All - Leep Calendar

International Day of Acceptance, observed annually on January 20th, is dedicated to fostering social acceptance of disability and promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. This day marks a global effort to celebrate and embrace disability as a natural part of the human experience. The awareness and advocacy day celebrates the life of Annie Hopkins, founder of 3E Love, a social entrepreneurial company with the mission of changing societal perceptions of disability. Hopkins, who had a disability herself, initiated the "Wheelchair Heart" symbol, representing love and acceptance. She died in 2009 at 24; Annie's family and friends declared January 20th, 1984, her birthday, the International Day of Acceptance in her memory. International Day of Acceptance encourages people to publicly show their acceptance of people with disabilities. The day is not just about passive recognition but active participation in fostering a world where people with disabilities have equal opportunities and accessibility in society. It serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and organizations to embrace diversity, including disabilities, and to work towards inclusivity in all areas of life. Events and activities marking the day range from educational programs and awareness campaigns to social media movements, all aimed at promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusive practices. The symbol of the Wheelchair Heart signifies support and solidarity while functioning as a tribute to Annie Hopkins' vision and legacy and a reminder of the ongoing effort required to create a more inclusive society for everyone.

Africa

Jan

Army Day, (LS)(1986): January 20

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Army Day in Lesotho marks the anniversary of January 20, 1986, when the army overthrew Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan and his government. Army Day is a public holiday.

Africa

Jan

Break-up Day, Intl.: January 20

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International Break-up Day marks the single day each year when more romantic couples will split than any other. On January 20th, the holiday season was over for three weeks, and Valentine's Day's next significant stressor on relationships was still three weeks off. Why do romantic relationships break up? Money, different views on children, substance abuse, mental and physical illness, all of these issues can play into the end of a relationship. However, the most common themes contributing to "Hit the Road, Jack (or Jill)" include communication breakdown, infidelity, and divergent life paths. COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN—At the core of many relationship failures is the erosion of communication. When couples struggle to effectively express their needs, desires, and concerns, misunderstandings and frustrations lead to emotional distance and isolation. The inability to resolve conflicts through healthy dialogue often exacerbates minor issues, transforming them into insurmountable barriers. INFIDELITY—Another common catalyst for the end of romantic partnerships is infidelity. Acts of betrayal, whether physical or emotional, shatter the foundation of trust and mutual respect. The ensuing feelings of hurt, anger, and disillusionment are often too profound to overcome, leading many couples to part ways. Infidelity not only damages the immediate bond but can also leave lasting emotional scars, affecting individuals' ability to trust in future relationships. DIVERGENT LIFE PATHS—Relationships also commonly end due to partners growing apart and pursuing different life paths due to personal goals, career aspirations, or fundamental values. As individuals evolve, their needs and visions for the future may no longer align, leading to a natural drift. Divergent break-ups are particularly common in relationships that begin at a young age, where personal growth and changes in identity are most significant. When the shared path that once united a couple diverges, the relationship often reaches its natural conclusion. Though these are the most common reasons, each relationship has its complexities. Terminating a romantic partnership is frequently a culmination of various factors interwoven in the intricate dynamics of human relationships. International Break-up Day is an opportunity to take stock of your relationship, identify areas that need work, and recommit. It is also a day for honesty. Is your relationship a positive influence in your life or a negative? If negative, it may be time to move on.

Africa

Jan

Buttercrunch Day, Ntl.: January 20

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National Buttercrunch Day in the US celebrates the candy known as buttercrunch (think of the center of a Butterfinger® bar). Like most food holidays, this day is celebrated adequately by cooking and eating buttercrunch. Pair it with chocolate or caramel for a decadent, delicious dessert.

Africa

Jan

Camcorder Day, Ntl. (1982): January 20

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National Camcorder Day marks the anniversary of the marketing of the first camcorder by Sony electronics in 1982. This professional version led the way to the first consumer version, which premiered in 1983. These tape-based predecessors were the precursors of today's digital video cameras and smartphones. Before the camcorder, film was used to capture moving images. The camcorder reduced the cost of filming and made it much less expensive to shoot in the field.

Africa

Jan

Cheese Lover's Day: January 20

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Cheese Lover's Day celebrates cheese. Cheese is one of those foods found globally, created from various mammals' milk. The origin legend features an Arabian traveler accidentally making cheese when he stored milk in a sheep's stomach pouch. It separated into curds and whey, and he decided he liked it. From Arabia, it spread to Europe. From Europe, it traveled with the pilgrims to the New World. Today one-third of the milk produced in the US each year goes to create cheese.

Africa

Jan

Disc Jockey (DJ) Day, Ntl.: January 20

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National Disc Jockey (DJ) Day celebrates DJs in their artistic glory and the joy they bring to us. Professional DJs have been a part of the entertainment scene since 1909.

Africa

Jan

Heroes Day, Ntl. (GW)(1973): January 20

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National Heroes Day in Guinea-Bissau marks the anniversary of January 20, 1973, when Amilcar Cabral, a leader of the independence movement, was assassinated. Heroes Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Jan

Martyrs Day (AZ)(1990): January 20

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Martyrs Day is a national holiday in Azerbaijan, honoring the sacrifice of the Azeris. Dubbed Black January, ultimately, 131 civilians were killed by troops and 744 injured over several days by the Soviet Union beginning January 20, 1990. Azerbaijan declared and gained its independence in 1991.

Africa

Jan

Penguin Day, Ntl.: January 20

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National Penguin Day in the United States raises awareness of several species of penguins currently threatened by climate change. There are 17 different species of penguins, all native to the southern hemisphere.

Africa

Jan

San Sebastian's Day (BR): January 20

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Saint Sebastian was a maverick known for his bravery and secret life as a Christian, hiding at the very top of Roman nobility before Rome became Christian. Being Christian was dangerous at the time, yet Sebastian converted large numbers of soldiers to the faith, including the governor of Rome. But, like many before him, eventually, he was caught and executed under Roman law for practicing and proselytizing Christianity in 288 AD. Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His feast day is celebrated throughout the Christian world on January 20, and orthodox sects observe Saint Sebastian's feast on December 18.

Africa

Jan

Museum Selfie Day: January 21

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Mar Dixon, a social media and audience development consultant in the arts sector, created Museum Selfie Day in 2014 to encourage people to visit and engage with museums. The idea for Museum Selfie Day emerged from Dixon's observations of the evolving role of technology and social media in shaping cultural experiences. Recognizing the growing trend of selfie photography and its potential as a tool for engagement, Dixon proposed a day where visitors visit museums, mark their visit with selfies, and share them on social media platforms using the hashtag #MuseumSelfie. At first, the museums were cautious. Up until this point, photography was limited or prohibited inside of most. However, they also needed to engage younger people. The concept was simple yet innovative, combining the modern selfie phenomenon with the traditional museum setting. Museum Selfie Day's impact extends beyond merely taking photos. It connects the public and museums, encouraging individuals to visit and explore these cultural institutions and share their experiences. It also allows exhibits and artwork to reach a broader audience, sparking interest in art, history, and science. Within two years of its inception, Museum Selfie Day gained traction on social media, with museums and visitors worldwide participating enthusiastically. The day highlights the role of social media in modern-day cultural consumption and the importance of making museums accessible and appealing to a wider, tech-savvy audience.

Africa

Jan

Weedless Wednesday, Ntl. (CA): January 21

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Weedless Wednesday occurs during National Non-Smoking Week (NNSW). It refers to abstaining from cannabis for the day to encourage Canadians to quit. NNSW is one of the longest-running initiatives in Canada’s ongoing public health education efforts to help those who want to quit smoking quit. Weedless Wednesday is organized by Canadian Council for Tobacco Control (CCTC).

Africa

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 most significant island in the bay, with views of Sonoma and Napa on clear days. From 1910 to 1940, the Angel Island Immigration Station, "The Ellis Island of the West," was the first stop for over 1 million Asian immigrants entering the US. In 1964, after lobbying by the Chinese American community, it was declared a state landmark by the state of California. In 1975, California created the Angel Island Conservatory with a primary mission to facilitate the preservation, restoration, and interpretation of historical and natural resources on the island.

Africa

Jan

Citizen United Decision by Supreme Court (2010): January 21

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Citizens United is one of the most destructive decisions ever upheld by the US Supreme Court. Foundational to the decision is that a corporation, a legal entity created by a contract that cannot be jailed, breathe, killed, or wounded, is equivalent to a human being under the First Amendment. The court stated on January 21, 2010, that corporations, like people, have a constitutional right to be heard in election campaigns. The court maintained that there should be no limit to the amount of money corporations and unions can spend in elections, provided the money is independent of the campaign it intends to support. Without accountability, this decision has flooded national and local elections in the United States with billions of dollars from special interest groups, including international donors, creating an atmosphere of competing messages and non-transparent agenda funding. Not only has it exasperated the cost of elections, but it has also extended the campaign time into a near never-ending parade.

Africa