Discover the Magic of February: 14 Fascinating Fun Facts You Never Knew About This Enchanting Month

1. Therapist February

If moons had a fear of commitment, February would be their therapist of choice: As the only month that can pass without a full moon, February gets to be the lunar evader every non-leap year, when there are 28 days in the month. In a leap year though, the lunar calendar's FOMO kicks in, ensuring at least one full moon appearance. Thanks, Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, for leaving us with a calendar that moonlights as a celestial therapist!
Source => childrensmuseum.org

2. Calendar Split Personality

Tell your calendars to remain calm, as the English and their colonies once had a serious case of split personality disorder: Februaries found themselves trapped between double dating the New Year, thanks to the Julian calendar going toe-to-toe with the hip-and-happening Gregorian calendar from 45 B.C. to 1752, causing quite the seasonal scandal until they finally rolled into fully-fledged harmony.
Source => libguides.ctstatelibrary.org

Did you know January was once the last month of the Roman calendar? Discover how Julius Caesar and the god Janus changed its position and significance!

=> Fun Facts about January

3. Cupid's Sunday School

Who knew Cupid went to Sunday School? Step aside lovebirds, let's take a stroll down history lane: February, the month we now associate with heart emojis and teddy bears, originally celebrated St. Valentine's Feast Day, back in the days when ol' St. V was busy being a devout Christian rather than a Hallmark holiday mascot. This English tradition of sending flowers, candy, and love notes started in the 18th century, and spread across the globe, turning a humble saint's day into a worldwide love-fest!
Source => nationaldaycalendar.com

4. I Scream for Breakfast

Screaming for ice cream? In the 1960s, New Yorkers rebelled against breakfast norms in a frosty frenzy, daring to dive into chilly morning treats: National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day was born, celebrated on the first Saturday of February. Featuring brain-boosting benefits and an array of vitamins, a scoop of your favorite ice cream atop waffles won't just raise your eyebrows but also your alpha waves.
Source => nationaltoday.com

5. Texas' Savory Snack

When it comes to the crunch, the Lone Star State sure knows how to pick a winner: Texas declared tortilla chips as their official snack, and we celebrate this perfection of repurposed rejects on February 24th, National Tortilla Chip Day! The side-dish superhero even outpaces hotdog and hamburger buns in sales, making tortilla chips the unsung hero of countless cookouts. And credit for this snack sensation goes to culinary crusader Rebecca Webb Carranza, who whipped up this chip-tastic legacy and earned the illustrious Golden Tortilla award for her efforts.
Source => nationaltoday.com

6. Amethyst, the Sober Sidekick

Is your glass half full or half empty, or just purple? Turn down the wine, 'cause Bacchus has some sober advice to share: February's birthstone, amethyst, can supposedly prevent intoxication and improve problem-solving abilities, making it both a business-savvy ally and a powerful symbol of inner strength.
Source => almanac.com

7. Groundhog Rivalry

Move over, Punxsutawney Phil, you've got competition in the Big Apple: Since 1981, the NYC Parks Department's own weather-forecasting groundhog, Chuck, has accurately predicted the upcoming weather 21 out of 27 times based on whether there are more warm or cold days in the two months following Groundhog Day, and this woodchuck extraordinaire can be visited at the Staten Island Zoo.
Source => nycgovparks.org

8. February's Lengthy Story

In a month filled with cold hearts and frosty toes, February falls short – quite literally: Did you know that February is the shortest month with only 28 or 29 days? This peculiarity is attributed to Julius Caesar's creation of the Julian calendar in 45 BC to align with the tropical year, and Pope Gregory XIII's further refinement of the leap year rule in 1582 with the Gregorian calendar – ensuring February's quirky reputation.
Source => nationaltoday.com

9. The Love Ringleader

In a world where Cupid's arrows fly recklessly, leaving a trail of lovesick victims in their wake, February stands proudly as the ringleader of romance, leading the lovestruck masses to confess their burning passions: Valentine's Day, celebrated passionately on February 14th, has its mysterious origins entangled with ancient Roman festivals and Christian martyr legends, yet travels strong as a global symbol of love—exchanging gifts, cards, and smooches—much to the delight of besotted beings and greeting card companies alike.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. Presidential Abolitionist Connection

Looking for a love connection between an American president and a famous abolitionist? Well, you're in luck: February was chosen as the month to celebrate Black History Month in the United States and Canada because it coincides with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both instrumental in fighting to end slavery, with Douglass celebrating his on February 14th - now that's a Valentine's Day for the history books!
Source => fd.org

11. Tweet-worthy Bird Feeders

If birds could send out a tweet in February, it would read: "Free Grub Up! #BirdFeedersGalore!" Indeed, February is National Bird-Feeding Month in the United States: Established in 1994 by Congressman John Porter, it calls on bird enthusiasts to help our feathered friends through the chilly season while promoting the joy of bird feeding and watching. Each year even has a theme, thanks to the National Bird-Feeding Society. It's no wonder February has become the prime time for peeping and pampering our avian amigos!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

12. Dinner Guest Mardi Gras

If Mardi Gras were a dinner guest, it would shamelessly skip the salad and dive straight into dessert: February hosts the ever-festive Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday. Celebrated just before Ash Wednesday in countries with strong Catholic roots, like Louisiana, the day involves gorging on sumptuous, fatty foods to prepare for the Lenten fast. Bonus trivia: "Mardi Gras" is French for "Fat Tuesday".
Source => awarenessdays.com

13. Fondue Origin Chronicles

Cupid's infamous wingman, the Chocolate Fondue, has dipped its way into the hearts of fondue fanatics since the groovy 1960s, but unbeknownst to many, it actually has its romance-kindling origins traced back to the Swiss and their gooey cheese in the 1800s: Celebrate National Chocolate Fondue Day on February 5th, while you joyfully dunk your favorite treats like strawberries, marshmallows, and bananas into molten chocolate, and enjoy the bonus perks of a sweet antioxidant kick and a dip in your LDL cholesterol.
Source => nationaltoday.com

14. Grape Meetings in California

Do Californian grapes secretly hold meetings to discuss their eventual boozy destiny? Oh, how the vine's the limit for these fermented little wonders: In 2018, over 4,000 wineries in California generated a whopping $40.2 billion in wine sales, with nearly 70% of these wineries benefiting from wine tourism, taking liquid gold to a whole new level.
Source => nationaltoday.com