All - Leep Calendar

Created in 2009, Argyle Day attempts to brighten up the winter by encouraging everyone to wear something argyle on this day. Argyle is the pattern of the Campbell Clan, which originated in Argyll, western Scotland, beginning in the 17th Century. It was a sign of rebellion in cloth promoting anti-establishment attitudes toward The Crown. Today it is often associated with the Windsor family or preppies, but argyle is the Campbell clan and Scottish rebel through and through. The pattern is diamonds upon diamonds and may be displayed in multiple color combinations.

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Jan

Army Day, (LS)(1986): January 20

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Army Day in Lesotho marks the anniversary of January 20, 1986, when the army overthrew Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan and his government. Army Day is a public holiday.

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Jan

Army Day, (UZ)(1992): January 14

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Army Day, or Day of the Defenders in Uzbekistan, marks the anniversary of January 14, 1992, when the Armed Forces were established in the nation. Army Day is a national holiday.

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Jan

Art Deco Weekend, Miami (US-FL): January 13-15

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Miami is known for its art deco-style architecture, and each January, Miami hosts Art Deco Weekend, a festival of architecture, art, and all things Miami. This free community cultural festival supports the Miami Design Preservation League's commitment to preserving, promoting, and protecting Miami and its heritage through historical preservation and educational initiatives.

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Jan

Asarah B'Tevet (J): January 3

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The tenth day of the Jewish month of Tevet is a fasting day to commemorate the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem in the sixth century BCE. In Israel, it is a public holiday honoring the dead whose date of death is unknown.

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Jan

Ati-Atihan Festival (PH): January 16 - 21

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With music, dance, street parades, and more color than your eyes can count, the Philippines' annual Ati-Atihan Festival is a delight. Celebrating the peace pact between the indigenous Ati of Panay and the Malay people and infant Jesus (added later by missionaries), this five-day event in Kalibo remains one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. Header Image: Herbert Kikoy, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

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Jan

Australia Day Holiday (AU): January 26

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As the anniversary falls on the weekend, today is the workday holiday. Australia Day is a national holiday marking the official proclamation by the British government on January 26, 1788, of sovereignty over the Australian continent. On this day in history, the British ships docked at Port Jackson in New South Wales and hoisted the British flag at Sydney Cove. This day can also be called Anniversary Day, Foundation Day, or ANA Day.

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Jan

Australian Open (AU-VIC): January 26 - 29

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First played in 1905, Melbourne's Australian Open is one of the big four tennis tournaments each year: French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. The tournament occurs during the last two weeks of January and sometimes bleeds into early February. 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

Jan

Autoville (SA): January 7-13

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Autoville is the Saudi International Motor Festival, and it occurs on or around the time of the Dakar Rally in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This event premiered in 2022 as a seven-day festival. Like most events in Kingdom, it is family-friendly with virtual events, music, driving and drifting lessons, typical car show fare, and exhibitors. COVID-19 dampened some of the events, but the first year went well. The Kingdom embraces a significant car culture capital, with thousands of square kilometers of highway, a population mainly under 30 years old, and a daredevil panache that would make the warriors of old proud. They are as fearless in their cars as their ancestors were on horseback. I've been in traffic on King Fahd Road and watched two cars drift, literally horizontal drift, past us into the intersection right before afternoon prayers. That is a mild example of what you can find! Autoville is one of a host of new events in the Kingdom. As the nation emerges under the youthful leadership of His Royal Highness, The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, it has expanded its global footprint in arts, culture, tourism, education, and even music and fashion. 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 unknown until 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

Jan

AVN Awards (US-NV): January 7

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The AVN Awards are the annual adult entertainment awards. It recognizes and celebrates business excellence and outstanding performance by professionals, companies, and actors within the adult entertainment industry. 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 unknown until 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

Jan

Babinden (RU/BG): January 23

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Babinden is a traditional Bulgarian observance celebrated in Russia and known as the Day of the Midwives. At dawn, women, and children under three rise and head to the local well, where they draw water and infuse it with basil or geranium. Drinking the infusion, they make their way to the midwife's house, where she is bathed by the mothers and presented with a bouquet of geraniums tied in red and white ribbon. The ribbons symbolize a healthy child with rosy cheeks. The midwife removes the ribbons to secure a silver coin. Each coined ribbon then embellishes each child born with the midwife's help, along with a gift of new socks and shirts. Next, another pitcher of water is drawn, infused with basil or geraniums, and taken to the local church, where it is blessed. Mothers will use the blessed water a little bit each day to bathe for the next forty. At noon, the party returns to the midwife's house, where the mothers and their female relatives prepare a feast exclusively for women. Upon its conclusion, the town's men join the festivities, usually dressed as oxen and pulling a cart. Their job is to parade the midwife through the village. Should the men encounter any women, a fee to pass is paid. Babinden's elaborate customs celebrate motherhood and the essential services of midwifery. It's a celebration of life and an assurance that the midwife blesses each child during its first three years to ensure a long, healthy life.

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Jan

Baby Making Day (UK) Ntl.: January 2

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What is the most popular birthday in the United Kingdom? September 26. What does that mean? More Brits make babies 38 weeks earlier on January 2 (between 10 PM and 11:00 PM GMT, with 10:36 PM being the most romantic minute of the year). So warm up the sheets, get out the lingerie and oils and get ready to do your patriot duty, United Kingdom. Celebrate Baby Making Day the best way you can, canoodling for the future!

Africa

Jan

Backward Day: January 31

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Backward Day is an organic celebration with no sponsor, celebrated worldwide. The basic concept of today? Do everything in reverse. Eat dessert first. Call people by their last names. Read a book back to front. Back into your parking space. See how many palindromes you can identify (words spelled the same forward and back). You get the idea! Historically there is something called "Backwards Day," but there is no specific reason for designating January 31 to observe it. The original Backwards Day occurred in the Julian Calendar (45BC-1582), the predecessor of the modern Gregorian calendar. Day one of the Gregorian calendar is October 15, 1582 (though it would be the mid-1700s before it became the standard in Europe and the rest of the world). Because the Sun's rotation around the earth is just shy of 365 days, the way the Roman's dealt with this was to shift the calendar backward one day every 128 years. With the rise of Christianity, this became a problem. The vernal equinox determines Easter, and over centuries, the Julian calendar caused the vernal equinox to move backward by ten days. With its leap year every four years, the Gregorian calendar solved this problem. The Gregorian calendar also assured that the vernal equinox would always fall at the same time every year.

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Jan

Bagel Day, Ntl.: January 15

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Initiated in 2014, National Bagel Day celebrates the doughnut-shaped circular bread that has become a breakfast and lunch favorite in America. The bagel originated in Krakow, Poland, in 1610.

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Jan

Bald Eagle Appreciation Days (US-IA): January 21-22

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During the late fall and winter months, bald eagles flock to Iowa, a warmer home than their summer residences in Alaska and Canada. In Alaska and Canada, the rivers freeze over, so over 1,400 bald eagles follow the river south and spend the coldest months of the year along the Mississippi River between Saint Paul and Saint Louis. The highest percentage live in the area of Keokuk. Each year US Army Corps of Engineers, Non-game Wildlife programs within the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Department of Conservation, Lee County Conservation Board, Keosippi Mall, and The Keokuk Area Convention and Tourism Bureau host Bald Eagle Appreciation Days, the third weekend of January. Thousands of people flock to Keokuk to view firsthand the national symbol of the United States of America in its natural surroundings. Bald Eagle Appreciation Days feature many free indoor and outdoor programs, including: • Hourly seminars featuring live Bald Eagles • Lectures • Exhibits • Films • Special events • Manned observation areas along the Mississippi Riverfront • Spotting scopes available • Conservation officials and biologists on hand for questions Tips for finding and viewing eagles: The best time to view eagles is in the early morning when they feed. Eagles can be seen soaring and diving for fish; the colder, the better. When eagles are not feeding, observe them sitting in large, mature trees closer to the river or on river ice near openings. Be sure to bring strong binoculars!

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