February may be a short month, but it certainly is not short
on the bizarre, unique, and weird when it comes to holidays—celebrations above
and beyond the legal holidays where government offices, banks, and schools are
closed for the day.
There are several month long designations in February: American Heart Month, An Affair To Remember
Month, Black History Month, Canned Food Month, Creative Romance Month, Great
American Pie Month, National Cherry Month, National Children's Dental Health
Month, National Grapefruit Month, and National Wedding Month.
February also has a week long celebration: the third week is
International Flirting Week.
And this year (every four years), February is the time of
the Winter Olympics.
Hmmm…American Heart Month, An Affair To Remember Month,
Creative Romance Month, National Wedding Month, and International Flirting
Week. How appropriate that they should
all be in the month that gives us Valentine's Day.
Feb. 1 National Freedom Day
Feb. 2 Ground Hog Day
Always celebrated on February 2. On this day, the groundhog awakens from a
long winter's nap and goes outside of his den.
If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, Spring is
rapidly approaching. The tradition comes
from the German roots of Candlemas which is the mid point between Winter and
Spring.
Feb. 2 Candlemas
Feb. 3 The Day The Music Died
Always celebrated on February 3. On this date in 1959
singers Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper died in a plane
crash. The event was immortalized in the
popular song, Apple Pie, written and
recorded by Don McLean.
Feb. 4 Create A Vacuum Day
Feb. 4 Thank A Mailman Day
Feb. 5 National Weatherman's Day
Always celebrated on February 5. According to the Air Force News, this holiday
"commemorates the birth of John Jeffries, one of America's first
weathermen." He was born on
February 5, 1744, and kept weather records from 1774 to 1816. This holiday honors the men and women who
work hard to accurately predict the often fickle weather. Even with the major technological advances
including super computers and satellites, forecasting weather is still a tricky
and ever changing task.
Feb. 6 Lame Duck Day
Feb. 7 Wave All Your Fingers At Your Neighbor
Day
Feb. 7 Send A Card To A Friend Day (a
holiday created by Hallmark?)
Feb. 8 Boy Scout Day
Feb. 8 Kite Flying Day
Always celebrated on February 8 (but why in the middle of
winter?). People have enjoyed flying kites
for thousands of years, both children and adults. The most well known kite flyer is undoubtedly
Benjamin Franklin with his key and lightning experiment. Kites were first used by the military in
ancient China over 3,000 years ago.
Feb. 9 Toothache Day
Feb. 10 Umbrella Day
Feb. 10 Clean Out Your Computer Day (the 2nd
Monday of the month)
Feb. 11 Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
Feb. 11 Make A Friend Day
Feb. 11 White T-Shirt Day
Feb. 12 Abraham Lincoln's Birthday (combined
with George Washington's birthday to be legally celebrated as President's Day
the third Monday of February, on the 17th this year)
Feb. 12 Plum Pudding Day
Feb. 13 Get A Different Name Day
Always celebrated on February 13. This day is for those who are not fond of
their given name. It's the day to take
steps to change your name (and don't forget to notify those who need to know
about your new name).
Feb. 14 Ferris Wheel Day
Feb. 14 National Organ Donor Day
Feb. 14 Valentine's Day
Feb. 15 Candlemas (on the old Julian
Calendar)
Feb. 15 National Gum Drop Day
Feb. 15 Singles Awareness Day
Feb. 16 Do A Grouch A Favor Day
Feb. 17 Random Acts of Kindness Day
Always celebrated on February 17. You know what to do…perform a few random acts
of kindness. Almost any kind deed will
do. And remember—Random Acts of Kindness
is highly contagious.
Feb. 18 National Battery Day
Feb. 19 National Chocolate Mint Day
Feb. 20 Cherry Pie Day
Feb. 20 Hoodie Hoo Day
Always celebrated on February 20. On this winter day, people go out at noon,
wave their hands over their heads and chant "Hoodie-Hoo." This is the day to chase away the winter
blahs (in the Northern Hemisphere).
Feb. 20 Love Your Pet Day
Feb. 21 Card Reader Day (another Hallmark
creation?)
Feb. 22 George Washington's Birthday (combined
with Abraham Lincoln's Birthday and celebrated as the legal holiday of
President's Day on the third Monday of February, on the 17th this year).
Feb. 22 Be Humble Day
Feb. 22 Walking The Dog Day
Feb. 22 International World Thinking Day
Feb. 23 International Dog Biscuit Appreciation
Day
Feb. 23 Tennis Day
Feb. 24 National Tortilla Chip Day
Always celebrated on February 24. The corn chip recipe was brought to the U.S.
from Mexico by a Texas businessman. Just
a few decades ago, Americans seldom ate corn chips and salsa. Today it's wildly popular.
Feb. 25 Pistol Patent Day
Feb. 26 National Pistachio Day
Feb. 26 Tell A Fairy Tale Day
Feb. 27 Polar Bear Day
Feb. 27 No Brainer Day
Always celebrated on February 27th. By definition, a no brainer is doing something
simple, easy, obvious, and/or totally logical.
If a project requires thinking, study, or analysis of any kind, then
this is not the day for it.
Feb. 28 Floral Design Day
Feb. 28 Public Sleeping Day
Feb. 28 National Tooth Fairy Day (sometimes
celebrated on August 22)
So…enjoy your favorite bizarre, weird, and unique
celebration/holiday.
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