All - Leep Calendar

Preparation for Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter, traditionally involved removing from one’s kitchen of rich and dairy-based foods like milk, butter, and eggs. Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) and Pancake Week evolved from this tradition. Pancakes are made with butter, milk, eggs, and flour, so using the ingredients is better than throwing them out. Pancake Week occurs during the seven days leading up to the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, and runs concurrently with Carnaval and Mardi Gras. It is an entire week in the United States, and in the Commonwealth countries, it is the day before Ash Wednesday.

Africa

Feb

Singles Awareness Day: February 15

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In response to the massive push by retailers for us to buy all of their candy, flowers, and greeting cards on February 14 for Valentine's Day, February 15 is Singles Awareness Day! It is OKAY to be single! Singles Awareness Day aims to let singles have celebrations, get-togethers, etc., and exchange gifts with their single friends. The awareness day was established by single people who were just sick of feeling left out on Valentine's Day, and support for the day is growing yearly.

Africa

Feb

Teddy Bear Day, Intl. (1903): February 15

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On February 15, 1903, the first two Teddy Bears ever produced went on sale at 404 Tompkins Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. The bears were the invention of Morris Michtom's wife, Rose. Michtom petitioned President Theodore Roosevelt for permission to use his nickname, Teddy, as the bear's name. The president agreed The Michtoms, a Jewish family, immigrated to the United States in 1887 to escape religious persecution in Russia. The inspiration for the toy came from a 1902 political cartoon in the Washington Post featuring then-President Theodore Roosevelt demonstrating compassion for a bear cub he was hunting. The toy was so successful that the Michtom's soon incorporated, and the Ideal Toy & Novelty Company was born. Today, most children in the United States grow up with at least one teddy bear, one of the most popular toys ever produced.

Africa

Feb

Almond Day, Ntl.: February 16

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National Almond Day is a day for education and learning about almonds. Raw almonds are considered a superfood. High in protein and essential oils, a small handful will curb hunger for hours. There are more than 30 varieties—with ten comprising the majority of almonds produced in California. Thirty percent of almonds grown in the United States are sold domestically, with 70% internationally. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is one of several AIDS awareness days throughout the year, targeting a specific demographic with information designed to address their needs and concerns.

Africa

Feb

Anthropology Day, World: February 16

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World Anthropology Day explores the 250,000-year history of the movement of people worldwide through migration, immigration, and emigration. Anthropology is the study of what makes people human, including exploring various aspects of the human experience, like how we live (archaeology), genetics (biological anthropology), our cultures (cultural anthropology), and methods of communication (linguistic anthropology). Each field tells the story of our history on this planet, how we grow, what moves us, and, ultimately, where we shall go.

Africa

Feb

Berlin International Film Festival (DE): February 16-26

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Initiated in 1951 and drawing over 300,000 people annually, the Berlin International Film Festival includes competitions between documentaries, children’s films, and general entertainment. Awards include Gold and Silver Bears awarded for best in each category.

Africa

Feb

Carnaval de Ponce (US-PR): February 16-21

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The island territory of Puerto Rico hosts one of the largest and best Carnaval celebrations in the northern hemisphere. The annual party of parades, costumes, merrymaking, and food was first held in 1858. It's everything a reveler could want, situated sweetly on a tropical island. Annually the week leading up to Lent. 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

Do a Grouch a Favor Day: February 16

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Do a Grouch a Favor Day is an unofficial holiday that seeks to make that curmudgeon smile a bit, whether your grouch is a spouse, coworker, or boss. Think you can do it? What creative ways can you come up with to make a grouch smile? Try doing him or her a favor and see what happens!

Africa

Feb

Independence Day (LI)(1918): February 16

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The Baltic nation of Lithuania has seen its independence come and go over the years. It first declared independence on February 16, 1918, only to be swallowed by the Soviet Union in 1940 as part of a land swap deal between Stalin and Hitler. But the Lithuanian people are hearty, and when the opportunity presented itself again on March 11, 1990, this little country became the first to declare independence from the Soviet Union. It would take another year and a half before Moscow finally let them go. Never dissuaded, on August 19, 1991, the Lithuanian people at long last had their independence recognized. Independence Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Feb

Kyoto Protocol Day (2005): February 16

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The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Created on December 11, 1997, it commits its parties to reduce energy waste and pollution by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets. Today is the anniversary of the day it went into force on February 16, 2005.

Africa

Feb

Vijaya Ekadashi (H): February 16

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Known as "The Great Fast" in the Hindu faith, Vijaya Ekadashi occurs over two days. Devotees fast to seek blessings of love and affection from Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is the Hindu faith's supreme god of truth and peace. There are four primary sects of Hinduism: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. 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

Cabbage Day, Ntl.: February 17

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Cabbage originated in Asia and has been part of many diets worldwide since the Celts trekked it back with them on a trading mission around 600 BC. It is one of the few crops that stores well, can grow in cold climates, and comes in various types, from purple cabbage and Brussels sprouts to ordinary green cabbage. It is also a high-yield plant that can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled (sauerkraut). It is a national food of Russia and a staple of Asian and Irish diets. National Cabbage Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

Africa

Feb

Caregivers Day, Ntl: February 17

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Recognizing outstanding caregivers throughout the nation, National Caregivers Day focuses on the necessary home and institutional services these dedicated men and women make. Whether caring for the ill, elderly or handicapped, caregivers provide more than care, enhancing the quality of life. This event first ran in 2015.

Africa

Feb

Carnaval (BR): February 17-21

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This is one for the Bucket List. Everyone in the world should experience Brazil's Carnaval (Yes, it is spelled with an 'a', not an 'i') at least once in their lifetime. Carnaval is about living large and getting all your partying out of your system in preparation for Lent, which is the 40-day-long fasting and reflection period in Christianity leading up to Easter. ____________ A personal note from Laura: Carnaval is six days and five nights of dancing, drinking, eating, and celebrating. It is the largest party in the world, with Rio de Janeiro at its center. In Rio, samba schools of scantily clad women and men in very ornate costumes compete. Especially for the poor, this is the one time of the year they get to shine, and many will spend the entire year (and most of their savings) creating the perfect Carnaval costume. I remember sitting with my brother at home, watching the schools (parade groups) pass by on television. He was waiting for the inevitable wardrobe malfunctions with the women. There were quite a few live broadcasts. Let's say Carnaval is a teenage boy's dream. In towns and cities away from Rio, local clubs (for the wealthy. I attended Carnaval at the Marília Tennis Club in the state of Sāo Paulo) or neighborhood streets host Carnaval dances. Everyone sleeps during the day and dances through the night, and Carnaval ends at sunrise on Ash Wednesday. When I attended, I was sixteen, and it was magical. I had a new costume every night, and it was one of the few times you had us kids mixed in with the adults for a full-on party. I recall the last night having to sit and watch. My feet were covered in blisters from dancing so much over the first four nights! ______________ In the United States, Carnaval is celebrated in New Orleans as Mardi Gras. Venice, Italy, is also renowned for its celebration. However, there is nothing else on earth like Carnaval in Brazil. 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

Date Festival, Ntl. (US-CA): February 17-26

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A celebration of Arabia and Arabic culture, the National Date Festival at the Riverside County Fairgrounds features Arabic-themed music, ostrich races, camel rides, exhibits, shopping, and of course, lots of dates. Dates are the hospitality food of the Arabic world. Annually in February.

Africa