All - Leep Calendar

The Audubon Society and Cornell University Lab of Ornithology created the Great Backyard Bird Count in 1998, with Bird Studies Canada joining in 2009. In 2013 it became a global event, with people in all 220 nations and territories taking part and sending images (and counts) from their backyards. In 2022, Spain, India, the United States, and Canada have the most active participation. That's a direct challenge to the rest of you to make your country proud! The heatmap of locations is updated throughout the event. TEACHERS & PARENTS The Great Global Backyard Bird Count is an excellent activity for kids and teens. Think of it as a bird census and an opportunity to learn about local wildlife. By participating, you are helping identify species in danger by contributing count observations from your backyard. Learn more: https://www.birdcount.org

Africa

Feb

Global Tourism Resilience Day: February 17

06:20 AM | -

Resilient tourism plays a crucial role in the economic development of many countries, particularly in developing nations, small island developing states, Africa, and middle-income countries. It serves as a significant source of income, foreign currency, tax revenue, and employment. Sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, has the potential to contribute to all three dimensions of sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It can foster economic growth, alleviate poverty, create employment opportunities, promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, and support the sustainable use of oceans and marine resources. Sustainable tourism also has broader societal benefits, such as promoting local culture, improving quality of life, empowering women, young people, indigenous communities, and rural populations. It can contribute to rural development, enhance living conditions, and support small-holder farmers. By embracing sustainable and resilient tourism practices, countries can achieve sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development, financial inclusion, environmental protection, and poverty eradication. This includes the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources, as well as promoting investment and entrepreneurship in sustainable tourism. In recognition of the importance of resilient tourism, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 17 through resolution A/RES/77/269. This day highlights the need to foster resilient tourism development to address shocks and emergencies that affect the tourism sector. It calls for the development of national strategies for rehabilitation after disruptions, emphasizing public-private cooperation and diversification of activities and products. Overall, resilient tourism is essential for sustainable development, economic stability, and the protection of natural and cultural heritage. It encourages countries to invest in sustainable practices, cooperate in times of crisis, and adapt to changing circumstances to ensure a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector.

Africa

Feb

Human Spirit Day, World: February 17

06:20 AM | -

World Human Spirit Day encourages people worldwide to stop what they are doing and hold a moment of silence for two minutes beginning at 15:00 GMT-5 (3 PM EST). The idea is to raise global consciousness and share a joint solidarity event with millions worldwide.

Africa

Feb

Isra'a Wal Mi'raj (M)(621 AD): February 17/18

06:20 AM | -

According to Islam, Isra and Mi'raj are the two parts of the Night Journey, which the prophet Mohammad undertook during a single night in the year 621 AD. The Qu'ran states he traveled from Mecca to Jerusalem, then to heaven, and back to Mecca in one night. Marking this journey by Mohammad is one of the most important events in the Islamic Calendar. On Isra and Mi'raj, Muslims believe the prophet traveled from Mecca to the farthest mosque on earth, where he led other prophets (including Jesus Christ, Abraham, Moses, and others) in prayer. He then ascended into heaven to speak with God, where He revealed to Mohammed additional revelations, including the proper way to pray, when to pray and how often to pray—the ritual observant Muslims follow five times a day facing Mecca. The mosque he traveled to is marked today by Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, also known as the Dome of the Rock. Muslims believe it was from this point that the prophet Mohammed was lifted into heaven to speak with God. Islamic scholars argue whether this was a physical or spiritual journey. Whether his soul or person, it is believed he rode a stallion named Buraq to meet God. The prophet Mohammed died ten years later in 632 AD. PLEASE NOTE: Islamic holidays are determined in Mecca by the moon's position and can occur a day earlier or later than posted.

Africa

Feb

Mardi Gras (US-LA): February 17 - 21

06:20 AM | -

Mardi Gras is a celebration during the five days leading up to Lent. Technically, Mardi Gras is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The date range given covers the major festivities leading up to Lent. European celebrations originally centered on Kings' Day (Twelfth Night or Epiphany), which falls on January 6 each year and celebrates the three kings' arrival at Jesus' birthplace, thus ending the Christmas season. The festival known as Mardi Gras (Carnaval in Brazil and Italy) combines Christianity with pagan celebrations of the impending spring, dating back more than 5,000 years. Pope Gregory XIII made Mardi Gras a Christian holiday when in 1582, he added it to the Gregorian calendar (the 12-month one we still use today). He placed Mardi Gras on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. That way, all the debauchery, merry-making, lust, and silliness would be out of people's systems so they could focus on fasting and praying for the next 40 days. Today Mardi Gras is a five-day event, with the Tuesday prior referred to as Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras arrived in North America with the LeMoyne brothers, Iberville and Bienville, in the late 17th century. The brothers were sent by King Louis XIV (Versailles) to defend France's claim on the territory of Louisiana. The parade of krewes (groups of people who danced together as a unit) would come a little later. DAWN OF A LEGEND On Ash Wednesday of 1838, The Commercial Bulletin read: "The European custom of celebrating the last day of the carnival by a procession of masked figures through the streets was introduced here yesterday," declared the New Orleans newspaper. It is the city's first appearance of a Mardi Gras parade, though hardly the last. Allow me to diverge just a tad here. If you've ever been to the United States for any major celebration, you've probably noticed that booze, bawdiness, and some obnoxious behavior generally accompany any celebration—which leads us to the Mardi Gras that almost weren't. Due to rowdiness, excessive intoxication, and general disorderly conduct, the annual Mardi Gras celebration barely escaped cancelation in 1857. By the 20th century, the citywide-festival ran into other issues. In 1988 anti-discrimination laws required krewes to open their ranks to people of all colors and religions, or get off public streets. In response, three of the four oldest krewes, Comus (1857), Momus (1873), and Proteus (1882), took their floats and went home. Post Katrina (2005), Mardi Gras took on a whole new meaning as a reminder of the resiliency and spirit of New Orleans. Find out more about Mardi Gras fat: http://www.nola.com/mardigras/index.ssf/2009/01/the_history_of_carnival.html#incart_river 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

My Way Day, Ntl.: February 17

06:20 AM | -

My Way Day is a day to reflect on the meaning of a song Frank Sinatra made popular called "My Way." The song was recorded on December 30, 1968, and released on June 14, 1969. Though several decades old, the song continues to be a favorite of free spirits. It's about a man looking back at his life and feeling content with you he lived it. The lyrics were written by Paul Anka, and the composition comes from a 1967 French song composed by Claude François and Jacques Revaux entitled Comme d'habitude. Have a look at the song below. ________________ MY WAY And now the end is near And so I face the final curtain My friend I'll say it clear I'll state my case of which I'm certain I've lived a life that's full I traveled each and every highway And more, much more than this I did it my way Regrets I've had a few But then again too few to mention I did what I had to do And saw it through without exemption I planned each charted course Each careful step along the byway And more, much more than this I did it my way Yes there were times I'm sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew But through it all when there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all And I stood tall and did it my way I've loved, I've laughed and cried I've had my fill, my share of losing And now as tears subside I find it all so amusing To think I did all that And may I say not in a shy way Oh no, oh no, not me I did it my way For what is a man what has he got If not himself then he has not To say the things he truly feels And not the words of one who kneels The record shows I took the blows And did it my way Yes it was my way ###

Africa

Feb

No One Eats Alone Day: February 17

06:20 AM | -

No One Eats Alone® teaches everyone how to make friends at lunch, often the most challenging part of the school day. Created and organized by students, this is our most popular program where schools in all 50 United States participate! This event first ran in 2012.

Africa

Feb

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Founders Day, Ntl. (1897): February 17

06:20 AM | -

February 17, 1897, the Parent Teachers Association was founded under the National Congress of Mothers, chaired by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst. National PTA is a strong advocate for public education, bettering the lives of every child in education, health, and safety. The PTA continues to be the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the nation. It is responsible in whole or part for creating Kindergarten classes, child labor laws, public health services, hot and healthy lunch programs, the juvenile justice system, mandatory immunization, arts in education, and school safety programs.

Africa

Feb

Random Acts of Kindness Day: February 17

06:20 AM | -

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

06:20 AM | -

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

06:20 AM | -

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

06:20 AM | -

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

06:20 AM | -

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

06:20 AM | -

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