All - Leep Calendar

Rice pudding is made from rice mixed with milk, water, cream, and spices. It is a traditional dish at Hindu weddings and originated in Asia, making its way to Europe during the 1300s. The earliest written mention of the rice pudding in European culture occurred during the Tudor era (1485-1603) when it was called white pot by Gervase Markham in 1675. This dish has as many renditions as cultures that embrace it. Rice pudding can be found globally in nearly every country (with its unique twist). National Rice Pudding Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

Africa

Aug

Ride the Wind Day (1977): August 23

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Ride the Wind Day marks the anniversary of the first human-powered flight, the Gossamer Condor 2, in 1977. This light plane traveled 2,172 meters, propelled by human power alone. This is a day about human achievement when people can be carefree and simply “ride like a wind.” A day for relaxation. Ride the Wind Day can be enjoyed by flying a kite or being in an airplane, parachute, or hang glider.

Africa

Aug

Roller Coaster Day, Ntl.(1878): August 16

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Roller Coaster Day marks August 16, 1878, the anniversary of the first patent for the roller coaster granted to Richard Knudsen and JG Taylor. Several years later, the first roller coaster built by LaMarcus Thompson opened on the Coney Island boardwalk in New York.

Africa

Aug

Roma Holocaust Remembrance Day, Intl. (1944): August 2

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Established by the European Union Parliament in April 2015, August 2 is International Roma Holocaust Remembrance Day. Previously, it had been noted on December 16 each year. This day draws attention to the Roma survivors, who struggle with persecution and prejudice in many parts of Europe and America. The Nazi Holocaust targeted various groups of people who the eugenics program designated poison to the race. Those targeted included one-quarter of the global Jewish population, over 75,000 mentally ill and disabled persons, people of color, 2.5 million Catholics and Poles, homosexuals, and the Roma. All those mentioned above were persecuted, interned, and killed. Roma, sometimes called gypsies, travelers, or Romani, like the Jewish population of Europe, lost 25% of their global population, amounting to 550,000 people. And yet, they are rarely mentioned. The Roma were singled out beginning December 16, 1942, when Gestapo commander Heinrich Himmler ordered the relocation of all Roma in European countries to the “family camp” of Auschwitz. The Roma wore black triangles on their sleeves and were rounded up, starved, and executed, often digging their graves before being shot or gassed. With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, more facts about the Roma Holocaust experience emerged. Researchers believe the actual number of Roma killed might be three times what they initially thought, around 1.5 million. International Roma Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of August 2, 1944, when 2,897 Romani, most of them children, elders, and women, were murdered in the “Gypsy camp” at Auschwitz-Birkenau. More information at http://europeanromamovement.org/european-parliament-proposes-official-romani-holocaust-memorial-day.

Africa

Aug

Romance Awareness Month: August

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August is the Romance Awareness Month. During this month, couples put more emphasis on their relationships via small gestures that help improve their relationship. Foreign currency, actions that increase the value of a romantic partnership include: Holding hands. Providing dinner. Sending text messages or watching a movie together. Setting aside date nights.

Africa

Aug

Root Beer Float Day (1893): August 6

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National Root Beer Float Day is the day when people celebrate the Root Beer Float, basically root beer with a scoop of ice cream. Native Americans invented root beer. The root beer float was designed by Frank J. Wisner in Cripple Creek, Colorado, in August 1893. Legend has it that Wisner, while thinking of how to provide soda to the townsfolk of Cripple Creek, saw the snow on top of Cow Mountain, which reminded him of vanilla ice cream. Being the Owner of the Cripple Creek Cow Mountain Gold Mining Company, he also owned a bar. Wisner added a scoop of vanilla ice cream to the Myers Avenue Red Root Beer. He liked the taste, so he served it to his customers the next day, and it became an instant hit. Root beer is part of Native American heritage, a beverage created from sassafras or sarsaparilla root. Charles Elmer Hires was the first to produce root beer in 1876 commercially.

Africa

Aug

Rounds Resounding Day: August 1

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While researching her book Rounds Re-Sounding, Gloria T. Delamar (1928-2016) found references to several "Catch Clubs" in eighteenth, nineteenth, and even twentieth-century England. They were traditionally for gentlemen who met to sing rounds, catches, and canons. As is often the custom, alcohol played a central part, with separate ladies' nights for female singers. From 1763 to 1794, participants in rounds and catches submitted songs and lyrics to the club to the Warren Collection, a Georgian music publication of record. In 1987, Delamar founded the concept club Rounds Re-Sounding Society and created Rounds Re-Sounding Day. Its purpose is "to sing rounds, catches, and canons in folk contrapuntal tradition." The motto is 'As rounds re-sound and resound, the world joins in a circle of harmony.' Rounds Re-Sounding Day continues to be observed unofficially, despite its founders passing in 2016.

Africa

Aug

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (UK): August 7-29 (est)

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The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual series of military performances by the British Armed Forces, Commonwealth, and international military bands and artistic performance groups. It takes place on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, during August, as part of the larger Edinburgh Festival. Initiated in 1950, it has since evolved into a spectacular and globally recognized event, attracting performers and audiences from around the world. The term "tattoo" is derived from a historical military practice, where drummers or trumpeters would signal the time for soldiers to return to their barracks in the evening, which later evolved into elaborate musical performances. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo showcases the precision and discipline of military bands alongside dancers, acrobats, and cultural groups, providing a unique blend of music, ceremony, and entertainment. The show follows a different annual theme, often reflecting historical events, cultural celebrations, or military anniversaries. One of the most iconic aspects of the event is the massed pipes and drums, featuring a hefty ensemble of bagpipe players and drummers from various Scottish regiments and international military units. The event concludes with a grand finale, typically including a performance of "Auld Lang Syne" and a fireworks display over Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a significant cultural and major tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors to Scotland's capital each year. Proceeds from the event support various military, arts, and community organizations.

Africa

Aug

Royal Queensland Show Ekka (AU-WA): August 7-29

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Officially known as the Royal Queensland Show, this celebration is the most significant cultural exhibition in Brisbane, held at its exhibition grounds. Attendees enjoy competitions, educational displays, and live performances. The first Ekka show occurred in 1877, and the highlight was an exhibition made of timber that housed 1,700 small exhibits. Initially, the Ekka Show was an agricultural show featuring different farming technology.

Africa

Aug

Rum Day, Ntl.: August 16

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National Rum Day began as a marketing campaign for Caribbean Rum and became a national celebration. Today, people drink rum straight or mixed with fruit juices.

Africa

Aug

Rye and Triticale Month: August

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August is Rye and Triticale Month. Rye and triticale, two grains with distinct origins and characteristics, have carved unique agriculture and culinary arts niches. Rye, with a history stretching back to ancient civilizations and triticale, a more modern invention, each tells a story of human innovation and adaptation in agriculture. Rye, believed to have originated in southwestern Asia, has been cultivated since around 1800 BC. It likely started as a weed growing within wheat and barley fields, eventually being harvested and valued in its own right. By the Middle Ages, rye had become a staple grain in many parts of Europe, particularly in the colder northern regions where wheat struggled to thrive. Its hardiness in poor soils and colder climates made it crucial for societies in these areas. Rye is usually associated with rye bread, including Germany's dense, dark pumpernickel bread. Its distinctive flavor, ranging from slightly sour to earthy, makes it a popular ingredient in crispbreads and other bakery products. Additionally, rye is a fundamental ingredient in the production of whiskey and some types of vodka, where its unique flavor profile is highly valued. Conversely, triticale is a relatively new grain, first developed in the 19th century. It is a hybrid of wheat (Triticum) and rye (Secale), created to combine wheat's quality and yield with rye's hardiness. Triticale was not widely cultivated until agricultural advancements in the 20th century allowed for more successful hybridizations, leading to varieties with improved farming and baking qualities. While triticale inherits the resilience to harsh conditions from rye, its wheat lineage contributes to a milder flavor and better bread-making qualities than pure rye. This fact makes triticale flour suitable for bread and pasta, often mixed with other flour. It's also used as animal feed and for producing alcoholic beverages, though to a lesser extent than its parent grains. The histories of rye and triticale reflect different aspects of human agriculture. Rye's journey from a wild weed to a staple grain illustrates how societies adapt crops to suit their needs, particularly in challenging environments. Triticale, a product of intentional hybridization, showcases scientific advancement in agriculture, aiming to create crops that offer the best qualities of their parent species. Despite their differences, rye and triticale remain essential in modern agriculture. Rye remains a crucial grain in many parts of the world, especially Europe. In contrast, triticale's growing popularity, particularly in parts of Canada, Europe, and Australia, highlights the ongoing innovation in crop development. Together, these grains exemplify the diversity and adaptability of crops in meeting human dietary and agricultural needs.

Africa

Aug

S'more Day, Ntl.: August 10

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National S'mores Day honors the three-ingredient camping treat made of graham crackers, toasted marshmallows, and melted chocolate. The recipe was first published 1927 in the Camping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts, the Girl Scout Handbook. Since that first publishing, s'mores have ascended to the status of campfire cooking legend. A personal story from Laura (LEEP’s founder): "I love s'mores, and thankfully they are halal. Soon after arriving in Saudi Arabia, I had about twenty co-workers over to my home for a party. In the weeks leading up, I collected supplies. After a lot of hunting, I found graham crackers in Bahrain, flat chocolate bars (Swiss), and to my surprise, jumbo marshmallows. Luckily, the company commissary had these in stock temporarily; I bought five bags. Supplied, I was ready to try out my new firepit! None of my international friends (Saudi, South Korea, Egypt, Portugal, Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa) knew what a s'more was. I trotted out the ingredients, converted several wire hangers into skewers, and started roasting marshmallows. Soon a crowd gathered. "What are you doing, Laura?" Mona, an Egyptian, asked. "Something American you are going to love. Grab the graham crackers and cut that chocolate bar in thirds," I instructed, pointing to the box and bars. Mona cut the bar, broke the graham cracker in half, placed the chocolate on top of one of the two pieces, and then motioned her to bring it to me on a plate. On my wire hanger, the giant marshmallow was turning golden brown. Motioning to the plate with the graham cracker halves and chocolate, I asked, "Bring that here." Removing the marshmallow from the flame, I used the top graham cracker to slide the toasted marshmallow off the wire onto the bottom cracker and chocolate. Viola! Graham cracker, chocolate, toasted marshmallow, graham cracker, or a s’more. “Taste it,” I suggested. She did, and…” Mash’allah! This is so good!” Very quickly, the rest of my wire hanger skewers were sporting large marshmallows over the flame. S’mores were a hit in every language you can imagine, and my five bags, chocolate, and graham crackers quickly disappeared. Food is the best ambassador. I think I might also be responsible for the Eastern Province peanut butter cookie addiction. That’s another story. I never was able to get giant marshmallows at the company commissary again. For some reason, Lulu sold out as soon as they came in.”

Africa

Aug

Safe + Sound Week, Ntl.: August 10-16

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Safe + Sound Week is an annual event taking place every August across the United States, celebrating the accomplishments of workplace health and safety initiatives while providing resources and insights on maintaining a safe work environment for American employees. Reasons to Participate: Effective health and safety programs have the ability to identify and address potential workplace hazards before they result in injury or illness, enhancing sustainability and overall profitability. Involvement in Safe + Sound Week can assist in launching a new safety program, revitalizing an existing one, or offering an opportunity to acknowledge the successes of your organization's safety efforts.

Africa

Aug

Saint Roch's Day (1327): August 16

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Saint Roch (Rocco) died on August 16, 1327, under the Julian calendar and is known as the Patron Saint of Dogs. Saint Roch's Day is his feast day in the Catholic Calendar. Catholics have many feast days. It was how the church assisted the ruling class in keeping the peace. Feast days are a way to keep serfs and peasants from being disillusioned with life. By providing feast days throughout the year, the common people who worked the land received many days off (far more than the 52 Saturdays and seven national holidays currently allotted in the US). Sundays were a day of rest per The Bible. Feast Days allowed the people to enjoy life and assuaged them from rebellion against the aristocracy. That is why there are so many Catholic feast days.

Africa

Aug

Saint Stephen's Day (HU)(1083): August 20

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King Saint Stephen of Hungary is the founder of the country and the person who brought Christianity to the people. Saint Stephen’s Day is a national holiday marking the anniversary of his canonization on August 20, 1083.

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