All - Leep Calendar

Commemorating a pagan festival celebrating the goddess of abundance, Ekeko and the January 24, 1781 battle between the Bolivians and imperial Spain, Alasitas is held annually on this date in the city of La Paz. It begins on this date and continues for a month, usually until the first day of Lent. Throughout the month, Bolivians purchase miniature dolls representing their hopes and wishes for the coming year.

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Jan

Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month (CA): January

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Each year Alzheimer’s Canada hosts National Alzheimer’s month. 747,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias today, a number expected to increase to 1.4 million in the next 15 years. Three out of four Canadians know someone with dementia. Women represent 72 percent of Canadians living with Alzheimer’s. For every person with the disease, two or more family members provide care. Women account for 70 percent of family caregivers. In 2011 alone, caregivers spent 444 million unpaid hours providing care. That’s the equivalent of $11 billion in lost income or 230,000 full-time jobs. Dementia costs the Canadian economy $33 billion per year. By 2040, that figure will skyrocket to $293 billion per year. Age is the biggest risk factor for dementia. After age 65, the risk doubles every five years. Dementia also occurs in people in their 50s, 40s and even in their 30s. Dementia is progressive. Progression varies greatly from person to person and can last between eight to 10 years – or even longer. Dementia is fatal. Its causes are not fully known, and there is still no cure or effective treatment to prevent or reverse the disease. Dementia is a collective term to describe brain disorders whose symptoms include: decline in memory, reasoning and communication skills; gradual loss in ability to carry out day-to-day activities; and changes in personality and behavior. Dementia can be present in the brain for up to 25 years before symptoms appear. There are many ways to get involved with the campaign at www.alzheimer.ca/stillhere:

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Jan

Ancestors' (Hero's) Day (HT): January 2

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August 21, 1791-January 1,1804 represents the 12 years in which the slaves of Haiti fought against French colonial rule for their independence. Ancestors’ or Hero’s Day commemorates all of the people who died fighting for Haiti’s freedom during this war. This is a national public holiday in Haiti.

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Jan

Angel Island Day, Ntl. (1910): January 21

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Today marks the anniversary of the opening of the immigration center on Angel Island, January 21, 1910. Located in the San Francisco Bay, Angel Island is the 2nd largest island in the bay with views of Sonoma and Napa on clear days. From 1910 to 1940, the Angel Island Immigration Station was the first stop for over 1 million Asian immigrants entering into the US. It is sometimes referred to as the “The Ellis Island of the West". In 1964, after lobbying by the Chinese American community, it was declared a state landmark by the state of California. In 1975, the Angel Island Conservatory was created with a primary mission to facilitate the preservation, restoration and interpretation of historical and natural resources on the island.

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Jan

Answer Your Cat's Question Day: January 22

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Have a talkative cat? Today's the day you speak back and answer his or her question. Another crazy holiday from Wellcat.

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Jan

Apple Tree Day (US/UK): January 6

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Apple Tree Day is a British folk custom as ancient as Christmas and part of the celebration of epiphany. Of distinction is the practice of wassailing, or apple howling. Wassail is a traditional word indicating the drinking to someone’s health, or on Apple Tree Day, drinking to the apple tree’s health. Apple Tree wassails are sung to the apple trees and festivities are held in apple orchards on Twelfth Night Eve and Twelfth Night between January 5-6. Celebrations include creating bonfires in apple orchards, wrapping favorite trees in ribbons, whacking apple trees whilst reciting poetry, drinking hard cider and pouring a portion of the cider on the roots of the trees to encourage a good harvest in the coming year. Today it is most common for children to wassail in the apple orchard during the day with non-alcoholic cider. But, for adults it remains a reason to gather around the apple tree with noise makers and instruments (to wake up the trees from their winter slumber), swap stories and drink lots of hard cider…sharing a little with the tree.

Africa

Jan

Apricot Day, Ntl.: January 9

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The apricot or ‘Armenian plum’ is often touted as a super food. High in iron with properties that are believe to protect against inflammation and improve eyesight, the apricot has been a favorite summer treat for centuries. Originally from China, it was in Armenia where the apricot first gained popularity. By the 18th century it had made its way across the pond to the new world, first with colonialists in Virginia and later with the Spanish missionaries colonizing the west coast in 1792. Delicious off the tree, canned or dehydrated, National Apricot Day is all about enjoying this super fruit.

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Jan

Arbor Day, (US-FL): January 17

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The state of Florida is one of the first states to celebrate Arbor Day, and it has been doing so since 1886. The day is used for environmental education and to increase the planting of trees throughout the state. Annually on the 3rd Friday in January.

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Jan

Argyle Day: January 8

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Created in 2009, Argyle Day attempts to brighten up the winter by encouraging everyone to wear something argyle on this day. Argyle is the pattern used by the Campbell Clan, which originated in Argyll in western Scotland, beginning in the 17th Century. It was a sign of rebellion in thread that virtually means: anti-establishment, with regard to the crown. Today it is often associated with the Windsor's or preppies, but it's Campbell and rebel through and through. The pattern is diamonds upon diamonds, the shape that is, and can be in a variety of color combinations.

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Jan

Art Deco Weekend, Miami (US-FL): January 17-19

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Miami is known for its art deco style architecture and each January it hosts Art Deco Weekend, a festival of architecture, art and all things Miami. This free community cultural festival supports the Miami Design Preservation League's commitment to preserve, promote and protect Miami and its heritage through historic preservation and educational initiatives.

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Jan

Asarah B'Tevet (J)(597 BC): January 7

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Asarah B'Tevet is a minor Jewish fasting day commemorating the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II beginning in 597 BC.

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Jan

Ati-Atihan Festival (PH): January 20-25

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Music, dance, street parades and more color than your eyes can count, the Philippine's annual Ati-Atihan Festival is a delight. Celebrating both the peace pact between the indigenous Ati of Panay and the Malay people, as well as infant Jesus, (added later by missionaries), this five day event in Kalibo remains one of the most anticipated festivals of the year.

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Jan

Australia Day (AU)(1788): January 26

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Australia Day is a national holiday marking the official proclamation by the British government on January 26, 1788 of sovereignty over the Australian continent. It was on this day in history that the British Ships docked at Port Jackson in New South Wales and hoisted the British flag at Sydney Cove. This day can also be referred to as Anniversary Day, Foundation Day, and/or ANA Day.

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Jan

Australia Day Holiday (AU): January 27

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As the anniversary falls on the weekend, today is the workday holiday. Australia Day is a national holiday marking the official proclamation by the British government on January 26, 1788 of sovereignty over the Australian continent. It was on this day in history that the British Ships docked at Port Jackson in New South Wales and hoisted the British flag at Sydney Cove. This day can also be referred to as Anniversary Day, Foundation Day, and/or ANA Day.

Africa

Jan

Australian Open (AU-VIC): January 20 - February 2

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First played in 1905, Melbourne’s Australian Open is one of the big four tennis tournaments each year: French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. The tournament always occurs during the last two weeks of January and sometimes bleeds into early February. PLEASE NOTE: All televised and venue specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) should be treated as estimated, even if the dates are set. Several factors can cause an event to change dates at the last minute including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor prior to committing resources. In many cases we must estimate the dates based upon previous years' schedules, as the final dates are not set until a few months or weeks prior to the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

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