All - Leep Calendar

Wild About Gardens Week falls on the last week of October (but can be held anytime in October). This celebration encourages people to have more bee-friendly gardens. During this week, people are encouraged to plant more nectar-rich plants, create a bee home, or participate in Polli—Nation, a science program that promotes these pollinators. People are also discouraged from using insecticides.

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Oct

Window Covering Safety Month, Ntl.: October

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October is National Window Covering Safety Month, a time of heightened public awareness focusing on a hidden danger many parents may overlook: the potential strangulation hazards to young children from window covering cords. The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to check their window coverings for exposed or dangling cords, which can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children. WCSC, CPSC, and safety experts strongly recommend that consumers use only cordless window coverings or inaccessible cords in homes with young children.

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Oct

Winter Weather Preparedness Weeks (Varies by Location): October - March

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Each state has severe weather preparedness weeks in the United States that coincide with its most critical weather issues, be it snow, rain, fire, tornados, hurricanes, ice, or flood. See the resource link for the appropriate preparedness weeks in your city and state.

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Oct

Women's History Month (CA): October

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October is Women’s History Month in Canada. It is a time for Canadians to celebrate the achievements of women and girls as trailblazers and an opportunity for Canadians to learn about the essential contributions of women and girls to quality of life. Women’s History Month includes two important commemorative dates for women and girls: International Day of the Girl on October 11th and Persons Day on October 18th.

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Oct

Women's Small Business Month: October

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National Women’s Small Business Month is organized annually by the National Women’s Business Council to highlight the achievements of women-owned businesses and provide additional opportunities to those companies.

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Oct

Work and Family Month, Ntl.: October

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Creating a work-life balance is a struggle in today’s hectic world, so the US Congress set aside October as National Work and Family Month in 2003. The awareness campaign received a Presidential endorsement in 2010 and continues each year.

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Oct

Workplace Politics Awareness Month: October

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If you're in an organization of more than one person, politics in the workplace is inevitable, and how you navigate it defines your career. National Workplace Politics Awareness Month is a time for employers and employees to work on understanding the corporate culture, its governance, and its players. You may hate office politics, but ignoring it doesn't make it go away. Playing it well leads to promotions, power, and responsibility. Use this month to learn how.

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Oct

Yom Kippur (J): October 1/2

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Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and concludes the High Holy Days, which begin with Rosh Hashanah. For 25 hours, observant of the faith, fast, pray, and ask for repentance. It is a day to ask God for forgiveness for any sins committed against Him. Sins against a person must be atoned for before Yom Kippur, with repentance expressed through reconciliation and righting the wrongs. Yom Kippur is a national holiday in the state of Israel. PLEASE NOTE: All Hebrew calendar months begin and end at sundown. LEEP Calendar marks Jewish months starting on their first full day. Observant people of the faith will observe the beginning of the month at sunset the day prior.

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Oct

Youth Justice Action Month, Ntl.: October

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Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM) began in 2008. Its purpose is to raise awareness, strengthen coalitions, build campaigns, and encourage actions that keep children out of the adult criminal justice system.

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Oct

Bring Your Bible to School Day: October 2

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Bring Your Bible to School Day is an initiative led by the conservative Christian evangelical group Focus on the Family. It encourages students to bring their bible to public and private schools on the first Thursday in October, proselytize and share their faith journey with fellow students and teachers. Each year this event draws over 500,000 students from 50,000 schools nationwide. Participants are encouraged to sign up on the Focus on the Family website and download supporting materials.

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Oct

Come and Take it Day (1835): October 2*

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The first of two "Come & Take It" days, today's date marks the anniversary of the Battle of Gonzales, the first battle of the Texan Revolution on October 2, 1835. The flag flown by the settlers beheld a cannon with the words "Come and Take It" below as a challenge to the Mexican army. Ironically, the cannon was given to the settlers by the Mexican government in 1831. Come and Take It! has come to epitomize American chutzpah and dogged defiance. The 2nd "Come and Take It Day!" is also an anniversary commemorating an event in 1778. The phrase "Come and Take It!" was first used in 480 BC in the Battle of Thermopylae by King Leonidas of Sparta against the Persians.

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Oct

Dussehra (Vijaya Dashmi)(H): October 2

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DUSSEHRA: CELEBRATING THE TRIUMPH OF GOOD OVER EVIL Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. The festival marks Lord Rama's defeat of the demon king Ravana, as told in the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. It also honors Goddess Durga's triumph over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the destruction of evil and the restoration of righteousness. This victory serves as an inspiring reminder that no matter how powerful evil may seem, goodness and righteousness always prevail. NAVARATRI The holiday is significant because it represents the eternal struggle between good and evil, reminding us that virtue ultimately prevails. It typically falls in September or October, concluding the nine-day festival of Navaratri. Navaratri is a significant Hindu festival that spans nine nights and ten days. It is dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Durga and her nine forms, collectively known as Navadurga. The word "Navaratri" translates to "nine nights" in Sanskrit, and during this period, devotees honor the divine feminine energy or Shakti. The festival typically occurs in the autumn, either in September or October and culminates with Dussehra, marking the victory of good over evil. DUSSEHRA'S ROLE IN NAVARATRI Dussehra's importance spans India, with different regions observing distinct traditions reflecting their local culture and history. The origins of Dussehra date back thousands of years, rooted in both the Ramayana and various legends tied to Durga. Celebrations differ across India, each with its unique customs and traditions. In the north, dramatic reenactments of the Ramayana, known as Ramlila, are performed, culminating in the burning of giant effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna, and his son Meghnad, symbolizing their destruction. In the east, particularly in Bengal, the day is marked by Durga Puja, where elaborate idols of the goddess Durga are immersed in rivers or seas, accompanied by music and dance. Customs during Dussehra include processions, cultural performances, and fairs. People also worship tools, vehicles, and weapons, a tradition known as "Ayudha Puja," to seek blessings for future success. The holiday encourages reflection on the virtues of honesty, courage, and perseverance while fostering a sense of community through collective celebration.

Africa

Oct

Farmed Animal, World Day for: October 2

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World Day for Farmed Animals (WDFA) is a vegan event founded in 1983 and dedicated to exposing the needless suffering and death of sentient animals raised and killed for food. Approximately 65 billion animals are killed each year to produce meat, eggs, and dairy. Most of these animals are raised on factory farms, confined, mutilated, and raised to grow so large, so quickly, that many of them die.

Africa

Oct

Guardian Angels Day, International Feast of (C): October 2

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On International Guardian Angel Day, Catholics celebrate the significance their Guardian Angels have on their lives. Prayer to a Guardian Angel Dear Angel at my side, my good and loyal friend, you have been with me since the moment I was born. You are my own personal guardian, given me by God as my guide and protector, and you will stay with me till I die.

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Oct

Independence Day (GN)(1958): October 2

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AN END TO COLONIALISM: GUINEA INDEPENDENCE DAY Guinea Independence Day is celebrated annually on October 2nd to mark the day in 1958 when the West African nation of Guinea became the first French colony in Africa to gain independence. This day is a significant milestone in Guinea's history, symbolizing the nation's struggle for freedom and its break from colonial rule. HISTORY The road to Guinea's independence began mid-20th century, as nationalist movements gained momentum across Africa. In 1958, under the leadership of Ahmed Sékou Touré, Guinea boldly rejected the French Community proposed by French President Charles de Gaulle, which would have granted the country limited autonomy while keeping it under French control. Instead, Guinea opted for complete independence, becoming the first French colony in sub-Saharan Africa. Guinea officially declared independence on October 2, 1958, with Sékou Touré becoming the country's first president. Guinea's decision had a profound impact on the decolonization process in Africa. It inspired other African nations to pursue their independence and marked the beginning of the end of colonial rule on the continent. Guinea's independence also symbolized a strong assertion of African sovereignty and self-determination. CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE Guinea Independence Day is celebrated with official ceremonies, cultural events, and public festivities. The capital city, Conakry, becomes the center of national celebrations, where government officials, military leaders, and citizens gather to commemorate the country's independence. The day typically begins with a military parade showcasing Guinea's armed forces. This is followed by speeches from political leaders, including the president, who reflect on the nation's history, achievements, and future goals. Cultural performances, including traditional music, dance, and storytelling, are essential to the celebrations, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Guinea's diverse ethnic groups. Local communities throughout the country participate in various events, such as sporting competitions, educational programs, and exhibitions, that promote national pride and unity. The day is also an opportunity for Guineans to reflect on the challenges and progress since independence, with discussions on democracy, development, and social justice. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY COUNTRIES CALLED GUINEA? The name "Guinea" is shared by several African countries, including Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea, as well as the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa and Papua New Guinea in Oceania. The name's origin is somewhat ambiguous, but it is believed to have been derived from the Berber word "Akal n-Iguinawen," meaning "Land of the Black People." European explorers and traders in the 15th century used "Guinea" as a general term to describe the coastal regions of West Africa where they encountered the indigenous peoples. Over time, the name became associated with various parts of the area, leading to its adoption by different colonial powers. —Guinea (formerly French Guinea) gained its name during French colonization. —Guinea-Bissau was named after its capital, Bissau, to distinguish it from French Guinea when it was a Portuguese colony. —Equatorial Guinea was named for its location near the equator and was a Spanish colony. —Papua New Guinea: Other explorers used the term "Papua" earlier. It comes from the Malay word "papuwah," meaning "frizzy-haired," referring to the hair texture of the Indigenous Melanesian people. Over time, the name "Papua" was combined with "New Guinea" to describe the entire island, with the eastern half eventually becoming the independent state of Papua New Guinea in 1975. Using "Guinea" in multiple country names reflects the shared colonial history and the geographical association with the West African coast, a key area for European exploration and trade. Guinea Independence Day celebrates the country's historic decision to break free from colonial rule and assert sovereignty. It is a day of national pride, cultural expression, and reflection on the journey toward building a solid and independent nation. The shared name "Guinea" among different countries highlights the region's rich history and the legacy of European exploration and colonization in Africa.

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