All - Leep Calendar

The Kentucky Derby falls on the first Saturday of May in Louisville, Kentucky. Known by many names such as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," "The Run for the Roses," or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports," the Kentucky Derby usually lasts for two minutes. The track length and many of the traditions for this race pay tribute to the Epson Derby in England. The winning horse receives a blanket of roses. The Kentucky Derby is the first race of the American Triple Crown; the others are the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. PLEASE NOTE: Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are only a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

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May

Kids to Parks Day, Ntl.: May 17

06:20 AM | -

Kids to Parks Day is a national day of play that connects kids and families with their local, state, and national parks. By discovering our public lands, kids across the country are learning about park stewardship, outdoor recreation, STEM, and history. Kids to Parks Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May.

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May

Labor Day/Worker's Day International (CN): May 1

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International Labor Day recalls the Haymarket Martyrs in Chicago in 1886. It was 1886 when the workers at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company in Chicago went on strike. The farm equipment manufacturing factory had begun mechanizing, putting the highly skilled metal workers out of work. Those remaining went on strike to demand an eight-hour workday. In the 1880s, workers typically worked 60 hours a week. In response, the company locked out the workers and hired scabs. On May 1, 1886, a large May Day parade was held in Chicago. On May 3, a riot at the factory saw two men killed by the police, leading to a mass rally in Haymarket Square the following night. Most of the rally was a peaceful event, with over 1500 people in attendance. After the last speaker, the police tried to break up the crowd. The crowd resisted, and someone set off a bomb. The violence escalated. Police began firing into the crowd. Seven policemen and four protesters were killed, and over 100 were injured. The riot was blamed on the labor movement, and its leaders, "the anarchists," were rounded up. In June 1886, they were brought to trial, and seven were sentenced to death despite never proving who threw the bomb. Two would later have their sentences commuted to life. The aftermath of Haymarket put unions in a negative light. Still, it led to the formation of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), which would take the drive to unionize into the 20th Century. May 1 is internationally recognized as Labor Day or Workers Day in over 80 countries. Some, like the United States, have a separate holiday set aside. For China, this is a significant state holiday that may move dates if May 1 falls on a Tuesday-Thursday so workers can enjoy a three-day weekend.

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May

Lag B'Omer (J): May 15/16

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Bonfires, haircuts, and weddings, what do all these things have in common? The Jewish holiday of Lag B'Omer. Lag B'Omer marks the anniversary of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's death (approximately 120AD - 199 AD), the author of the Zohar and the teachings of Jewish mysticism known as Kabbalah, which originated around the time of the first books of the Talmud. Both collections inform various sects of modern Judaism. The Hassidic teachers of the faith believe that a person's good works culminate in their impact on the day of their death. Therefore, the Rabbi's request that his life be celebrated joyfully marks this 33rd day between Passover and Shavuot (18th of Iyar). The 32 days leading up to Lag B'Omer are a time of mourning in the Jewish faith. During the second century, 24,000 yeshiva students succumbed to a plague. The abstinence from joys, including weddings, festivities, and pleasure, serve as a reminder of the students and the dangers of plagues. Lag B'Omer marks the end of the mourning and is a day of celebration. One tradition is that all three-year-old boys get their first haircut on this day. Another is the resumption of weddings, as this day is seen as particularly auspicious. Huge bonfires, dancing, and singing round out the festivities. Bonfires are considered mystical and are a central theme of the celebration. What is the best way to celebrate today? Gather your friends around the bonfire if you're near a Jewish community! The holiday starts at sundown on the 8th and ends at sunset on the 9th.

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May

Last Bell Day (RU): May 25

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Last Bell Day in Russia signals the end of the school learning year and usually occurs on May 25 each year, before final exams. Children dress in traditional Soviet-era uniforms, and a first grader is given the honor of ringing the last bell of the school year.

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May

Law Day: May 1

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Law Day is a national event in the United States created to focus on the founding laws and ideals of the United States, beginning with the Constitution. It is observed on May 1.

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May

Learn About Composting Day: May 29

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Compost is humus—not hummus, the chickpea paste so popular in Middle Eastern cuisine, but a mixture of organic matter created from the decomposition of food, plants, and soil rich in nutrients and mixed in with the dirt. A rich compost significantly adds to the quality of the soil and the quality of the plants grown in it. Today is a day to learn about composting and make it a part of your gardening endeavors.

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May

Learn to Ride a Bike Day: May 3

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May is National Bike Month in the United States. The first Saturday in May has been set aside as Learn to Ride a Bike Day since 2018, and adults and children are encouraged to give bike riding a spin.

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May

Learn to Swim Day, Intl.: May 17

06:20 AM | -

Drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages one to 14. International Learn to Swim Day, created in 2012, aims to change that by encouraging every parent to ensure their children know how to swim. Check with pools in your city for lessons and activities on this day.

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May

Learn to Swim Week, Intl.: May 12-18 (est)

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International Learn to Swim Week is an annual event hosted by the Swimming Teachers' Association to celebrate the importance of learning to swim and water safety education. Thousands of STA swimming teachers worldwide encourage people of all ages and abilities to get back in the pool, learn a life skill, have fun, and get water-ready for the summer holidays. Swimming is excellent exercise and fun, plus it saves lives. Check with the pools in your nation to learn about any events that may be going on this week.

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May

Lei Day, (US-HI): May 1

06:20 AM | -

Lei Day is a big celebration in Hawaii with local music, hula dancing, and of course, lei contests. The lei is a Hawaiian necklace made of flowers, worn around the neck, and Lei Day is one day when everyone gets lei'd.

Africa

May

Leopard Day, World: May 3

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Leopards (panthers) continue to be vulnerable worldwide, though the most endangered is the Amur leopard of eastern China and Russia. As of 2022, fewer than 100 Amurs remain wild. Leopards face multiple threats to their survival, including poaching, loss of habitat and food scarcity, and being cut off from others of their species due to roads and infrastructure. Native to 62 nations in Eurasia and Africa, leopards are apex predator that requires a large area to roam. Sixty-four percent of Africa's and 84 percent of Eurasia's leopard population has disappeared. Leopards divide into 27 family subspecies within the panther family, which includes five distinct species. Are leopards found in the western hemisphere? No. The puma (including the clouded leopard and mountain lion), a cousin to the leopard, is native to the Americas. Leopards are multi-colored or black and smaller than pumas. Leopards roar. Pumas, the largest big cat, are usually tan and cannot roar. They hiss, shriek, and growl like house cats.

Africa

May

Leprechaun Day, World: May 13

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World Leprechaun Day is a tribute to the colorful Irish pigmies that wreak havoc and endeavor to hide from those seeking their fortune. Honestly, who doesn’t love leprechauns? These pint-size fairies of Irish lore bring good luck and wealth—if you can catch them! Dressed as shoemakers, leprechauns are said to spend their days in solitary making shoes and guarding their pot of gold which is said to appear at the end of rainbows. Leprechauns first appear in the medieval tale Echtra Fergus mac Léti (Adventure of Fergus son of Léti), an ode to Irish legend and a king of Ulster. The story is believed to have been written sometime in the 14th century.

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May

Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive: May 10

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The Food Drive is held each year on the second Saturday in May. “With kids out of school and the departure of our winter guests, our food needs increase greatly during the summer months. Without school-supported programs, our clients’ food budgets are stretched to the breaking point.” Arizona’s Apache Junction Food Bank’s Sharon Brown When the national food drive started in 1993, food banks suggested that it be held in the spring, when the stocks of food donated during the winter holidays began running low. “Without the Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, it would be very difficult for the food pantry to have enough food throughout the year,” Jason Schaff of Santa Clarita, CA’s Valley Food Pantry told The Signal. The NALC provided critically needed goods to local food distribution centers in every state. Carriers have collected nearly two billion pounds. Read the full article here: https://www.nalc.org/community-service/food-drive

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May

Limerick Day (1812): May 12

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Limerick Day marks the writer's birthday, who popularized the whimsical poetry called the limerick. Edward Lear was born May 12, 1812, in Holloway, England, and became a prominent writer and illustrator. One of his most famous works is "The Owl and the Pussycat." (Listen to it here via Project Gutenberg https://www.gutenberg.org/e-books/23897) His first book was entitled "A Book of Nonsense." You can access all of his nonsense books via Project Gutenberg here: https://www.gutenberg.org/e-books/13650 Lear passed away on January 29, 1888, at 75.

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