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Welcome February, the second month on the calendar, but originally the last! How many days are in February (hint: it’s a Leap Year)? Can you name 10 holidays and events? Enjoy these fun facts.
The Month of February
February comes from the Latin word februa, which means “to cleanse.”
It was named after Februalia, the Roman festival of purification, which was a month-long festival of purification and atonement that took place this time of year. See all the month names.
While February is the second month in our Gregorian calendar today, it was originally the very last month added to the Roman calendar (c. 713 BC)!
Originally, the calendar was 10 months because winter was considered a dormant, month-less period. January and February were added by the Roman king Numa Pompilius to better align the calendar with the lunar year.
Eventually (c. 450 BC), February was moved to its place as the second month.
How Many Days Are in February?
It depends! February is the only month to have a length of fewer than 30 days! It’s usually 28 days, though February is 29 days long in leap years such as 2024.
But why 28 days? The Roman King Numa had originally made all months 29 days, as Romans believed that even numbers were unlucky. However, the sum of all the months was an even number. So February, a month for honoring the dead, was chosen as the unlucky month to consist of 28 days.
Of course, the calendar went through many more changes, but the “28” days for February have stuck.
February Calendar
February 2 is Groundhog Day—the day we find out whether winter will last six more weeks or call it quits early. How did this quirky tradition get started? Find out the meaning of Groundhog Day.
February 10 is the Lunar New Year. Celebrated widely throughout East Asia, this holiday begins with the first new Moon after the Winter Solstice and is associated with the Chinese Zodiac.
February 12 is Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday. The 16th president of the United States was born in a one-room, 16x18-foot log cabin with a dirt floor.
February 13 is Mardi Gras (aka “Fat Tuesday” or Shrove Tuesday), which is the final feasting day before the Christian tradition of Lent begins on the following day, Ash Wednesday.
February 14 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent.
February 14 is always Valentine’s Day. Heads up, lovebirds! Today, the holiday is celebrated with love, flowers, and chocolate, but how did this holiday get its start? Learn all about Valentine’s Day.
February 19 brings Presidents’ Day, a federal holiday also known as Washington’s Birthday that is celebrated on the third Monday in February. (George Washington’s actual birthday is February 22!)
February 29 is Leap Day! Happening once every four years, we are given an extra day in February. Some think this day brings good luck. Learn more about leap years.
February is African-American History Month. The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.
Here delicate snow-stars, out of the cloud, Come floating downward in airy play, Like spangles dropped from the glistening crowd That whiten by night the milky way. –“The Snow-Shower,” by William Cullen Bryant (1794–1878)
February Astronomy
The Full Snow Moon
February’s full Moon reaches peak illumination on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Look skyward on that night to catch the best view of this full Moon!
It’s known as the Snow Moon due to the typically heavy snowfall that occurs in February. Other traditional Native American names for this Moon include the Eagle Moon (Cree), Raccoon Moon (Dakota), and Hungry Moon (Cherokee). Read more about the February Snow Moon here!
February Recipes
Ready for football food? See our Super Bowl Dip Recipes—including spinach dip, guacamole, hummus, nacho layer dip, salsa, and more!
Have you started planning your garden? This is the time! We’ll give you advice on how to space your plans and more. Our online Garden Planner is free for one week. Have fun, play around, and plan a garden!
Like the violet, February’s birthstone is a purple color. It’s the beautiful amethyst.
This gem is a form of quartz; it can range from a pale lilac color to a deep, rich purple.
The name is based on a Greek myth that speaks of a nymph named Amethyst who was inadvertently turned into white stone; in remorse, the Greek god Bacchus poured wine over her to turn her a beautiful purple.
The amethyst was thought to prevent intoxication and keep its wearer thinking sharply. It was worn by English royalty in the Middle Ages.
On February 4 of which year did the Electoral College unanimously elect George Washington as the first U.S. president?
a. 1777
b. 1779
c. 1782
d. 1789
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, which English poet wrote a sonnet that includes the famous line, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways”?
1. Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–61)
2. Lord George Gordon Byron (1788–1824)
3. William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Answers at bottom of the page!
Folklore for the Season
Married in February’s sleety weather, Life you’ll tread in tune together.
If February give much snow, A fine summer it doth foreshow.
Fogs in February mean frosts in May.
If Candlemas Day [February 2] be mild and gay Go saddle your horses, and buy them hay But if Candlemas Day be stormy and black, It carries the winter away on its back.
It is better to see a troop of wolves than a fine February.
*Answer to quiz: George Washington: D. February 4, 1789. Congress certified the vote on April 6. Washington took the oath of office on April 30, Valentine’s Day: 1. The poem, titled “How Do I Love Thee?,” is Sonnet 43 in Browning’s book Sonnets From the Portuguese, which was dedicated to her husband, poet Robert Browning.
Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
Presidents Day, as I recall, was originally intended to be a combination of Lincoln's Birthday and Washington's Birthday, which both occur in February. Washington's BD had been an official federal holiday since the 1700's, but Lincoln's hadn't been. Nowadays, it is a holiday accepted to officially honor all past Presidents.
He deserves his own day for celebration as do all who are represented on Presidents Day. Individually, they performed important works for our country, therefore, they deserve individual days of honor and celebration.
Even if Washington was born in January, the traditional time to celebrate is in February -- and he certainly deserves a separate entry -- not tucked in under that meaningless three-day-weekend facilitator called, "Presidents' Day."
The best time to prune roses in East Texas depends on the type of rose. For Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, and Grandifloras, the best time is around Valentine's Day or early March.
Crapemyrtles only need limited pruning and this is best done in late winter to promote lush new growth in the spring. In February, prune hybrid tea roses in South Alabama; delay pruning for a few weeks in North Alabama.
If you're speaking about the "Best Days by the Moon," see our timetable here: http://www.almanac.com/bestdays/timetable Look for best days to pour concrete or set posts.
Practically speaking, most builders prefer late summer to fall because it avoids rainy season and they prefer cool to heat. However, those dates may also be busy and more expensive. It depends on your market. Hope this helps.