All - Leep Calendar

Ratcatcher's Day commemorates the disappearance of 130 children on July 22, 1376, in Hamelin, Germany, and has ties to the story of the Pied Piper through a poem. The Pied Piper of Hamelin (Rattenfänger von Hameln in German) was said to live during the 13th & 14th centuries; bubonic plague (The Black Death) haunted Europe, and its source was rats. As a ratcatcher in Hamelin, his services would have been in great demand. The word "pied" means multi-colored clothing, and this particular ratcatcher is said to have lured rats from their hiding places with music from his pipe, a simple wind instrument that looks like a flute. Of course, if people refused to pay him, he used the music from his magical flute to lure the town's children away. Lore stated that 130 children disappeared in 1284 AD. Or did they? In a poem by Robert Browning, the date of the children disappearing is July 22, 1376, 92 years later. Ratcatcher's Day marks the poem's date, and Pied Piper Day marks the Hamelin date of 1284. Both are on the calendar. The city of Hamelin is visited by thousands of people a day during the summer months, with the Pied Piper being the reason. In 2013 the city officially requested UNESCO recognize the city and its Pied Piper as intangible cultural heritage. The Pied Piper legend endures in one form or another in the writings of Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, the Brothers Grimm, Robert Browning, Terry Pratchett, and others. And if the painting in the header image looks familiar, and you've been to New York City's St. Regis Hotel, you are right. Parrish also painted Old King Cole.

Africa

Jul

Refreshment Day, Ntl.: July 28

06:20 AM | -

Created by former craft beer brewer Traveler Beer Company, National Refreshment Day is a day to sit back, relax and enjoy your favorite beverage, with alcohol or not. Today, retailers, restaurants, and bars throughout the United States acknowledge it with drink specials and other festivities.

Africa

Jul

Renaissance Day, (OM) (1970): July 23

06:20 AM | -

Renaissance Day is a public holiday in Oman, similar to the 4th of July in the United States. It marks the anniversary of Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said's ascendency to the throne on July 23, 1970. Qaboos staged a successful coup and exiled his father Said to the United Kingdom. He then united the regions of Muscat and Oman into a single state officially known as the Sultanate of Oman. The reforms he instituted brought the nation into the 20th Century, whereas previously, it had been considered Third World. The Al Bu Sa'idi Dynasty took over power of Oman in 1749. Since the beginning of Qaboos' reign, Oman has remained one of the Middle East's most peaceful, tolerant, and stable nations. Renaissance Day is celebrated each year in Oman.

Africa

Jul

Republic Day (GH)(1960): July 1

06:20 AM | -

Republic Day in Ghana marks the anniversary of July 1, 1960, the official inauguration of the republic. Republic Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Jul

Republic Day, (MW)(1964): July 6

06:20 AM | -

Republic Day in Malawi, formerly Nyasaland, marks the anniversary of July 6, 1964, the official separation from the nation of Great Britain. Republic Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Jul

Republic Day, (TN)(1957): July 25

06:20 AM | -

Republic Day in Tunisia marks the anniversary of July 25, 1957, the official declaration of the republic. Republic Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Jul

Resolution Renewal Day: July 1

06:20 AM | -

We're halfway through the year; how are you doing on your New Year's resolutions? Today, take stock and make adjustments if necessary.

Africa

Jul

Restless Leg Syndrome Education & Awareness Week: July 18-25

06:20 AM | -

Restless Leg Syndrome Education & Awareness Week raises awareness of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), or the gnawing feeling in the legs when a person is about to sleep. The sensations include burning, creepy-crawling, and tingling, leading to insomnia and uneasiness in the nighttime. While 3-5% of the general population is affected by this condition, women and adults over 65 are the most impacted, at 10-28%. This condition is associated with a lack of iron and folate. The primary objective of this campaign is to improve the nation’s knowledge about the signs, symptoms, complications, diagnosis, and treatment options of RLS.

Africa

Jul

Revolution Day, (EG)(1952): July 23

06:20 AM | -

Revolution Day in Egypt marks the July 23, 1952, anniversary of the overthrow of Egypt's monarch. Nasser, a general, would become its first president, and Revolution Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Jul

Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month, Ntl.: July

06:20 AM | -

July through October are the most dangerous months for traffic fatalities. National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month seeks to reduce deaths and injuries due to accidents and among pedestrians, who are far likelier to be fatally struck by vehicles at night, and accidents overall. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that three of the four deadliest holiday weekends occur during summer: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day Weekends. Alcohol-impaired driving is a factor in 29% of fatal crashes; the percentage rises significantly on holiday weekends.

Africa

Jul

Robin Hood Festival, Sherwood, (US-OR): July 15-16

06:20 AM | -

This event takes the idea of a sister city to a new level. Concurrently Sherwood, Oregon, and Nottingham, England, hold their Robin Hood Themed festivals. In England, the International Archery Tournament. In Oregon, step back into the 12th Century with music, food, knights, and ladies. Archers compete in both locations (across the pond), and attendees rejoice. The Sherwood Festival came about in 1954 due to a friendly challenge between the yeoman of Nottingham and the festival president in Sherwood. From the site: In February 1956, the President of the Robin Hood Festival Association of Sherwood, Oregon, issued an archery challenge to the yeomen of Nottingham, England. The archers would come from the entire Northwestern part of the United States. To cement their bond with the people of Nottingham, England, Sherwood sent 50 redwood oak trees as a living memorial. In March 1956, England accepted the challenge and immediately started working out the details. The rounds would be a double American 810, and each round would be 90 arrows at the distance of 60, 50, and 40 yards and follow the F.I.T.A. equipment rules. In July 1956, a picture of the silver Tiffany bowl trophy donated by the Robin Hood Festival Association was sent to Nottingham, England, along with rules on how to communicate during the shoot. Both competitions occurred on the same day, but England was shooting eight hours later due to time differences. Thus went the first competition, and the mayor of Sherwood has sent a new challenge each year since. Read more at: http://www.robinhoodfestival.org/archery.html.

Africa

Jul

Robin Hood, Nottingham Archery Tournament & Festival (UK): July 16-17

06:20 AM | -

Africa

Jul

Rock Day, Drop a, Intl.: July 3

06:20 AM | -

It's a day for your creativity to shine. International Drop a Rock Day was created in 2015 to encourage rock painting and creativity in children. Examples and projects are available on the World Rocks Project website and its Instagram pages.

Africa

Jul

Running of the Bulls (ES): July 6-14

06:20 AM | -

The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, launches the Festival of San Fermin, which runs July 6-14 each year. It is a tradition nearly 1,000 years old, and the actual running of the bulls begins on July 7. Adventure seekers, locally known as mozos, come for the Running of the Bulls. The tradition now runs nine days, with the bulls released at eight each morning. Runners must be in place by 7:30. The run is 825 meters from start to finish and lasts approximately three minutes. For the Spanish people, bulls represent power and life. The mozos wear white shirts and pants with red bandanas on their necks and waists to honor San Fermin. The French beheaded Fermin in 303AD. The festival began in 1196AD, with butchers as the original runners. A rocket signals the start of the run. After the run, mozos enter bars for breakfast.

Africa

Jul

Saba-Saba Day, (TZ)(1954): July 7

06:20 AM | -

Can you say"Saba-Saba?" If you can, you just learned a new word. Saba is seven in Kiswahili (Swahili); it is also the official name of this holiday, marking the anniversary of the formation of the ruling party, the TANU, on July 7, 1954.

Africa