February is the shortest month of the year, but it’s also packed with interesting facts. From the origins of its name to the famous holidays it celebrates, let’s talk about the February fun facts.
In this blog post, we’ll share least known fun facts about February that you probably didn’t know. We’ll cover everything from the origin of the word “February” to the superstitions surrounding Groundhog Day. So whether you’re a trivia buff or just looking for some fun facts to share, read on for a fascinating look at the month of February.
Also Read: Fun Facts about October
February History Facts
February Name
The month of February is named after the Roman purification ritual Februa, which was held on the 15th of the month.
Februus, a god of purification and the underworld, was the focus of dedication during the festival. This festival included a number of different rituals, including the sacrifice of animals, the purification of people and objects, and the lighting of candles.
The festival of Februa was a popular time for people to get married.
The Leap Year
February has 29 days during leap years, which occur every four years. This adjustment is made to align the calendar year with the solar year.
This day is added to the calendar in leap years as a corrective measure because the Earth does not orbit the Sun in precisely 365 days.
A Leap Year is basically a year which is evenly divisible by 4.
Years that are divisible by 100 are not leap years unless they are also divisible by 400. For example 1700, 1800 and 1900 were not Leap Years.
Birth of Presidents
February boasts the birthdays of two prominent U.S. presidents: George Washington (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12).
Some other notable personalities known to have their birthdays in February are Kurt Cobain – The lead vocalist of the famous music band Nirvana and Bob Marley – The famous Jamaican reggae musician. It feels like month of February has its special connection with music.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
On February 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, ending the Mexican-American War in favour of United States. The end of this devastating war established the borders between the United States and Mexico.
This war significantly changed the borders of US and Mexico. Mexico had to cede 55% of it’s territory.
Most significant factor was the annexation of Texas by the United States. The territories of California and New Mexico, including Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma, were handed over to the United States.
The treaty included provisions to protect the property and civil rights of Mexicans who chose to stay in the ceded territories. They were given the option to become U.S. citizens or return to Mexico.
This treaty had a significant economic impact on both the nations as the United States agreed to pay Mexico $15 million and assume claims of American citizens against Mexico.
The Russian Revolution
We all know very well about Russian Revolution, but did you know that The Russian Revolution of 1917 had two distinct phases: the February Revolution and the October Revolution?
The February Revolution was the first one in the series, which began on February 23, 1917 (March 8 in the Gregorian calendar).
It marked the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the establishment of a provisional government. Also, setting the stage for the subsequent events that led to the rise of the Bolsheviks and the October Revolution.
Major events that started happening in February which changed the Russian history forever were like mutinies in the military, Petrograd strikes and demonstrations, economic hardships, social and military unrests. All these events led to the abdication of Nicholas II.
Famous February Holidays
Valentine’s Day
Who doesn’t know about this world renowned celebration of love. This day falls on February the 14th every year.
It marks the end of Valentine’s Week, which runs through the week with a series of celebrations. this week is all about expressing love and affection to romantic partners, friends, and family members through gifts, cards, and gestures of appreciation.
The history of Valentine’s Day is still a mystery, and its origins are not entirely clear. The celebration is associated with various legends and historical events.
In the 19th century, the industrial revolution and the development of the printing industry made it easier to mass-produce valentines. The holiday became increasingly commercialised, with the exchange of cards, flowers, and chocolates becoming common expressions of love.
Lunar New Year
Chinese New Year or Spring Festival are the other common names for Lunar New Year. It is a significant celebration in many Asian cultures. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is celebrated with family gatherings, feasts, fireworks, and cultural performances. The reunion dinner on Lunar New Year’s Eve is a significant feast.
The festival marks the beginning of the lunar new year and the end of winter, symbolising the arrival of spring.
Colourful lion and dragon dances are also performed during Lunar New Year celebrations. These traditional dances are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. Fireworks and firecrackers are also used for the same purpose.
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is a fun and lighthearted holiday that celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is popularly celebrated in North America on February 2nd.
According to Pennsylvania Dutch superstition, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early.
Many popular films do feature this popular day. Most remarkable is the one with name Groundhog Day.
Additionally, couples often choose Groundhog Day as a popular day to get engaged.
Presidents Day
President’s day is celebrated on third Monday of February. It is a federal holiday in the United States. It honors the country’s presidents, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, with various activities, including parades, historical reenactments, and educational programs.
National Freedom Day
This day is celebrated on 1st of February every year in United States. This day commemorates the signing of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery. It serves as a reminder of the importance of freedom and equality for all.
International Mother Language Day
Did you know about the International Mother Language Day, which is celebrated on February 21st. It is UNESCO observance to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism.
World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day is an international observance aimed at raising awareness about cancer prevention, treatment, and research. It encourages individuals and communities to take action against cancer.
This day is observed on February 4th across the globe.
February Food Holidays
Considering the vibrance of February, there are a bunch of food holidays which are celebrated in the month of February. February is filled with delicious food holidays and celebrations.
These food holidays in February provide opportunities to celebrate and enjoy a variety of tasty treats, from pizza and pancakes to chocolate and margaritas. It’s a month filled with culinary delights to satisfy any food lover’s cravings.
February Trivia
- February is the shortest month of the year in terms of the number of days. Additionally, it usually has 28 days, but during leap years, it extends to 29 days.
- The combination of February starting on a Sunday and being a leap year happens only once every 28 years.
- February can sometimes be without a full moon. This phenomenon occurs approximately once every 19 years, known as the Metonic cycle.
- People born on February 19th or later have Pisces as their zodiac sign, while those born before have Aquarius as their sign. However, these dates can vary slightly depending on the year and the exact position of the sun.
- Other than Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, here is a list of some more well known celebrities who were born in February- Steve Jobs, Charles Darwin, Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, James Joyce and Bob Marley.
- Amethyst is the birthstone traditionally associated with February. However, in the mystical tradition of Ayurvedic birthstones, the gemstone associated with February is bloodstone.
- February is home to some unusual and lesser-known observances, such as International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day (February 23) and World Sword Swallowers Day (February 25).
- While February is typically associated with winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it is summertime in the Southern Hemisphere. In New Zealand, February 6th is historically the hottest day of the year.
- February is the month with the most superstitions, including Groundhog Day, Candlemas, and Ash Wednesday.
These fascinating February Fun Facts shed light on the unique aspects and quirks of the month. They provide interesting trivia and insights that are not widely known.
We hope you enjoyed this comprehensive list of February Fun Facts. Did you learn anything new? Which fact was your favorite? Do let us know in comments.
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