All - Leep Calendar

The third Friday of January is International Fetish Day, first celebrated in 2009 in the United Kingdom. Merriam-Webster defines fetish as: a: An object (such as a small stone carving of an animal) believed to have a magical power to protect or aid its owner; broadly: a material object regarded with superstitious or extravagant trust or reverence. b: An object of irrational reverence or obsessive devotion: prepossession c: An object or bodily part whose real or fantasied presence is psychologically necessary for sexual gratification and that is an object of fixation to the extent that it may interfere with complete sexual expression 2: A rite or cult of fetish worshippers 3: Fixation Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetish

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Jan

Popcorn Day, Ntl. (1853): January 19

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National Popcorn Day marks the anniversary of the birth of Charles Cretors on January 19, 1853. Cretors owned a confectionary shop in Decatur, Illinois, and decided to expand his offerings onto the sidewalk where people were. He purchased a peanut roaster but found it needed more functionality. Tinkering, he improved it and added other products. He is the person that created the sidewalk roasters used for peanuts, coffee, and popcorn that were commonplace in the late 19th century through WWII. Because of Cretors, you could go to the boardwalk, ball game, or circus and enjoy roasted peanuts or popcorn, fresh and hot. National Popcorn Day honors his memory. Popcorn has been around for about 4,000 years, but it wasn’t until 1519 that Europeans discovered it. Cortes got his first sight of popcorn when he invaded Mexico and came into contact with the Aztecs. Popcorn was an essential food for the Aztec Indians, who also used popcorn as decoration for ceremonial headdresses, necklaces, and ornaments on statues of their gods, including Tlaloc, the god of rain and fertility. Today it is a favorite snack the world over. Americans consume some 16 billion quarts yearly, or 51 quarts per man, woman, and child. The Popcorn Board is the official representative of all things popcorn in the United States. They have over 50 recipes you can download with pictures on their site at: http://www.popcorn.org/AboutUs/Media/PopcornPhotos/tabid/112/Default.aspx Not all corn kernels pop. Only the Zea Mays Everta corn can become popcorn.

Africa

Jan

Quark Day, World: January 19

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Quark doesn't refer to the drafting software essential to 1980s and 1990s engineering. World Quark Day was invented in 2019 to celebrate the cream cheese-like food out of Europe described as a cross between buttermilk and yogurt. Unlike many new plant-based foods, quark is derived from real buttermilk. It is much lower in fat than traditional cream cheese but spreads as easily and can be substituted. High in calcium, it is prized in the elderly care community.

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Jan

Tin Can Day (1810): January 19

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Tin Can Day celebrates the invention of the tin can on January 19, 1810, by British merchant Peter Durand. A major game-changer in food preservation, tin cans revolutionized the food industry. The first commercial canning factory opened in England in 1813, thanks to John Hall and Bryan Dorkin.

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Jan

Arbor Day, (US-FL): January 19

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Florida is one of the first states to celebrate Arbor Day, and it has been doing so since 1886. The day focuses on environmental education and increasing the planting of trees throughout the state. Annually on the third Friday in January.

Africa

Jan

Army Day, (LS)(1986): January 20

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Army Day in Lesotho marks the anniversary of January 20, 1986, when the army overthrew Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan and his government. Army Day is a public holiday.

Africa

Jan

Bald Eagle Appreciation Days (US-IA): January 20-21

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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

Break-up Day, Intl.: January 20

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International Break-up Day marks the single day each year when more romantic couples will split than any other. On January 20th, the holiday season was over for three weeks, and Valentine's Day's next significant stressor on relationships was still three weeks off.

Why do romantic relationships break up?

Money, different views on children, substance abuse, mental and physical illness, all of these issues can play into the end of a relationship. However, the most common themes contributing to "Hit the Road, Jack (or Jill)" include communication breakdown, infidelity, and divergent life paths.

COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN—At the core of many relationship failures is the erosion of communication. When couples struggle to effectively express their needs, desires, and concerns, misunderstandings and frustrations lead to emotional distance and isolation. The inability to resolve conflicts through healthy dialogue often exacerbates minor issues, transforming them into insurmountable barriers.

INFIDELITY—Another common catalyst for the end of romantic partnerships is infidelity. Acts of betrayal, whether physical or emotional, shatter the foundation of trust and mutual respect. The ensuing feelings of hurt, anger, and disillusionment are often too profound to overcome, leading many couples to part ways. Infidelity not only damages the immediate bond but can also leave lasting emotional scars, affecting individuals' ability to trust in future relationships.

DIVERGENT LIFE PATHS—Relationships also commonly end due to partners growing apart and pursuing different life paths due to personal goals, career aspirations, or fundamental values. As individuals evolve, their needs and visions for the future may no longer align, leading to a natural drift. Divergent break-ups are particularly common in relationships that begin at a young age, where personal growth and changes in identity are most significant. When the shared path that once united a couple diverges, the relationship often reaches its natural conclusion.

Though these are the most common reasons, each relationship has its complexities. Terminating a romantic partnership is frequently a culmination of various factors interwoven in the intricate dynamics of human relationships.

International Break-up Day is an opportunity to take stock of your relationship, identify areas that need work, and recommit. It is also a day for honesty. Is your relationship a positive influence in your life or a negative? If negative, it may be time to move on.

Africa

Jan

Buttercrunch Day, Ntl.: January 20

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National Buttercrunch Day in the US celebrates the candy known as buttercrunch (think of the center of a Butterfinger® bar). Like most food holidays, this day is celebrated adequately by cooking and eating buttercrunch. Pair it with chocolate or caramel for a decadent, delicious dessert.

Africa

Jan

Calibash (US-CA): January 20-21 (est)

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Calibash is an annual music festival featuring Latin American and Hispanic artists. First held in 2007, attendance has increased year-on-year, making it one of the most anticipated music festivals of the year.

Africa

Jan

Camcorder Day, Ntl. (1982): January 20

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National Camcorder Day marks the anniversary of the marketing of the first camcorder by Sony electronics in 1982. This professional version led the way to the first consumer version, which premiered in 1983. These tape-based predecessors were the precursors of today's digital video cameras and smartphones. Before the camcorder, film was used to capture moving images. The camcorder reduced the cost of filming and made it much less expensive to shoot in the field.

Africa

Jan

Cheese Lover's Day: January 20

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Cheese Lover's Day celebrates cheese. Cheese is one of those foods found globally, created from various mammals' milk. The origin legend features an Arabian traveler accidentally making cheese when he stored milk in a sheep's stomach pouch. It separated into curds and whey, and he decided he liked it. From Arabia, it spread to Europe. From Europe, it traveled with the pilgrims to the New World. Today one-third of the milk produced in the US each year goes to create cheese.

Africa

Jan

Disc Jockey (DJ) Day, Ntl.: January 20

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National Disc Jockey (DJ) Day celebrates DJs in their artistic glory and the joy they bring to us. Professional DJs have been a part of the entertainment scene since 1909.

Africa

Jan

Heroes Day, Ntl. (GW)(1973): January 20

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National Heroes Day in Guinea-Bissau marks the anniversary of January 20, 1973, when Amilcar Cabral, a leader of the independence movement, was assassinated. Heroes Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Jan

Martyrs Day (AZ)(1990): January 20

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Martyrs Day is a national holiday in Azerbaijan, honoring the sacrifice of the Azeris. Dubbed Black January, ultimately, 131 civilians were killed by troops and 744 injured over several days by the Soviet Union beginning January 20, 1990. Azerbaijan declared and gained its independence in 1991.

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