Black History Month

February 2...Candlemas Day (Christian, Wiccan & Pagan) is a purifying ceremony to let go of the old and bring in the new with light. In Christianity the day commemorates when Mary took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth. It has also been a day for weather predictions: "if Candlemas be fair and clear, 2 winters you will have this year, leading to the celebration of Groundhog Day - which originated in Germany

February 2... El Di' De Candelaria (Mexico)marks the officail end of the Christmas season

February 2 - 5... Eid al-adha, the Feast or Day of Sacrifice, which occurs during the 12th month  of the Islamic year. This is the season of the Haj, a pilgrimage to Mecca. It recalls the day when Abraham intended to follow the instructions of God and sacrifice his son Isaac

february 7... Tu B"Shevat (jewish) is the New year of Trees

February 8 ...  Nirvana Day  (Buddhist) commemorates the death of Siddhartha Guatama, the Buddha

February 8... Shrove Tuesday (Christian) also known as Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday - the last day before Lent. Many people  celebrate this day or days prior  to it by having carnivals such as Mardi Gras held in France and Lousisiana. By festivals in Germany and Latin America. In England it became known as "Shrove Tuesday" because people went to church to shrove or confess their sins.

February 9 ... Ash Wednesday/Lent begins (Christian) Lent , a period of fasting and prayer. begins 40 days before Easter Sunday

February 9 ... Chinese New Year ... celebrated  during the first two weeks of February, based on the lunar calendar - Year 4703 - year of the Rooster. In Asian cultures, New Year's symbols are represented with money in red envelopes and a dragon given to children indicating good fortune. People clean their hoses and pay off debts. It occurs on the second new moon after winter solstice.

February 9 ...Tet / Vietnamese New Year is a contradiction of the words "Nguyen dan Tet" or the "Festival of the first day of the year" Based on the lunar calendar, Tet marks the beginning of the spring season and lasts 3 or more days.

February 10 ... Al Hijra / Muharram (Islam) is the Muslim new year, beginning the first of the Lunar month

February 13... Basant Panchami (Hinduism) celebrates spring - Basant and Sarasvati,the Hindu goddess of learning and the arts. This is the time some children brgin learning the 50 letters used in the Sanskrit alphabet

February 14... Saint Valentines Day (USA, canada,Europe & Latin America) is based on the exchange of gifts that convey affection and love. The history of this holiday cannot be identified with any one origin with certainty. One version of the story  tells of a priest named Valentine who would secretly marry people forbidden to wed by law. The emperor believed he could form a larger and stronger army if men remained single and had no family ties.Valentine was arrested and beheaded Feb. 14. Because he was a champion of love, he became known as the patron saint of lovers

February 19...Ashura (Islam) has been a day of fasting for Muslims since the days of the early muslim community. It marks 2 historical events:the day Nuh (Noah) left the Ark and the day Musa (Moses) was saved from the Eygptians by Allah

February 20...Triodion (Orthodox Christian) this is the Orthodox liturgical book that contains the variable portions of the Liturgy and other services for a particular period of the Orthodox ecclesiastical calendar. It begins on the 4th Sunday before Great Lent -the Sunday of the Prodigal. It ends on Saturday of the Holy Week

February 21 ... Presidents' Day Observed (United States) originally honored Presidents - Washington & Lincoln. It now serves as a reminder of the contributions of all past & present Presidents

February 25 - Mar 1 ... Ayyam-i-a (Bahai) Intercalary Days - the four days of the year / five days in leap year, which fall between the 18th and 19th month of the Bahai calendar. These days are set aside for hospitality, gift-giving.& service

February... Buddhist New Year  When it is celebrated depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the peoples.*Chinese,Koreans & Vietnamese celebrate in late january or early February -  according to the lunar calendar. *Tibetans usually celebrate a month later. * In Theravadin countries - Thailand, Burma, SriLanka, Cambodia and Laos, the New Year is celebrated for 3 days from the first full moon day in April. *In Mahayana countries, the new year starts on the first full moon day in January