All - Leep Calendar

Pluto was discovered on February 18, 1930. Percival Lowell inspired the search for it, a man ridiculed for his belief in Martians. The discovery is explained by astronomer and author Ken Croswell in an interview with EarthSky. ____________ “In 1929, Lowell Observatory hired a young man Kansan, Clyde Tombaugh. And he implemented a search for Pluto. Tombaugh was using a telescope that took photographic plates of the sky. During the day, he would examine those photographic plates for a moving object. The word ‘planet’ actually means ‘wanderer,’ something that moves night-to-night in the way that stars don’t. On February 18, 1930, a little after 4 p.m. Mountain Time, he saw Pluto for the very first time. And his first words to himself were, ‘That’s it!’ The discovery of Pluto was inspired by Percival Lowell and is a testimony to the hard work that Clyde Tombaugh put into searching millions of stars to find this tiny, faint object in space.” ______________ Excerpt from How was Pluto discovered? by EarthSky Magazine. Edited for clarity. Read the full article at: http://earthsky.org/space/how-was-Pluto-discovered.

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Feb

Whale Day, World: February 18

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The recovery of the North Pacific humpback whale population from the dark days of the 1960s, when the population dwindled to fewer than 1,600 animals. Today, the population is estimated to include 22,000 animals or more, which is one of our time's great conservation success stories," says Toula Vivilakis, Event Coordinator at Pacific Whale Foundation. "Maui is the principal mating and calving area of North Pacific humpback whales in the United States, and it is the place of new beginnings for the next generation of whales. The Maui Whale Festival raises awareness about these cherished marine mammals through fun and educational events. It inspires the public to care for the vital and unique whale habitat encompassed by the four islands of Maui County. Pacific Whale Foundation is the principal sponsor and host of the Maui Whale Festival. The nonprofit organization, based in Maui for 32 years, has grown the festival in size and scope. "It all started with a simple one-day celebration in the park with people coming together to share music and food in honor of the whales," says Vivilakis. "Now it has grown to include more than 30 events and special cruises." This event began in 1980.

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Feb

Wine, Drink Wine Day: February 18

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There is no official origin for this particular holiday, and it has grown out of custom and fun. However, it does provide an opportunity to enjoy one of the world’s favorite (and oldest) beverages. Take a chance to try a new variety of wine you’ve never tried. Even if you were to drink a glass of wine daily over a lifetime, you could only taste all varieties. As of 2010, more than 75,000 variations within 200 primary categories.

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Feb

British Academy Film & Television Awards (BAFTA)(UK): February 19

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The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards are the United Kingdom's equivalent to the Academy Awards in the United States. This event began in 1949. The BAFTA Awards air annually on British television and cable in the United States in February or early March. Check local listings for details. 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.

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Feb

Cheesefare (Forgiveness) Sunday (C): February 19

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Cheesefare Sunday in the Orthodox Christian Church is the last Sunday before the season of Lent. It is the last day one can eat cheese or fish prior to the upcoming 40 days of fasting, and it is traditionally a day to grant forgiveness to friends and family.

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Feb

Chocolate Mint Day, Ntl.: February 19

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Raise your hand if you’re addicted to mint chocolate M&M’s, you know, the ones that come out at Christmas. We are! There are fewer more delightful combinations of flavor than chocolate and mint, whether drunk, eaten, or smelled. This holiday has no specific origin, but the celebration is relatively easy. Simply pick up your favorite mint chocolate candy and enjoy!

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Feb

Daylight Savings (BR), Ends: February 19

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Daylight Savings in Brazil’s southern states commences on the third Sunday in October (spring forward) and ends on the third Sunday in February (fall back). The saying, “spring forward, fall back,” is an excellent way to remember, and it works in the northern and southern hemispheres as the seasons reverse. On this day, Brazilians move the clock one hour ahead at 2 AM in October, or one hour back in February at 2 AM on Sunday. American Benjamin Franklin was the first to propose daylight savings time (DST) in 1784, and modern DST commenced in 1895. Throughout history, several variations of daylight savings ranged from 30 minutes to two hours. Only some nations observe DST, which can make setting appointments very challenging. The primary purpose of DST is to make better use of daylight hours for farming, early morning activities (such as children walking to school in daylight rather than darkness), and saving energy. The closer one lives to the north and south poles, the longer the period of daylight in the summer months. _______________________ DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ABOVE THE EQUATOR United Kingdom, Albania, Adorra, Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Holy See, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Kosovo, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Western Sahara—Last Sunday of March (spring forward) and the last Sunday of October (fall back). United States, Bahamas, Canada, Cuba, Saint Pierre & Miquelon—Second Sunday of March; first Sunday of November Iran—Begins March 21/22; Ends September 20/21 Israel & Palestine—Friday before the last Sunday, March; last Sunday, October Jordan, Syria— Last Friday, March; last Friday, October Mexico—First Sunday, April; last Sunday, October _______________________ DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BELOW THE EQUATOR Australia—First Sunday of October (spring forward ); first Sunday in April (fall back). Brazil—Third Sunday in October; third Sunday in February. Chile—Second Sunday in August; second Sunday in May. Fiji & Tonga—First Sunday of November; third Sunday of January. Namibia—First Sunday of September; first Sunday of April. New Zealand—Last Sunday of September; first Sunday of April. Paraguay—First Sunday of October; fourth Sunday of March. Samoa—Last Sunday of September; first Sunday of April.

Africa

Feb

Daytona 500: February 19

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Today is the annual running of the 500-mile race known as the Daytona 500, the most prestigious NASCAR auto race. NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is a race of stock cars, that is, ordinary vehicles modified for racing (including the elimination of extras, the addition of rollbars, and other safety or weigh reducing modifications. The Daytona 500 began in 1959, with the first race won by Lee Petty, who was driving an Oldsmobile at an average speed of 135.521 MPH (218.0999 km/h). The fastest-ever car in the Daytona 500 was Bill Elliot, driving a Ford in 1987. He won the race averaging 176.263 MPH (283.6687 km/h)! Seven men died racing in the Daytona 500, including the legendary Dale Earnhardt, on February 18, 2001. NASCAR racing is second in popularity to American football in the United States.

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Feb

Fasching Sunday (DE/AT): February 19

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Part of the Lutheran and Catholic traditions heading into the 40 days of penance and fasting before Easter, Fasching Sunday is the final Sunday service. It is called Tulip Sunday and is Carnaval, German style.

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Feb

Freedom to Read Week (CA): February 19-25

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Freedom to Read Week is an initiative of Canada’s Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee—a group committed to promoting intellectual freedom in Canada. Since 1978, the Freedom of Expression Committee has worked with educators, librarians, publishers, writers, booksellers, advocacy groups, and the community to provide information that addresses censorship and book and magazine challenges in Canada. This event has been gaining popularity each year, and people are encouraged to read more of everything, educate themselves and report if they suspect censorship.

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Feb

Grain Bin Safety Week, Ntl: February 19-25

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This is one of those events that if you live in a city, the dangers inherent probably never occurred to you. You may be aware of this danger if you work on a farm or in an industry with sand, sawdust, or other granular mediums. Nationwide Insurance created Grain Bin Safety Awareness Week in 2014 to highlight the dangers to farmers entering grain bins when machinery is active. Several dozen farm workers die yearly or are injured when caught in the quicksand of grain bins, which can cover a person in seconds. This awareness campaign supports the training of first responders and the supply of rescue tubes to departments. Grain Bin Safety Awareness Week is one of two events focusing on bin safety. Stand Up for Grain Safety Week is the second, in late March.

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Feb

Internment Day (1942): February 19

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American history isn’t always flattering. Whether slavery, genocide against Native Americans, civil rights abuses, and even the insurrection of the capital in 2021 by people seeking to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power, few events are more contra-American and shameful than the events of February 19, 1942. President Franklin D Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 on this day, ordering the internment of Japanese Americans in concentration camps on US soil. Of the over 110,000 Japanese Americans held during WWII, two-thirds were American citizens, and their only crime was being of Japanese ancestry. In addition to losing their freedom, they lost their homes, businesses, and communities and wouldn’t be released until January 2, 1945. Internment Day marks this wretched anniversary.

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Feb

Justice for Animals Week, Ntl.: February 19-25

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National Justice For Animals Week was founded in 2008 by the Animal Legal Defense Fund. It typically occurs in mid-February. The week draws attention to animal cruelty and encourages reporting such to the proper authorities, as well as to honor the memories of those animals who didn’t survive. The Animal Legal Defense Fund website includes several tools participants can use to get involved.

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Feb

Lash Day, Ntl.: February 19

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First held in 2015, National Lash Day is a promotion sponsored by lash extension retailer House of Lashes.

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Feb

Meatfare Sunday (C): February 19

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Meatfare Sunday is the final day leading up to Lent, when Orthodox Christians can eat meat. From this point until Easter, fish may be eaten, but beef, pork, lamb, and poultry cannot.

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