All - Leep Calendar

World Lindy Hop Day occurs annually on the birthday of Frankie Manning. Frankie Manning was a pivotal figure in developing and popularizing the Lindy Hop. Born May 26, 1914, in Jacksonville, Florida, and raised in Harlem, New York, Manning started dancing at a young age and quickly became a regular at the Savoy Ballroom, the epicenter of the Lindy Hop during the Harlem Renaissance. The Savoy Ballroom was a unique cultural venue because it was one of the first racially integrated public places in the United States. Dancers of different races could share the floor, which was uncommon in many parts of the country then. The Savoy featured nightly battles between top bands and drew the best dancers in New York, helping to cultivate the dance's development and spread in popularity. Manning is credited with many innovations in the dance, most notably the creation of aerial maneuvers or "air steps" that became a hallmark of the Lindy Hop. One of his most famous contributions was the "over-the-back" aerial, which he reportedly first choreographed in 1935 for a performance at the Apollo Theater. This move helped his team win a crucial dance contest and set a new standard for what Lindy Hop could look like, introducing a level of acrobatics and showmanship new to popular dance. Manning and others toured with jazz greats like Duke Ellington and Count Basie, performing in dance sequences integral to the Swing era. By the mid-20th century, the Lindy Hop had evolved into other styles of swing dance in different regions. Beyond his physical contributions to the dance, Manning also shaped Lindy Hop's cultural impact. He worked as a choreographer and dancer with Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, a professional dance troupe formed at the Savoy that performed on stage and screen, helping to spread the popularity of the dance internationally during the 1930s and 1940s. Manning and his colleagues showcased the Lindy Hop to a global audience through films, performances, and tours, embedding it within the broader context of Swing music and dance culture. After a period away from the limelight following World War II and the decline of the big band era, Manning and the Lindy Hop experienced a revival in the 1980s and 1990s. He became a beloved teacher and ambassador for the dance, traveling the world to teach workshops, judge dance competitions, and share his passion and knowledge with a new generation of dancers. His teaching emphasized the joy, social interaction, and musicality of the Lindy Hop, influencing countless dancers and ensuring the dance's preservation and continuation. The name Lindy Hop is commonly attributed to George "Shorty" Snowden. During a 1928 dance marathon in New York City, legend says reporters asked Snowden to name his unique style of dance. He reportedly called it "Lindy Hop" in honor of Charles Lindbergh's recent transatlantic flight, famously nicknamed "Lindy's Hop" across the Atlantic. This spontaneous moment helped propel the Lindy Hop into the spotlight. Today, the Lindy Hop enjoys popularity worldwide. It is celebrated for its rich history and its role in advancing social integration through dance. It continues to be a symbol of cultural expression and creativity, taught in dance studios and performed in competitions and social gatherings around the globe.

Africa

May

Living Together in Peace, Day of: May 16

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WE CAN ALL GET ALONG: THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF LIVING TOGETHER IN PEACE The International Day of Living Together in Peace, a global initiative that originated with the United Nations General Assembly in 2017 through Resolution 72/130, is a testament to our shared commitment to peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity. Here's an overview of its purpose, objectives, history, and participation: PURPOSE The International Day of Living Together in Peace is a call to action, mobilizing the international community's efforts to promote peace and living together in harmony. It underscores the importance of reconciliation, mutual respect, and understanding across cultures and societies. These objectives are not just ideals but the foundation of a better world: Promote Inclusion and Tolerance Encourage societies to embrace diversity and inclusivity, fostering an environment where differences are respected and valued. Support Peacebuilding Highlight the need for collaborative efforts in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Enhance Understanding Increase awareness about the significance of living together peacefully and its benefits to communities and nations. Encourage Solidarity To address common challenges and foster solidarity and cooperation among nations, cultures, and individuals. HISTORY Sheikh Khaled Bentounes, the spiritual leader of the Alawiya Sufi Order in Algeria, proposed the idea of an International Day of Living Together in Peace. He envisioned a day dedicated to promoting a culture of peace and non-violence. On December 8, 2017, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 72/130, proclaiming May 16 as the International Day of Living Together in Peace. The resolution acknowledges the need for individuals and communities to live together in peace and harmony, irrespective of their differences. COMMON ACTIVITIES People and organizations worldwide celebrate this day in various ways. Activities are often community-focused and aim to bring people together to share experiences, foster dialogue, and promote understanding. Workshops and Seminars Educational events that focus on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and intercultural understanding. Cultural Events Festivals, performances, and exhibitions showcase communities' cultural diversity and promote mutual respect. Community Gatherings Local events that bring together different groups to engage in dialogue and collaborative projects. Peace Marches and Rallies Public demonstrations advocating for peace and non-violence. Educational Campaigns Initiatives in schools and universities to teach the values of tolerance, respect, and peaceful coexistence. The International Day of Living Together in Peace is a powerful reminder of our role in promoting peace and understanding. It encourages a culture where differences are celebrated and conflicts are resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding. Individuals and communities contribute to a more peaceful and inclusive world by participating in this day.

Africa

May

Living Together in Peace, International Day of: May 16

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"Living together in peace" signifies acknowledging and respecting differences, while maintaining a united and harmonious coexistence. The United Nations General Assembly, recognizing the importance of this ideal, designated May 16th as the International Day of Living Together in Peace. This day is dedicated to promoting peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity, while encouraging nations to adopt reconciliatory measures for peace and sustainable development. This declaration is rooted in the historical context of the United Nations, established after World War II to prevent future global conflicts and ensure international cooperation. Over the years, the UN has focused on fostering a culture of peace and non-violence. This includes the 1997 declaration of the year 2000 as the "International Year for a Culture of Peace," and the 1998 proclamation of the period 2001-2010 as the "International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for Children of the World." In 1999, the General Assembly adopted the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which became a universal mandate for promoting peace and non-violence. The declaration stems from the belief, encapsulated in the UNESCO Constitution, that peace must be actively constructed in the minds of individuals. It is a dynamic, participatory process necessitating dialogue, conflict resolution through mutual understanding, and cooperation. The Declaration also underscores the need to eradicate all forms of discrimination and intolerance, thereby promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms without any distinction based on race, sex, language, religion, or other factors.

Africa

May

Loomis Day: May 30

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Dr. Mahlon Loomis (July 21, 1826 – October 13, 1886) was an American inventor and dentist who tapped into wireless technology with his inventions. Based on the first known wireless aerial communication in the Blue Ridge Mountains outside Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1866, Loomis received Letters Patent No. 129,971 on July 30, 1872. His invention improved telegraphing by allowing for wireless message transmission. This was three decades prior to Marconi's experiments and years before his 1874 birth. Born in Fulton County, NY, in 1826 to an intellectually prominent family, Loomis was a dentist and inventor. His experimentation in Virginia's mountains involved two kites equipped with a vertical antenna and a spark gap transmitter, establishing communication over a distance of 14 to 18 miles. This early success in using radio waves predated and arguably outdid Marconi's initial efforts, who in 1895 managed a wireless signal over just 1.5 miles. Despite his pioneering work, Loomis's contributions to radio are lesser known, primarily due to his financial hardships. Unlike Marconi, who benefitted from robust financial backing in Britain, Loomis struggled economically. His attempts to secure U.S. government funding were thwarted by slow legislative processes and the financial crises of the 1870s, including the Panic of 1873 that triggered a severe depression. This highlights the crucial role of financial support in the advancement and recognition of technological innovation. Loomis's life, dotted with other inventive efforts—from patented porcelain false teeth to electrical thermostat improvements—reflects a spirited pursuit of innovation, albeit without lasting commercial success. His ideas around telegraphy, while not fully realized in his lifetime, laid the necessary groundwork for wireless communication. Contrasting these figures, Lynchburg, where Loomis conducted his experiments, emerged as a hub of innovation in various industries. Post-Loomis, the city was notable for pioneering efforts such as the Bonsack machine for cigarette manufacturing in 1881, innovations in funeral service logistics, and the creation of Chapstick by Dr. Charles Browne Fleet, a local pharmacist. These historical footnotes underscore Lynchburg's role in fostering inventiveness beyond Loomis's work. While Marconi is celebrated with a Nobel Prize for his contributions to wireless telegraphy, remembering Loomis is essential for a complete understanding of the field's early days. His experiments predated and anticipated the technological strides that would later revolutionize communication worldwide. Loomis's story is a poignant reminder of how financial backing can shape the trajectory of technological advancement and public recognition in the annals of history. This event was created by Robert L Birch, who passed away in 2005.

Africa

May

Lost Sock Memorial Day: May 9

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Why is it that when you put two socks in the dryer, often only one comes out? This puzzle has baffled man and woman for as long as we’ve worn socks, which is pretty much throughout human history, beginning in 700 BC. That’s a lot of lost socks! Today, honor those orphan socks by finding something to do with them. Some retailers will give discounts on new socks if you bring orphans in. Our favorite use? Stuffing them with catnip and letting the kitties rip! With dogs? Stuff them with an old tennis ball. Balls in bags are much easier to hurl if you’re light on the upper body strength. Plus, this makes for a great tug-of-war. Lost Sock Memorial Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

Africa

May

Love a Tree Day: May 16

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Love a Tree Day celebrates the great givers of shade and scrubbers of our air, the tree. Deforestation has reduced the earth's forests to less than 30 percent of the global land. The fundamental causes of deforestation are clearing land for agriculture, logging, urban expansion, and natural events, including fires, floods, and over-grazing. Seventy percent of the world's animals and plants depend upon forests to live, and forests wouldn't exist without trees. Today is the day to honor all that trees contribute to this planet. Appreciate one, hug one, or plant one. Today is all about trees!

Africa

May

Love Day, Global: May 1

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Global Love Day began in 2004. It celebrates universal oneness through love to unite one and all in a celebration of love and compassion. HOW TO PARTICIPATE Simply be love. Let the love within your heart be the focus of your awareness throughout the day. Allow yourself to be accepting, forgiving, peaceful, joyful, and in harmony with yourself and all life around you. Just be! THE INVITATIONAL The Love Foundation Inc. hosts an annual Art, Essay, and Poetry Invitational along with Global Love Day. This program encourages participants to share their perspectives on global love creatively.

Africa

May

Lowcountry Shrimp Festival, South Carolina: May 3

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In the summer of 1977, the Archibald Rutledge Academy sponsored the first Lowcountry Shrimp Festival. Central to the festival is the blessing of the village’s shrimping fleet, their captains, and crews. Trawlers, adorned with colorful flags and pennants, slowly parade down Jeremy Creek to receive the prayers of the local clergy for a safe and bountiful season. Following the blessing, a floral wreath is laid in the waters to memorialize those lost at sea.

Africa

May

Loyalty Day: May 1

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Loyalty Day is set aside in the United States by Presidential decree each year to honor those who have defended the country, beginning with the original militia fighting in the Revolutionary War. It is a day of patriotism and nationalism, honoring all who have served.

Africa

May

Lucky Penny Day: May 23

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There was a time when having a penny in your pocket bought something. Today, pennies have very little to do with everyday commerce unless you’re trading on the stock market or live in a state with a sales tax. Still, cultural superstitions in the US and UK infuse the penny with luck, and having one in your pocket or finding one face up on the ground is believed to bring personal fortune and good luck. It is also the custom for a bride to put a penny in her shoe on her wedding day to ensure the couple always has money.

Africa

May

Lumpy Rug Day: May 3

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Lumpy Rug Day is one of the silly little holidays people latch onto yearly. A lumpy rug can be a small floor carpet bunched up and needing a good swat or a lousy wig that doesn’t fit right. Whichever lumpy rug you prefer, today is your day to get it in order, cleaned, or ironed out.

Africa

May

Lung Cancer Awareness Month (AU): May

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Lung Cancer Awareness Month aims to inform, educate and raise awareness on the early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. Australia moved its annual observance from November to May in 2018 to expand the programs it makes available throughout the year. November remains International Lung Cancer Awareness Month and is also observed in Australia in addition to this event.

Africa

May

Lupus Awareness Month, Ntl.: May

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Lupus Awareness Month is an annual observance in May to call attention to Lupus and its impact on millions of individuals and families. Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease. There is no connection with AIDS. Usually, the immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect us from disease. People with Lupus cannot do this, and their immune systems cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues. Because of this, people with Lupus create autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue resulting in inflammation, pain, and damage to various body parts. Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44). However, men, children, and teenagers develop Lupus, too. Women of color are two to three times more likely to develop Lupus than Caucasians. World Lupus Day®, observed annually on May 10, gives a single voice to all individuals affected by this devastating and debilitating chronic disease around the globe. Visit worldlupusday.org

Africa

May

Lupus Day, World: May 10

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World Lupus Day began in 2004 when an international steering committee representing lupus organizations from 13 different nations met in Eaton, United Kingdom, to organize the first observance of World Lupus Day. The proclamation is a call to action for governments worldwide to increase their financial support for lupus research, awareness, and patient services. Each year, the Steering Committee revises the proclamation to reflect the daily emerging issues people with lupus must face. The day gives everyone a voice affected by this devastating and debilitating chronic disease.

Africa

May

Lyme Disease Awareness Month: May

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Lyme Disease Awareness Month occurs each year in May. Another Lyme Disease Awareness Month focused on canine owners runs in April. Each spring, deer ticks surface across North America. The deer tick is the primary source of Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that manifests after a tick bites an animal. The bacteria enter the animal's bloodstream and settle into its joints. Symptoms of Lyme disease include lameness, limping, and a high fever. A vet must administer Lyme disease vaccinations. Other actions you can take to minimize exposure to Lyme disease include: Avoid walking through leaves and short trees in grassy, wooded, or sandy areas. Inspect your pet for ticks after walks and remove any that you find. Remove ticks with tweezers and gloves. Never touch a tick with your own hands.

Africa