All - Leep Calendar

Intersex Awareness Day marks the anniversary of the Intersex Society of North America's protest at the American Academy of Pediatrics conference in Boston, Massachusetts October 26, 1996. Intersex persons are born with both male and female genitalia. Intersex Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about unsought genital surgeries on children and the stigma associated with being born intersex.

Africa

Oct

Mincemeat Day, Ntl.: October 26

06:20 AM | -

National Mincemeat Day celebrates mincemeat, a mixture of finely chopped dried fruit, distilled spirits, spices, and sometimes suet (hard fat from beef, lamb, or venison). Alcohol and spices preserve the mincemeat, allowing the harvest to be stored and consumed for up to a decade. During Prohibition, in October 1922, the Old Victory Distillery in Chicago was able to get an exemption to the liquor laws for culinary arts. Mincemeat pies were one of the foods consumed to circumvent the Volstead Act by savvy gourmets, and they helped keep distilleries in business. Mincemeat originated in Palestine, and the spices used came to Europe during the Crusades. It is a spicy, sweet, and savory filling, customarily baked in a pastry and served for dinner or after the main course. Around the late 1700s, it became associated with the holiday season. In the United States, pumpkin, pecan, and mincemeat pies are associated with either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Today's mincemeat may or may not include suet, created instead from finely chopped dried fruits, nuts, and spirits.

Africa

Oct

Mother-in-law Day, Ntl.: October 26

06:20 AM | -

National Mother-in-Law Day is a tradition with no specific origin, occurring on the 4th Sunday of October. A mother-in-law is the mother of your spouse.

Africa

Oct

Mule Day, Ntl. (1785): October 26*

06:20 AM | -

Today marks the anniversary of the arrival of Spain's King Charles III's unusual gift to America's first President—three donkeys, one of which initiated the adoption of mules in America. Mules are hybrids, half donkey and half horse. Because its hooves are smaller and more upright, mules are suited to the rough terrain and conditions. Unlike horses, mules do not require grain and are less prone to injuries and overeating; mules tend to live longer. Though mules may be of either sex, they cannot reproduce. SPAIN'S ROYAL GIFT In the late 18th century, General George Washington wanted to improve farming methods and livestock at his Mount Vernon estate. Mules seemed like a solution. Washington's interest in mules led Spain, in 1785, to send him a gift of a jack (male donkey) and two jennets (female donkeys) from King Charles III of Spain. Washington named the jack Royal Gift and began breeding him with his mares (horses) to produce mules. He succeeded. Despite some initial challenges, including the reluctance of American farmers to adopt mules for their work and Royal Gift's initial lack of interest in breeding, the introduction of mules and mule breeding found fertile ground in America. AGRICULTURE REINVIGORATED The introduction of mules to American agriculture, facilitated by Washington's efforts, marked a turning point in farming practices. Mules became highly valued for their hardiness and became a common sight on American farms, contributing significantly to the efficiency and productivity of agricultural operations. Washington's foresight in recognizing the potential of mules for American agriculture and his efforts to breed and promote their use is a testament to his innovative spirit and dedication to improving the country's agricultural practices. The story of George Washington and the mules he was gifted reflects an early example of the global exchange of ideas and resources that has shaped agricultural practices throughout American history.

Africa

Oct

National Day, (AT)(1955): October 26

06:20 AM | -

National Day in Austria marks the anniversary of October 26, 1955, when Soviet troops withdrew from the country. National Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Oct

Pumpkin Day, Ntl.: October 26

06:20 AM | -

National Pumpkin Day is set aside annually as an unofficial event leading up to Halloween. The largest pumpkin on record is 2,749 pounds (1,246.9 kilograms)—that's more than most small cars weigh! As a squash, it is one of the family's more tasty and versatile members. Pumpkin seeds roast splendidly. Its scent is adored, particularly by men, and its meat makes a pie that is a staple of the Western holiday season. Of course, there is always pumpkin spice and pumpkin soup, our personal favorite!

Africa

Oct

Reformation Sunday (C)(1517): October 26

06:20 AM | -

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, 95 theses against the indulgences and corruption in the Roman Catholic church. It was an act of protest that would change the world and the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Within two decades, what we now call Germany and England would abandon Catholicism as the state faith. From this simple act, the Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, and multiple other denominations of Christianity would rise. Reformation Sunday is the day Protestants remember this act, which is always on the Sunday preceding October 31 or the day itself.

Africa

Oct

Audio/Video Heritage Day, World: October 27

06:20 AM | -

Audiovisual documents, such as films, radio, and television programs, are our shared heritage and contain the primary records of the 20th and 21st centuries. However, countless documentary treasures have disappeared, been destroyed, or lost since the invention of image and sound technologies. World Day for Audiovisual Heritage and the Memory of the World Program honors the work of preservation professionals safeguarding our heritage. In 2005, the United Nations General Conference approved World Day for Audiovisual Heritage as a mechanism to raise general awareness of the need for urgent measures to be taken and to acknowledge the importance of audiovisual documents as an integral part of national identity.

Africa

Oct

Bank Holiday (IE): October 27

06:20 AM | -

The last Monday in October is a Bank Holiday in the Republic of Ireland, and this event may also be called the Halloween Holiday.

Africa

Oct

Barbarian Day (1980) : October 27

06:20 AM | -

Today marks the anniversary of the Nobel Prize-winning book "Waiting for the Barbarians" by John M. Coetzee, released on October 27, 1980. This work of fiction is a political thriller set in South Africa during colonial rule. In it, the indigenous population work against the rulers to overthrow them.

Africa

Oct

Cat Day, Black (UK), Ntl.: October 27

06:20 AM | -

National Black Cat Day highlights the beauty of black cats and their contribution to the family. It is a fundraising campaign to encourage pet adoption, specifically of black cats. Over the past decade, the number of black cats abandoned and turned into shelters increased by 70%. The primary reason is superstition, making black cats less adoptable. Today is about celebrating black cats in the United Kingdom and finding homes for these deserving animals.

Africa

Oct

Cranky Co-workers' Day: October 27

06:20 AM | -

We all have them, that co-worker who always seems to be in a bad mood. Today honors them by calling them out, reflecting on their mood, and banishing the beast. It is brought to you by the king of crazy holidays, Wellcat.

Africa

Oct

Etiquette Day (1872): October 27

06:20 AM | -

National Etiquette Day focuses on civility within society and revisits the customs and traditions that define us. The day honors the first official etiquette maven's birth, Emily Post, on October 27, 1872. Etiquette has become somewhat of a lost art in the US. Often considered a set of rules, etiquette is about the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have done to you." It is about treating people with respect, observing boundaries, and having a set of protocols to use in unfamiliar situations. It is an opportunity to learn new processes of etiquette and try them out on your family, friends, strangers, and co-workers.

Africa

Oct

Independence Day, (TM)(1991): October 27

06:20 AM | -

Independence Day in Turkmenistan marks the anniversary of October 27, 1991, when the nation gained independence from the Soviet Union. Independence Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Oct

Independence Day, (VC)(1979): October 27

06:20 AM | -

Independence Day in St. Vincent and the Grenadines marks the anniversary of October 27, 1979, when the nation gained independence from Britain. Independence Day is a national holiday.

Africa