All - Leep Calendar

Do you love puns? Today is your day for a play on words. Abet & Aid Punsters Day focuses on using words to communicate a double meaning. Fail to participate? You may be pun-ished! This event was created by Earl Harris and William Rabe and is currently unsponsored.

Africa

Nov

Absurdity Day: November 20

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Absurdity Day embraces the absurdity of daily living. Today, people have the right to be whacky and do silly things. Who knows, maybe that absurd idea or something you do could make you a million one day. Give it a shot!

Africa

Nov

Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month (ASPCA): November

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November is the Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month. Senior pets over seven are often passed over in favor of kittens and puppies. But senior pets have a unique appeal as they tend to be calmer, trained, and exceptionally loving, making them ideal pets for the elderly or families with small children. Senior pets include former rescue and police dogs, animals left homeless due to their owner's death, and animals surrendered due to economic conditions, housing, or moves. Some people will abandon or relinquish pets due to health issues, and pets like us often need extra attention as they age. This week is the perfect time to give a senior pet a second chance at life, a life he or she can celebrate with your family in a new forever home.

Africa

Nov

Adoption Day, Ntl.: November 22

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National Adoption Day is a collective effort to raise awareness of the more than 124,000+ children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. A coalition of national partners, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, The Alliance for Children’s Rights, and the Children’s Action Network, all sponsor National Adoption Day. This annual, one-day event has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with policymakers, practitioners, and advocates to finalize adoptions and create and celebrate adoptive families. Communities across the county observe the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Africa

Nov

Adoption Day, World: November 9

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World Adoption Day, a global initiative founded by Hank Fortener, is observed annually to celebrate and raise awareness about adoption. The day, created in 2014, aims to highlight the importance of adoption and honor the stories of adoptive families and adopted individuals worldwide. Hank Fortener, the founder of World Adoption Day, was inspired by his experiences with adoption. Growing up, his family fostered 36 children and adopted eight, profoundly influencing his perspective on the transformative power of adoption. Fortener's passion for the cause led him to launch AdoptTogether, the world's first crowdfunding platform for adoption costs, and World Adoption Day. World Adoption Day was driven by the desire to create a universal celebration for adoption, recognizing its significance in the lives of millions of families. The observance includes gatherings, storytelling events, and social media campaigns sharing adoption stories and experiences. A key symbol of World Adoption Day is the simple act of drawing a smiley face on one's hand and sharing the image on social media with the hashtag #WorldAdoptionDay. This symbol has become a unifying and recognizable gesture, representing joy, solidarity, and support within the adoption community. The day also educates the public about the adoption process, addresses misconceptions about adoption, and highlights the need for supportive policies and practices that facilitate adoption. Advocacy efforts focus on improving the adoption experience, making it more accessible and less challenging for families and individuals who wish to adopt. In addition to celebration and awareness-raising, World Adoption Day draws attention to the challenges and needs within the adoption community, including the support of children still waiting for families and the post-adoption resources necessary for adoptive families. In summary, World Adoption Day, founded by Hank Fortener, is a significant observance that celebrates the joy and diversity of adoption and emphasizes the importance of supportive adoption practices and policies. It's a day that brings together individuals and families connected by adoption, highlighting their stories and advocating for the needs and well-being of the broader adoption community.

Africa

Nov

Adoption Month, Ntl.: November

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November is National Adoption Month, highlighting the tens of thousands of children waiting to be adopted. Supported by the Children's Bureau in partnership with the Child Welfare Information Gateway and AdoptUSKids, each year has a different focus, whether on older children, special needs, or siblings. Throughout the month, prospective adoptive parents can access information on what to expect when adopting, hear personal stories or watch the webinars focusing on family adoption. Each year, approximately 122,000 children in the United States are eligible for adoption, most of whom will wait an average of four years before finding a home. Half of these children live in group homes or non-family environments. Roughly eight percent "age out" of the foster system annually before they find homes. Traditionally, fewer than four percent of mothers voluntarily put up newborn babies for adoption. Children over eight have a one in four chance of being adopted, a likelihood that exponentially diminishes each proximate year. Millions of people in the United States indeed want to adopt. The problem is that prospective parents compete for the same 18,000 healthy newborns annually or prefer children under five without issues. Because of this, tens of thousands of children over five, those with siblings or who have survived trauma, struggle with learning or physical disabilities and are overlooked. National Adoption Month seeks to highlight these fantastic children and help them find the homes they deserve. WILL A POST ROE WORLD MAKE MORE BABIES AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION? With the fall of Dobbs and Roe, the rise of forced birthing, intrusive monitoring of women's health, and the near criminalization of actions and pregnancy complications in several states, the logic is more babies will be available for adoption. Historically, that isn't the case. As single parenting and opportunities for women have increased in acceptability, less than ten percent of women denied the ability to exercise choice consider adoption. They'll either take matters into their own hands or keep a healthy child. This article in The Atlantic, written nine months before the Supreme Court decision ending a woman's right to choose in several states, focuses on the ups and downs of adoption: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/10/adopt-baby-cost-process-hard/620258/.

Africa

Nov

Advent (C): November 30 - December 24

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The season of Advent occurs in the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It's about preparing the mind, body, and soul for the Messiah's joyous arrival and marking the church's birth. What is the Messiah, and how does this differ between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism? Here's a bare-bones mini-messianic primer for those not familiar with Abrahamic faiths. Christians believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah (savior and liberator of the people) promised to the Israelites and the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Muslims believe Jesus is a prophet of God but not a Messiah. Many of His sermons and teachings are in the Qu'ran. Judaism believes Jesus is a man who lived and was a teacher (rabbi), not the Messiah promised, nor a prophet. Judaism believes the Messiah is yet to come. Okay, so the cousins don't agree on everything. No surprise there. Advent is a Christian celebration unique to its faith. However, has it always been observed as it is today? NOW & THEN The commercialization and the secularization of Christmas during the past century shifted the public understanding of Advent. Today it is more likely to signify the beginning of the Christmas shopping and party season. Festivities begin in late November and end on New Year's Day. Traditionally, Advent was a 40-day fast, similar to Ramadan, a time of preparation, prayer, and solemn reflection beginning on November 12 and continuing through Christmas Eve. Observant Christians abstained from celebrations until Christmas Eve, including putting up their trees. In the ninth century, Advent became four weeks long and followed the traditions of Lent, featuring abstinence in exchange for complete daylight fasting. Until the last two centuries, Christmas music and parties only occurred during Christmastide (Christmas Eve through January 5). The Christmas feast marked the end of fasting and the commencement of the celebrations. ADVENT TRADITIONS ADVENT CALENDARS: Advent Calendars have been a favorite European tradition for centuries within Protestant and Catholic faiths. It is common for children to have an Advent Calendar beginning December 1 to mark off the days until Christmas. Eastern Orthodox faiths begin Advent on November 15, but western churches celebrate Advent during the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Advent Calendars come in many forms, the most common being a paper version with windows corresponding to a particular day, which children open to see a picture inside. Other forms include candy or little drawers with coins. The purpose of the Advent Calendar is to count down the days until the birth of the Messiah by marking each day with an event designed to remind each person of the upcoming miracle. Advent comes from the Latin "advenio," which means "to come to." The Advent season is about preparing for the arrival of the Messiah—the birth of Jesus Christ. ADVENT WREATH: The Advent wreath originated in Germany and began as a Lutheran tradition before moving to the Catholic and Anglican churches and is similar to the lighting of the menorah in Judaism at Hanukah, but the reason and purpose are different. The menorah represents the eight days lamp oil lasted during a war that allowed the Israelites to recapture and re-consecrate their temple. The Advent wreath, with its four candles (three purple and one rose) in a circle surrounded by evergreens (symbolizing hope and eternal life), represents preparation for the Messiah's birth. A large white taper candle is often in the center for lighting the other candles. In church, the vestitures of the clergy and drapings of the altar will be purple or rose, coinciding with each Sunday of Advent. On the first Sunday of Advent, Christians light a single purple candle and continue to light it each night of the week. On the second Sunday, a second purple candle joins it, burning together until the third Sunday when a rose candle, representing Gaudete (Rejoice), is lit. Gaudete marks the halfway point of the season and is accompanied by relaxing the rules and adding colors and flowers. These three candles, two purple and one rose carry through each night until the final Sunday of Advent, when all four candles burn together, signaling that the feasting begins! The Advent wreath is prominent in Christmas celebrations today, though it is often mistaken for a pretty centerpiece rather than its true purpose. ADVENT MUSIC: Since music is relegated to Christmastide, there aren't a lot of Advent songs. However, the following carols are about it. O Come, O Come Emmanuel Gaudete Twelve Days of Christmas. That's Advent. It marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical and ecclesiastic year, which is central to the faith and the celebration of Christmas. A blessed Advent to all those observing. This article is adapted from the interactive edition of The Storybook Advent Calendar: 24 Stories for Christmas by Lewis Brech (LD Lewis & Michael Brech), available on Apple iBooks, Kindle, and GooglePlay. The music, performed by Michael Brech, is also available on iTunes, iHeart, Amazon, and other streaming services via Storybook Advent Carols Collection Volume One: 20 American Christmas Classics and Storybook Advent Carols Collection Volume Two: 20 British Christmas Classics.

Africa

Nov

African Industrialization Day: November 20

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African Industrialization Day educates the international community on the opportunities and options now available due to African industrialization. On this day, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) seeks to educate and promote African development.

Africa

Nov

Agrahayana (H): November 6 - December 4

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In the Hindu Calendar, Agrahāyaṇa is the ninth month. PLEASE NOTE: We use the Indian civil calendar, the official holiday calendar in India. The Hindu faith has many calendars, each specific to different regions and tribes, with dates and celebrations marked by differing positions of the sun, moon, and stars. Names of months and holidays and the corresponding dates in the Gregorian Calendar may vary widely from one calendar to the next. Determine the proper calendar before attending local events.

Africa

Nov

Agriculture Day, (AU) Ntl.: November 21

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National Agriculture Day in Australia celebrates the agricultural industry, which employs over 1.6 million Australians. According to the National Farmers' Federation, "By 2020, half of the world's population will be on Australia's northern doorstep, representing unparalleled opportunities for Australia's economy, especially our dynamic farm sector. Last year, Australian farms surpassed $60 billion in farm gate income. The National Farmers' Federation has the vision to grow this figure to $100 billion by 2030." This event first ran in 2017.

Africa

Nov

AIDS Awareness Month: November

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Each November, the Pharmacists Planning Service. Inc (PPSI) hosts AIDS Awareness Month to educate consumers, patients, students, and professionals about tactics and tools to prevent the spreading of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. PPSI makes a host of tools available on their site for a small fee to allow participants to participate in this month-long campaign. PPSInc.org

Africa

Nov

Al Jazeera Founded (1996): November 1

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1996 saw the birth of two news behemoths: FOX News and Al Jazeera. Though the same age, these two organizations couldn't be more different. FOX News went live on October 7, 1996, and today, November 1, 1996, saw the premiere of Al Jazeera in Arabic. Both are influential. FOX News reaches approximately four million viewers per day internationally, with 50% of those in the US. Actual numbers will depend upon breaking news. FOX is the top-rated news station in the United States, but it can't come close to Al Jazeera's influence and reach internationally. Al Jazeera News reaches approximately 80-100 million viewers daily, with 98% of those outside of the US. CNN International, though accessible to nearly 400 million households worldwide, reaches about 25 million daily. FOX and CNN are basic cable channels in the US and require a paid subscription. Al Jazeera is available on satellite and streaming devices for free. Al Jazeera English launched as a 24-hour English language channel on November 15, 2006. While a corporation owns FOX and focuses on emotion, shock entertainment, celebrities, partisanship, and a smidgen of news in its afternoon and early evening hours, Al Jazeera came out of the gate dedicated to classic journalism. Factual information that informs without sensationalism, partisanship, or sides. It succeeded and continues to garner accolades from academia, change-makers, and the realms of the informed for its no-apologetic approach to reality. As its risen in prestige and its programming increasingly focuses on complex news topics such as poverty, human rights, economics, global politics, and the environment, it continues to gain viewership internationally. Created and funded by the Qatari government, Al Jazeera does have one glaring bias. They rarely cover the tiny Middle East nation of two million people. However, the rest of the world, the other 221 countries, and territories Al Jazeera covers, cover it more in-depth, with less bias, commercial-free, and with more variety than even the venerable BBC. Outside of heavily the partisan United States, Al Jazeera is the go-to global news channel. The absence of commercials provides information-packed segments, news magazines, and documentaries. Its international staff is recruited from the best: The BBC, PBS, CNN, CBS, France24, and others. Al Jazeera is one of the few international networks to cover in-depth Africa and the global South. It was one of the few international news companies to focus extensively on human stories of poverty and the housing crisis in the United States after the 2008 crash. It provided the most intensive coverage of the Arab Spring, and the Saudi war on Yemen, getting it blocked in many countries, including Saudi Arabia, not for lying but for reporting the truth. As the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize proves, going to two journalists, Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Andreyevich Murato of Russia, it is far more dangerous to report the truth than propaganda. Al Jazeera was a darling to US politicians for its clear-eyed reporting on Asia, including the Middle East—until the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. Truth and facts on the ground didn't meld well with the "War-rah! rah!" chants of the Bush Administration at the time, so the channel was branded a 'terrorist' channel, and the divided states of America fell in lock-step, nibbling on appropriate soundbites and ignoring anything that didn't support the narrative. A decade or more later, America would realize the Iraq and Afghan wars were founded on lies. Viewers of Al Jazeera during the early 2000s figured that out much earlier. With its coverage lauded and increasingly recognized as superior, there was an attempt to launch Al Jazeera America in 2013. The channel could not overcome the stigma attached to it during the Bush years. It shuttered in 2016, but many innovative programs, including The Stream, TechKnow, and The Listening Post (must-see journalism for anyone in journalism), would find a place on Al Jazeera English. Today if you speak to most people who have traveled or lived outside of the United States for any length of time or who make a living on knowledge, global business, or diplomacy, you'll find Al Jazeera is a part of their trusted sources. Absent corporate sponsors, Al Jazeera, is one of the few major news sources in the world that rarely caves to politicians, corporations, special interests, or lobbyists. Yes, it does happen with coverage of Qatar. And we're aware of at least one instance when lobbyists prevented a four-part documentary on the Israel Lobby from airing in the United States, but aside from isolated instances (no media is perfect), Edward R Murrow would be proud of what Al Jazeera has built and become. Al Jazeera in Arabic means "The peninsula," so named for its host nation's geography.

Africa

Nov

Alascattalo Day (US-AK): November 18

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An Alascattalo is a mythical creature, part moose and part walrus. Alascattalo Day is Alaska's answer to honoring humor and includes a parade (the world's shortest—part of the humor) in Anchorage each year. There is humor, and then there is Alaskan humor, which is a special treat during the long winter nights.

Africa

Nov

Alice in Wonderland (1865): November 26

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Alice in Wonderland premiered on November 26, 1865. Written by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pen name Lewis Carroll, it narrates a girl who fell into a rabbit hole and entered a fantasy world. The novel is considered a significant influence on popular culture in the fantasy genre.

Africa

Nov

All Saints' Day: November 1

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All Saints' Day begins at sundown on Halloween and continues for 30 hours. It is known by many names, including All Hallows, Day of All the Saints, Solemnity of All the Saints, or the Feast of Saints. All Saints' Day commemorates the saints who have reached beatification in the Roman Catholic Church. It is believed to have originated as the pagan celebration Samhain, or the Celtic festival of the dead.

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