All - Leep Calendar

Window Safety Week in April coincides with the arrival of spring, when homeowners naturally want to open the windows and let in the fresh air. Its goal is twofold: For families to understand the role of windows in escaping a fire or other emergency and to learn to safeguard against accidental window falls. Formed in 1997, the Window Safety Task Force works year-round in conjunction with NSC, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Safe Kids Worldwide, the International Code Council, and other safety advocates to promote window safety awareness. Members include representatives from the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, the Window and Door Manufacturers Association, the Screen Manufacturers Association, and other organizations.

Africa

Apr

Beaver Day, Intl. (1894): April 7

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International Beaver Day seeks to teach people how to help the engineers of the wild, the beaver, and this animal’s critical role in an ecosystem. Less than 10% of the original beaver population still exists in North America’s beaver and even fewer in Eurasia. Beaver dams were important in filtering silt from streams, creating watering holes and wetlands, and connecting streams and rivers to organic floodplains. Their absence has caused increased pollution, the drying up of estuaries, and reduced natural fertilization, which occurs with flooding. This event started in 2009 and occurs on the birthday of Dorothy Richards (April 7, 1894), founder of the nonprofit Friends of Beaversprite. Richards died in 1985.

Africa

Apr

Beer Day, Ntl. (1933): April 7

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On April 7, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's signature repealed the Volstead Act, thus beginning the end of prohibition in the US with the legalization of 3.2 percent beer. In December of that year, the 19th Amendment, prohibiting alcohol, was repealed. PROHIBITION TODAY Only 11 countries remain completely dry (not even found in hotels). All are Muslim-majority countries. Afghanistan Bangladesh Brunei Iran Libya Kuwait Pakistan Saudi Arabia Sudan Somalia Yemen The Maldives and Mauritania are also dry countries; however, both depend on tourism and serve alcohol in high-end hotels and resorts but prohibit it in the rest of the country. Now that it has opened to tourists, Saudi Arabia is considering a partial lift on its prohibition. India includes many dry provinces in its Muslim-majority areas, and The Emirates of Sharjah, one of the United Arab Emirates, is also dry. Some airlines extend the prohibition of these nations' gate-to-gate, no matter where you travel. For example, India Air will not serve alcohol on any flight originating in dry countries or going to dry countries. However, most airlines will serve once you hit 10,000 feet or are outside the dry nation's border, whichever comes first. The list of major airlines that are alcohol-free are: Saudi Arabian Airlines Pakistan International Airlines Kuwait Airways Egypt Air Iran Air Royal Brunei Airlines (will allow you to bring your own onboard); Malaysia Airlines ("dry" on flights of three hours or less). For non-Muslim ex-pats (like this writer) living and working in one of these dry countries, when we leave for any reason, we first want an ice-cold beer or a nice glass of wine (and usually bacon too). Happy Beer Day

Africa

Apr

Blue Forest Bloom (BE): April 7-25

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Millions and millions of bluebells blooming at once in Hallerbros, Belgium. It’s a sea of blue melding with green in an ancient forest, attracting thousands of tourists yearly. Check out the webcam to see the best time to go. These flowers can be in full bloom as early as late March. The middle of April is usually the best time to see them. https://www.hallerbos.be Header image: Bosanemonen en wilde hyacinten, 2011, (C) Hallerbros.be

Africa

Apr

Bullying, Making the First Move Day: April 7

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Created to encourage families to come together and take the first step in preventing bullying, "Make the First Move Day" focuses on advocacy promoting recovery and healing resources for victims of bullying, and educating families on how to address and prevent it. Annually on April 7.

Africa

Apr

Coffee Cake Day, Ntl.: April 7

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Coffee continues to be one of the world's favorite drinks. Cake, on the other hand, tops the charts as a favorite food for many of us. So what can be better than coffee or cake? Coffee cake! The term "coffee cake" first entered English in 1879, but the Danish in the 17th century created a yeast-based bread with sweet toppings. There is no right or wrong way to make coffee cake. Typically, it is not as sweet as a regular cake with frosting. It can be topped with crumbles, fruit, nuts, honey, and cream. Celebrate National Coffee Cake Day in the most obvious way, with a large slice of a coffee cake!

Africa

Apr

Every Day is Tag Day: April 7

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Millions of dogs and cats are taken to animal shelters as strays each year—but only about 15 percent of dogs and two percent of cats that end up in shelters without an ID tag or microchip are reunited with their owners. The American Humane Association celebrates Every Day Is Tag Day to encourage all pet owners to tag and microchip their companion animals. Pet care is more than providing food, water, and shelter. Pet care includes tagging and microchipping your pet. If you have a companion animal that isn’t chipped and tagged yet, many pet stores and vets will have specials with this promotion.

Africa

Apr

Genocide Remembrance Day (RW)(1994): April 7

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April 7, 1994, witnessed the beginning of one the largest massacres of the 20th century, the Rwanda Genocide. It resulted from a civil war between two ethnic groups: the Hutu and the Tutsi. The Hutu-led government, under two militias, instigated 500,000 - 1 million deaths between April and July 15, 1994. The victims were Tutsi, Twa, and Hutus, who did not support the current regime. Genocide Remembrance Day is a national observance and a day of healing in Rwanda. The United Nations marks it as the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda.

Africa

Apr

Health Day, World (1948): April 7

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World Health Day raises awareness of the importance of maintaining good health and illness-prevention. World Health Day is sponsored by the World Health Organization each year.

Africa

Apr

Library Workers Day, Ntl: April 7

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The American Library Association, Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) is the organization for advancing library employees. It annually sponsors National Library Workers Day, which falls on the Tuesday of National Library Week. First celebrated in 2004, the purpose is to recognize all library workers, including librarians, support staff, and others who make library service possible every day.

Africa

Apr

Metric System Day (1795): April 7

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Metric System Day celebrates the day France led the rest of the world into the realm of new weights and measurements. Adopted in France on April 7, 1795, the Metric System is the predominant method of weights and measurement worldwide. Three countries still use the colonial system as their formal measurement method: Myanmar, Liberia, and The United States. Why does the rest of the world use it? The metric system is simple and accurate. As an American, this writer remembers debates about going metric as a child. For some reason, the American public thought it would be too hard if we converted. We love our miles, feet, and pounds. Plus, many of our machinery parts are based on the old system, which would be too much work to change over. Besides, the average American couldn't get it. Those were the arguments at the time. The United States has used the metric system in science, technology, and research since the early 19th century. We already use it for most products and services. For example, a bottle of wine is 750 milliliters. There are holdovers, though. That fifth of Vodka is a fifth of a gallon. So why do Americans think it is so hard? Short answer? It's different. Set that aside. Let me explain how simple it is. As a teen, I lived in South America and thus became acquainted with metric. To my surprise, it took less than a week to understand the difference between a foot, yard, and meter, or an inch, centimeter, and foot spatially. It didn't take long to realize that kilos made it seem like I weighed less than pounds, though I've always preferred to purchase petrol by gallon rather than by liters. Personally, I will always bake with cups—four cups to a quart and four quarts to a gallon. Then there is the whole temperature thing: Fahrenheit versus Celsius. Water boils at 212F degrees or 100C. However, 38 degrees Celcius is hot, about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but 38F is almost freezing, or 2.5C. Glad we cleared that up. Frankly, using metrics, once you do, is far easier than the colloquial measurements of the US. Today is the day to give it a try. Merci, France!

Africa

Apr

Newspaper, Snailpapers Day, Intl. April 7

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Get a hard copy of your favorite magazine or newspaper today. In a world that has become increasingly digital, the simple pleasure of holding and reading a newspaper or magazine is one fewer and fewer people know. Originated by Danny Bloom.

Africa

Apr

No Housework Day, Ntl.: April 7

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Celebrate National No Housework Day by ignoring the dirty dishes in the sink and the piles of laundry that need to be done and just relaxing. Your reprieve from housework is brought to you by Wellcat Holidays.

Africa

Apr

All is Ours Day: April 8

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All is Ours day celebrates commonality, the things that all of humanity shares. It is a time to take in nature, marvel at the little things, give thanks for the things that make us all human, and reflect on the gifts we have rather than what is missing. The day's origin is unknown. It is unrelated to a specific historical event.

Africa

Apr

Dogfighting Awareness Day, National: April 8

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As part of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month in April, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) designates April 8 National Dogfighting Awareness Day to raise awareness of the prevalence of dog fighting in the U.S., revealing little-known truths about the blood sport, and encourage animal lovers nationwide to take action against one of the most brutal forms of animal cruelty. Despite being a felony in all 50 states, dog fighting continues to be a popular underground activity. Additional criminal activities often connected with dog fighting include drug and weapons violations. "Dogfighting is the ultimate betrayal of the human-animal bond, and the brutality of this crime needs to be brought to the forefront of the nation's conscience," said ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker. "Dogfighting is not just a crime; it's a deep stain on our national character—a cultural embarrassment we should all feel. This is about doing everything we can to bring this nightmarish practice to an end. We can't rest until it does." Among the misconceptions about dogfighting are that it's a rare activity, restricted to certain parts of the country, and that participants represent a narrow slice of American culture. None of these assumptions are true. "National Dogfighting Awareness Day sheds light on the prevalence of this crime in America and encourages people to take action by learning how to recognize and report suspected dog fighting activities so that authorities can step in and bring this horrific form of animal abuse to an end," said Tim Rickey, vice president of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. The ASPCA asks people nationwide to increase their awareness about dog fighting and share their stand on April 8 by visiting www.aspca.org/dogfighting.

Africa