The Month of February

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The Month of February, the second month of the Gregorian calendar, gets its name from “Februarius” through the verb “februare” meaning “to purify”.

In ancient Rome it was the month of purification, with special ceremonies of repentance held at the festival of Februa on February 15.

It is the shortest month with 28 days except in Leap Year when it has 29.

In the twentieth century, it is a period for many Christians to prepare for Easter. It is frequently, depending upon the date of Easter, the month of Mardi Gras and other pre-Lenten carnivals. (In 2021, Mardi Gras is held on Feb 16th.)

Valentine HeartIt is also the month of Saint Valentine’s Day!

In the United States, the month of February is sometimes called Presidents’ Month because of the observance of the birthdays of Presidents Washington and Lincoln.

The flowers for February are the violet and the primrose. The birthstone is the amethyst, symbolizing piety, humility, spiritual wisdom, and sincerity.

…from Gregory, Ruth W. Anniversaries and Holidays, Third Edition;. Chicago: American Library Association, 1975.

Events during the month include:

  • American Heart Month
  • An Affair to Remember Month
  • Black History Month (United States and Canada)
  • Creative Romance Month
  • National Bird-Feeding Month (United States)
  • Super Bowl: First Sunday (United States)
  • World Marriage Day: Second Sunday
  • Presidents Day: Third Monday (United States)
  • Landsegen: February 1 (according to traditions that use the solar calendar, traditions using the lunar calendar may place this holiday later in February) Landsegen means land-blessing, or “Charming of the plow” — A Germanic Heathen rite where farming tools (or other “work” tools) are blessed. The land is honored and cofgoda (household spirits) are venerated.
  • Groundhog Day: February 2 (United States and Canada)
  • Candlemas: February 2
  • Abraham Lincoln’s birthday: February 12 (United States)
  • Valentine’s Day: February 14
  • George Washington’s birthday: February 22 (United States)

Food Holidays:

  • Canned Food Month
  • National Chocolate Lovers Month
  • National Cherry Month
  • National Grapefruit Month
  • Great American Pie Month
  • National Snack Food Month
  • National Potato Lovers Month
  • Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month
  • National Hot Breakfast Month

Feb 6 is the anniversary of the date that Massachusetts became the 6th state.
Feb 14 is the anniversary of the date that Oregon became the 33rd state.
Feb 14 is also the anniversary of the date that Arizona became the 48th state.

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