All - Leep Calendar

Americans are not the only ones to celebrate food holidays. Australia has National Melba Toast Day. However, unlike most other food holidays, this one has a unique story. Melba toast is named after Dame Nellie Melba, the stage name of the Australian opera singer Helen Porter Mitchell (May 19, 1861-February 23, 1931). Melba toast was created for her by her chef and fan Auguste Escoffier as a part of her diet when she was very ill. Interestingly, he also named the Peach Melba after her.

Africa

Mar

Meena Sankranti (H): March 14

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Meena Sankranti marks the sun's transition from Pisces to Aries. It is a Hindu religious holiday where people donate various items to the poor. 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

Medal of Honor Day, Ntl. (1863): March 25

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Created by Congressional resolution in 1991, Medal of Honor Day honors the men and women of the US armed services who have gone above and beyond in the call of duty. It is the highest military honor in the United States and is usually presented publicly by the President on behalf of congress. To receive one is a great honor and a rare occasion. The first Medal of Honor was awarded on March 25, 1863. One of the few instances in history where a Medal of Honor recipient was not awarded his medal in a public ceremony is the case of Captain William McGonagle, who successfully navigated the USS Liberty through a sustained attack by unmarked and non-identifiable ships, subs, and planes in the Eastern Mediterranean on June 8, 1967. The forces attacking the marked US ship committed war crimes. They violated international law by shooting its lifeboats as crew members tried to escape and napalming the lightly armed intelligence ship. In the end, the USS Liberty, with a 40-foot torpedo hole at the water line, made it to Malta. Thirty-four men died in the attack, and 171 were injured. Saving the ship and the remaining crew is exactly why McGonagle received the Medal of Honor. Why was McGonagle prevented from a public ceremony if that is the case? Simply put, he got attacked by the wrong country. The attacking military was later revealed to be the only nation that persistently gets a free pass to kill Americans, whether military, civilians, or journalists. Which nation was it? The state in question presents itself as the paragon of humanity while violently repressing the human rights of over six million people, then paradoxically claiming it is the world's foremost victim. It is a state which wields faith as its shield to accountability and exists as the entitled oxymoronic definition of a non-democracy democracy—that struggling, weak nuclear superpower protected by one of the world's ten most powerful militaries, its own. The nation-state, of course, is Israel. Israel attacked McGonagal and the USS Liberty, so McGonagal and the survivors would have to accept recognition in secret. The world's definition of hypocrisy would eventually rack up a kill sheet of at least 41 Americans (that we can document) in the next several decades, including two in 2022, one a respected international journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, and the other, just an average Joe, like you and me. Predictably, the US did nothing then or now, despite there being a lot the US could do. Israel is in the ten percentile of wealthiest countries, yet it continues to be the world's largest recipient of US aid. Then there is the unabated diplomatic and military support that continues, pandering to which is often in violation of US laws, international treaties, and international law. What is the moral of the story? If you're American, don't get killed, maimed, or hurt by Israel. You will not get justice; even if the US's highest honor recognizes your heroism, it must remain a secret. Israel's vanity is worth more than your life. In that, the sophist nation-state is unique. Perhaps one day, the US government will publicly recognize McGonagle's Medal of Honor and the USS Liberty. Possibly, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Africa

Mar

Mathematics Day, Intl. Day of (1879): March 14

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Declared annually by UNESCO since 2019, March 14 is recognized and celebrated as the International Day of Mathematics. There are two reasons for this. The numerical representation of Pi is 3:14, and today is the birth anniversary of physicist and creator of the Theory of Relativity, Albert Einstein, on March 14, 1879. The day brings to light the importance of math in solving many of the planet’s challenges, from climate change to artificial intelligence.

Africa

Mar

Martyr's Day (MW)(1959): March 3

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On March 3, 1959, in the African nation of Nyasaland (now Malawi), 1300 persons associated with the Nyasaland African Congress (elected rather than appointed representatives) were rounded up and arrested by the British colonial governor Sir Robert Armitage. The governor declared a national emergency for the next 15 months. Rioting ensued, the people held strikes, and many were injured or killed. The catalyst was a slew of referendums targeted at the agricultural industry, which favored landowners and hurt workers and represented a political federation between Nyasaland and Rhodesia that the people did not want. Like many African nations in the mid-twentieth century, Nyasaland was ready to shed its colonial rule and self-govern. This desire led to an increasing number of party members becoming bolder and more insistent, which didn't sit well with the rulers. March 3 is seen as the beginning of the end of colonial rule and is celebrated as Martyr's Day in Malawi to honor those who gave their lives or freedom for the nation's future.

Africa

Mar

Match Day: March 20

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The third Friday of March is Match Day in the medical community. Each year 155+ medical schools in the US announce the results of the National Resident Matching Program. Those results match applicants to programs and institutions for their residency, internship, or fellowship. Newly graduated doctors and medical professionals find out today where their first job will be.

Africa

Mar

Mars (god) Month: March

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Mars Month celebrates the month's namesake, the Roman god of war, Mars. In early Roman history, he was a god of spring, growth in nature, fertility, and the protector of cattle. Mars is a chthonic god (earth god), which could explain why he became a god of death and war. He is the son of Jupiter and Juno and the father of Romulus and Remus by the Vestal Ilia (Rhea Silvia). Because he was the father of these legendary founders of Rome and thus of the Roman people, the Romans styled themselves 'sons of Mars.'

Africa

Mar

Mario Day: March 10

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Mario Day is a gamer holiday celebrated on March 10. The date spells out "Mario," written as MAR10. Celebrate by seeking out some of the best games featuring Mario through the years. Many of us remember the first time seeing Mario in 1981 in Donkey Kong. Followed by his first official console game in 1985 called Super Mario Bros. Make a little time on this day to appreciate Mario's video game history.

Africa

Mar

March Madness: March 17-April 6

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March Madness is the NCAA college basketball playoffs leading up to the championship, which features one team from each of the regional championships (Final Four): East, South, Midwest, and West regions. The Final Four determines which teams will ultimately face each other for the Championship game in April in both the men's and women's basketball programs. Today is the day the first round begins, and there are two. This series of games is also known as "March Madness." The tournament was created in 1939 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches from the idea of Ohio State University coach Harold Olsen. PLEASE NOTE: Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are only a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

Africa

Mar

March in Yellow (AU): March

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March in Yellow encourages people to wear yellow every day during March and start a conversation about endometriosis. March in Yellow is also a fundraising campaign for research.

Africa

Mar

March Forth (Do Something Day): March 4

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March Forth and Do Something Day is a day to obey the order and ask yourself what you have been putting off, what you have always wanted to do, or if there is something you can do to help someone else. Can you think of anything? Yes? March 4, and do it! Have you always wanted to take horse riding lessons? Start riding. Have you been meaning to finish that garden project? Make it happen. Or celebrate by calling your local shelter and volunteering your time. Gather some friends and spend a few hours picking up beach trash. The day is another play on words, which makes sense in English but not in translation. Another day like this is Star Wars Day on May 4—"May 4 (force) be with you."

Africa

Mar

March for Babies: March

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March for Babies is an annual fundraising drive by the March of Dimes, supporting pediatric research and finding cures for various diseases and afflictions affecting babies before and after birth. Each year 15 million babies are born prematurely. March of Dimes helps moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. If something goes wrong, they offer information and comfort to families.

Africa

Mar

Maple Syrup Weekends (US-NY): March 21-29

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Yum! If you live in the mid-Atlantic, northeastern United States, or southeastern Canada, prepare your tastebuds for two weekends of sweet heaven and the perfect early spring road trip! Yes, authentic maple syrup is a fantastic gift to take back home if you're traveling in the region. Best of all, if kept in the refrigerator after opening, maple syrup does not spoil. Every spring, the New York State Maple Producers Association members invite families and friends into their "sugar houses" to experience the world of pure New York maple syrup. Located at approximately 160 farms and museums across New York State, Maple Weekend offers a delicious, fun-filled outing with a little something for all maple lovers to taste and experience. New York's Maple Syrup Weekend occurs over two weekends. Participating farms and producers are listed at https://mapleweekend.nysmaple.com. PLEASE NOTE: Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are only a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

Africa

Mar

Manatee Appreciation Day: March 25

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Manatees are marine mammals resembling the combination of a seal and a walrus. These gentle giants inhabit rivers, canals, saltwater bays, estuaries, and coastal areas along the southeastern United States. They spend the winter in Florida and migrate north to Virginia and Texas in the summer months. The advent of power boats, which often collide with the animals coupled with overhunting in the past for their meat, oil, and hides, has placed the manatee on the Endangered Species List. In 1972, the manatee was designated a marine mammal protected under the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. By 1979 then governor of Florida Bob Graham declared November Manatee Awareness Month, thus authorizing the first state-designated protection zones for the marine mammal. In 1980 the US Congress followed suit with a $100,000 allocation to the Marine Mammal Commission and the development of the initial Federal Manatee Recovery Plan by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Africa

Mar

Malignant Hyperthermia Awareness and Training Month: March

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Malignant Hyperthermia, preventing and treating it through education Malignant Hyperthermia Awareness and Training Month, observed annually in May, is dedicated to raising awareness about Malignant Hyperthermia (MH), a rare but life-threatening condition. The month focuses on educating healthcare professionals and the general public about MH recognition, risk factors, and management. Malignant Hyperthermia is typically triggered in susceptible individuals by certain anesthetic gases used during surgery or some muscle relaxants. It is a pharmacogenetic disorder, meaning it results from the interaction of specific drugs with a genetic susceptibility in an individual. The condition was first clinically recognized in the 1960s, and since then, efforts to raise awareness and improve patient safety continue annually. The symptoms of Malignant Hyperthermia can include a rapid increase in body temperature (Hyperthermia), severe muscle rigidity, acidosis, a fast heart rate, and high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. If not treated promptly, it can lead to complications such as muscle breakdown, organ failure, and even death. The underlying cause of MH is usually a genetic mutation, often in the RYR1 gene, which affects calcium regulation in muscle cells. This genetic predisposition means that MH can run in families, although the presence of the gene mutation does not guarantee that an individual will experience an MH crisis. Prevention of MH involves screening and awareness. People who know they have a family history of MH or who have experienced symptoms suggestive of MH during anesthesia should inform their healthcare providers. In surgeries for at-risk individuals, anesthesiologists can use alternative medications that do not trigger MH. During Malignant Hyperthermia Awareness and Training Month, various educational programs and resources are provided to medical professionals to improve their readiness and response to an MH crisis. Additionally, patient advocacy groups and health organizations work to disseminate information to help at-risk individuals understand their condition and take preventive measures.

Africa