All - Leep Calendar

January 14, 1784, the Continental Congress of the United States ratified the Treaty of Paris, signed September 3, 1783. This document officially ended the war for independence between the United States and England and took full effect on May 12, 1784.

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Jan

Get to Know Your Customer Day Q1: January 15

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A day set aside each quarter of the year to work on your customer journey, marketing, sales funnel, and customer service policies and find additional ways to increase customer loyalty through appreciation. The Loyalty Formula: Loyalty = Great Service + Confidence "Customer Loyalty is about the next time—every time. Every day, and all of the time. All year long!" -Shep Hyken

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Jan

Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders Day, (1908): January 15

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Today, January 15, is the anniversary of the founding of the first black sorority in the United States in 1908 at Howard University. It is called the Alpha Kappa Alpha.

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Jan

Bagel Day, Ntl.: January 15

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Initiated in 2014, National Bagel Day celebrates the doughnut-shaped circular bread that has become a breakfast and lunch favorite in America. The bagel originated in Krakow, Poland, in 1610.

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Jan

Hat Day, Ntl.: January 15

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National Hat Day is celebrated every year and is an opportunity to wear whatever you like on your head, the more outrageous, the better. National Hat Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

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Jan

Kombucha Day, Ntl: January 15

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Kombucha or 'Booch' is a fermented tea that has become to millennials what the martini is to the Great Generation and coolers to GenX. It's the 'it' alcoholic beverage. And like all things millennial, it's organic, has low-cal options, and includes various other things like herbs and probiotics, depending on flavor. Kombucha Day began in 2019.

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Jan

Martin Luther King's Birthday (1929): January 15

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Dr. Martin Luther King was an American pastor who rose to prominence in the 1950s as a voice for social justice and equal rights. Today is his actual birthday, January 15, 1929, and the annual holiday in his honor is celebrated in the US on the Monday closest to this date. King’s distinctive auditory style galvanized an entire movement and played a key role in the 1964 Civil Rights act, which discriminated against persons based on race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or sex, a crime. He is considered one of the most influential people of the 20th Century. Dr. King was assassinated for his efforts on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was only 39 years old.

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Jan

Strawberry Ice Cream Day: January 15

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Various ice cream stores and producers with specials on strawberry ice cream celebrate Strawberry Ice Cream Day.

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Jan

Arbor Day, (US-FL): January 16

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

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Jan

Fetish Day, Intl.: January 16

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The third Friday of January is International Fetish Day, first celebrated in 2009 in the United Kingdom. Merriam-Webster defines fetish as: a: An object (such as a small stone carving of an animal) believed to have a magical power to protect or aid its owner; broadly: a material object regarded with superstitious or extravagant trust or reverence. b: An object of irrational reverence or obsessive devotion: prepossession c: An object or bodily part whose real or fantasied presence is psychologically necessary for sexual gratification and that is an object of fixation to the extent that it may interfere with complete sexual expression 2: A rite or cult of fetish worshippers 3: Fixation Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetish

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Jan

Isra'a Wal Mi'raj (M)(621 AD): January 16/17

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According to Islam, Isra and Mi'raj are the two parts of the Night Journey, which the prophet Mohammad undertook during a single night in the year 621 AD. The Qu'ran states he traveled from Mecca to Jerusalem, then to heaven, and back to Mecca in one night. Marking this journey by Mohammad is one of the most important events in the Islamic Calendar. On Isra and Mi'raj, Muslims believe the prophet traveled from Mecca to the farthest mosque on earth, where he led other prophets (including Jesus Christ, Abraham, Moses, and others) in prayer. He then ascended into heaven to speak with God, where He revealed to Mohammed additional revelations, including the proper way to pray, when to pray and how often to pray—the ritual observant Muslims follow five times a day facing Mecca. The mosque he traveled to is marked today by Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, also known as the Dome of the Rock. Muslims believe it was from this point that the prophet Mohammed was lifted into heaven to speak with God. Islamic scholars argue whether this was a physical or spiritual journey. Whether his soul or person, it is believed he rode a stallion named Buraq to meet God. The prophet Mohammed died ten years later in 632 AD. PLEASE NOTE: Islamic holidays are determined in Mecca by the moon's position and can occur a day earlier or later than posted.

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Jan

Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival (UK): January 16-18

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MARKING THE START OF THE AGRICULTURAL SEASON: THE WHITTLESEA STRAW BEAR FESTIVAL The Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival, an annual event held in Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, celebrates English folk traditions and community spirit. This unique festival, featuring a figure known as the "Straw Bear," dates back to at least the 19th century, though its precise origins are somewhat obscured. The history of the Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival is rooted in the agrarian customs of the region. Traditionally, on Plough Monday—the first Monday after Epiphany—farm laborers would dress one of their own in a straw costume and parade him through the town. This "Straw Bear" would visit homes and businesses, performing dances in exchange for food, drink, or money. The practice, which symbolized the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the agricultural year, was a way for the rural community to mark the return to work after the winter break. The original festival waned in the early 20th century due to societal changes and evolving attitudes toward such customs. However, in 1980, local enthusiasts revived the tradition, leading to the establishment of the modern Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival. Today, it is held on the second weekend of January and has grown into a three-day event, attracting visitors from across the UK and beyond. The Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival is important because it celebrates local heritage and preserves English folk traditions. It links to the past, fostering a sense of continuity and community identity. The festival also showcases traditional music, dance, and crafts, contributing to the broader appreciation of folk culture. HOW WHITTLESEA CELEBRATES Customs and features of the Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival include: The Straw Bear Parade: The centerpiece of the festival is the parade, in which the Straw Bear, dressed in an elaborate straw costume, is led through the streets of Whittlesey. Accompanied by musicians and dancers, the procession creates a lively and festive atmosphere. —Morris Dancing and Folk Music: The festival features performances by Morris dancers, folk musicians, and various traditional dance groups from around the country. These performances occur at different venues throughout the town, adding to the celebratory ambiance. The Burning of the Bear: On Sunday evening, the straw costume is ceremonially burned to symbolize the festival's symbolic conclusion. This act represents the cycle of death and rebirth, mirroring the agricultural themes of renewal and growth. —Workshops and Exhibitions: The festival includes workshops on traditional crafts, storytelling sessions, and exhibitions on the history and significance of the Straw Bear and related customs. The Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival's blend of historical significance, cultural preservation, and community engagement makes it a cherished event in the local calendar. It allows people of all ages to connect with their heritage, enjoy traditional festivities, and participate in a unique and enduring celebration of English folk traditions.

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Jan

Day without a Scalpel, Ntl (1964): January 16

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American surgeon Charles Dotter performed the first angioplasty procedure on a leg, without a scalpel, in Portland, Oregon, on January 16, 1964. He changed how surgery. Day Without a Scalpel occurs each year to honor his advancements in medical science.

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Jan

Dragon Day, Appreciate a: January 16

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Appreciate a Dragon Day or Dragon Day celebrates the mythical creatures called dragons. This event was created by children's author Donita K Paul to promote reading among children.

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Jan

Fig Newton Day, Ntl.: January 16

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A Fig Newton is a soft cookie filled with fig jam made possible by a machine invented in 1891. James Henry Mitchell invented the machine that funneled the dough and jam into two separate channels, producing an endless tube of dough that encased the jam. The tube is divided into smaller pieces, and the Kennedy Biscuit Works were the first company to use Mitchell's invention to mass-produce the cookies. Called initially "Newton," its name was later changed to Fig Newton after the Massachusetts town of Newton.

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