All - Leep Calendar

Rogation Sunday is traditionally marked the 5th Sunday after Easter and three days prior to the anniversary of the final Ascension of Christ to Heaven in the Christian faith. The tradition was first practiced in the fifth century by monks in France and included singing the liturgy of and fasting. The word Rogation means 'asking' from the Latin 'rogatio'.

Africa

May

Schizophrenia Awareness Week (AU): May 22-28

06:20 AM | -

Held during the week of World Schizophrenia Awareness Day May 24, Schizophrenia Awareness Week first appeared in Australia in 1986. Its purpose is to raise awareness of schizophrenia and mental illness, whilst educating the public and caregivers on how to support those with it.

Africa

May

Vanilla Pudding Day, Ntl.: May 22

06:20 AM | -

National Vanilla Pudding Day celebrates the age old standout, vanilla pudding. Unlike custard, pudding does not have eggs in it. In past centuries, vanilla pudding was often mixed with poultry or fish. Thankfully today, this doesn’t happen much anymore. It’s good as it is.

Africa

May

Yemen National Day (YE)(1990): May 22

06:20 AM | -

The Republic of Yemen was created on this day in 1990 with reunification of the Yemen Arab Republic and People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. Yemen is the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula and has had few years of peace. In 2015, a civil war again erupted in the small nation between Houthi separatists and ruling government. This quickly became a regional conflict with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, backed by the United States, attacking the country. The conflict continues as of this writing. Though the Saudi Coalition blames its rival Iran and positions this as a proxy war, an investigative report by PBS Newshour in 2018 interviewed Houthi rebels and found no such material support. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/american-made-bombs-in-yemen-are-killing-civilians-destroying-infrastructure-and-fueling-anger-at-the-u-s Rather, it illustrated the humanitarian disaster unfolding in which over 1 million people have been diagnosed with cholera, million more are starving and the majority of aid is cut off. Human Rights Watch calls it the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. It continues to be largely ignored by the Western media. Though this is Yemen's national day, the ongoing war leaves little room to celebrate.

Africa

May

143 Day, Mr. Rogers Day: May 23

06:20 AM | -

The beloved children’s television host known as Mr. Rogers, (Fred Rogers) used to refer to the numbers 1-4-3 as standing for the letters in the phrase ‘I love you’. It is also the weight he maintained throughout his life as an adult. In 2019 the Governor of Pennsylvania declared the 143rd day of the year, each year henceforth, as Mr. Rogers Day of Kindness and people are encouraged to perform simple acts of kindness in his memory, throughout the year. It quickly made international news with fans of the program and his philosophy adopting the day. Fred Rogers was born March 20, 1928, Latrobe, Pennsylvania and died February 27, 2003 in Pittsburg. His program, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood first aired on American Public Television in 1968 and ran until 2001. Most children born after 1963 have grown up with him, (including this writer who remembers it as one of her favorite shows as a child…along with Scooby Doo and I Love Lucy reruns). An ordained Presbyterian minister, his entire life’s work was devoted to children and children’s issues, and he often tackled difficult subjects such as dying, divorce and death in a way in which children could relate and understand. Above all he focused on building children up and helping them navigate a complicated life.

Africa

May

Backyard Games Week, Ntl.: May 23-29

06:20 AM | -

The National Backyard Games Week is the brainchild of children’s edutainment brand Playmonster. The first National Backyard Games Week occurred in 1998. The purpose of the week is to get kids and parents outside, playing together and enjoying physical exercise.

Africa

May

Best Friend-in-Law Day, Ntl.: May 23

06:20 AM | -

If you’re fortunate enough to have a spouse or significant other, you probably have enjoyed having your world open to another social circle. National Best Friend-in-Law Day celebrates the close friendships formed through marriage and longterm relationships when you meet the circle of your significant other. Annually on May 23.

Africa

May

Exercise Right Week (AU): May 23-29

06:20 AM | -

Exercise Right Week is a public awareness campaign that encourages every Australian to be healthier and more active, including those living with chronic conditions, illness, and injury. Exercise can prolong your life and independence, but you need the right exercise for your physical condition to reap the most benefit. Throughout this week experts are available and locally organized programs conducted to assist Australians in getting the most out of life and living well regardless of age.

Africa

May

George Floyd Day (2020): May 25

06:20 AM | -

George Floyd (October 14, 1973 – May 25, 2020) was an American citizen of African decent who was active in his church, within the community, a hip-hop artist, security guard and a truck driver. His death at the hands of police resulted in the largest public protests seen in the US and globally for human rights since the 1960s. The results of these protests have changed attitudes and policies regarding race and racism, police policy and how people view human rights, not just in the US, but in multiple countries. George Floyd Day marks the anniversary of his death, May 25, 2020. How Floyd Died Roughly 1,000 people are shot and killed by police in the United States each year and as a percent of the population, people of color are nearly twice as likely to be killed then white people. Memorial Day 2020, George Floyd walked into a convenience store and purchased a pack of cigarettes. The clerk believed the bill he used was counterfeit and thus left the store with another employee and walked out to Floyd’s truck to demand the cigarettes be returned. He refused. The employee then called the police on him. Officers arrived and Floyd complied with their requests, though did struggle momentarily. He was seated on a curb. Floyd was told he was being arrested, handcuffed and led across the street. At this point, anxious of closed spaces, Floyd fell to the ground and asked not to be seated in the car. Struggles ensued and officer Chauvin eventually began kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he pleaded stating he could not breath and begging not to be killed. Chauvin did not relent, leaving his knee on Floyd’s neck nearly 9 minutes, killing Floyd. The lack of compassion shown by the police as Floyd begged to be able to breath angered people worldwide, particularly since this wasn't the first time a black man had been killed by police as he begged to be able to breath. People had enough and took to the streets. The police officers involved were arrested and charged with murder and lessor crimes. The series of events were captured on camera (security, body cam and bystanders) and incensed people worldwide. Protests broke out in over 200 US cities and in countries around the world and continued for weeks. These protests continue as of this writing on Juneteenth, 2020. George Floyd will be remembered as a martyr, as the spark that changed how police interact with people and a pivotal influence in how Americans view race.

Africa

May

Healthy and Safe Swimming Week: May 23-29

06:20 AM | -

National Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, formally known as the Recreational Water Illness & Injury Prevention Week, occurs the week prior to Memorial Day in the United States. This week aims to help swimmers and pool operators, aquatic and beach staff, update their knowledge and skills to prevent drowning and increase overall safety. This event first ran in 2005.

Africa

May

Learn to Swim Week, Intl.: May 23-29

06:20 AM | -

Celebrating the importance of learning to swim and water safety education, International Learn to Swim Week is an annual event hosted by The Swimming Teachers' Association. Thousands of STA swimming teachers world-wide encourage people of all ages and abilities to get back in the pool, learn a life skill, have fun and get water-ready for the summer holidays. Swimming is great exercise, fun and it saves lives. Check with the pools in your nation to learn about any events that may be going on this week.

Africa

May

Lucky Penny Day: May 23

06:20 AM | -

There was a time when having a penny in your pocket actually bought something. Today, unless you’re trading on the stock market or live in a state with a sales tax, pennies have very little to do with everyday commerce. Still, cultural superstitions in the US and UK infuse the penny with luck and having one in your pocket or finding one face up on the ground is believed to bring the person fortune and good luck. It is also the custom for a bride to put a penny in her shoe on her wedding day to insure the couple always has money. This is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

Africa

May

Moon-Full: May 15

06:20 AM | -

May’s full moon is known as the Milk Moon or Flower Moon. The full moon occurs when the Moon is completely illuminated by the sun. It is on the opposite side of the earth from the sun, an ecliptic longitude of 180 degrees.

Africa

May

MOVE Week, European: May 23 - 29

06:20 AM | -

MOVE Week is an annual Europe-wide event showcasing the benefits of being active and participating regularly in sport and physical activity. With 1 million participants in 2014, MOVE Week has become the biggest annual week in Europe promoting the benefits of regular participation in sport and physical activity. The goal of the week is to achieve 100 million Europeans active in sport or physical activity by 2020.

Africa

May

Obstetric Fistula, Day to End, Intl.: May 23

06:20 AM | -

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem for the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 23 May 2019

"Shame, isolation and segregation are among the indignities faced by the hundreds of thousands of women and girls worldwide who suffer from obstetric fistula, an injury of the birth canal after prolonged and obstructed labour. The girls and women afflicted by the condition, which is preventable and largely treatable, are often plagued by chronic incontinence. As a result, they face devastating social stigma.

The majority of women and girls who suffer from fistula are poor. Their inability to receive prompt medical treatment not only deprives them of their health and dignity, but is a violation of their human rights.

UNFPA leads the Campaign to End Fistula. Since 2003, UNFPA has supported over 100,000 fistula repair surgeries, and campaign partners have supported thousands more, enabling women and girls in more than 55 countries across Africa, Asia, the Arab region and Latin America to regain hope and rebuild their lives.

One survivor, Nasiwelo Bisolomo, lost her baby at the age of 18 after a prolonged obstructed labour at home. She suffered from fistula for the next 46 years. She nearly had lost all hope when she heard of a UNFPA-supported fistula camp and travelled 300 km to undergo the life-transforming healing surgery. Now, she is helping spread the word that fistula treatment is available.

It is time for the world to heed the call made by United Nations Member States in the 2018 United Nations Resolution on Ending Fistula in which they committed to eradicating the condition within a decade. Yet, achieving this goal requires increased investments, innovations and partnerships. Failure to take action will undermine our chances of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, meeting the commitments of the International Conference on Population and Development, and ensuring no one is left behind.

No woman or girl should be deprived of her dignity, hopes and dreams. Fistula is a human rights violation – end it now!"

Africa