All - Leep Calendar

Each year for three weeks during the Christmas season the wild bird population (over 9,600 species) of the world is counted. It is estimated today that twelve percent of these species face extinction. Threats to bird populations include illegal pet trade, disease, pollution, loss of habitat, disease and solar panels and other technological advances. The Christmas Count, which began in the early 2000s, is the longest running citizen science survey in the world. National Bird Day occurs on January 5 each year to mark the conclusion of the Christmas count and bring the focus away from wild birds to those kept in captivity within the United States, most of which are pets and native to other countries. The ultimate goal of National Bird Day is to increase the survival rate and well-being of the world's birds through public education and support for conservation. This event first ran in 2002.

Africa

Jan

Birth Defects Prevention Month, Ntl.: January

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National Birth Defects Prevention Network sponsors National Birth Defects Prevention Month each year. See the consortium’s website for details on this year’s focus and to download materials and study aids.

Africa

Jan

Bittersweet Chocolate Day: January 10

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Dark chocolate in Europe, or bittersweet baker’s chocolate in the Americas, is a minimum of 35% pure cocoa with little or no sweetener added. Of all the chocolates in the world, dark chocolate is the most versatile and can be used in baking, eaten with wine and/or cheese.

Africa

Jan

Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo (US-SD): January 24-February 2

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Riding competitions, livestock and entertainment, the annual Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo is an annual bright spot in the otherwise harsh and cold Dakota winters. The event was created in 1958 as a means to bring together the rural and urban communities of Rapid City, South Dakota. It's grown in popularity and importance ever since.

Africa

Jan

Black Nazarene Fiesta (PH): January 1-9

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Black Nazarene Fiesta is observed annually in Manila, Philippines. It culminates in a parade originating from the Quiapo Church featuring a life-size statue of the district’s patron saint, Black Nazarene. Fireworks, food, music and an outpouring of culture are all part of this multi-day celebration.

Africa

Jan

Blonde Brownie Day, Ntl.: January 22

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National Blonde Brownie Day recognizes the blonde brownie, which is actually the first brownie ever included in a cookbook, The Boston Cooking-School Cookbook by Fanny Merrit Farmer in 1896. This book changed the way American families cook. It was written in a teaching format rather than simply recipes. It is possible that the day chosen for Blond Brownie Day coincides with the date of release for the book. We are unable to confirm that though. It wouldn’t be until 1898 that the words chocolate and brownie would finally appear together in an advertisement in the Kansas City Journal, and 1899 before a chocolate brownie recipe would be published. Blonde brownies contain zero chocolate and are basically cookies baked in a pan and cut into rectangles. Today we often do this with chocolate chip cookie dough in an effort to shorten the amount of time it takes to cook the cookies one sheet at a time. Technically, these pan chocolate chip cookies would be brownies. What differentiates a brownie from cookies and cake is the density of the finished product. Cookies tend to be flat and dense. Cake is high and light. Brownies are high and dense.

Africa

Jan

Blood Donor Month, Ntl.: January

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Each year the American Red Cross sponsors National Blood Donor Month in an effort to restock the nation’s supply of blood. You don't need a special reason to give blood. You just need your own reason. Some of us give blood because we were asked by a friend. Some know that a family member or a friend might need blood some day. Some believe it is the right thing to do. Whatever your reason, the need is constant and your donation is important for maintaining a healthy and reliable blood supply. You'll feel good knowing you've helped change a life!

Africa

Jan

Bloody Mary Day: January 1

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The 18th Amendment and the Russian Revolution are responsible for the favorite hangover cocktail cure known as the Bloody Mary. The 18th Amendment forced Americans who enjoyed libations overseas to find relief from prohibition. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world a revolution was in full swing. People escaping Russia brought with them their favorite distilled spirit. Both groups of refugees converged in Paris. During this time Harry Mac Elhone built an authentic New York bar in Paris, complete with the original bar shipped in from the States. The French found this novelty delightful. Americans sought it out as a taste of home and the Russians, well, they just wanted to have a good time. Mac Elhone found vodka to be rather tasteless and boring. His bartender Ferdinand “Pet” Petiot spent months fooling around with the liquor, attempting to make something novel. Then one day he combined it with tomato juice cocktail and spices. Bam! The Bloody Mary was born…except it was called Bucket of Blood. Then, the Red Snapper. To get to the name Bloody Mary would require the end of Prohibition and a trip back to New York, specifically at the King Cole Bar in the St. Regis Hotel. Petiot was lured back by the Astors. There are several stories as to why the Red Snapper morphed into Bloody Mary. Some say it pays homage to Mary Tudor I of England, Queen Elizabeth I’s half sister who was famous for killing Protestants. Or possibly after actor George Jessel friend, Mary Geraghty. Or simply because it was easier to remember than Red Snapper and more appealing than bucket of blood. However, the drink received its name, by 1946 the drink was thus called in print. January 1 is dubbed Bloody Mary Day simply because on New Years Eve, people tend to drink too much and thus need this hangover cure, first thing in the morning.

Africa

Jan

Blueberry Pancake Day: January 28

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Blueberries are native to the United States, but they’ve only been part of the American diet for the past 100 years. Blueberries are packed with anti-oxidants, low in calorie and blend well with a number of different flavors including oats, salads and pancakes! Blueberry pancakes substitute blueberry syrup with whole blueberries for maple syrup, providing a feast for your senses in color, smell and taste. Or, blueberries can be baked inside the pancake batter for a tart and sweet treat. Blueberry Pancake Day is your excuse to enjoy this all American flapjack version of a breakfast favorite.

Africa

Jan

Bobblehead Day, Ntl: January 7

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First run in 2015, National Bobblehead Day is a celebration of this enduring German toy created in the 1700s based upon Asian (China and Japan) string dolls of the time. Their heads are extremely large and dance above small bodies, bobbing back and forth. Originally they were made of porcelain. Today, they're made of plastic. In the 1990s these whimsical moving dolls entered sports marketing via Alexander Malcolm, who was simply looking for a promotional toy to market the San Francisco Giants. He produced over nearly 50 million of bobbleheads and built a global company that creates bobbleheads of various sports and cultural figures. Today many of these promotional items are coveted collectors items.

Africa

Jan

Bodhi Day (B)(CN)(532 BC): January 13

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Bodhi Day celebrates the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Japan celebrates this event annually on December 8th. People following the Chinese religious calendar celebrate it on the 8th day of the 12th lunar (as apposed to Solar) month in the Chinese Calendar. This day is the anniversary of him becoming the Buddha. A common misconception is that Siddhartha Gautama was born in India. He was born in Nepal, and the small Himalayan country takes great pride in this fact!

Africa

Jan

Bonza Bottler Day™, Intl: January 1

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When the number of the month matches the number of the day, that's Bonza Bottler Day. Basically, it is a play on numbers. There are twelve Bonza Bottler Days a year. This event began in 1985. Bonza is Australian for 'Super'. Bottler is slang for 'something excellent'.

Africa

Jan

Book Blitz Month, Ntl.: January

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January is National Book Blitz Month, a national campaign designed to promote reading and facilitate the relationship between authors and the media. Libraries often support the event by recommending their favorite books to curl up with. It is a great time for librarians, media specialists, and teachers to promote reading and introduce students to new authors. Ways to celebrate include: Creating a mini-personal library; Setting a reading goal; Creating a reading list; Swapping books; Finding a reading buddy; Joining a book club.

Africa

Jan

Bootlegger's Day, Ntl.(1899/1920): January 17

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Bootleggers are smugglers, sometimes distillers, who bring in alcoholic beverages where they are either taxed or prohibited. National Bootlegger's Day marks two distinct anniversaries on January 17th. The birthday of bootlegger Al Capone: January 17, 1899 18th Amendment (Prohibition) goes into effect: January 17, 1920 The term 'bootlegger' refers to the flask smugglers used to hide in the top of their boots. In the age of the Old West, it was typically done to smuggle liquor to native Americans. With the advent of prohibition in the 1920s, it took on a whole new meaning.

Africa

Jan

Braille Day, World (1809): January 4

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Promoted by multiple organizations including the World Blind Union, World Braille Day celebrates the birth of Louis Braille on January 4, 1809. Braille was a Frenchman who lost his sight at a very early age. Braille learned to read using the Haüy system using Latin letters embossed on thick paper or leather. The Haüy system was difficult and didn’t allow for writing. Frustrated with it, Braille came up with a new code when he was only 15 years old. This system of dots in small rectangular blocks was far easier to read by touch. More importantly, it allowed for writing. Today Braille’s original code exists in several variations that accommodate different languages. His new language revolutionized communication for millions of people and opened up a world of learning, opportunity and independence.

Africa