by Marilyn M.
Member since:
February 14, 2007

Holiday Trivia - February, 2008

February 01, 2008 10:44 AM EST
views: 982 | comments: 30

Holiday Trivia - February, 2008

by Marilyn Mackenzie

 

 

I thought I would list holidays in February, and, boy, did I find a treasure-trove of holidays!  For instance, did you know that today is National Freedom Day?

President Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865. So, on June 30, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a bill making February 1st National Freedom Day.  On this day, we celebrate freedom from slavery, and recognize that America is a symbol of freedom.   This holiday was established to remind us that America stands for freedom and is (supposed to be) a symbol of freedom for everyone.

February Holidays - 2008

February is...

American Heart Month
American History Month
Black History Month
Canned Food Month
Great American Pie Month
International Friendship Month
National Cherry Month
National Children's Dental Health Month
National Embroidery Month
National Grapefruit Month
National Snack Food Month
National Bird Feeding Month
National Responsible Pet Owner's Month


February 1
 National Freedom Day

February 2
Ground Hog Day
If the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. He then returns to his den and goes back to sleep. If he does not see his shadow, he plays around outside for a while and spring is just around the corner.

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is the site of the annual Ground Hog event, and the famous rodent is named Punxsutawney Phil. (Phil sees his shadow about 9 out of 10 times.)

February 3
 The Day the Music Died - Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash in 1959.

February 4
Thank a Mailman Day

February 5
National Weatherman's Day

February 7
Wave All you Fingers at Your Neighbor Day
Charles Dickens Day

February 8
Boy Scout Day - celebrates the birthday of scouting.

February 9
Toothache Day (Why would anyone want to celebrate toothaches???)

February 10
 Umbrella Day

February 11
Clean out Your Computer Day
Don't Cry over Spilled Milk Day
Make a Friend Day
National Inventor's Day (Thomas Edison's Birthday)

White T-Shirt Day (It used to be White Shirt Day and has evolved into White T-Shirt Day.) Honors the men and women who participated in a strike at General Motors in 1937. The autoworkers helped the United Auto Workers (UAW) union become the sole bargaining agent for General Motors autoworkers. The strike ended on this day in 1937.

The UAW's website says:
     Everyone must wear a white shirt or blouse
     Your white shirt must not get dirtier than your boss's shirt
     Safety and work rules must be followed.

February 12
Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

February 14
Valentine's Day
Ferris Wheel Day
National Organ Donor Day

February 15
 National Gum Drop Day
Singles Awareness Day (Interesting that it follows Valentine's Day?)

February 16
Do a Grouch a Favor Day

February 17
Random Acts of Kindness Day

February 18
President's Day (3rd Monday of February)
National Battery Day - appreciate all your battery operated devices on this day.  (Might be a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors?)

February 19
 National Chocolate Mint Day

February 20
National Cherry Pie Day
Hoodie Hoo Day (Go outside at noon, wave your hands over your head and chant "Hoodie-Hoo".)
Love Your Pet Day

February 22
 George Washington's Birthday
For the Love of Mike Day -- Who is Mike and why are we supposed to love him?
Be Humble Day
Walking the Dog Day (I hope you walk your dog more than once a year!!!)
International World Thinking Day

February 23
International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day (A day to appreciate dog biscuits???)
Tennis Day

February 26
National Pistachio Day
Tell a Fairy Tale Day
For Pete's Sake Day -- Who is Pete and why do we do or say (or not do or say) things for his sake?

February 27
Polar Bear Day (Did you know that all polar bears are believed to be left handed???)
No Brainer Day

February 28
National Tooth Fairy Day
Public Sleeping Day

February 29
 Leap Day (once every four years)

 

Sources:

http://www.holidayinsights.com

http://www.wellcat.com

http://www.suelebeau.com/february.htm

http://familycrafts.about.com/library/spdays/blfebdayslong.htm

 

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Comments: 30

Marilyn M. Feb 1, 2008, 10:48am EST
Be sure to mark February 7 and February 20 on your calendars. Check them out!
Pat S. Feb 1, 2008, 10:55am EST
Now that is a lot of Holidays....HAHAHA.....just wondering what they have left to celebrate LOL.............thx for sharing :o)
Jeanie C. Feb 1, 2008, 10:56am EST
Is the seventh for the middle finger wave day? It's now the new New Jersey state bird, we didn't want the Goldfinch any more, didn't serve the purpose. LOL

Thanks for the list!
Chuck M. Feb 1, 2008, 10:57am EST
Interesting. That's alot of holidays! lol
Marilyn M. Feb 1, 2008, 11:02am EST
Oh, and I have The View on in the other room. Whoopie just said that today is National Red Day. We're all supposed to be wearing red to remind us about heart health.
Marilyn M. Feb 1, 2008, 11:03am EST
There are other days too, if you look at other lists. These focus mostly on the US. Other countries celebrate other things...
Dawn V. Feb 1, 2008, 11:04am EST
Wow, there's a TON of holidays. Is every month like this?
Susan M. Feb 1, 2008, 11:07am EST
A totally awesome list! I'm going to add to the 12th as my first day at the Southwest Regional Cancer Treatment center. It's a biggie for me.
Heather W. Feb 1, 2008, 11:25am EST
I want to celebrate National Chocolate Mint Day.
lynn a. Feb 1, 2008, 11:32am EST
Well who knew? I had no idea so much went on in February. Good list.
Beth - Doing God's work Daily J. Feb 1, 2008, 11:44am EST
I has no Idea there were so many diffrent days. Where did you find them all...
David W. Feb 1, 2008, 11:58am EST
The only one that counts is Goundhog day. But, that was yestrday and the day before that and the day before that and...

Oops I'm trapped in a Bill Murrary moive,. Help.... :-)
Marilyn M. Feb 1, 2008, 12:01pm EST
Susan, you'll be in my prayers.
Marilyn M. Feb 1, 2008, 12:03pm EST
Yes, most months are like this. You'd be surprised at what we're supposed to be celebrating. :-) I first discovered this when I worked as a store manager for a small gift store in Florida. The retailer's association printed a calendar of strange holidays so we could offer special manager's sales. Today, I just did a Google search and used the 4 sites listed as my sources.
LaRue B. Feb 1, 2008, 12:56pm EST
this is a busy month. shrove tuesday is feb 5
ash wednesday feb 6
sister's bd feb 15
son's bd feb 21
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Feb 1, 2008, 1:26pm EST
Well, it looks like February isn't boring for sure. I also have three family birthdays in February.
Marilyn M. Feb 1, 2008, 2:00pm EST
Ashleigh, I've never known anyone born on February 29. That must be....interesting.
:-)

Thanks, LaRue, for the reminder about Ash Wednesday. I was going to look that up elsewhere and didn't.

Guess that means Fat Tuesday is right before that. Shrove Tuesday? I'll have to look that up too.
Rebecca D. Feb 1, 2008, 2:26pm EST
What about Imbolc?
Austin Cushing Feb 1, 2008, 2:35pm EST
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!
Curt L. Feb 1, 2008, 6:27pm EST
Neat info, here! Thank you!
Bob B. Feb 1, 2008, 6:39pm EST
It's amazing how many holidays there are. Thanks, Marilyn.
Bethany C. Feb 2, 2008, 12:52am EST
Did you forget Mardi Gras? It's Feb. 5th this year.
I don't really celebrate it, but I live in Louisiana and most other folks here do.
Angela A. Feb 5, 2008, 1:02pm EST
This was a cute idea. I like it.
Marilyn M. Feb 8, 2008, 9:47am EST
I did forget Mardi Gras. Since my sister and her family spent some time in Baton Rouge, that was something we made note of when we all lived in Texas. My sister used to order King's Cakes from Louisiana that were sooooooooooooo good.

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