All - Leep Calendar

Z Day reverses the alphabet for one day. On Z Day, people with a last name starting with Z go to the head of the line. Those with last names beginning with A go to the end.

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Jan

Bank Holiday, Scotland (UK): January 2

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Scotland enjoys a bank holiday on the first working day after New Year's Day.

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Jan

55-MPH Speed Limit Day (1974): January 2

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Today is the anniversary of the enactment of the 55-mile-per-hour speed limit in the United States in 1974. Speed limits have been with us since 1757, when they first appeared in Boston. The 55-mile-per-hour speed limit became the maximum speed limit in the United States for 12 years, beginning in 1974 and ending in 1986. The logic behind the limit was to force fuel economy following the 1973 oil embargo, and experts believed the law would force fuel consumption to fall by 2.2%. It only fell between .5 and 1.1%, depending upon the study. As Sammy Hagar famously states in his song “I Can’t Drive 55”, the double nickel speed limit was not popular, especially on rural highways in western states. In 1987 the US Congress raised the national speed limit to 65 MPH. By the end of 1995, National Highway Designation Act permanently killed the idea of a federal speed limit, transferring authority to the individual states.

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Jan

Ancestors (Heroes) Day (HT)(1804): January 2

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August 21, 1791, through January 1, 1804, represents the 12 years in which the slaves of Haiti fought against French colonial rule for their independence. Ancestors Day or Heroes Day commemorates the people who died fighting for Haiti’s freedom during this war. It falls on the anniversary of the first full day of freedom, January 2, 1804. We’ve included a few songs from the era for your enjoyment below. Heroes Day is a national public holiday in Haiti.

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Jan

Baby Making Day (UK) Ntl.: January 2

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What is the most popular birthday in the United Kingdom? September 26. What does that mean? More Brits make babies 38 weeks earlier on January 2 (between 10 PM and 11:00 PM GMT, with 10:36 PM being the most romantic minute of the year). So warm up the sheets, get out the lingerie and oils and get ready to do your patriot duty, United Kingdom. Celebrate Baby Making Day the best way you can, canoodling for the future!

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Jan

Berchtoldstag (CH)(1191): January 2

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Berchtoldstag celebrates the founding of Bern, Switzerland, in 1191 AD by Duke Berchtold V.

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Jan

Buffet Day, Ntl.: January 2

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National Buffet Day celebrates the Swedish dining invention of the 16th century, initially referred to as a "smorgasbord." A smorgasbord, or buffet, is a meal designed to accompany pre-dinner drinks like schnapps, where the guests walk around and choose what they want. Today, buffet meals often include all the courses and are especially useful in serving multiple guests simultaneously.

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Jan

Cream Puff Day, (Profiterole) Ntl.: January 2

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National Cream Puff Day celebrates cream puffs! The cream puff, or the "profiterole" in French, is a pastry ball filled with a sweet filling such as whipped cream, custard, pastry cream, or ice cream. The words "cream puff" were first documented in 1604. In 1851, the pastry cream puff first appeared on an American menu.

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Jan

Happy Mew Year (Cat): January 2

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One might say that counting time is a purely human and abstract invention, as we decide when a month or a year starts or ends. However, why shouldn't the animal world celebrate as well? Happy Mew Year is the day after the fireworks when felines can celebrate the beginning of a new year full of food, naps, cuddles, purrs, and a healthy dose of catnip.

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Jan

Introvert Day, World: January 2

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Extroverts, who love attention and are easy to spot in a crowd, are approximately 60% of the population. Introverts tend to be quiet in public and are often unseen. Through quiet observation, introverts see and hear a lot. Therefore, after a month or so of socializing, family and holidays, introverts need a day to rest and recharge. Beginning in 2011, January 2 is set aside to celebrate the quietly powerful members of society and give them the greatest gift of all: relaxation.

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Jan

Kakizome (JP): January 2

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The Japanese have a tradition of greeting the change of calendar with Kakizome, or the first writing of the year in Japanese calligraphy. These can be poetry, words of wisdom, hopes, or dreams. The tradition of writing on the second day of the new year symbolizes a return to work.

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Jan

Personal Trainer Awareness Day: January 2

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Personal Trainer Awareness Day coincides with most people making New Year's resolutions to get in shape and exercise. From their 2005 press release on the day: PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA (PRWEB) DECEMBER 9, 2005 The co-founders of January 2's National Personal Trainer Appreciation Day, Jim Labadie and Joey Atlas, know the holidays can be a calorically challenging time of year. To avoid increasing weight this season, they advocate starting a fitness plan before the festivities begin. Most people realize getting more physical activity and eating a nutritious diet of small, frequent, and healthy meals six days a week is critical to keeping weight off. However, to keep one's sanity, especially around the holidays, it's a good idea for people to give themselves one "cheat" or "guilt-free" day per week. Other tips include: 1) Walk extra laps around the mall when shopping. 2) Take a 10-minute walk after a large holiday meal to burn calories and improve digestion. 3) Limit alcohol consumption as it often leads to poor food choices. 4) Write down fitness goals and stick to them. 5) Have a clear picture in your mind of how great you will feel after the holidays, having kept the weight off. The website no longer exists for this event, and it is currently unsponsored.

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Jan

Pet Travel Safety Day, Ntl.: January 2

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National Pet Travel Safety Day might sound like a redundant holiday, but it addresses a serious issue. Unfortunately, statistics show that for too many pet owners, including most of those who believe they are doing everything right, pet travel safety is a mystery. Pets pay the price of our ignorance. Take some time during this day to read, think and talk about your pet's safety when traveling. They will thank you later!

Africa

Jan

Run-up-the-Flagpole Day: January 2

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Run-up-the-Flagpole Day is a day in the U.S. that comes from "Let's run it up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes it," a phrase that became popular in the 1950s. It means "to present an idea and see whether it is acceptable." The phrase is a cliché, but the day remains to encourage us to present unique ideas without hesitation.

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Jan

Science Fiction Day (1920): January 2

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International Science Fiction Day is celebrated annually on January 2, the birthday of science fiction author Isaac Asimov (January 2, 1920 - April 6, 1992). Asimov was a Russian-American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and popular science. Asimov has multiple awards, including 2 Nebula awards and 9 Hugo awards. Although Asimov is far from being the first author in the genre, he is viewed by many as the father of modern science fiction through his works, including: The Foundation I, Robot Bicentennial Man Azazel The Edge of Tomorrow The Fantastic Voyage

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