All - Leep Calendar

On May 2022, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 1 as World Seagrass Day to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts for seagrass ecosystems. Seagrasses are marine flowering plants found in shallow waters worldwide, forming extensive meadows that support biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services. Despite their significance, seagrasses are in danger, with approximately 7% of these habitats being lost annually. The combined pressures of coastal development, pollution, climate change, and unregulated fishing contribute to their degradation. Only a quarter of seagrass meadows fall within marine protected areas, highlighting the need for conservation actions. Seagrasses offer numerous benefits, including providing habitat for marine species, supporting fisheries, improving water quality by filtering pollutants, acting as carbon sinks, and protecting coastlines from erosion and storms. Raising awareness about their importance can drive efforts to conserve and restore these ecosystems, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals and international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Efforts to protect seagrasses can contribute to economic, societal, and nutritional objectives. Conservation and restoration initiatives are being implemented worldwide, with some projects recognized as World Restoration Flagships, exemplifying large-scale and long-term ecosystem restoration. Including seagrass management in sustainable blue economy strategies and promoting their inclusion in post-2020 global biodiversity frameworks further supports their protection and restoration. In summary, World Seagrass Day aims to highlight the significance of seagrass ecosystems, their current threats, and the importance of conservation and restoration efforts to achieve multiple environmental and development goals.

Africa

Mar

School Social Work Week, Ntl.: March 1-7

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National Schools Social Work Week in the United States is promoted by the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA). According to SSWAA, school social work is a specialized practice area within the broad field of professional social work. School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system and the student services team. They are trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic, and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators, and provide individual and group counseling/therapy. They are instrumental in furthering the school's mission to provide a setting for teaching, learning, and attaining competence and confidence. School districts hire them to enhance their ability to meet their academic mission, especially where home, school, and community collaboration is the key to student success.

Africa

Mar

School Clean-up Day, National (AU): March 6

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School communities across Australia gather annually to care for the environment by participating in Schools Clean Up Day. The event engages students in active conservation and teaches environmental sustainability. Conducted in partnership with Cool Australia, lesson plans and resources for teachers focus on water, energy, climate change, packaging, waste, and recycling. Tools for teachers are available on the event's website. This date(s) may vary by city and province. Schools Clean Up Day first ran in 1992.

Africa

Mar

Save Your Vision Month: March

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Every year in March, the American Optometric Association reminds Americans of the importance of eye health and regular exams with a public awareness campaign. Individual members and affiliated associations are encouraged to distribute local news releases and post to social media with materials provided by AOA. Last year's campaign alerted 140 million consumers about nutrition's critical role in maintaining eye health and vision.

Africa

Mar

School Breakfast Week: March 2-6

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School Breakfast Week in the United States aims to promote healthy eating habits at school by starting the day with a good breakfast.

Africa

Mar

Sauce Month, Ntl.: March

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March is National Sauce Month celebrating what we pour onto food or dip food in. There are eight types of sauces: Brown sauces Emulsified sauces Sauce béarnaise Green sauces Hot sauces Sauces made of chopped fresh ingredients Sweet sauces White sauces If you’re not sure what one of these eight types of sauces is, this is a great month to find out.

Africa

Mar

Sankashti Chaturthi, Bhalachandra (H): March 6

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In the Hindu faith, Chaturthi celebrates Lord Ganesha. Sankashti Chaturthi (Sankata Chaturthi) is observed on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (the dark lunar phase or the waning phase of the moon). If this Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, it is called Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi. Devotees observe strict fasting during daylight until darshan (the sight of the moon). Prayers to Lord Ganesha precede the breaking of the fast. PLEASE NOTE: We use the Indian civil calendar, the official holiday calendar in India. The Hindu faith has many calendars, each specific to different regions and tribes, with dates and celebrations marked by differing positions of the sun, moon, and stars. Names of months and holidays and the corresponding dates in the Gregorian Calendar may vary widely from one calendar to the next. Determine the proper calendar before attending local events.

Africa

Mar

Samiljol (KR/KP)(1919): March 1

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In 1919, the Korean Peninsula was under Japanese occupation. At the time, Seoul was the capital city. The people of Korea had grown weary of the now ten-year occupation. On March 1, 1919, the entire peninsula erupted in protest, with over two million people in 1,500 towns and villages participating. It was the first concentrated and organized movement against the occupation and is known historically as the Samil Independence Movement. Over the next twelve months, 7,000 Koreans died at the hand of occupying forces, another 16,000 were wounded, and nearly 50,000 were arrested. Samiljol, or Korean Independence Day, is a national holiday celebrated on the anniversary of the uprising each year in both communist North and democratic South Korea.

Africa

Mar

Samaon Sulaiman Day (PH)(1953): March 3

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Samaon Sulaiman Day celebrates the life and contributions of Samaon Sulaiman (March 3, 1953 - May 21, 2011) of the Philippines, known for his mastery and promotion of the traditional art form of Kutyapi music. Sulaiman, a Maguindanaon, was an esteemed musician and cultural bearer who played a significant role in the preservation and propagation of the indigenous Philippine musical instrument, the Kutyapi (or Kotyapi) - a two-stringed, boat-lapped lute that is integral to the musical traditions of several ethnic groups in Mindanao. Samaon Sulaiman's importance to the Philippines extends beyond his virtuosity as a musician. He embodied the rich cultural heritage of the Maguindanaon people, dedicating his life to teaching and preserving traditional music forms that are at risk of fading in the face of modernization and cultural homogenization. His efforts in cultural preservation were not only acts of artistic passion but also national significance, highlighting the diverse cultural identity of the Philippines and fostering a sense of pride and unity among its people. Sulaiman's impact on the culture has been profound. Through his performances, both within the Philippines and internationally, he showcased the depth and beauty of Filipino indigenous music, earning recognition and respect for cultural traditions that might otherwise have been overlooked. Moreover, his dedication to teaching younger generations ensured the preservation of the skills and knowledge necessary for playing the Kutyapi. Celebrating Samaon Sulaiman Day would serve as a tribute to Sulaiman's legacy and a reminder of the importance of cultural preservation. It would also highlight the richness of the Philippines' cultural diversity, promoting awareness and appreciation among Filipinos and the international community.

Africa

Mar

Saint Urho's Day: March 16

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Saint Urho's Day honors the Finish legend about the man who saved the grape harvest in ancient times and is celebrated in the United States, Canada, and Finland. Legend says Saint Urho chased the grasshoppers out of ancient Finland and saved the grape crop. He did so by uttering the words 'Heinäsirkka, heinäsirkka, mene täältä hiiteen', or "Grasshopper, grasshopper, go to Hell!" The irony is that Saint Urho never existed. He is a figment of the imagination of two boys in Minnesota who made him up in the 1950s. The story is so beloved, though, that in Finland, Canada, and the United States, his day is celebrated on the day prior to St. Patrick's.

Africa

Mar

Salvation Army Day (1880): March 10

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Salvation Army Day celebrates its creation in 1880. The Salvation Army is a Christian-based international charitable organization structured as a quasi-military. The Salvation Army operates in 127 countries and has a worldwide membership of over 1.5 million people.

Africa

Mar

Saint Pitty’s Week: March 8-14

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March is Providence Animal Center's Pit Bull Celebration Month, a month-long focus on adoptions and a subsidized spay-neuter drive. Affectionately referred to as "Pitty's" by their owners, a pit bull is a broad term for several breeds and mixed breed dogs classified as work dogs. Pitties are prized for their loyalty, affection, and intelligence, traits that sometimes leave them unfairly maligned due to their fiercely protective nature. Natural guard dogs, attacks, when they occur, are usually due to poor training or owner handling. The month's highlight is St. Pitty's Week. St. Pitty's is an essential fundraiser for Providence Animal Center's Fix-a-Bull program. Funds raised subsidize the spay-and-neuter outreach and behavior initiative targeted at the most in-need dogs within the Greater Philadelphia area. For people living in Media, Pennsylvania, or off the Mainline, several bars and restaurants host fundraising nights, drink specials, and other special events.

Africa

Mar

Saint Piran's Day (UK): March 5

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Saint Piran's Day in the United Kingdom is celebrated every year on March fifth as the National Day of Cornwall. Saint Piran is famed for the discovery of tin. Origins of this holiday date back to the late 19th century and early 20th century. Feasting in its honor is a long-held tradition. Modern celebrations in many towns and cities consist of parades, festivals with singing, Cornish music, and processions through the streets.

Africa

Mar

Saint Patrick's Day (460 AD): March 17

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National Holiday in Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday that has taken on a life of its own as a celebration of everything Irish. It's prevalent in the United States and an excuse to throw a party, wear green (or you could get pinched), and drink beer, usually dyed green with food coloring. Along with the Super Bowl and New Year's Eve, Saint Patrick's Day is the heaviest alcohol consumption day in the United States. The true meaning of Saint Patrick's Day is to honor Saint Patrick, who died on March 17, 460 AD. Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. At age 16, he was kidnapped from England and forced into slavery in Ireland. He escaped, only to return to the Emerald Isle and bring Christianity to the pagan people. The first St. Patrick's Day celebration occurred in New York City on March 17, 1762. It is one of the few times during the season of Lent that Catholics can break the ban against meat and spirits to celebrate. So why is Saint Patrick's Day celebrated in over 100 countries today—including Mongolia? Well, marketing. In the 1990s, Guinness, the dark beer of Ireland, began exporting "Irish Pubs" to cities worldwide. Eager entrepreneurs took advantage of the opportunity and support (including pre-made do-it-yourself Irish-style bars and furniture). It proved to be a genius move by Guinness, increasing beer sales and spectacularly exporting Irish culture.

Africa

Mar

Saint David's Day (UK)(589 AD): March 1

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March 1, 589 AD, the Bishop of Menevia in Wales, today known as Saint David, died. The Welsh celebrate Saint David's Day to honor the man who established Christianity within the Welsh kingdom. He is the Bishop responsible for the strict rules of monks, known as The Monastic Rule of David. In these rules, Bishop David decreed that monks had to pull the plow themselves and subsist on bread and water seasoned with salt and herbs. Their evenings were spent in prayer, reading, and writing. His last words were, "Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed, and do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us." "Do ye the little things in life" is the abbreviated version and a popular saying in Welsh today. Bishop David was declared a saint in 1120 by Pope Callixtus II.

Africa