All - Leep Calendar

In 2015, Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott created Save the Florida Panther Day, allocating $150 million toward land acquisition and management to focus on protecting land for the Florida panther. The historic funding and focus on Florida's ecosystem ensure and protects the Florida panther and its domain. The Florida panther once roamed throughout the southeastern United States, and today, it can only be found in the forests and Everglades. In 1967, ten panthers remained in the wild, and eight breeding females were brought in from Texas. Today that number is closer to 200. On Jul 24, 2021, the state passed the Wildlife Corridor Act, facilitating the movement of the big cats within their territories, proving that despite the rhetoric, Florida does care about its environment. Though Florida has lost its way of late, in years and decades past, the state was a critical and outspoken advocate for conservation and the environment, including championing its own Arbor Day and protecting the Everglades and endangered species while raising awareness about wetlands and the necessity of biodiversity. In fact, until the 1990s, conservative Americans strongly valued environmental causes, including Republican presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Richard Nixon. The antipathy on current display is a new phenomenon, which makes Save the Florida Panther Day, the state animal, unique. Cover Photo: Male panther at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by FWS, 2018.

Africa

Mar

Play the Recorder Day: March 16

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Play the Recorder Day celebrates the woodwind instrument that looks like a flute called a recorder. It has been held annually since 1993 during March, Play the Recorder Month. On this day, the American Recorder Society holds concerts and lessons throughout the country in public spaces, including libraries, schools, and shopping malls.

Africa

Mar

Quilting Day, Ntl: March 16

06:20 AM | -

Quilters, seamstresses, fabric enthusiasts, and crafters worldwide share skills and patterns each year on National Quilting Day. Quilts are a time-honored tradition and means of storytelling and are often passed down from generation to generation. This event was created in 1992 by the National Quilting Association; the Quilt Alliance now hosts the event.

Africa

Mar

Saint Urho's Day: March 16

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Saint Urho's Day honors the Finish legend about the man who saved the grape harvest in ancient times and is celebrated in the United States, Canada, and Finland. Legend says Saint Urho chased the grasshoppers out of ancient Finland and saved the grape crop. He did so by uttering the words 'Heinäsirkka, heinäsirkka, mene täältä hiiteen', or "Grasshopper, grasshopper, go to Hell!" The irony is that Saint Urho never existed. He is a figment of the imagination of two boys in Minnesota who made him up in the 1950s. The story is so beloved, though, that in Finland, Canada, and the United States, his day is celebrated on the day prior to St. Patrick's.

Africa

Mar

Six Nations, Round 5: March 16

06:20 AM | -

Six Nations Round Five is the final match of the season.

The Six Nations Rugby Tournament, a cornerstone of international rugby union competitions, dates back to 1883. Initially known as the Home Nations Championship, it included the four United Kingdom countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. The tournament expanded in 1910 to include France, becoming the Five Nations until Italy joined in 2000, marking the birth of the current Six Nations format.

The Six Nations occurs annually, involving England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales national teams. These teams compete in a round-robin format, each playing the others once per season. Matches are held in the participating countries, making the tournament a pan-European event celebrated for its intense rivalries, historic venues, and passionate fanbases.

The motivation behind the Six Nations Tournament is multifaceted. Primarily, it serves as a prestigious competition in the rugby calendar, fostering national pride and showcasing some of the best talents in the sport. It also plays a crucial role in developing rugby in Europe, providing a competitive platform for the teams and a significant revenue stream for the sport's growth at all levels.

Players selected for the Six Nations are typically the crème de la crème of rugby talent from their respective countries. Selection is a high honor, representing the culmination of individual and team efforts within domestic and international leagues. The tournament highlights veteran stars and is a launching pad for emerging talents to make their mark on the global stage.

The Six Nations is a series of rugby matches and a cultural phenomenon that transcends sport. It encapsulates a blend of tradition, national identity, and sporting excellence, making it a pivotal event for players and fans. The tournament's enduring appeal is a testament to its significance in rugby and the broader sporting landscape.

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

Mar

Tomorrowland Winter (FR): March 16-23 (est)

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Tomorrowland added Tomorrowland Winter in the Alpe d'Huez, France, in 2019. Tomorrowland is the biggest electronic music festival in the world. Held in Belgium, it includes electronic shows, live music, and one-of-a-kind shows. The event is simulcast to local venues in Abu Dhabi, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, Spain, and Taiwan. If you're in these nations, see the website for details on how you can participate. In 2018, the event moved to two weekends in July. 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

Mar

AG Week, Ntl.: March 17-23 (est)

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National Ag Day and Ag Week are organized by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA), a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food, and fiber community dedicated to increasing the public's awareness of agriculture's role in modern society. The National Ag Day program encourages every American to: Understand how food and fiber products are produced. Appreciate agriculture's role in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products. Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy. Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, and fiber industry. ACA also holds an annual Ag Day Essay and Ag Day Poster Art Contest. See the website for details. http://www.agday.org

Africa

Mar

Bubble Week, Ntl.: March 17-23

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National Bubble Week is a celebration of the coming of spring and has occurred the week of March 20 (the first day of spring) since 2000. Promoted by various organizations and schools across the U.S., this is a week for kids and families to go outside and have fun blowing bubbles. There are also numerous online contests about the best pictures of bubbles on National Bubble Week. Masthead Photo: LD Lewis. "Chasing Bubbles, Prague New Year's Eve 2016"

Africa

Mar

Campfire Girls Day (1912): March 17

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The Camp Fire Girls organization was incorporated on March 17, 1912, by Mrs. Charles Farnsworth of Vermont with Luther Gulick M.D. and his wife, Charlotte Vedder Gulick of Maine. Campfire Girls were created to be a sister organization to the Boy Scouts of America. Girl Scouts were started two years later. In 1975 the Camp Fire Girls was renamed to Camp Fire Boys and Girls to include both genders. The Camp Fire program includes various after-school programs, environmental education, camping, and other small-group experiences.

Africa

Mar

Cape Town International Jazz Festival (ZA): March 17 - 18

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Sub-Saharan Africa basks in a fantastic mix of artists from all over the globe—the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is fondly known as "Africa's Grandest Gathering" for good reason. The festival began in 2000, so it's relatively young compared to other jazz festivals. But don't let its age fool you; it has rapidly grown to become the fourth-largest jazz festival worldwide, a real testament to its quality and the hard work of the organizers. The festival is held annually, usually around the last weekend of March or the first weekend of April, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The festival is an eclectic mix of jazz from across the spectrum, so there's something for everyone. The diversity is incredible, from the more traditional jazz styles to African jazz, hip-hop, and funk elements. The festival typically features over 40 artists performing on multiple stages over two days, so you're spoilt for choice. But it's not just about the music. The festival also includes a free community concert in Greenmarket Square, right in the heart of the city, which allows everyone to enjoy the music, even if they can't attend the main festival. And then there's the Jazz Festival's Sustainable Training & Development program that offers workshops, photojournalism projects, and music business classes for young talents, which is fantastic for promoting and nurturing local talent. 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

Mar

Care Sunday (C)(UK): March 17

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Care Sunday is part of the Lent observances in the Church of England, and it occurs on the fifth Sunday of Lent and initiates the high holy week of Passiontide.

Africa

Mar

Chocolate Week, American: March 17-23

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National Chocolate Week is an annual promotion supported by the National Confectioners Association. It aims to support the chocolate industry and promote products created from chocolate. Chocolate beans have been used since around 1900 BC by the people of Central America, usually as a bitter drink, often alcoholic or with red peppers. (It is quite a treat if you’ve never tried hot chocolate with red peppers using hot water instead of milk!) On his fourth voyage, Christopher Columbus brought this delicious bean to Europe. He noted the encounter in his ship’s log on August 15, 1502. Later, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés would bring the bean back in bulk a few decades later (he was only 17 when Columbus found it). But in its Central American form, it wasn’t the sweet treat we see today. That required several inventions: John Baker’s process of grounding between millstones of cocoa beans to create a powder in 1764. Conrad Van Houten’s development of a method for extracting the cacao liquor from the fat in the cocoa bean in 1828 made chocolate affordable. And finally, the development of conching by Swiss chocolatier Rodolphe Lindt in 1879. The rest is sweet history. There are several different types of cocoa beans. Though native to the Americas, nearly two-thirds of cocoa production occurs in Africa today, and Ivory Coast is the largest producer.

Africa

Mar

Consider Christianity Week: March 17-23

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The goal of Consider Christianity Week is to equip Christians with the knowledge and ability to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do so with gentleness and respect" (1 Pet 3:15). Not only will this strengthen their faith, but it will increase the effectiveness of their witness.

Africa

Mar

Evacuation Day, Boston (1776): March 17

06:20 AM | -

March 17 is more than Saint Patrick's Day in Boston, Massachusetts, and it's a citywide holiday marking the evacuation of British troops from Boston during the Revolutionary War on March 17, 1776. Ironically, both Evacuation Days in LEEP calendar celebrate the evacuation of British troops from a territory. Today's in the US, and the other in Egypt in 1954.

Africa

Mar

Folk Tales & Fables Week, World: March 17-23

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Every culture has its tales and fables. For centuries, oral histories and legends were communicated through stories and myths. Classic folklore teaches about other cultures and languages, generally capped with a moral lesson. Triumph over good and evil, or using cunning and ingenuity to solve problems, are all common themes of fables. World Folk Tales & Fables Week is your opportunity to explore the world of fables or even pick up some classics like 1001 Nights or Aesop's Fables.

Africa