All - Leep Calendar

The North Dakota Winter Show, held annually in Valley City, North Dakota, is an agriculture and livestock show that has been a significant event since its inception in 1937. The show occurs in early March and has grown to attract around 30,000 attendees each year. The Winter Show originated under the guidance of Valley City businessman Herman Stern, who also played a pivotal role in founding the Greater North Dakota Association. The show began to support and promote agriculture during challenging economic and agricultural times. The first show featured over 1,700 heads of livestock and more than 2,000-grain samples, marking a successful start with a profit that allowed for future investment in the event. The North Dakota Winter Show has served as a hub for agriculturists, ranchers, farmers, and the general public. It provides a platform for showcasing livestock, grain samples, and agricultural products and innovations. The show also includes entertainment, including musical performances and rodeos, adapting to changing tastes and trends. For instance, the rodeo became a part of the Winter Show in 1963 and has since featured significant talent. Women's exhibits and activities have also been a vital part of the show, with a dedicated Women's Division organized in 1962. These exhibits have included a range of activities, from hobby shows to luncheons, showcasing the versatility and inclusivity of the event. The North Dakota Winter Show has continually evolved, adding new events and attractions while maintaining its core focus on agriculture and community. It's a celebration of agricultural practices and a social event where people gather, share experiences, and create memories.

Africa

Mar

Nougat Day, Ntl.: March 26

06:20 AM | -

Nougat is a candy made with sugar or honey, roasted nuts, and sometimes diced candied fruit. National Nougat Day is your license to indulge.

Africa

Mar

Nowruz, Intl. Day of (M): March 20/21

06:20 AM | -

Always falling on the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, International Nowruz Day (also spelled Noruz) was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly. This is the Shi'a new year and is celebrated in Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. International Nowruz Day promotes peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighborliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and communities. It is also observed in the Baha'i faith.

Africa

Mar

Nurses, Certified Nurses Day (1930): March 19

06:20 AM | -

Held annually on the birthday of nursing pioneer Dr. Margretta Made Styles RN EdD, FAAN, Dr. Styles led the initiative to create standardized professional certification in the nursing field. The 1954 Yale alumna was born on March 19, 1930, and died on November 20, 2005.

Africa

Mar

Nutrition and Hydration Week: March 17-23

06:20 AM | -

Nutrition and Hydration Week promotes and celebrates improvements in nutrition and hydration. It seeks to create a global movement of aware individuals that understand the connection between good nutrition and adequate hydration to overall health and wellness.

Africa

Mar

Nutrition Month, Ntl.: March

06:20 AM | -

National Nutrition Month is an opportunity to get educated about the fuel that feeds you. The first National Nutrition Week campaign launched in 1973 with a presidential proclamation, TV and radio public service announcements, news releases, and bumper stickers, all featuring the theme “Invest in Yourself—Buy Nutrition.” From the beginning, American Dietetic Association (ADA) members enthusiastically embraced National Nutrition Week as an opportunity to promote the profession and serve as a vehicle for delivering nutrition education messages to the public. Armed with a promotion kit produced in year two, dietetics professionals began planning special events in schools, healthcare facilities, and community centers. Radio announcements and news releases gained the attention of the media.

Africa

Mar

Oatmeal Cookie Day, Lacy, Ntl: March 18

06:20 AM | -

Happy Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day. There are two standards for oatmeal cookies: the thick round cookies and the thin Florentine wafers known as Lacy Oatmeal Cookies. These crispy wafers are often seen in ice cream parlors decorating a sundae. However, they're good if you need to nip a craving. Oatmeal entered the American diet in the early nineteenth century. Cookies or "oat cakes" quickly followed.

Africa

Mar

Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day: March 11

06:20 AM | -

Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day occurs in March and celebrates this popular treat dating back to the Middle Ages. Originally this recipe consisted of only flour and water. Today, people substitute oat flour and whole oats for flour and add ingredients like butter, eggs, honey, or milk. Oatmeal was food for horses and the plant itself, a weed, and it was the Scottish first cooked it and ate it as porridge. The slightly sweet taste of oatmeal quickly catapult it into a favorite. Russia, Canada, the United States, Finland, and Poland are the world’s top producers of oats. To this day, livestock consumes the majority of oats. However, the versatility of oats and their health benefits, including being high in fiber, low fat, and vitamins, have made them a breakfast favorite and an excellent alternative to wheat.

Africa

Mar

Oil, National Day of (IR)(1951): March 20

06:20 AM | -

On March 15, 1951, the government of Iran nationalized the country's oil fields, making it the nation's property. The British were given one week to leave. National Day of Oil is a national holiday in Iran and can occur on the 19th or 20th, depending on the year.

Africa

Mar

OK Day (1839): March 23

06:20 AM | -

"Okay," often abbreviated as "OK," is one of the most universally recognized and used words globally. Its journey from obscure to global acceptance touches upon linguistic evolution, cultural integration, and the nuances of non-verbal communication across different societies. The etymology of "okay" first appeared on March 23, 1839, in the Boston Morning Herald as an editing abbreviation of "oll korrect," a deliberate misspelling of "all correct." This usage was part of a broader fad for playful abbreviations and misspellings. The term gained popularity and became cemented in American English during the 1840 presidential campaign of Martin Van Buren. His nickname, "Old Kinderhook," after his hometown in New York, was shortened by his supporters to "OK Club," which helped to popularize the term. From its American origins, "okay" began spreading across the globe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, facilitated by the expansion of American influence and the rise of English as a global lingua franca. Its simplicity, versatility, and ease of pronunciation made it an attractive addition to other languages, often retaining its positive affirmation meaning. Today, "okay" is understood and used in nearly every prominent language, serving as a testament to its remarkable adaptability and universal appeal. However, the word's journey has not been without controversy, particularly regarding the associated "OK" hand gesture, where the thumb and forefinger form a circle while the other fingers remain extended. This gesture, widely recognized as a symbol for "okay" or "all is well," has different meanings and interpretations worldwide. In some cultures, it is a positive sign of agreement or satisfaction. In others, like Brazil, it means "asshole" and can have offensive connotations or be considered a vulgar gesture. Furthermore, with the rise of MAGA and Christian nationalism in North America, the "OK" hand sign has been co-opted by white supremacists as a symbol of hate, leading to a reevaluation of its use and meaning. The three fingers lifted or pointed down symbolize KKK in their circles, the abbreviation of the hate group Ku Klux Klan. Because of this, the use of the gesture is diminishing. Today, learn more about the history behind the word OK or call a loved one, a friend, or a family member you haven't heard from in a while and ask them if they are OK. "Okay" and its associated gestures underscore the dynamic nature of language and communication. They reflect how words and symbols can transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries and the complexities inherent in their interpretation.

Africa

Mar

Old Stuff Day: March 2

06:20 AM | -

Old Stuff Day is an ode to bloggers and a chance to dust off old content and bring it back into the light. It was created by blogger and gamer Warhammer 39,999 (Rob) in 2011. “I started this holiday in the thought that I could bring out some of my older stuff and maybe breathe a little life into it.” —Warhammer 39,999

Africa

Mar

Old Year's Day: March 25

06:20 AM | -

In 1751, England and the American colonies moved to the Gregorian calendar. Up until that time, the new year began on March 25 each year. As of 1752, January 1 became New Year's Day.

Africa

Mar

Omizutori Water Drawing Festival (JP): March 1-14

06:20 AM | -

This Buddhist Festival in Japan occurs each year between March 1 and 14, culminating with water drawing at the Todaiji Temple. Each night, believers carry giant torches to the balcony of Nigatsudo and shower onlookers in embers. This shower is believed to ensure all those below experience a safe year. In addition to the torches, on the 12th and 13th, priests draw water from a well that flows once a year and distribute this water. The waters are believed to restore health to the sick and afflicted. The spectacle is accompanied by horns and bells and goes into the early hours of the morning. Omizutori Water Drawing Festival is one of Japan's most popular Buddhist festivals.

Africa

Mar

Optimism Month, Ntl.: March

06:20 AM | -

National Optimism Month occurs in March each year. Its purpose is to encourage people to look at their life and see the glass half-full. Optimists tend to have greater prosperity and happiness than people who look at the negative side of life. Optimism in the face of adversity often serves as the best medicine. This observance month originated with a husband and wife relationship expert team and authors, Dr. Michael and Mary Ann Mercer.

Africa

Mar

Oral Health Day, World: March 20

06:20 AM | -

Celebrated annually on March 20, World Oral Health Day was initiated with the FDI World Dental Federation to raise global awareness of the prevention and control of oral diseases. Resources available to the media include a press release featuring critical findings from a worldwide survey in ten countries revealing how parents worldwide cared for their children’s oral health growing up.

Africa