All - Leep Calendar

In 1967 the nation-state of Israel invaded Egypt, Jordanian territory, and Syria, taking control over the Sinai Peninsula, East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights in what would be called the 6-Day War. On October 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria attacked Israel to reclaim lost territory, putting Israel on the defensive for the first time since its founding. Until this time, no nation had orchestrated the first strike on Israel. The surprise attack led to years of animosity between the two nations, which was finally put to rest at the Camp David Accords (1978), with US President Jimmy Carter brokering peace between the two neighboring countries. Part of that agreement returned the Sinai Peninsula and control of the Suez Canal to Egypt. Israel then became the top recipient of US aid worldwide, with Egypt benefiting as the second. Peace and aid allocations have held ever since. Today is a National Egyptian holiday commemorating the beginning of the war that would lead to reclaiming of Egyptian territory.

Africa

Oct

Back Care Awareness Week (UK): October 6-12 (est)

06:20 AM | -

National Back Care Awareness Week is an annual event during October in the UK that focuses on back health and avoiding back injuries. Back pain is common and affects around one-third of the adult population yearly. Fortunately for most people, the pain improves over a few weeks or months, and they soon return to their normal activities, including work. The ultimate way to keep your spine and back in top condition and back to normal if it hurts is to be active! Try not to stay in one position too long; move about regularly and have a stretch. Start by trying this every 15 minutes, then increase this gradually as the pain settles.

Africa

Oct

Badger Day, Ntl. (UK): October 6

06:20 AM | -

Badgers often get a bad wrap, especially during cull season, and today they receive a reprieve as the United Kingdom celebrates this iconic species. Share your badger pictures and videos with the hashtags #NationalBadgerDay and #LoveBadgers to show support.

Africa

Oct

Bullying, Blue Shirt Day™, World: October 6

06:20 AM | -

World Blue Shirt Day™ or STOMP Out Bullying is a global campaign to encourage communities to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on all children of all ages. To participate, wear a blue shirt. This event occurs on the first Monday of National Bullying Prevention Month in the US. The United Kingdom does its awareness month in November.

Africa

Oct

Cerebral Palsy Day, World: October 6

06:20 AM | -

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a complex, lifelong disability. It primarily affects movement, but people with CP may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech, epilepsy, and intellectual impairments. It can be mild – a weakness in one hand – to severe – where people have little control over movements or speech and may need 24-hour assistance. People living with CP can experience a range of responses from others in their communities. They face deep-seated but misguided sympathy or pity on one end of the spectrum. Though intentions are good, they infantilize the person with CP. They can be smothered with (too much) love and spoken to in a simple, childlike way. Others can subconsciously over-protect a person with CP and thus prevent them from having essential life experiences. On the other end of the spectrum, CP is viewed through deep-seated cultural beliefs. It may be seen as validation of superstitions about the mother or wrath upon a family. Some even believe that CP is contagious or that a child with CP brings shame to a family. Mothers can be abandoned with their children, or a person with CP lives their lives in an institution. And in the middle are thousands of fine people who still find it difficult to make eye contact or know how to communicate with someone who has CP. It is not that they feel ill will; it is just best—maybe even polite—to not engage. There is nothing to be gained in blaming people for their ignorance about CP. Instead, we will work to put an end to it. We have the ability and the moral obligation to ensure everyone knows the truth and acts accordingly. Bringing awareness to these issues and making tools available to those worldwide affected by Cerebral Palsy is the purpose of World Cerebral Palsy Day.

Africa

Oct

Children's Health Day, Ntl.: October 6

06:20 AM | -

National Children’s Health Day is recognized yearly and bolstered by Presidential decree. It aims to create a solid foundation and a clean environment for children, ensuring they can grow up strong, healthy, and prepared to write the next great chapters in the American story. Resources are committed at a local level to assist children in making healthy life choices and providing them with the resources to lead happy and productive lives.

Africa

Oct

Coaches Day, Ntl: October 6

06:20 AM | -

Created in 1972 by President Richard M Nixon, National Coaches Day follows World Teacher Day each year. For many students, coaches function as second parents. They teach us teamwork, competition, how to aspire and how to gracefully lose. For professionals, coaches are mentors, managers, and support. Often selfless and salty, coaches play an essential role in the lives of generations of men and women. Today is about honoring their work and their legacy.

Africa

Oct

Curry Week, Ntl. (UK): October 6-12 (est)

06:20 AM | -

Since 1998, National Curry Week in the United Kingdom has been a highly anticipated celebration of flavor. Its focus is on the diversity of curries in cooking and raising funds for charities focused on malnourishment and poverty worldwide. Curry is a catchall phrase for spice sauces, gravies, and marinades with roots in multiple cultures. Its origins can be traced back to the Indian subcontinent, specifically to the Indian cuisine. The word "curry" is from the Tamil word "kari," which means sauce or gravy. Indian curry typically consists of a mixture of spices, herbs, vegetables, and sometimes meat or fish, cooked in a sauce or gravy base. From India, curry spread to various parts of the world through trade routes and colonization. British colonialists played a significant role in popularizing curry outside the Indian subcontinent by bringing curry recipes back to Britain, where it became part of British cuisine. This British version of curry, often known as "Anglo-Indian curry," is characterized by milder flavors and added ingredients such as tomatoes, cream, and yogurt. Curry also found its way to Southeast Asia, undergoing further regional adaptations. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar developed unique curry styles with distinctive flavors and ingredients. Thai curries, for example, are known for their vibrant and spicy flavors, while Malaysian curries often feature a combination of spices and coconut milk. Japan discovered curry during the Meiji era in the late 19th century and was influenced by British curry. It underwent further modifications to suit Japanese tastes. Japanese curry is typically thicker, milder, and sweeter than other curries. It often includes ingredients like potatoes, carrots, onions, and meat and is commonly served with rice. As for the number of different varieties of curry, due to the immense diversity of curries across regions and cultures. Each country, and even regions within countries, can have its distinct styles of curry with unique flavor profiles and ingredients. There are numerous types of curries, such as Indian curries like butter chicken, tikka masala, and vindaloo, Thai curries like green curry and red curry, Japanese curry, Malaysian curry laksa, Indonesian rendang, and many more.

Africa

Oct

Customer Service Week, Ntl. (US/UK): October 6-12

06:20 AM | -

National Customer Service Week is a week-long opportunity to raise awareness of customer service and its vital role in successful business practices and the growth of the UK and US economies. The event is recognized in both countries and occurs on the first M-F in October. History: Customer Service Week is an international celebration of the importance of customer service and the people who serve and support customers daily. In 1992 the US Congress proclaimed Customer Service Week a nationally recognized event. Since 1991, the Customer Service Group has sponsored the official Customer Service Week program. The group provides how-to information, celebration materials imprinted with the official Customer Service Week logo, and inspiration from the hundreds of service and support professionals who share their celebration stories, plans, and ideas. For the US information on Customer Service Week see The Customer Service Group: http://www.csweek.com/customer_service_week.php For the British information on Customer Services Week see the Institute of Customer Service: https://www.instituteofcustomerservice.com/events/ncsw

Africa

Nov

CPR Awareness Month (CA): November

06:20 AM | -

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Awareness Month challenges Canadians to undergo lifesaving CPR training. The Canadian Red Cross and other organizations hold CPR and first aid lessons throughout the month. Skills taught include assessing if a person is in cardiac arrest, understanding when defibrillation is needed and how to use an AED (automated external defibrillators). Check with your local Red Cross for events in your town.

Africa

Nov

Craft Jerky Day: November 27

06:20 AM | -

Craft Jerky Day, initiated by the Long Beach Jerky Co., is celebrated annually on November 27th to honor the art and craft of making jerky. Jerky is an ancient culinary technique for preserving meat. This observance highlights the growing craft jerky industry, emphasizing the quality, creativity, and traditional methods of producing artisanal jerky. Artisan jerky makers nationwide participate by offering special deals, introducing new flavors, and hosting events to educate consumers about the differences between mass-produced jerky and handcrafted, small-batch products. WHAT IS JERKY? Jerky, a form of dried meat that has been a staple in various cultures for centuries, has a rich history rooted in the need for preserving meat in a time before refrigeration. Making jerky involves removing the fat from meat, cutting it into thin strips, and then drying it to prevent spoilage. The origins of jerky are believed to date back to ancient Egypt. Dried meats were included with the dead to aid their journey to the afterlife. However, the term "jerky" itself comes from the Quechua word "ch'arki," which means "dried, salted meat." This technique was used by the indigenous peoples of South America, notably the Inca Empire, where llamas and alpacas were dried and smoked. In North America, Native Americans developed their method of making jerky from game animals like deer, elk, and buffalo. The meat was cut into thin strips, defatted, and dried over a fire or in the hot sun, often after being treated with salt or smoked. This process made the meat last for extended periods, providing a vital source of protein during long journeys or when fresh meat was unavailable. European explorers and settlers adopted jerky-making methods from Native Americans, integrating them into their food preservation practices. Jerky became a valuable resource for explorers, traders, and settlers, especially as they moved westward across the North American continent. The traditional process of making jerky starts with slicing the meat into thin strips, which allows it to dry evenly. The meat is then typically marinated with a mixture of seasonings, salt, and sometimes sugar to add flavor and aid preservation. After marinating, the meat is dried using a dehydrator, smoker, oven, or air-drying in the sun, depending on available resources and the desired flavor profile. Modern jerky production has evolved with technology but still follows the basic principles of the traditional method. Commercial manufacturers use controlled environments for drying and may add preservatives to extend shelf life. The variety of meats used for jerky has also expanded beyond traditional beef to include poultry, pork, and exotic meats like kangaroo or ostrich.

Africa

Nov

Cranberry Day (Eat a): November 23

06:20 AM | -

Eat a Cranberry Day raises awareness of the anti-oxidant power of cranberries on or near Thanksgiving. Cranberry Sauce is a key staple in the American holiday feast. The humble cranberry is one of only three commercially produced fruits native to North America. The first notation of their use was in 1550, relating to how native Americans used them in medicine. The other two fruits native to North America that are commercially grown are the blueberry and Concord grapes.

Africa

Nov

Cranberry Relish Day: November 22

06:20 AM | -

Cranberry Relish Day celebrates the iconic Thanksgiving side dish. Cranberry relish on the East Coast and sauce on the West Coast is a staple on many Thanksgiving tables in the United States. Its history intertwines with the story of cranberries and its significance in American culture and cuisine. The cranberry, blueberries, and blackberries are the three fruits native to North America. This tart and sweet condiment, made primarily from cranberries, often combined with sugar and other fruits, is rooted in Native American traditions. Native Americans used cranberries as a food source, for medicinal purposes, and as a dye. They also taught early European settlers how to use cranberries for sustenance. Native Americans crushed cranberries and mixed them with other fruits, such as blueberries or concord grapes, and sometimes with nuts or honey. This mixture was known as pemmican, a nutritious and long-lasting food essential for winter survival. European settlers in North America adopted cranberries into their diets, and by the 17th century, they were cooking cranberries with sugar for a sweet-tart sauce to accompany meats. Cranberry sauce at early Thanksgiving feasts is undocumented, but by the 18th century, it had become a common accompaniment to meals in the region. The commercialization of cranberries in the 19th and 20th centuries played a significant role in popularizing cranberry relish. In 1816, Henry Hall, a Revolutionary War veteran, cultivated cranberries in Cape Cod, marking the beginning of cranberry farming—the development of the cranberry bog system allowed for larger-scale production and distribution. Cranberry sauce and relish gained popularity as a Thanksgiving side dish in the 20th century, especially with Ocean Spray, a grower-owned cooperative's 1912 introduction of canned cranberry sauce. This innovation made cranberries more accessible to American households, solidifying their place in the Thanksgiving tradition. Today, cranberry relish remains a holiday favorite, with recipes ranging from simple, traditional versions to more complex ones featuring ingredients like oranges, nuts, and spices. Its tartness and bright flavor complement the richness of Thanksgiving dishes and embody the history and culinary traditions of the United States.

Africa

Nov

Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month: November

06:20 AM | -

The strength of a nation is dependent upon its infrastructure. Like bones in a body, the infrastructure supports the nation’s ability to move products and services and defend itself. National Critical Infrastructure Protection Month, initially proclaimed by President Obama in December, is now Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month in November. It seeks to educate Americans on the importance of maintaining and building power plants, roads, telecommunications infrastructure, public places such as stadiums and parks, and the services need to keep these essential services working and running smoothly. If you’ve ever been to a less developed country than the United States, Canada, or Western Europe, you’ve encountered frustration from a lack of good roads, telecommunications, and even simple things like sewage treatment and proper plumbing. These items don’t just appear and take care of themselves; they are essential to the quality of life and a healthy economy. This month is about appreciating our existing infrastructure and supporting those who maintain it and keep it going. Image: The Benjamin Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, looking toward Camden, New Jersey by LD Lewis.

Africa

Nov

Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month (CA): November

06:20 AM | -

Crohn's & Colitis Awareness Month in Canada seeks to raise awareness and understanding of Crohn's & Colitis Disease. Canada has one of the world's highest Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis rates. The number of children with this disease has doubled since 1995. Crohn's Disease and Colitis cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal lining, thus making food and nutrient absorption difficult. During this month, people are encouraged to download information about the disease and support those afflicted.

Africa