February is Short But Busy Month for Celebrations

Although the month of February is the shortest month, 28 days but 29 days every four years, which is considered a Leap Year in the Gregorian calendar (and what do you call a person born on a Leap Year, and how do they count their age?), it is one of the most interesting months that makes our life so exciting, as one thing for sure, the romantic Valentine’s Day is observed and honored on this day, February 14th. Happy Valentine’s Day to all, lovers or no lovers!

We also observe Groundhog Day, February 2, the day the prediction of six more weeks of winter or call it quits, from the groundhog’s shadow, that started in ancient times’ weather predictions going from winter to spring. What’s in store for Spring 2023 for us? Spring has the potential to be warmer-than-normal period across much of the U.S. and most areas will tend to lean toward the milder side. Great news for us, Midwesterners!

Historically, this is also the month that we honor our Presidents of the Land, President Abraham Lincoln (Feb 12th), the 16th president of our country and who was born in the state of Illinois in a o ne-room log cabin; and the President’s Day (Feb 20th), a federal holiday, it is also known as the George Washington Day. Susan B. Anthony’s birthday (Feb 15, 1820) is likewise observed this month. Remember her? She wa s a women’s rights leader who fought for the right of suffrage who was arrested when she voted in 1872. But women’s voting was not held nationally until 1920 in the U.S..

Religious observances are also being held for this month, February 16, “Fat Tuesday” or Mardi Gras. The observance is because it’s the last day that many people eat meat and fatty foods before Lent begins. Ash Wednesday (Feb 17) is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations and Catholics in the Roman rite and falls on the first day of Lent.

February has been observed as the Black History Month for over 40 years now, just like Filipino American History Month celebration every October, that was passed in the U.S.Congress in 1990.

The Chinese Lunar New Year 2023 is a Year of the Rabbit, more specifically, Water Rabbit, starting from January 22nd, 2023, and lasting until February 9th, 2024. Upcoming years of the Rabbit are 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, changeover every twelve years, characterized by the animal zodiac signs. Gong Hei Fat Choy!

By Anonymous Editorialist