All - Leep Calendar

Today marks the anniversary of the death of Austrian scientist Gregor Mendel in 1884. Mendel is the founder of the modern field of Genetics and performed his work by studying beans and legumes. He is the person who identified and described what we now call dominant and recessive genes. Because he died in the late 19th Century, Mendel never realized the importance of his discoveries and work. He laid the foundation for 20th Century advances in therapies and medicines, agriculture, and science.

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Jan

Christmas (C)(AM): January 6

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CHRISTMAS IN ARMENIA A UNIQUE CELEBRATION Armenia celebrates Christmas with distinct traditions that reflect its deep Christian heritage. Unlike most of the world, Armenians mark Christmas Day on January 6, aligning with the Feast of the Epiphany. This date commemorates both the Nativity and the Baptism of Jesus Christ, staying true to early Christian practices before the December 25 date became widely adopted in the Western world. Armenian Christianity's primary denomination is the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the oldest Christian traditions. In 301 CE, Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion, a legacy that continues to shape its cultural and religious identity. TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS Armenians prepare for Christmas with a period of fasting, culminating in a spiritual and family-focused celebration. The Christmas Eve service, known as the Jrakaluyts (Lighting of the Lamps), takes place on the evening of January 5. The ceremony includes special hymns, prayers, and scripture readings that emphasize the divine light of Christ. On Christmas Day, Armenians attend the Divine Liturgy, a solemn and joyous service often held in beautifully adorned churches. A central moment of the liturgy is the blessing of water, symbolizing Christ’s baptism in the River Jordan. A traditional Armenian Christmas meal features dishes like ghapama (stuffed pumpkin) and khorovats (grilled meats). Many families also serve fish, symbolizing Jesus, alongside rice pilaf, dried fruits, and sweets. WHY JANUARY 6? The Armenian Apostolic Church continues to follow the ancient tradition of celebrating Christmas and Epiphany on January 6. Historically, this was the original date for Christmas in the early church. The Roman Catholic Church later shifted the celebration to December 25 to coincide with Roman festivals, but Armenia maintained its distinct observance. Armenian Christmas is not just a holiday but a spiritual event steeped in history and meaning. It serves as a reminder of the country’s enduring faith and unique place in the Christian world.

Africa

Jan

Cuddle Up Day: January 6

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National Cuddle Up Day is your day to put the non-cuddling types in your life on notice and get them to step up their game. Or, you could cuddle up with a blanket on the porch before a fire or wherever your cuddle IQ takes you. Cuddling is an act of complete closeness and intimacy that even sex seems non-romantic and non-intimate compared to it. Cuddling is customary for most mammals and birds. At a primal, deep level, it provides comfort and joy. Cuddling displays and build trust and affection. The act of cuddling releases feel-good hormones, including Oxytocin and others in the brain. Cuddling makes us happier and relieves stress.

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Jan

Epiphany (C): January 6

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Epiphany, or the 12th day of Christmas, marks the official end to the festive season known as Christmastide. Epiphany is the day that the three wise men (magi), following the star of Bethlehem, came upon Jesus Christ, Mary, and Joseph in the manger. It is also the day years later when John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. In the West, Christians began celebrating the Epiphany in 361 AD.

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Jan

Shortbread Day: January 6

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Shortbread Day celebrates the Scottish medieval biscuit twice-baked with sugar and spices. Shortbread originated in the early 12th century when the Crusaders brought sugar back from west Asia and introduced it to Europe. Other scholars attribute its invention to Mary, Queen of Scots, in the 16th century.

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Jan

Technology Day, Ntl: January 6

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People rarely change, but how we live our lives does due to technology. Technology can be simple, such as the humble beer can (first put on sale on this day in 1935) or as complex as a computer. Technology makes life easier, keeps us healthy, and often changes everything. Imagine life today without radio, smartphones, lights, or even a simple toilet. These are all technologies most of us would find difficult to forego. National technology day is about appreciating the little and significant advances we encounter daily. First run in 2015.

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Jan

Christmas, Orthodox (C): January 7

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Various Orthodox Christian faiths celebrate Orthodox Christmas in countries including Russia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Macedonia.

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Jan

I Am A Mentor Day, Ntl.: January 7

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Every January, the mentoring movement unites in celebration of National Mentoring Month. Within the month are several awareness days, including today's event: I am a Mentor Day. Mentors are critical to our success individually and as a community, whether formal or informal. Today is about sharing your experience as a mentor and helping others become involved in this critical success tool for students and adults alike.

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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 enormous and dance above small bodies, bobbing back and forth. Originally they were made of porcelain, and today, they're plastic. In the 1990s, these whimsical moving dolls entered sports marketing via Alexander Malcolm, who was looking for a promotional toy to market the San Francisco Giants. He produced nearly 50 million bobbleheads and built a global company that creates bobbleheads of various sports and cultural figures. Today many of these promotional items are coveted collector's items.

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Jan

Gobind Singh (S)(1666): January 7

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Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, or Govind Singh, is a Sikh holiday commemorating the birth of Guru Gobind Singh's tenth Guru of the Sikhs. Even though he was born on December 22, 1666, his birthday is most often celebrated on January 7, depending on the calendar. Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is a religious celebration during which the faithful pray for prosperity.

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Jan

Harlem Globetrotter Day (1927): January 7

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The Harlem Globetrotters originated in 1926 as the Savoy Big Five, an exhibition basketball team focused on athleticism and comedic theater. From 1926 until now, the Harlem Globetrotters have played over 26,000 exhibition games in 122 countries and territories. The Globetrotters won the World Professional Basketball Tournament in 1940 and enjoyed a revived success in the 1990s. The Globetrotters were eclipsed with the rise of the NBA (National Basketball Association) back in the 1950s. Since then, a lot of Globetrotters have become some of the NBA's legends, including Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain, Connie "The Hawk" Hawkins, and others. Today marks the anniversary of their first game on January 7, 1927.

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Jan

I Am Not Going to Take It Anymore! Day: January 7

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I'm Not Going to Take It Anymore! Day is a day is your day to take a stand. Toss that table. Throw a temper tantrum. Resolve to take action and change your situation. If procrastination has been your forte, today is the day to let it go for good. The saying was made famous by the character Howard Beale in the 1975 film "Network." He prefaced it with "I'm mad as hell and …" This day does not appear to be an anniversary.

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Jan

Nanakusa (JP): January 7

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Nanakusa is a Japanese tradition originating during the 600s AD. It features the seven herbs and vegetables given to the emperor at the time for their medicinal value: Aona, Chickweed, Cottonweed, Hotoke-no-za, Parsley, Radish, and Shepherds Purse. These are typically mixed in rice porridge and served on this day as a wish for the family's good health in the coming year.

Africa

Jan

Old Rock (Petrologist) Day: January 7

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The Mineralogical Society of America hosts Old Rock (Petrologist) Day on January 7 each year. Whether it's about a "pet" rock or simply going out and learning about the topography around you, today is the day to get your rock on!

Africa

Jan

Programmers Day, Intl: January 7*

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International Programmers' Day is one of two days celebrating the men and women behind nearly every modern tool and convenience, from your car and videos to smartphones and the internet. These people make technology useful by scripting and telling it what to do. Programmers' Day occurs on the 7th of January each year and on the 256th day of the year, which is a number significant to programmers.

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