All - Leep Calendar

National Spaghetti Day celebrates the round wheat noodle known as spaghetti. The ancient Greeks first wrote about spaghetti nearly 3,000 years ago. Later the lauded Roman statesman and poet Cicero documented his love for spaghetti and his propensity to overindulge. When archaeologists uncovered the remains of the Mount Vesuvius and Mount Etna eruptions of the first century, they found spaghetti and the instruments used to make the pasta. During this period, and well before the Islamic era, Arab cultures of the Gulf and Levant fashioned dried pasta in strips. Arabians of western Asia were nomadic peoples who shared their version of dried pasta throughout East, South, and West Asia. When Islam conquered Sicily in June 827 AD, the culinary arts of Europe and Asia met. To this day, they share similarities in cuisine. During the 12th century, Abu Abdullah Mohammed al Idrisi wrote of the importance of spaghetti to Sicilian culture in "The Book of Roger," noting specifically the town of Trabia in Sicily. Here, the natives made the dough using hard wheat into long strands that they then exported to other areas. A century later, Marco Polo traveled to and lived for several years in China, and he may have carried spaghetti with him. The Chinese also create noodles, not from wheat but rice. For some reason, the legend persists that Marco Polo brought pasta to Europe. No, the Greeks ate it first. What about the red sauce now associated with spaghetti? Tomatoes arrived in Europe from Central and South America via the Spanish Conquistadors during the 16th century. The Aztec word "xitomati" is the original name. It would take a while for the funky fruit to catch on, nearly 200 years. Legend suggests its popularity soared after being rumored to be an aphrodisiac in aristocratic circles. The French called tomatoes "love apples." Tomatoes proliferate quickly, making them accessible to ordinary people. By the mid-18th century, this inexpensive and easy-to-grow food became a staple in southern European diets. However, the sauce would not be complete until the mid-19th century, when India's contribution of fresh basil was added. Therefore, if you sit down to a plate of spaghetti today, thank the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Aztecs, Spanish, Indians, and Italians. Your plate of pleasure is 3,000 years and three continents in the making!

Africa

Jan

Tom Thumb Day (1838): January 4

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Tom Thumb Day commemorates Charles Sherwood Stratton, a boy from Bridgeport, Connecticut, born January 4, 1838. The son of a carpenter, at the age of four, Charles was only 25 inches tall and weighed a mere 15 pounds. In the beginning, his father was embarrassed by his son's stature, but when P. T. Barnum offered a substantial stipend for the young boy to join the circus, embarrassment gave way to pride. The small boy became an overnight sensation, dubbed Tom Thumb by the showman, who continues to be remembered today on Tom Thumb Day.

Africa

Jan

Trivia Day: January 4

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Robert I Birch of Pun Corps created Trivia Day using numerology. For instance, Trivia Day is January 4 annually. The T and R of trivia correspond to the numbers 1 and 4. The day is a testament to the information collectors who always seem to have something interesting to say. Trivia Day continues despite the passing of its creator in 2005.

Africa

Jan

Thank God It Is Monday, Day: January 5

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Monday is about new starts, a day to celebrate beginnings. So much starts on a Monday that Dorothy Zjawin decided it needed a celebration.

Africa

Jan

Bird Day, Ntl.: January 5

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Each year for three weeks during the Christmas season, the world's wild bird population (over 9,600 species) is counted. Today nearly 12 percent of these species face extinction. Threats to bird populations include illegal pet trade, pollution, habitat loss, disease, solar panels, and other technological advances. The Christmas Count began in the early 2000s and is the longest-running citizen science survey in the world. National Bird Day occurs on January 5 each year to mark the conclusion of the Christmas count and bring the focus away from wild birds to those kept in captivity within the United States, most of which are pets and native to other countries. The ultimate goal of National Bird Day is to increase the survival rate and well-being of the world's birds through public education and support for conservation. This event first ran in 2002.

Africa

Jan

Keto Day, Ntl: January 5

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First held in 2019, National Keto Day educates the public on the benefits of low carb, high protein diets. Throughout the week of this event, National Keto Day sponsor The Vitamin Shoppe® hosts several promotions and educational venues in-store and online.

Africa

Jan

Parkash Utsav (S): January 5

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Parkash Utsav is the annual birth celebration of the Guru Gobind Singh Sahib on January 5. It was created in 2003.

Africa

Jan

Screenwriters Day, Ntl.: January 5

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If you live in Los Angeles, you know the joke: Everyone has a business plan or screenplay in their back pocket. Screenwriters create the films and television programs we've come to love. National Screenwriters Day encourages anyone interested to use the month of January and produce your first screenplay. You can do it! The film "Rocky" was written in three days!

Africa

Jan

Twelfth Night (C): January 5

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January 5 in Christianity is the Twelfth Night, though some denominations of Christianity mark the Twelfth Night on January 6. It is the final night of the twelve days of Christmas and occurs on the eve of the Epiphany.

Africa

Jan

Whipped Cream Day: January 5

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National Whipped Cream Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor. It celebrates the light cream topping, served to kings in the 17th century that has come to top everything from fresh fruits to cakes and pies.

Africa

Jan

CES (Consumer Electronics Show), Intl. Las Vegas: January 6-9

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INNOVATION ON DISPLAY: THE CES—CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is a global stage for innovation held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since its inception in 1967, CES has become the premier event for showcasing the latest advancements in consumer technology, attracting industry leaders, innovators, and tech enthusiasts worldwide. The first CES, held in New York City, was a modest affair, featuring around 200 exhibitors and drawing 17,500 attendees. Organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the show aimed to provide a platform for companies to unveil their latest products and technologies. The event quickly grew in size and influence, necessitating a move to Las Vegas in 1978 to accommodate its expanding scale and scope. CES has been the launching pad for numerous groundbreaking technologies over the years. In its early days, the show introduced the world to the VCR in 1970, the CD player in 1981, and high-definition television (HDTV) in 1998. More recently, it has been the venue for unveiling cutting-edge innovations such as 3D printers, autonomous vehicles, wearable tech, and smart home devices. The importance of CES lies not only in its role as a showcase for new technology but also as a barometer for industry trends and future directions. The event draws tens of thousands of attendees, including industry professionals, media representatives, and policymakers, providing a unique opportunity for networking, partnership building, and strategic planning. It is where startups, established companies, and even academic institutions can gain visibility, market traction, and potential partnerships. CES also significantly impacts the global economy, particularly in the technology sector. The innovations unveiled at the show often set the tone for consumer trends, driving investment in new technologies and influencing the direction of the market. The event generates substantial media coverage, which in turn influences consumer perceptions and purchasing decisions. Furthermore, CES is crucial in shaping public policy and regulatory discussions around technology. With its focus on emerging technologies, the show provides a forum for addressing critical issues such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, keeping the public informed and aware. The Consumer Electronics Show's blend of innovation, industry influence, and economic impact underscores its importance. It remains a vital event for anyone involved in the technology sector, offering a glimpse into the future of consumer electronics and the digital world.

Africa

Jan

Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi (H): January 6

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In the Hindu faith, Chaturthi is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Lambodara Sankashti Chaturthi is observed on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (the dark lunar phase or the waning phase of the moon). If this Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, it is called Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi. Devotees observe strict fasting during daylight until darshan (the sight of the moon). Prayers precede the breaking of the fast to Lord Ganesha. PLEASE NOTE: We use the Indian civil calendar, the official holiday calendar in India. The Hindu faith has many calendars, each specific to different regions and tribes, with dates and celebrations marked by differing positions of the sun, moon, and stars. Names of months and holidays and the corresponding dates in the Gregorian Calendar may vary widely from one calendar to the next. Determine the proper calendar before attending local events.

Africa

Jan

Sankashti Chaturthi (H): January 6

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In the Hindu faith, Chaturthi celebrates Lord Ganesha. Sankashti Chaturthi (Sankata Chaturthi) on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (the dark lunar phase or the waning phase of the moon). If this Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, it is called Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi. Devotees observe strict fasting during daylight until darshan (the sight of the moon). Prayers precede the breaking of the fast to Lord Ganesha. PLEASE NOTE: We use the Indian civil calendar, the official holiday calendar in India. The Hindu faith has many calendars, each specific to different regions and tribes, with dates and celebrations marked by differing positions of the sun, moon, and stars. Names of months and holidays and the corresponding dates in the Gregorian Calendar may vary widely from one calendar to the next. Determine the proper calendar before attending local events.

Africa

Jan

Anniversary of the Storming of the US Capitol (2021): January 6

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INSURRECTION AT THE US CAPITOL Today is the anniversary of January 6, 2021, storming of the US Capitol. For the first time since 1814, the US Capitol was attacked. In 2021, the assault was led by American rioters representing various groups, including white supremacists, QAnon conspiracy theorists, militias, anarchists, and Trump loyalists. Five people died when the rioters and the smoke cleared: four rioters and a police officer. The storming was planned on social media by various domestic hate groups, domestic terrorists, white supremacists, and attention seekers fueled by President Trump's refusal to accept election results and his Tweets encouraging participation. This alternate interpretation of election outcomes is a garrulous scheme initiated before 2016 by Mr. Trump, as the vanguard of his ego should he lose. At that time, he won the Electoral College. In 2020, despite a record-breaking turnout of voters, Mr. Trump lost the election to Mr. Biden by over 7 million votes, putting the Electoral College vote at 232 for Trump to 306 for Biden. Ratifying the Electoral College by Congress on January 6 following November's presidential elections is the final step in certifying a presidential election. THE WHY The rioters' aimed to stop the certification of the Electoral College by congress and prevent Mr. Biden from becoming the next president. They believed this would allow Mr. Trump, who lost the election, to remain in office, an objective equated with an in-house coup. Their belief that the election was rigged against Mr. Trump was carefully curated. It received enforcement through an echo chamber of right-wing media outlets and social media posts, nurtured by conspiracy theories, anger, and the perceived loss of societal privilege. They were primed, indoctrinated true believers, filled with fear, rage, and anger to burn. They needed a match to burst into flames. Mr. Trump supplied that match. He told his supporters that the only way he could lose the election was through fraud and that they needed to fight to take back their country and make it right. The president told them the media was their enemy and that COVID-19 was nothing to worry about. He told them Democrats were communists, Marxists, and socialists (though very few Trump disciples can define or differentiate each term). He told his believers and fans many things daily and month after month. His lies and distortions provided a narrative of victimization in repetitive soundbites, punctuated with fear, a sense of belonging and purpose that so many desperately needed. These scenarios, and their subsequent conspiracy theories, found traction with coronavirus lockdowns beginning in March 2020. Trump supporters received a steady diet of curated news for the next eight months. Messaging and confirmations meticulously inflamed passions, created doubt and promoted multiple conspiracy theories. It was a toxic stew on the edge of boiling over. By election day in early November, 46% of those identifying as Republican believed the election was being stolen from them and their beloved leader, Mr. Trump. They thought a coup was in the process due to voter fraud; for the cult members, there was no other explanation. What followed was a circus of 60 election lawsuits accusing voter fraud. Eventually, all but one case was dismissed. Three instances of voter fraud were identified in Pennsylvania, and all three were fraudulent votes for Mr. Trump. DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE The theatrics of the vote didn't end with lawsuits. In several key states, including Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada, officials found themselves and their families receiving death threats and enduring violence for doing their job. One group of white supremacists, urged on by conspiracy theories, set out to kidnap the Governor of Michigan. The FBI thwarted them, given the kidnapping was planned on social media. Rather than rectify the rhetoric, Mr. Trump embraced it, nurturing, massaging, and cultivating it through speeches, social media, and live, in-person rallies (in the middle of a pandemic). His followers embraced his denials and accusations as gospel. Primetime right-wing opinion entertainers enthusiastically fueled the farce, even as their news divisions increasingly deferred toward fact-based reporting. Discounting the rhetoric was considered a betrayal by many Trump supporters, who sought out increasingly radical information sources to feed their fantasy. By Christmas, many Trump acolytes and an increasing number of Republicans convinced themselves the election was rigged. Officials from various branches of government, the judiciary, and even foreign observers, certified the 2020 US election was one of the most secure in history. Other than a scattering of isolated instances, all attested there was no fraud. The election was fair. Mr. Trump lost, period. In the newspeak language of the MAGAverse, a loss was impossible. Mr. Trump's supporters, encouraged by the president, continued to refuse any result that did not conform to their narrative. As the New Year approached and the final certification of the election results by congress on January 6 loomed, calls for "Stop the Steal" grew, especially on social media. Mr. Trump invited his fans to gather in Washington DC on January 6 for a rally to do just that, tweeting, "Be there. It will be wild!". That would become the understatement of a decade. A DAY OF CHAOS AND ANARCHY Hundreds of thousands of people answered Mr. Trump's call, pouring into Washington DC with flags, signs, MAGA hats, and anger, IMMENSE anger. In addition, a significant portion of the rioters came armed, something the Secret Service would point out to the president. The president didn't care because the rioters were not there to harm him. This sentiment of the president would be revealed during the January 6 Committee Hearings in 2022, along with other evidence pointing to the president's direct involvement in orchestrating the insurrection. Rioters arrived with guns, knives, and other weapons, including Molotov cocktails and spears. Additional weapons included baseball bats, body armor, bullhorns, chemical weapons including pepper spray, smoke bombs, flash-bang grenades, IEDs, nooses, and at least two pipe bombs. The day began around 08:20, with the president tweeting his usual disproved voter fraud and victimization allegations. At the same time, his fans gathered at the Ellipse south of the White House. By 11:30, several Trump officials and supporters began warming up the crowd for the 'Save America Rally.' Hardcore members of his fan club, many armed, simultaneously gathered at the Capitol building. At 12:49, two pipe bombs were found, one at the Republican National Committee and another at the Democratic National Committee. Police have since speculated the purpose of the bombs was to divert police away from the Capitol building. At noon, Mr. Trump ascended the stage, devoting the next hour to promoting conspiracy theories, his victimization, disproved allegations, and debunked election theft assertions. The fawning crowd of supporters, true believers, and diehard fans loved it. As the US Congress took its seats in their respective chambers at 13:00, Mr. Trump whipped his fans into a cheer-filled frenzy. He urged them to march down Pennsylvania Avenue and 'Stop the Steal' by protesting the joint chamber ratification of the electoral college results. Typically, this is a tedious ceremonial procedure for finalizing the election results. While most of Mr. Trump's fans raucously enjoyed the president's speech, 1.2 miles away, militant supporters began executing their social media plan to storm the Capitol. At 12:53, militants overran the first of three barricades, breaching all three ten minutes later and chasing Capitol police officers across the lawn of the Capitol. At 13:10, Mr. Trump finished his speech, and attending fans made their way up Pennsylvania Avenue. Tens of thousands of people moved from the Ellipse to the Capitol, joining the thousands already there. The president returned to the White House, where he watched the spectacle on television, doing nothing for nearly four hours. Ultimately four insurrectionists and two police officers died, several from medical causes. One insurrectionist was shot and killed, attempting to breach the Capitol further. ____________ Mr. Trump first alleged voter fraud in 2015, leading up to the 2016 election. This charge was quickly forgotten when he won but would be resurrected again leading up to the 2020 election, which he lost by 7 million votes. In 2024, Mr. Trump rewon the White House. His accusations of a corrupt election and threats to repeat the occurrences of this day mysteriously evaporated once he was announced the winner. He has vowed to release those convicted of storming the capital and promised revenge on anyone who reported against him, the members of the January 6 Commission and all others whom refuse to swear fealty and "kiss the ring."

Africa

Jan

Apple Tree Day (US/UK): January 6

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Apple Tree Day is a British custom as ancient as Christmas and part of the celebration of Epiphany. Of distinction is the practice of wassailing, or apple howling. Wassail is a traditional word indicating drinking for someone’s health, or on Apple Tree Day, drinking for the apple tree’s health. Apple Tree wassails are sung to the apple trees, and festivities are held in apple orchards on Twelfth Night Eve and Twelfth Night between January 5-6. Celebrations include: Creating bonfires in apple orchards. Wrapping favorite trees in ribbons. Whacking apple trees while reciting poetry. Drinking hard cider and pouring a portion of the cider on the roots of the trees to encourage a good harvest in the coming year. Today it is most common for children to wassail in the apple orchard during the day with non-alcoholic cider. But, for adults, it remains a reason to gather around the apple tree with noisemakers and instruments (to wake up the trees from their winter slumber), swap stories, and drink lots of hard cider, sharing a little with the tree.

Africa