All - Leep Calendar

January is the National Braille Literacy Month in the U.S., and it marks the anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille on January 4, 1809. Inventing the Braille code at the age of 15, Braille has changed the lives of millions of people by giving those without sight the means to read and write. Even in today’s day and age of digital information, with audiobooks and recording Braille is used across the globe. National Braille Literacy Month is supported by several organizations servicing the blind.

Africa

Jan

Bread Machine Baking Month (US/AU): January

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CELEBRATING HOMEMADE BREAD BREAD MACHINE BAKING MONTH Bread Machine Baking Month is a celebration that turns the simple act of home bread making into an annual winter ritual in the United States—a practice that has begun to resonate with Australian bakers as well. In America, the observance falls every January, a nod to the season when a hot, freshly baked loaf carries extra comfort amid winter’s chill. The event spotlights the modern convenience of automated bread machines—a technology that transformed a once labor-intensive art into a routine pleasure for the nation’s estimated 25 million bread machine owners. The first bread machine patent was granted on August 7, 1894, to Joseph Lee. His invention set in motion the evolution of the appliance that now kneads, rises, and bakes with the push of a button. Bread Machine Baking Month invites enthusiasts to experiment with recipes, host bread tastings and community bake-offs, and swap machines with fellow bakers. The holiday celebrates not only the technology that makes homemade bread accessible but also the emotional connection people have to the aroma and warmth of a freshly baked loaf. Across the Pacific, while Australia does not have a government-sanctioned “Bread Machine Baking Month,” the spirit of the celebration has found a natural home in a country with a long history of baking. Australians cherish their baking traditions—from indigenous practices that yielded damper bread and the nostalgic fairy bread (a treat first immortalized in a 1913 poem by Robert Louis Stevenson) to contemporary sourdough classes at places like Dairy Flat Farm near Daylesford and thriving commercial bakeries with roots that trace back over a century. In Australia, modern home bakers mix the convenience of bread machines with a deep reverence for their culinary heritage, celebrating a continuum stretching from native ingredients to the hot bread shops pioneered by fourth-generation bakers. In both countries, the celebration is as much about community and innovation as it is about bread itself. It unites a diverse group of home cooks, professional bakers and cultural historians who see each loaf as a symbol of warmth, ingenuity and a shared history. As technology has evolved from Joseph Lee’s first patented bread machine to today’s sophisticated models that handle everything from dough to crust, Bread Machine Baking Month has grown into a testament to how an everyday appliance can become a source of tradition and joy.

Africa

Jan

CBD Month, Ntl.: January

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LET'S HEAR IT FOR HEMP NATIONAL CBD MONTH National CBD Month, observed each January since its launch in 2020, has become a focal point for educating Americans about cannabidiol—commonly known as CBD—and its potential benefits for health and wellness. The initiative, spearheaded by CBD manufacturer cbdMD, was created to dispel myths surrounding the compound and to promote informed, responsible use of products derived from hemp. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound derived from the hemp plant, wa variety of cannabis that contains less than 0.3% THC. Unlike THC, which is responsible for the “high,” CBD is known for its potential therapeutic benefits, such as pain relief, reduced anxiety, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, researchers advise that the effects of CBD are still being studied. cbdMD, the company behind National CBD Month, launched the observance in 2020 amid growing consumer interest and the federal legalization of hemp through the 2018 Farm Bill. The new law paved the way for an explosion of CBD products—from oils and gummies to topicals and capsules—while also prompting a need for accurate information and quality standards in a largely unregulated market. Third-party Certificates of Analysis are also discussed throughout the month. The purpose of these is to confirm the purity and potency of their products. National CBD Month offers an educational campaign and a marketing platform for the burgeoning CBD industry. It is an opportunity for users to learn about CBD’s potential and for the sellers to dispeall the misconceptions shrouding this nonintoxicating compound.

Africa

Jan

Celebration of Life Month: January

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Celebration of Life Month originated to create an upbeat mood following the holidays. January can be a difficult month for many people. In the northern hemisphere, it is dark and cold, often uneventful (except for football championships), which can leave people lonely. Celebration of Life Month seeks to remind people of all the things in their life that make it worth celebrating, whether your health or appreciating your children, grandchildren, and spouse.

Africa

Jan

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: January

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Cervical Cancer Awareness Month seeks to raise awareness about this highly treatable disease. Multiple screening tests for cervical cancer and vaccines are available that target the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer. However, most women who have cervical cancer fail to be screened. The pap smear is a standard part of the recommended annual women's exam and is used to detect it. When found early, cervical cancer is highly treatable and doesn't cause major disruptions to life. If caught late, however, it can be deadly.

Africa

Jan

Change Your Stars Month, Intl.: January

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REACH FOR YOUR GOALS INTERNATIONAL CHANGE YOUR STARS MONTH Every January, millions around the globe are encouraged to “change their stars” during International Change Your Stars Month, a celebration dedicated to inspiring personal transformation one day at a time. International Change Your Stars Month was created on January 1, 1999, by Jace Carlton, an inspirational speaker and personal coach with a background in psychology. Carlton created a following by sending his friends daily motivational emails. His messages, filled with practical tips and uplifting quotes, quickly resonated far beyond his initial circle. Within a year and a half, his inspirational emails were shared internationally, sparking interest in his ideas and prompting local publications and online newsletters to feature his work. Inspired in part by the 2005 film “A Knight’s Tale” – in which a poor thatcher’s son is told that if he believes hard enough, he can “change the stars” – Carlton eventually formalized his concept by creating a dedicated website. The website laid out 31 daily suggestions for self-improvement and set the stage for what would become an annual global observance. In 2008, the holiday received further validation when the 50th Anniversary Edition of Chase’s Calendar of Events officially recognized International Change Your Stars Month, a designation that has continued every year since. International Change Your Stars Month invites participants to adopt daily activities designed to challenge the status quo of their personal lives. Each day offers a specific theme—gratitude and faith to perseverance and vision—that encourages individuals to rethink their limits, set new goals, and make tangible changes. By emphasizing that life’s outcomes are not predetermined by birth or circumstance, Carlton’s initiative serves as a counterpoint to the all-too-common New Year’s resolutions that often falter after a few weeks. Instead, the month-long observance promotes a sustained, incremental approach to personal development, helping participants “change their stars” and, in the process, become better influences on those around them.

Africa

Jan

Cheesy Sock Month, Ntl.: January

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A Cheesy Sock Month care package includes whimsical warm socks, cheesy popcorn, toiletries, and a funny note of support and encouragement. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless, unaccompanied minors, and children in foster care, many of whom lack the most necessities (like warm, clean socks) to make it through the winter.

Africa

Jan

Child-centered Divorce Awareness Month, Intl.: January

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If you’re a parent coping with divorce-related issues, professionals worldwide are here to provide free products and services to you all through January. Recognizing International Child-Centered Divorce Month, we’ve enrolled child-centered divorce attorneys, mediators, divorce coaches, therapists, financial planners, and other professionals on four continents to join this educational campaign. They aim to share insights, advice, tips, and tools to help you create the most favorable outcome for your family as you transition through divorce.

Africa

Jan

Children Impacted by a Parent's Cancer Month: January

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Children Impacted by a Parent's Cancer Month seeks to support children and families where one or more parent is undergoing cancer treatment, living in remission, or has died. This impact on a young life can be devastating, leading to isolation, lower academic scores, and a loss of childhood. Resources are available to help children and families cope. Outreach during the month serves families, schools, health care, and mental health professionals. Created in 2000.

Africa

Jan

Clap-4-Health Month: January

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Children, Seniors, and just about everyone can clap. Not only is it exercise, but it releases feel-good endorphins that elevate your mood. Clap-4-Health Month is an annual outreach program that uses clapping to educate Americans about obesity and cardiovascular disease annually in January.

Africa

Jan

Clean-up Your Computer Month, Ntl.: January

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It’s a new year and time to get rid of what is holding you back, clean up your act, and prepare. Most of us start the new year slowly, making it the perfect time to update our computer and its virus software, clean out old files and consolidate new ones. National Clean-up Your Computer Month in January is your excuse to do this. Denise Hoyle of Pensacola, Florida, founded this event.

Africa

Jan

Conscience Month, Ntl.: January

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National Conscience Month celebrates and raises awareness about the value of using your conscience to guide better decisions. Created by American Meditation Institute founders Leonard and Jenness Perlmutter, National Conscience Month will take place each January, beginning in 2020. During Conscience Month, observers are encouraged to explore more about their conscience — from what it is, how it works, to how to access it reliably. People who consult their consciences regularly experience more positive outcomes and find they can be happier and healthier in the long term. Contact the American Meditation Institute to learn more.

Africa

Jan

Creativity Month, Intl.: January

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For one month each year, the world celebrates International Creativity Month, a month to remind individuals and organizations around the globe to capitalize on the power of creativity. Unleashing creativity is vital for personal and business success in this age of accelerating change. January, the first month of the year, provides an opportunity to take a fresh approach to problem-solving and renew confidence in our creative capabilities. International Creativity Month was founded by Randall Munson and is celebrated worldwide annually in January. Take advantage of International Creativity Month to refocus your attention and creatively improve your business and personal activities.

Africa

Jan

Crime Stoppers Month (CA): January

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Canadian Crime Stoppers Month honors Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers is a civilian, non-profit, charitable organization that forges alliances between community activists, the police department, and the media to reduce crime and keep neighborhoods safe. This month is about raising awareness of Crime Stoppers, recruiting citizen volunteers, and educating the community about best practices in safety and security. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police champion Canadian Crime Stoppers Month.

Africa

Jan

Dry January (UK/US): January

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Formerly Sober January, this event began in the United Kingdom in 1942 and has since become popular in the United States. The objective of Dry January is to abstain from alcohol for the entire month.

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