All - Leep Calendar

First played in 1905, Melbourne's Australian Open is one of the big four tennis tournaments each year: French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. The tournament occurs during the last two weeks of January and sometimes bleeds into early February. 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

Jan

Auto Show, North American Intl. (US-MI): January 10-20

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Created in 1988 as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, people, and ideas that matter most – up close and in one place. Administered by Executive Director Rod Alberts, the NAIAS is one of the most significant media events in North America and the only auto show in the United States to earn a distinguished annual sanction from the Organization Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. The first six days of this event are for the press and dignitaries; the show opens to the public on the sixth day. 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 unknown until 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

Jan

AVN Awards (US-NV): January 26 (est)

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The AVN Awards are the annual adult entertainment awards. It recognizes and celebrates business excellence and outstanding performance by professionals, companies, and actors within the adult entertainment industry. 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 unknown until 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

Jan

Babinden (RU/BG): January 23

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Babinden is a traditional Bulgarian observance celebrated in Russia and known as the Day of the Midwives. At dawn, women, and children under three rise and head to the local well, where they draw water and infuse it with basil or geranium. Drinking the infusion, they make their way to the midwife's house, where she is bathed by the mothers and presented with a bouquet of geraniums tied in red and white ribbon. The ribbons symbolize a healthy child with rosy cheeks. The midwife removes the ribbons to secure a silver coin. Each coined ribbon then embellishes each child born with the midwife's help, along with a gift of new socks and shirts. Next, another pitcher of water is drawn, infused with basil or geraniums, and taken to the local church, where it is blessed. Mothers will use the blessed water a little bit each day to bathe for the next forty. At noon, the party returns to the midwife's house, where the mothers and their female relatives prepare a feast exclusively for women. Upon its conclusion, the town's men join the festivities, usually dressed as oxen and pulling a cart. Their job is to parade the midwife through the village. Should the men encounter any women, a fee to pass is paid. Babinden's elaborate customs celebrate motherhood and the essential services of midwifery. It's a celebration of life and an assurance that the midwife blesses each child during its first three years to ensure a long, healthy life.

Africa

Jan

Baby Making Day (UK) Ntl.: January 2

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What is the most popular birthday in the United Kingdom? September 26. What does that mean? More Brits make babies 38 weeks earlier on January 2 (between 10 PM and 11:00 PM GMT, with 10:36 PM being the most romantic minute of the year). So warm up the sheets, get out the lingerie and oils and get ready to do your patriot duty, United Kingdom. Celebrate Baby Making Day the best way you can, canoodling for the future!

Africa

Jan

Backward Day: January 31

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Backward Day is an organic celebration with no sponsor, celebrated worldwide. The basic concept of today? Do everything in reverse. Eat dessert first. Call people by their last names. Read a book back to front. Back into your parking space. See how many palindromes you can identify (words spelled the same forward and back). You get the idea! Historically there is something called "Backwards Day," but there is no specific reason for designating January 31 to observe it. The original Backwards Day occurred in the Julian Calendar (45BC-1582), the predecessor of the modern Gregorian calendar. Day one of the Gregorian calendar is October 15, 1582 (though it would be the mid-1700s before it became the standard in Europe and the rest of the world). Because the Sun's rotation around the earth is just shy of 365 days, the way the Roman's dealt with this was to shift the calendar backward one day every 128 years. With the rise of Christianity, this became a problem. The vernal equinox determines Easter, and over centuries, the Julian calendar caused the vernal equinox to move backward by ten days. With its leap year every four years, the Gregorian calendar solved this problem. The Gregorian calendar also assured that the vernal equinox would always fall at the same time every year.

Africa

Jan

Bagel Day, Ntl.: January 15

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Initiated in 2014, National Bagel Day celebrates the doughnut-shaped circular bread that has become a breakfast and lunch favorite in America. The bagel originated in Krakow, Poland, in 1610.

Africa

Jan

Bald Eagle Appreciation Days (US-IA): January 18-19

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During the late fall and winter months, bald eagles flock to Iowa, a warmer home than their summer residences in Alaska and Canada. In Alaska and Canada, the rivers freeze over, so over 1,400 bald eagles follow the river south and spend the coldest months of the year along the Mississippi River between Saint Paul and Saint Louis. The highest percentage live in the area of Keokuk. Each year US Army Corps of Engineers, Non-game Wildlife programs within the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Department of Conservation, Lee County Conservation Board, Keosippi Mall, and The Keokuk Area Convention and Tourism Bureau host Bald Eagle Appreciation Days, the third weekend of January. Thousands of people flock to Keokuk to view firsthand the national symbol of the United States of America in its natural surroundings. Bald Eagle Appreciation Days feature many free indoor and outdoor programs, including: • Hourly seminars featuring live Bald Eagles • Lectures • Exhibits • Films • Special events • Manned observation areas along the Mississippi Riverfront • Spotting scopes available • Conservation officials and biologists on hand for questions Tips for finding and viewing eagles: The best time to view eagles is in the early morning when they feed. Eagles can be seen soaring and diving for fish; the colder, the better. When eagles are not feeding, observe them sitting in large, mature trees closer to the river or on river ice near openings. Be sure to bring strong binoculars!

Africa

Jan

Balloon Ascension Day (1793): January 9

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Balloon Ascension Day marks the anniversary of the first balloon flight in the United States on January 9, 1793, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 18th century marks the dawn of human flight. This era of innovation began when the Montgolfier brothers conducted the first successful manned flight in a hot air balloon in Paris, France, in 1783. It ignited the imagination of the world and an interest in balloon travel. Following this pioneering flight, the public and scientists across the world entertained the novelty and potential of balloon flight for transportation and exploration. People COULD fly! In the United States, on January 9, 1793, Jean Pierre Blanchard, a French balloonist, made the first balloon ascent in the Americas from the Walnut Street Prison in Philadelphia, the capital of the United States at the time, making it the first time a balloon had taken flight in the country. In the crowd, President George Washington watched with members of the federal government, along with a crowd of curious onlookers, attended the event. The President even gave Blanchard a signed pass to ensure his safe passage. You see, at the time, the concept of air travel was so new nobody knew where he might land! Blanchard, an experienced aeronaut, had previously made balloon ascents in Europe. Ultimately, his American flight lasted around 46 minutes and covered approximately 15 miles. He landed in New Jersey. While the practical utility of balloons for transportation remained limited due to their unpredictability and the inability to steer them effectively, they laid the groundwork for future advancements in aviation.

Africa

Jan

Bank Holiday, Scotland (UK): January 2

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Scotland enjoys a bank holiday on the first working day after New Year's Day.

Africa

Jan

Bath Safety Month, Ntl.: January

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A soothing warm shower is one of the best parts of the day, but it can also be dangerous if homeowners aren't careful. Slippery floors in and around the shower stall can cause falls and injuries. Two-thirds of all bathroom injuries treated at emergency departments occurred in the tub or shower, according to a 2008 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fixture manufacturer Moen champions National Bath Safety Month in January. The company provides bath safety tips and statistics to educate consumers on the importance of restroom safety and how they can make easy, impactful updates to their homes without sacrificing style.

Africa

Jan

Be Kind to Food Servers Month: January

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Be Kind to Food Servers Month honors the food servers who tirelessly provide service to restaurant customers and emphasizes the need for a better relationship between the server and the customer. During this time, thank-you’s and extra tips for waitstaff are highly appreciated.

Africa

Jan

Be on Purpose Month: January

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Be on Purpose Month is an unofficial observance without a sponsor. The objective of this month is to encourage people to make an effort with their New Year Resolution: Be purposeful and make it count.

Africa

Jan

Bean Day (1884): January 6

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Today marks the anniversary of the death of Austrian scientist Gregor Mendel in 1884. Mendel is the founder of the modern field of Genetics and performed his work by studying beans and legumes. He is the person who identified and described what we now call dominant and recessive genes. Because he died in the late 19th Century, Mendel never realized the importance of his discoveries and work. He laid the foundation for 20th Century advances in therapies and medicines, agriculture, and science.

Africa

Jan

Beer Can Appreciation Day (1935): January 24

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On January 24, 1935, the beer can we know today went on sale. Before, beer was only available in bottles, and Beer Can Appreciation Day marks this anniversary. Krueger's Finest Beer created the packaging concept.

Africa