All - Leep Calendar

French is the second most studied language in the world with its speakers referred to as Francophonie. Francophonie Day went from a single day to a week in 2017 and changed its name to National French Week or International Francophonie Week. The term 'francophonie' was coined by French essayist Onésime Reclus in 1880 as he was trying to describe the geographic areas of the world where French is spoken. The International Day of Francophonie will be celebrated by about half a billion Francophones worldwide. This event began in 1998 as a way for the then-49 members of La Francophonie to celebrate their bond via the French language. French is often described as the language of love, and there was a time when French was the most widely spoken language on earth, and it continues to be the unofficial second language of diplomacy. Oui, oui!

Africa

Mar

Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week: March 17-23

06:20 AM | -

Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week raises awareness of the dangers of inhalants and poisons in our society. One in five students in the US today uses an inhalant to get high. Most of the public is unaware of that fact, but inhalants are cheap, legal and accessible, and as popular as marijuana among the youth. Inhalants present significant risks to health and brain development due to the various toxins they contain. This event began in 1992.

Africa

Mar

Moon—First Quarter: March 17

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The first quarter moon occurs when the moon is one-half illuminated by the sun. Each day forward increases the amount of the moon you can see. The 1st quarter typically occurs seven days after the new moon.

Africa

Mar

Poison Prevention Week, Ntl.: March 17-23

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Since 1962, the President of the United States has proclaimed the third week of March as National Poison Prevention Week to raise awareness about the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. US poison centers answer millions of calls a year. About 90 percent of the people who call with poison emergencies can be treated at home by following the advice of poison center experts, saving over one billion dollars in medical expenses.

Africa

Mar

Safe Place Week, Ntl.: March 17-23

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National Safe Place Week in the United States is an annual outreach awareness and prevention program for youth in crisis. Community-based, it aims to aid young people in immediate need of safety due to abuse or other threats. Locations participating in the NSP Week include libraries, YMCA, fire stations, public buses, various businesses, and social service facilities.

Africa

Mar

Saint Patrick's Day (460 AD): March 17

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National Holiday in Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday that has taken on a life of its own as a celebration of everything Irish. It's prevalent in the United States and an excuse to throw a party, wear green (or you could get pinched), and drink beer, usually dyed green with food coloring. Along with the Super Bowl and New Year's Eve, Saint Patrick's Day is the heaviest alcohol consumption day in the United States. The true meaning of Saint Patrick's Day is to honor Saint Patrick, who died on March 17, 460 AD. Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. At age 16, he was kidnapped from England and forced into slavery in Ireland. He escaped, only to return to the Emerald Isle and bring Christianity to the pagan people. The first St. Patrick's Day celebration occurred in New York City on March 17, 1762. It is one of the few times during the season of Lent that Catholics can break the ban against meat and spirits to celebrate.

Africa

Mar

Submarine Day (UK)(1898): March 17

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Submarine Day in the United Kingdom honors the kingdom’s submarines and their personnel within the Royal Navy. Since their introduction to the Royal Navy in 1901 with HMS Holland 1, submarines have performed essential services to the nation saving billions of dollars in cargo and tens of thousands of lives. This day marks the anniversary of the first demonstration of a submarine to the Royal Navy by John Philip Holland on March 17, 1898.

Africa

Mar

Sustainable House Day (AU): March 17 (est)

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Sustainable House Day first ran in 2000 as a way to showcase, enable, represent and inspire people to live sustainably in their homes and communities. Throughout the country, sustainable homes are opened to the public to tour, learn about and engage. Sustainable House Day is Australia's biggest celebration of green homes and a fundraiser for various charities.

Africa

Apr

Sustainable House Day (AU): April 21

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Sustainable House Day began in 2000 to showcase, enable, represent, and inspire people to live sustainably in their homes and communities. Throughout the country, sustainable homes are opened to the public to tour, learn about and engage. Today it is followed by a month of private viewings, classes, and sustainability strategies. Sustainable House Day is Australia's biggest celebration of green homes and a charity fundraiser. The date of this event varies widely and is typically estimated. Consult the event website for the most current date.

Africa

Mar

Act Happy Week: March 18-24

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A positive attitude is proven to improve the quality of life. Act Happy Week encourages people to use the thespian tool of method acting to cultivate happiness. Still waiting? Fake it until you make it.

Africa

Mar

Awkward Moments Day: March 18

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We’ve all been there, that moment when you wish you were invisible and you could gracefully slip out of a situation or disappear. Today is the day to attempt to one-up your friends and coworkers and see who has the best awkward moment story to tell. What is awkward? Merriam-Webster defines it thus: 1: Obsolete: perverse 2: Archaic: unfavorable, adverse 3a: Lacking dexterity or skill 3b: Showing the result of a lack of proficiency 4a: Lacking ease or grace 4b: Lacking the right proportions, size, or harmony of parts: ungainly 5a: Lacking social grace and assurance 5b: Causing embarrassment 6: Not easy to handle or deal with: requiring great skill, ingenuity, or care However you define awkward, National Awkward Moments Day is about celebrating your imperfections and laughing about them with friends. Enjoy!

Africa

Mar

Benito Juárez Day (MX)(1806): March 18

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Often referred to as "Mexico's Lincoln," Benito Juárez lived between 1806 and 1872 and was president of Mexico for five terms between 1858 and 1872. Juárez was responsible for the legislation that limited the church's power over national affairs. Benito Juárez Day is a federal holiday in Mexico celebrated on the third Monday of March. Juárez was born March 21, 1806, in San Pablo Gueletao, a village in the state of Oaxaca, to farmers and a member of the Zapotec tribe. Juárez didn't learn to read, write or speak Spanish until he entered his teens under the tutelage of Franciscan monks. He graduated from the seminary in 1827, was elected to the city council in 1831, and earned a degree in law in 1834, beginning his political career. In 1847 he was elected governor of Oaxaca until 1852. In 1853 dictator Santa Anna regained power in Mexico, and the first two long wars began. By 1854, Juárez had joined the resistance under General Alvarez and became his minister of justice. One of his first laws, known as "Juárez's law," served to limit the church's power over national politics. By 1856 he was governor of Oaxaca once again. By 1857, he was installed as the chief justice of the Supreme Court—for about a year until he was arrested during another attempted coup. However, as chief justice, he was next in line for the presidency should the president die in office. Juárez escaped captivity in 1858. That same year the Reform War 1858-61 started, and Juárez was captured again near Guadalajara, briefly, before fleeing again, this time to Manzanillo, where he assisted in rebuilding the resistance. Juárez then became the president of Mexico. During 1857, the two men corresponded regularly to the death of US President Lincoln. Juárez remained president of Mexico until his death.

Africa

Mar

Biodiesel Day, Ntl. (1858): March 18

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March 18, 1858, Rudolph Diesel, the inventor responsible for the diesel internal combustion engine, created in 1897, was born.

Africa

Mar

Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington (US-DC): March 20-April 14

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The National Cherry Blossom Festival occurs in Washington DC each year, commencing in March and concluding in April over four weeks. However, the blooms only last about ten days, and the peak viewing period is announced in early March. Usually, this occurs around April 4 each year.

The Washington DC cherry trees, gifted to the United States by the nation of Japan in 1912, fully bloom during this month. The city has various events, including craft fairs, art exhibits, cultural events, and scripted walks. The festival begins with a Pink Tie Party on the first evening and concludes with a fireworks display over the city on the last.

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

Apr

Dietitians Week, (AU): April 8-14

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Dietitians Week in Australia and the South Pacific is supported by accredited practicing dietitians and focuses on APD achievements and the services they offer. Hashtags include #Dietitians Week, #Inspiring.

Africa