All - Leep Calendar

Mosquitos seem to really like some people, and this writer is one of them. If a mosquito is within fifty feet, I will be bit, multiple times. These little insects form the foundation of several food chains but can also be deadly. World Mosquito Day honors Dr. Ronald Ross of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine's discovery of the malaria parasite in a mosquito on August 20, 1897. He received the Nobel Prize for his work in 1902. Currently, 350-500 million cases of Malaria occur worldwide each year, with over 1 million dying from the disease. The American Mosquito Control Association champions World Mosquito Day each year as a public service designed to educate people about the need for mosquito control and what each of us can do to minimize mosquito infestations around our homes and in our communities.

Africa

Aug

Mother Tongue Day, (MD)(1991): August 31

06:20 AM | -

Mother Tongue Day in Moldova marks the anniversary of August 31, 1991, when the nation exchanged the Cyrillic alphabet with the Latin alphabet. Mother Tongue Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Aug

Motorsports Awareness Month: August

06:20 AM | -

AMERICA'S MOTORSPORTS AWARENESS MONTH: CELEBRATING SPEED AND SAFETY Each August, America celebrates Motorsports Awareness Month, a nationwide event dedicated to promoting the excitement and significance of motorsports while emphasizing the importance of safety within the sport. The National Motorsports Coalition (NMC), which comprises various motorsports associations and industry stakeholders, champions this event. America's Motorsports Awareness Month is a thrilling celebration of the diverse world of motorsports, from the technical aspects of vehicle engineering to the heart-pounding competitions that captivate fans. The event seeks to educate the public on the wide range of motorsport disciplines, encourage participation, and highlight the critical role of safety in the sport. WHAT ARE MOTORSPORTS? Motorsports encompass a broad spectrum of competitive events involving motorized vehicles. Some of the most popular types include: Automobile Racing—This category includes various formats such as NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, and drag racing, each with unique rules and vehicle specifications. Motorcycle Racing—Events such as MotoGP, Superbike racing, and motocross fall under this category, showcasing high-speed motorcycle competitions on different terrains. Off-Road Racing—vehicles designed for rugged terrains, including desert racing, rallycross, and rock crawling. Kart Racing—Often considered a stepping stone to higher levels of motorsport, kart racing features small, open-wheel vehicles competing on scaled-down tracks. Truck Racing—This includes racing events for large trucks, such as the Super Truck Racing Series and off-road truck competitions. THE FOCUS OF MOTORSPORTS MONTH Focusing on safety within motorsports is paramount due to the inherent risks associated with high-speed competitions. Ensuring the safety of drivers, crews, and spectators is not just a necessity, but it also enhances the enjoyment and sustainability of the sport. Advances in safety technology, such as improved crash barriers, fire-resistant suits, and sophisticated helmet designs, have significantly reduced the risks involved. Additionally, stringent safety regulations and protocols are continually updated to address emerging challenges and maintain high safety standards. Motorsports Awareness Month plays a crucial role in highlighting these safety measures and promoting best practices among participants and organizers. By doing so, it educates and informs, fostering a culture of safety that prioritizes the well-being of everyone involved in the sport. Throughout August, the National Motorsports Coalition and its partners host various events, including safety workshops, public exhibitions, and live demonstrations. Activities engage fans, educate newcomers, and celebrate the technological innovations that drive the sport forward.

Africa

Aug

Mountain Day, (JP): August 11

06:20 AM | -

Mountain Day became an official state holiday in Japan in 2016. It's a celebration of mountains, their ecosystem, and the impact they have on Japanese culture. It's also a day off work. How great is that?

Africa

Aug

Mustard Day, Ntl.: August 1

06:20 AM | -

National Mustard Day is hosted by the National Mustard Museum on the first Saturday in August since 1991. Free hot dogs, music, games, other entertainment, and free mustard samplings add to the festivities. In 2010, the event took residence in its permanent location, the Museum in Downtown Middleton, Wisconsin. More than 6,000 mustard enthusiasts attend annually, and National Mustard Day raises thousands of dollars for local charities.

Africa

Aug

Nag Panchami (H): August 17

06:20 AM | -

Nag Panchami is the Hindu holiday dedicated to snakes (nag) and is a favorite in India. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shravan (Sawan) and falls sometime in July or August in the Gregorian calendar. Devotees offer snakes milk and rice and pray to them for happiness and well-being. 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

Aug

Nagasaki Bombing (JP)(1945): August 9

06:20 AM | -

The United States of America dropped two atomic bombs on Japan in 1945, one on Hiroshima and the other on Nagasaki. Today is the anniversary of the second. Tragically, Nagasaki was not the first choice of target for the US Air Force. The original target was shrouded in smoke and cloud cover that day, so Nagasaki was the backup. The irony expands when one realizes that Nagasaki had the largest Christian population in Japan at the time. From the Nagasaki Atom Bomb Museum: "An atomic bomb exploded over Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, three days after the explosion of the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima. The bomb was assembled at Tinian Island on August 6. On August 8, Field Order No.17 issued from the 20th Air Force Headquarters on Guam called for its use the following day on either Kokura, the primary target, or Nagasaki, the secondary target. That same day, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan. The B-29 bomber "Bockscar" reached the sky over Kokura on the morning of August 9 but abandoned the primary target because of smoke cover and changed course for Nagasaki, the secondary target, where it dropped the atomic bomb at 11:02 AM."

Africa

Aug

Namibia Genocide (1904): August 16

06:20 AM | -

NAMIBIA GENOCIDE The Namibia Genocide, also known as the Herero and Namaqua Genocide, began on August 16, 1904 and concluded in late 1907 in German Southwest Africa (modern-day Namibia). It is considered the first genocide of the 20th century. The conflict involved the colonial German Empire and the indigenous Herero and Nama peoples. Ultimately, just 20% of the native peoples survived. The rest were killed. Namibia Genocide—How Did It Start? The genocide began following a rebellion against German colonial rule. The Herero, led by Samuel Maharero, and later the Nama, led by Hendrik Witbooi, revolted against oppressive colonial policies, including land seizures, cattle theft, and exploitation. The German response to the rebellion was brutal and aimed at quashing resistance. Namibia Genocide—Why Did It Happen? The root causes of the genocide were multifaceted, including economic exploitation, racial ideologies, and a desire to assert German imperial control. The German colonial authorities, led by General Lothar von Trotha, adopted policies aiming at the annihilation of the rebelling groups as a means to establish German dominance and eliminate perceived threats to their colonial rule. Namibia Genocide—How Many Were Killed? Estimates of the death toll vary, but it is widely acknowledged that up to 65,000 Herero (about 80% of the Herero population) and at least 10,000 Nama (about 50% of the Nama population) died as a result of the genocide. Deaths occurred due to direct violence, starvation, and, for those driven into the desert, dehydration. Disease in concentration camps established by the German authorities further increased the death toll. Namibia Genocide—What Happened? The main parties involved were the colonial German military forces and the indigenous Herero and Nama people. Key figures included General Lothar von Trotha, who led the German military campaign, and leaders of the Herero and Nama uprisings, such as Samuel Maharero and Hendrik Witbooi. General von Trotha issued an extermination order against the Herero in 1904 and extended similar tactics to the Nama. The German military pursued a scorched earth policy, poisoning wells, destroying food sources, and driving the indigenous people into the desert. Those captured found themselves in concentration camps, where they were subjected to forced labor, medical experiments, and conditions that led to a high mortality rate. Aftermath The genocide had long-lasting effects on the survivors and their descendants, including loss of land and livestock, which were crucial to their livelihoods and culture. In 2021, the German government recognized the Namibian Genocide and its part in it and made reparation payments of over $1 billion. Three Genocides—One Common Thread Germany's well-meaning but flawed law passed after the Holocaust, the "Reason of State," inadvertently entangled the country in its third genocide within 120 years, the Gaza Genocide (October 8, 2023 - ). The Reason of State requires Germany provide unconditional diplomatic, financial, and military support to the state of Israel as penance for the Holocaust, including curtailing its citizens' rights in favor of the foreign nation. Because of the law, Germany is an apathetic participant and a primary hurdle in ending the daily massacres, ethnic cleansing, starvation, and the bombing of Gaza. The only other obstacle with more blood on its hands is the United States. Though the German government did not thoroughly learn the lessons of colonial genocide, the Gaza Genocide is forcing it to re-examine its unconditional support for the nation created from the people it once persecuted, which has turned into one of the greatest persecutors in history.

Africa

Aug

Nane-Nane, Farmers' Day, (TZ): August 8

06:20 AM | -

Farmers' Day or Nane-nane (Eight-eight in Swahili) is a national holiday in Tanzania that honors the contributions of farmers to the national economy.

Africa

Aug

Narali Purnima (H): August 28

06:20 AM | -

Narali Poornima occurs on the full moon of the month of Shravan (Sawan). Naral is Hindi for "coconut." Offerings of coconuts are made to the sea gods as part of this ritual to mark the beginning of the fishing season to appease anger and assure a good catch. Singing and dancing and sweet coconut rice are served throughout the day. 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

Aug

National Day, (SG)(1965): August 9

06:20 AM | -

National Day in Singapore marks the anniversary of August 9, 1965, the day Singapore gained its independence from Malaysia. National Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Aug

National Day, St. Elias Day (MK)(1903): August 2

06:20 AM | -

National Day in Macedonia marks the anniversary of August 2, 1903, the day of the first official uprising against the Ottoman Empire. National Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Aug

Navajo Code Talkers Day (1942): August 14

06:20 AM | -

Navajo Code Talkers Day commemorates the significant contribution of the Navajo Nation to the Allied victory in the Second World War. Navajo is unique because of its complexity and is an oral language, not written. August 14 was chosen as the day of commemoration, for it is the anniversary of the Japanese surrender. In 2000, President Bill Clinton honored the Navajo Code Talkers with Congressional Gold Medals. Navajo trainees were given a dictionary that contained military terms to memorize, then benign words in Navajo were used in their place. Philip Johnston first proposed the Navajo language as the foundation of coded communication; it proved impossible for the Japanese to crack. The film "Windtalkers" from 2002 is an excellent tribute to the Navajo Code Talkers https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245562.

Africa

Aug

Neurosurgery Outreach Month (US/CA/MX): August

06:20 AM | -

Neurosurgery Outreach Month educates people about the causes and prevention of traumatic brain injury, back pain, injury prevention, and other neurological safety topics, in addition to the field of neurosurgery and the neurosurgeons themselves. The American Association of Neurosurgeons (Canada, United States, and Mexico) publishes true stories of triumph and life changes, educational materials for students interested in pursuing a career in neurosurgery, and tips on staying healthy and avoiding becoming a victim of brain injury or disease. Overall it is a month to be inspired, astounded and humbled by the power and potential we each carry in our brains.

Africa