All - Leep Calendar

Marking the death of Archbishop Augustine, the first archbishop of Canterbury as of 597 AD. He is responsible for bringing Christianity to England and converting it from pagan faiths. His feast day occurs on the anniversary of his death, May 26, 604.

Africa

May

Fleet Week, (US-NY): May 26 - 31

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You know it is almost Memorial Day in New York City when the Navy Fleet from the mid-Atlantic sails into town. Thousands of Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen share their experiences and ships with the citizens of the trip-state area in a lead up to Memorial Day. Dates subject to change based upon current events.

Africa

May

Independence Day, Georgia (1919)(GE): May 26

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When people ask me which country I've visited did I find surprising, overwhelmingly my answer is the Black Sea nation of Georgia, and the city of Batumi, specifically. Beautiful, eclectic, and as yet uncorrupted by chain stores and fast food restaurants, this little gem of eastern Europe/western Asia combines the majesty of the Russian empire, the utilitarianism of the Soviet Union and the forward modernism of its entry into the post Soviet world after 1991. And did I mention the wine? Georgia makes some of the best and most diverse types of wine in the world, with winemakers and little shops on nearly every street. Grapevines adorn buildings where in other cities ivy climbs the walls. The people are friendly and best of all, it is quite affordable. Like many nations in the region, for many years it was part of the Russian Empire. Independence Day marks its freedom from that empire on May 26, 1919. Unfortunately, it was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1922 and endured communism until it again found freedom in 1991. Since, the pretty little country has experienced civil unrest within, but for the past 10 years has found its ground and continues looking toward the future.

Africa

May

Lindy Hop Day (Jitterbug), World (1914): May 26

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The Lindy Hop, or Jitterbug as it is better known, came out of the ballrooms of Harlem, New York, in the 1920s. It was extremely popular during the 1930s and 1940s. Annually on May 26, the Birthday of Frankie Manning (May 26, 1914), a founder of the Lindy Hop.

Africa

May

Morning Tea for Cancer (AU): May 26

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In Australia, the fourth Thursday of May is the Morning Tea for Cancer Day. Organized and promoted by Australia's Cancer Council, the Morning Tea for Cancer is a tradition that aims to raise awareness on how to fight and prevent one of the world's deadliest diseases.

Africa

May

Sally Ride Day (1951): May 26

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On May 26 Americans celebrated the birth of Sally Ride, a female astronaut with NASA and the first woman to fly in space. Born in 1951, in Los Angeles, California, Sally Ride was an esteemed NASA Astronaut. She was a Mission specialist on STS-7, which launched on June 18, 1983, as well as on STS 41-G. She was also assigned to the crew of STS 61-M, but the mission training was terminated in January 1986 after the space shuttle Challenger accident. A prominent advocate for improved science education, Dr. Ride has initiated education projects, aimed to increase students' interest in science and has written five science books for children - To Space and Back; Voyager; The Third Planet; The Mystery of Mars and Exploring Our Solar System. Today is a celebration of what one woman and all women can achieve in science and technology.

Africa

May

Sorry Day, National Apology Day (AU)(1997): May 26

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National Sorry Day marks and remembers the mistreatment of Australia’s aboriginal people by the crown and government throughout the nation’s history. May 26, 1997 is the anniversary of the delivering of the report “Bringing Them Home: a Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families” to the Australian parliament. A year later on May 26, 1998 the first Sorry Day was observed in Australia. However, it would be a decade later before a public apology from the highest office would occur. On February 13, 2007, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia made the first public apology on behalf of the government to the indigenous people of Australia and its territories.

Africa

May

65 Roses Day (AU): May 27

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Each May Australia observes 65 Roses Month, focusing on Cystic Fibrosis in Australia to highlight the growing need for awareness about cystic fibrosis (CF). The last Friday is 65 Roses Day. The disease is called 65 Roses by children with cystic fibrosis (CF) because it is easier to pronounce, (kind of like when a child says ‘butter footed’ instead of ‘bare footed’. The name stuck and is now the official nomenclature for Cystic Fibrosis. Throughout May in Australia volunteers and people with CF and their families unite to help shine a spotlight on what CF is and the progress being made toward a cure. The United States also observes Cystic Fibrosis Month in May. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that: Clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond. The symbol of Cystic Fibrosis is the 65 Roses Campaign.

Africa

May

Beaufort Day (1774): May 27

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Sir Francis Beaufort, the inventor of the Beaufort wind force scale, was born May 27, 1774. His device measures wind force without the use of special instruments. He created it whilst serving as a Royal Navy officer on HMS Woolwich in 1805. The Beaufort Scale was used in shipping forecasts for England and adapted for international use in 1874. Today it is used by Netherlands, Germany, China, Malta, Greece and Taiwan. Though other methods of measuring wind were devised in years prior, Sir Beaufort standardized it to capture wind speeds of 22 knots to 64 knots.

Africa

May

Don't Fry in the Sun Day: May 27

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The Friday of Memorial Weekend is also known as Don't Fry in the Sun Day. Promoted by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, the day seeks to educate the public about the dangers of sun overexposure and skin cancer.

Africa

May

Florida Folk Festival, White Springs (US-FL): May 27-29

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The Florida Folk Festival is a three-day celebration of the music, dance, stories, crafts and food highlighting the uniqueness of Florida. From Irish fiddle tunes, techno contra dancing and chocolate covered Key Lime pie, to the wide varieties of music brought by immigrants, the state's cultural heritage reflects the lives of generations of Florida families and communities. This event occurs over Memorial Day weekend and features over 300 performances illustrating Florida's heritage.

Africa

May

Grape Popsicle Day (1905): May 27

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Grape Popsicle Day celebrates the grape popsicle. Popsicles were invented on May 27, 1905 by eleven year old Frank Epperson. Frank was outside, mixing water with some grape flavoring to make soda. He left the mixture outside and forget about it, with the stirring stick still in. On the next day, after the temperature had reached a record low, Frank found out that the drink had frozen to the stick. Epperson died in 1983 at the age of 89.

Africa

May

Reconciliation Week (AU)(1967): May 27 - June 3

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National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Africa

May

Amnesty International Day, (1961): May 28

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Today is the anniversary of the publishing of the article, “The Forgotten Prisoners, in the London Observer May 28, 1961. This story led to the creation of Amnesty International in July that year by its author, British lawyer Peter Benenson. Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million campaigning for human rights. It is independent of any political ideology, economic interest or religion. It investigates and exposes facts, whenever and wherever abuses happen. It lobbies governments, companies and organizations to insure they keep their promises and respect international law. It supports peoples rights through education and training.

Africa

May

Artichoke Festival, Castroville (US-CA): May 28-29

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First held in 1959, the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival is a two day event held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds celebrating the artichoke and other foods and products from California. Live music, wine tasting and dozens of activities for children. Annually in late spring. Castorville is considered the Artichoke Capital of the World.

Africa