This page gives a list of some Holidays and other events that occur in February. Some of the events are fun days. Others are for remembering only. Information is attached to many of the events. Have fun reading, learning, and/ or celebrating.
February is the second month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, which is used almost everywhere today, and it’s also the shortest. Legend says the first Roman calendar had only 10 months, until ruler Numa Pompilius added January and February around 700 B.C., making February the last month of their year. Its name comes from the Latin word *februare*, meaning “to purify,” as Romans would cleanse themselves in preparation for festivals marking the new year. Eventually, the start of the year was moved from March to January, placing February second.
In Numa’s calendar, a regular year had 355 days, with February lasting 28 days. Every other year, an extra month was inserted between February 23 and 24 to keep the months in sync with the solar year. Then, in 46 B.C., Rome switched to a 365-day calendar, giving February 28 days in normal years and 29 days every fourth year. Today, we call that longer year a leap year.
National Freedom Day: is an observance in the United States that honors the signing of a resolution that proposed the 13th amendment of the nation’s constitution on February 1, 1865.
Candlemas: is a Christian holiday celebrated annually on February 2. It celebrates three occasions according to Christian belief: the presentation of the child Jesus; Jesus’ first entry into the temple; and it celebrates the Virgin Mary’s purification (mainly in Catholic churches).
World Cancer Day: is a global observance that helps raise people’s awareness of cancer and how to prevent, detect, or treat it. This event is held on February 4 each year.
World Radio Day: February 13 is World Radio Day, which celebrates the radio as a way of educating people, providing information, and promoting freedom of expression across cultures.
Presidents’ Day: The federal holiday on the third Monday of February is called Washington’s Birthday, while several US states celebrate it as “Presidents’ Day”. The holiday creates a long weekend.
Ash Wednesday: Many Christian Americans mark Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent.
Feb. 1st is theFirst Day of Black History Month: Black History Month is an annual celebration in February that honors the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history.
World Wetlands Day: is annually held on February 2 to celebrate how wetlands, which are lands saturated by water, help maintain biodiversity on Earth.
Rosa Parks Day: Rosa Parks Day is an American observance to honor civil rights activist Rosa Parks, who was known for refusing to give up her seat on a bus. California, Missouri, and New York observance it on February 4th.
Valentine’s Day: is observed on February 14 as a time to acknowledge love and affection in many forms. The observance is widely celebrated with cards, gifts, and other thoughtful gestures.
Mardi Gras: Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras is the last day before the fasting period of Lent (for Western Christians), 47 days before Easter Sunday. Shrove Tuesday is also called Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, or Pancake Day.
World Day of Social Justice: The United Nations’ (UN) World Day of Social Justice is annually observed on February 20 to encourage people to look at how social justice affects poverty eradication. It also focuses on the goal of achieving full employment and support for social integration.
Groundhog Day: falls on February 2 in the United States. It is a part of popular culture among many Americans, and it centers on the idea of the groundhog coming out of its home to “predict” the weather.
Tu Bishvat: marks the “birthday of the fruit trees” under Jewish law and is often celebrated by a symbolic meal and tree planting activities. This Jewish holiday occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat.
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation: The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a United Nations (UN) campaign held on February 6 to stop genital mutilation to girls and women.
Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday: Celebrated on February 15, Susan B Anthony Day marks the birthday of one of the United States’ most prominent female civil rights leaders.
Lunar New Year: Many people in countries such as the United States celebrate Lunar New Year. It marks the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar. Why Is the Date Always Changing? Read a news article on this very topic.
International Mother Language Day: The United Nations’ (UN) International Mother Language Day annually celebrates language diversity and variety worldwide on February 21. It also remembers events such as the killing of four students on February 21, 1952, because they campaigned to officially use their mother language, Bengali, in Bangladesh.
articlesforchristians 