All - Leep Calendar

Train Day began in 2008 to honor the anniversary of the creation of Amtrak on May 1, 1971, and encourage Americans to discover their country and travel by train. The First Transcontinental Railroad was built between 1863 and 1869 by three private companies over public lands that connected the eastern U.S. rail network with the Pacific coast. The railroad opened for traffic on May 10, 1869. The coast-to-coast railroad connection revolutionized the settlement and economy of America. It aligned the western states and territories with the northern Union states and made transporting passengers and goods coast-to-coast considerably quicker and less expensive.

Africa

May

Transportation Week, Ntl.: May 11-17

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National Transportation Week recognizes our nation's transportation infrastructure and the men and women who build, maintain, and utilize it. In 1957. by joint resolution, Congress requested the President designate the third Friday in May of each year as 'National Defense Transportation Day,' and, by joint resolution, approved May 14, 1962, as amended (36 United States. C. 133), that the week during which that Friday falls be designated as 'National Transportation Week.' Roads, bridges, and ports are the transportation networks essential to making the United States the best place in the world to do business. Repairing our transportation networks is about economic growth and security. Good roads ensure first responders can respond effectively during a crisis. That means protecting our critical infrastructure and repairing roads and bridges that put our people at risk. Together, we can make meaningful progress toward those goals. Let us recommit this week to revitalizing transportation, pioneering new solutions to tough challenges, and making lasting investments in America's infrastructure.

Africa

May

Travel and Tourism Week, Ntl.: May 4-10

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The first full week of May is National Travel and Tourism Week, a tradition since 1984, created by a Congressional joint resolution passed in 1983. The United States travel and tourism community has collectively marked the event in several creative ways, from staging local rallies and conducting media outreach to securing proclamations and resolutions from local legislative bodies. Each year, localized events are presented in cities, states, and travel businesses nationwide to champion the power of travel.

Africa

May

Triple Crown: May 3 - June 7

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The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing is a title that's awarded to a three-year-old thoroughbred horse who wins the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. The Kentucky Derby is the youngest race, originating in 1875. The Triple Crown Trophy came into being in 1950, but it was also awarded to all the previous winners after the fact, making the first Triple Crown winner Sir Barton in 1919.

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May

Truffle Day: May 2

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Truffle Day celebrates truffles, the chocolate candy with a sweet or nutty filling. These candy box delights first appeared in the 1920s in Europe and came in three key varieties: American, European, and Swiss. Each style has a distinctive size, texture, and shelf life. Swiss and French truffles must be eaten within a day or two of their creation and tend to be small and round. American truffles generally last years and tend to be larger or oval.

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May

Truman Day (1884): May 8

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Truman Day celebrates the birthday of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States. Born May 8, 1884, he served as a Senator from Missouri, as Vice President, and following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, as President of the United States during the last months of World War II. He was the Commander-in-Chief who dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. President Truman died on December 26, 1972.

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May

Tuba Day, Intl.: May 2

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The first Friday of May each year is International Tuba Day. Joel Day created International Tuba Day in 1979 while still a student at Philadelphia's Lower Merion High School. As one of only two tuba players in the band and getting very little respect from his fellow bandmates, he created a day to recognize all tuba players as the musicians they are. He later attended Millersville University. Doctor Sy Brandon, formerly of Millersville University, completed two books for International Tuba Day, including American folk and international musical arrangements for the tuba.

Africa

May

Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month: May

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The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance promotes Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month. TSC is a genetic disorder that causes tumors in various organs, primarily the brain, eyes, heart, kidneys, skin, and lungs, and it’s the leading genetic cause of epilepsy and autism. This month is dedicated to finding a cure for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), raising awareness of the condition and what the people suffering from it go through, and providing the tools and resources to improve their lives.

Africa

May

Tuna Day, World: May 2

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World Tuna Day is a day that commemorates the fish most commonly used in cooking, the tuna. In 2017 the United Nations officially added World Tuna Day to its dossier of awareness campaigns, recognizing the critical role of tuna in sustainable development, food security, economic opportunity, and livelihoods of people around the world. Tuna species account for 20 percent of fish caught in the oceans and over eight percent of internationally traded seafood. Tuna plays a crucial role in ensuring a healthy and robust marine ecosystem. Nearly two-thirds of the tuna currently served in restaurants and purchased through supermarkets originates in the Pacific Ocean. Small Island Development States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDC) benefit most from the sustainable use of marine resources and the challenges affecting tuna stocks. However, the decline in Ocean health continues to affect all fish species, including tuna, making the future outlook of this essential food source uncertain.

Africa

May

Turtle Day, World: May 23

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The American Tortoise Rescue (ATR) champions World Turtle Day, a nonprofit organization established in 1990 for the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle. ATR launched World Turtle Day to increase respect and knowledge for the world’s oldest creatures. These gentle animals have been around for 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing due to smuggling, the exotic food industry, habitat destruction, global warming, and the cruel pet trade. ATR’s ultimate goal is to stop the illegal trade in turtles and tortoises worldwide. The priority in the United States is to ask pet stores and reptile shows to stop selling hatchling tortoises and turtles without informing pet buyers about their future pets. For example, many people buy sulcata tortoises as impulse buys because they are so adorable when tiny. The breeders and pet stores frequently do not tell the buyers that this tortoise can grow to 100 pounds or more and needs constant heat throughout the year since they do not hibernate. This event first ran in 2000.

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May

Twilight Zone Day (1908): May 11

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On May 11, 1908, the first National Gathering of Governors occurred. The president at the time was Teddy Roosevelt. The day commemorates the coming together of the nation's governors and the decisions made to protect America's natural resources and institute a nationwide system of conservation and preservation. National Twilight Zone Day's name comes from the comments of William Jennings Bryan, the future Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson. His point was that there could be no twilight zone between the state and federal government that would allow corporations to exploit the nation's natural resources. Bryan stated: "I am jealous of any encroachment upon the rights of the state, believing that the States are as indestructible as the Union is indissoluble. It is, however, entirely consistent with this theory to believe, as I do believe, that it is just as imperative that the general government shall discharge the duties delegated to it, as it is that the States shall exercise the powers reserved to them. There is no twilight zone between the nation and the state, in which exploiting interests can take refuge from both, and my observation is that most-not all, but most of the contentions over the line between Nation and State are traceable to predatory corporations, which are trying to shield themselves from deserved punishment, or endeavoring to prevent needed restraining legislation." The Governors' Resolutions Committee prepared a declaration of the Governors' view that— (1) Conservation of natural resources was a subject of transcendent importance. (2) The President was to be commended for calling the Conference to seek remedies for environmental degradation through the cooperation of the federal government and the states. (3) The President should call the Governors and members of Congress together from time to time to continue their dialogue concerning natural resource protection. (4) Each state should appoint a Commission on the Conservation of Natural Resources.

Africa

May

UEFA Champions League Final (DE): May 31

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The Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Champions League Finals is an annual football competition that brings together the best club teams from across Europe to compete for the title of European Champions. The competition was first held in 1955 and has since become one of the most prestigious club competitions in world football. The Champions League Finals are played in a single-match format, with the winner crowned the champions of Europe. The final generally occurs in May or June in a different location each year. The site of the final is usually a large stadium in a major European city, and the event attracts a global audience of millions of football fans. The road to the Champions League Finals is a long and challenging one. Teams must first compete in the qualifying rounds to earn a place in the group stage, playing a series of matches against other top teams from across Europe. The top two teams from each group then progress to the knockout stages, competing in two-legged ties to determine who will advance to the next round. The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final are played as one-off matches, with the winners of each tie progressing to the next stage. The final is the culmination of months of hard work and dedication, and the atmosphere in the stadium on the night of the championship game is electric. Some of the most successful teams in the history of the Champions League Finals include Real Madrid, AC Milan, Liverpool, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. These teams have won multiple Champions League titles over the years and are among the most successful and storied clubs in European football history. 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.

Africa

May

Ultraviolet (UV) Awareness Month: May

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Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, has declared May UV Awareness Month to help educate the public on the dangers of UV and how to protect the eyes. For example, in addition to the skin, the eyes can become “sunburned,” known as photokeratitis. The painful condition may result in temporary vision loss for a few days. Pterygium, a growth of tissue that forms on the white of the eye, correlates directly to an individual’s UV exposure. Without treatment, this condition may require surgical treatment. Alarmingly, a recent survey conducted by N3L Optics found that more than 40 percent of runners and 35 percent of water sports participants do not consistently wear sunglasses during those activities. Only 50 percent of men and 33 percent of women prioritize having the right sunglasses for their sport. Reflective surfaces like snow, water, sand, and asphalt can significantly increase the amount of UV radiation the body is exposed to. Unfortunately, UV damage is cumulative and has been linked to eye problems later in life, including tumors, cataracts, and macular degeneration, an eye disease that currently has no cure. The delicate skin around the eye and the eyelids are also susceptible to UV damage. According to the Office of Air and Radiation at the Environmental Protection Agency, basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer affecting eyelids. It may appear on the lower lid, in the corners of the eye, and under the eyebrows. PBA offers these tips on how to keep your future bright with protection from UV: Always wear sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays. Sunglasses without UV protection may shade the eyes but cause pupils to dilate, allowing in even more harmful rays. Sunglasses that block 100 percent UV-A and UV-B rays should always be worn with a brimmed hat. Wrap-around sunglasses are best as they protect the eyes and the skin around the eyes. Although some contact lenses may offer UV protection, they cannot protect the entire eye and the skin around it. Sunglasses should be made of unbreakable polycarbonate for active lifestyles, especially for children. Ask your doctor about prescription medication that may cause increased sensitivity to light. Always wear eye protection when using a tanning bed. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, tanning beds can produce UV levels up to 100 times more than the sun, which can cause severe damage to the external and internal structures of the eye and eyelids. “We want to stress the importance of protecting the eyes from UV rays, especially to young people,” said Hugh R. Parry, president, and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “Although we may not notice any ill effects of UV exposure today, it can greatly impact our ability to see clearly in the future.” For more information on the dangers of UV exposure and how to choose the best sunglasses for adults and children, please visit Prevent Blindness America’s dedicated website at preventblindness.org/protect-your-eyes-sun or call (800) 331-2020.

Africa

May

Underground America Day: May 14

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Underground America Day celebrates the more than 6,000 North Americans living on Earth and in it. Their homes are built in or underground rather than above it. Architect Malcolm Wells came up with the idea in 1974.

Africa

May

Unicycle Day, Ride a: May 18

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National Unicycle Week and Ride a Unicycle Day first ran in 2017 and are sponsored by the Unicycling Society of America. Their purpose is to encourage people to try unicycling, a fun challenge and great for building core strength and improving balance. National Unicycle Week begins on the third Sunday in May (also Ride a Unicycle Day) and goes through the following Saturday.

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