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What Is In Store For February?

For such a short month February is packed with events. Let’s explore some of them.

Groundhog Day – 2nd
German immigrants brought the tradition of Groundhog Day with them from Germany. As they settled in hills of Pennsylvania, they began the tradition of using the Groundhog to predict the arrival of spring. The tradition is based upon Candlemas, the day that is the midpoint between winter and spring.

On this mid winter day the groundhog awakens from a long winter’s nap, and ventures outside of his den. Of course the groundhog isn’t looking for his shadow, we are. According to legend, if the groundhog sees his shadow we incur six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, spring is just around the corner. For the record Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow about 9 out of 10 times.

The Day the Music Died Day – 3rd
The Day the Music Died Day commemorates the untimely death of singers Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper in an airplane crash in 1959 at the height of their popularity.

Every generation has their music idols. These three were among the top of the 1950’s generation. Those who grew up in the fifties mourned the premature deaths of their music idols. Memorials and remembrances occurred for years. Today, there are many websites memorializing their deaths, and detailing the events before and after the tragedy.

Valentine’s Day – 14th
Valentine’s Day goes back to ancient times, when people paid honor to the Roman God of Fertility. This day was known as the Feast of Lupercalia, and was celebrated even back then on February 14th. The traditions of Valentine’s Day are broad and varied. It is a time to exchange cards or small gifts. Chocolates and jewelry are the big hits of this holiday as are romantic dinners.

Did you know? While 75% of chocolate purchases are made by women yearly, during the time leading up to Valentine’s Day, 75% of the chocolate purchases are made by men. Over $1billion of chocolate is purchased just for Valentine’s Day.

Random Acts of Kindness Day – 17th
Random Acts of Kindness Day. You know what to do. Perform a few random acts of kindness. Almost any act of kindness will do. This is a favorite day for many people and groups. Individuals like the idea of showing a little kindness to others. It’s a fun and benevolent thing to do. People like being on the receiving end of this day as well. It makes both the giver and the receiver feel good.

President’s Day – 20th
President’s Day is a day set aside to honor all of the U.S. presidents. We often think of two great presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln when we celebrate this holiday as it falls by design between their birthdays. But more and more of us, look at this day as a tribute to each and every person who has ever served in the office as President of the United States of America. It is a national holiday, although most businesses and industry do not recognize it as a paid holiday.

Leap Day – 29th
Occurring every four years, with the exception of years ending with “00” that are not divisible by 400, is Leap Day. The year in which Leap Day occurs, is called a Leap Year. The earth rotates around the sun once approximately every 365 1/4 days (To be precise, the earth orbits the sun every 365.242190 days). So adding an extra day every four years, the calendar is kept consistent with the earth’s annual rotation around the sun. If you were born on Leap Day you finally get to celebrate your birthday on your birth date! How many celebrate their Birthday on Leap Day? Only about 1 in 1,461 people were born on Leap Day. So, if you were born on this day, consider yourself special.

Enjoy February. It will pass by quickly.

Ed Bertha
February 2012

Copyright © 2012 REAL Magazine
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