All - Leep Calendar

The second Saturday in May is National Miniature Golf Day. Miniature golf became an official competitive sport in the US in the 1930s and has been a beloved leisure activity worldwide even longer. See your local miniature golf park for specials on this day.

Africa

May

Shireen Abu Akleh Day (2022): May 11

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Shireen Abu Akleh Day honors the men and women of the media who have lost their lives in the line of duty and falls on the anniversary of the murder of American and Jordanian Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by an Israeli Occupation Forces sniper on May 11, 2022 THE DANGERS OF MEDIA WORK According to Reporters without Borders, an average of 80 journalists and media workers die doing their job each year, with 60% targeted for assassination for doing their job. The remaining 40% die due to unintentional causes, such as mortar shells and dangerous surroundings. Due to the drug cartels, Mexico continues to be the most dangerous country for media workers. Journalists face various risks and threats while carrying out their work, which is crucial in providing information and holding power to account. Their pursuit of truth and reporting can make them targets for violence, censorship, and intimidation. Here are some of the dangers journalists often face: Physical Violence: Journalists frequently face physical violence, including assault, kidnapping, and murder. They often find themselves caught in the crossfire of conflicts, covering war zones, political uprisings, or organized crime activities. Journalists are sometimes deliberately targeted due to their investigative work, exposing corruption, human rights abuses, or organized crime networks. Repression and Censorship: Many journalists face repression and censorship by governments or other powerful entities. Governments may enact laws or regulations to control the media, restrict freedom of expression, or silence dissenting voices. Journalists critical of the authorities often become targets of harassment, legal action, or imprisonment, leading to self-censorship and a chilling effect on investigative reporting. Online Threats and Harassment: With the rise of digital media, journalists face increasing threats online. They are often harassed, cyberbullied, doxxed (releasing private information), or hacked. Trolling and online abuse can have severe psychological and emotional impacts on journalists, leading to self-censorship or leaving the profession. Targeting of Journalists in Conflict Zones: Journalists reporting from conflict zones face significant risks. They operate in dangerous environments with active armed groups, insurgents, or military forces. They are vulnerable to being targeted for their reporting, as conflicting parties may perceive them as threats or propaganda agents. Impunity and Lack of Justice: One of the significant challenges is the high level of impunity surrounding crimes against journalists. Perpetrators often go unpunished, which fosters an environment of fear and further endangers journalists. The lack of justice creates a cycle of violence and intimidation, deterring journalists from pursuing essential stories. Nonviolent Pressures and Threats: Journalists may face nonviolent pressures such as defamation lawsuits, economic pressures, or threats to their reputations. Influential individuals or corporations may use their power to undermine journalists' credibility and discourage critical reporting. Lack of Resources and Training: Journalists in many parts of the world work under challenging conditions with limited resources and inadequate training. Insufficient safety equipment, poor infrastructure, and lack of training on risk assessment and conflict reporting further increase their dangers. The safety and protection of journalists are crucial for upholding press freedom and the right to information. International organizations, NGOs, and press freedom advocates continue to work towards improving safety protocols, advocating for legal protections, and raising awareness about the importance of protecting journalists worldwide. ABOUT SHIREEN ABU AKLEH Shireen Abu Akleh was born in Amman, Jordan, in 1965 and held American and Jordanian citizenship. Her reporting significantly influenced Middle Eastern politics and human rights, particularly regarding the Israeli occupation of Palestine. As a journalist in the Middle East for 25 years, she covered various issues, including politics, human rights, and social issues. She worked for multiple media outlets, including Al Jazeera, where she was one of the first women to work as a field reporter. In addition to her journalistic work, Abu Akleh has written several books, with "Hussein and Abdullah: Inside the Jordanian Royal Family," an inside look into the Jordanian royal family and the politics of Jordan, as her most widely read. Abu Akleh spoke out against the Israeli occupation of Palestine and called for a peaceful resolution. She was murdered while covering a story in the Occupied West Bank for Al Jazeera on May 11, 2022, by an Israeli sniper who killed her with a bullet to the head.

Africa

May

Stay Up All Night, Night: May 11

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Held on the Saturday prior to Mother’s Day, Stay up All Night, Night challenges people to stay up all night, relive their childhood and watch the sunrise.

Africa

May

Train Day, Ntl (1971): May 11

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Train Day began in 2008 to honor the anniversary of the creation of Amtrak on May 1, 1971, and encourage Americans to discover their country and travel by train. The First Transcontinental Railroad was built between 1863 and 1869 by three private companies over public lands that connected the eastern U.S. rail network with the Pacific coast. The railroad opened for traffic on May 10, 1869. The coast-to-coast railroad connection revolutionized the settlement and economy of America. It aligned the western states and territories with the northern Union states and made transporting passengers and goods coast-to-coast considerably quicker and less expensive.

Africa

May

Twilight Zone Day (1908): May 11

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On May 11, 1908, the first National Gathering of Governors occurred. The president at the time was Teddy Roosevelt. The day commemorates the coming together of the nation's governors and the decisions made to protect America's natural resources and institute a nationwide system of conservation and preservation. National Twilight Zone Day's name comes from the comments of William Jennings Bryan, the future Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson. His point was that there could be no twilight zone between the state and federal government that would allow corporations to exploit the nation's natural resources. Bryan stated: "I am jealous of any encroachment upon the rights of the state, believing that the States are as indestructible as the Union is indissoluble. It is, however, entirely consistent with this theory to believe, as I do believe, that it is just as imperative that the general government shall discharge the duties delegated to it, as it is that the States shall exercise the powers reserved to them. There is no twilight zone between the nation and the state, in which exploiting interests can take refuge from both, and my observation is that most-not all, but most of the contentions over the line between Nation and State are traceable to predatory corporations, which are trying to shield themselves from deserved punishment, or endeavoring to prevent needed restraining legislation." The Governors' Resolutions Committee prepared a declaration of the Governors' view that— (1) Conservation of natural resources was a subject of transcendent importance. (2) The President was to be commended for calling the Conference to seek remedies for environmental degradation through the cooperation of the federal government and the states. (3) The President should call the Governors and members of Congress together from time to time to continue their dialogue concerning natural resource protection. (4) Each state should appoint a Commission on the Conservation of Natural Resources.

Africa

May

Windmill Day, Ntl. (NL): May 11

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Windmills are national historic sites in the Netherlands. There are over 1200 in the country, of which 300 are occasionally still used. Windmills have existed for over 3,500 years, facilitating irrigation, industry, and food production. They also propelled early organs—the musical instrument, that is. The type romanticized today, attributed to the Netherlands, originated during Islam's golden age in the Middle East during the eighth and ninth centuries. Windmills have come a long way over the centuries, but their iconography continues to be associated with The Netherlands and other European cultures. Today is a day to celebrate their past and look forward to their future as renewable energy sources.

Africa

May

Galveston Historic Home Tour (US-TX): May 3-12 (est)

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The Galveston Historical Foundation opens the doors to Galveston’s architectural history through public tours of privately owned homes during its annual weekend-centered Galveston Historic Homes Tour—large, small, and everything in between. Take a walk through history, the Texas way.

Africa

May

Music Week, Ntl.: May 5-12

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The National Federation of Music Clubs promotes National Music Week in the US in May. Here are some ideas to begin your celebration of National Music Week! Business Firms, Banks and Malls can: Sponsor noon concerts. Prepare unique Music Week displays. Mention National Music Week in advertising. ________ Public and Private Schools can: Plan choral, band, and orchestral concerts in schools or malls for all ages. Prepare brief special music during the lunch hour or opening announcements. Encourage student participation in the Essay Contest. Print or read the winner's composition. Plan poster displays or contests for all ages for the week. ________ Music Clubs can: Order supplies soon from National Headquarters and distribute them. Ask for Mayors' Proclamations of NMW and distribute them. Plan special programs for clubs, malls, nursing homes, etc. Inform Arts Councils and Chambers of Commerce about NMW dates and themes and ask that they list it in their calendars. Put announcements of NMW in a symphony or other musical programs. Invite all of the groups above to participate!

Africa

May

Children's Book Week: May 6-12* (est)

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Children's Book Week is the annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading. It occurs in May and November each year. Children's Book Week originated in the belief that children's books and literacy are life-changers. In 1913, Franklin K. Matthiews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America, began touring the country to promote higher standards in children's books. He proposed creating a Children's Book Week, which would be supported by all interested groups: publishers, booksellers, and librarians. Mathiews enlisted two essential allies: Frederic G. Melcher, the visionary editor of Publishers Weekly, and Anne Carroll Moore, the Superintendent of Children's Works at the New York Public Library and a significant figure in the library world. With the help of Melcher and Moore, in 1916, the American Booksellers Association and the American Library Association sponsored a Good Book Week with the Boy Scouts of America. Children's Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Every year, commemorative events are held nationwide at schools, libraries, bookstores, and homes—wherever young readers and books connect! Children's Book Week is administered by Every Child A Reader, a 501(c)(3) literacy organization dedicated to instilling a lifelong love of reading in children. The Children's Book Council, the national non-profit trade association for children's book publishers, is an anchor sponsor.

Africa

May

Coaching Week, Intl.: May 13-19

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International Coaching Week (ICW) is an annual week-long global celebration of the coaching profession. It is designed to focus attention on the benefits of executive and career coaching. People who engage career coaches typically see an improvement of: 70% in Work Performance, 61% in Business Management, 57% in Time Management, 51% Team Effectiveness. This event was initially held in February and moved to May in 2014.

Africa

May

Deaf Awareness Week (UK): May 6-12 (est)

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Deaf Awareness Week (DAW) is a unique UK awareness campaign with multiple sponsors. It aims to turn up the volume on deafness and the various tools available to those living with it. The week highlights the contributions and achievements of the organizations involved. Localized events can be found on the DAW calendar.

Africa

May

Donkey Week (UK): May 6-12

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Donkey Week in the UK falls during International Donkey Day, May 8. This event highlights the importance of donkeys. During this time, people can cuddle, touch and enjoy the company of donkeys. There are also talks and presentations by guest speakers, wildlife walks, and other social events.

Africa

May

Dying Matters Awareness Week (UK): May 6-12 (est)

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National Council for Palliative Care created Dying Matters Awareness Week in 2009. Few things are certain in life, but two are for sure. Every human being on this planet is born, and every human being will die. We only get one chance to meet our dying wishes, so it's vital to talk, plan and make arrangements for the end of life. That's why the theme of Dying Matters Awareness Week is "Dying Matters: You only die once."

Africa

May

Gardening Week, Ntl. (UK): May 6-12 (est)

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National Gardening Week was launched in 2011 by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and aims to become the country’s biggest celebration of gardening in the United Kingdom. Thousands of people, gardens, charities, retailers, culture and heritage organizations and groups get involved each year. The United State’s Gardening Week is in June.

Africa

May

Heart Week (AU): May 6-12 (est)

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Heart Week in Australia focuses on the health profession and the Australian public. It seeks to promote conversations centered on heart health and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Africa