked animal. These gentle and shy mammals are highly sought after in Asia for their scales and tender meat, which is expensive and considered a status symbol when eaten. Like many rare animal parts, though nothing more than keratin (the material comprising fingernails), their scales are sought for several thoroughly debunked "natural" medicines; essentially, they're killed for superstition as fingernail clippings provide the same ingredient. Not a single medical application using pangolin parts, ranging from alieving arthritis to menstrual cramps, has been scientifically proven effective. Pangolin scales are sought as good luck charms for wealth attraction and to protect from evil spirits—a use also scientifically debunked. What about the ever-present quest for male virility for which many animals, from tigers to gorillas, are sacrificed on the altar of the masculine potency myth? Men in some Asian cultures believe eating a stewed pangolin fetus enhances their sexual efficacy and vigor. It doesn't. Pangolins reproduce just one offspring a year; each fetus destroys two—the mother whose belly is sliced open and the baby inside. Pangolins, when threatened, curl up into a ball. Their scales protect them from natural predators, but their position and their passivity make them very easy to handle, abuse, and cage by humans. Though they look like an anteater, they are closely related to wolves and bears. Pangolins support the ecosystem by reducing insect populations, and their preferred food is termites. That alone is a great reason to keep pangolins around.

Africa