February is named after Latin term februum, meaning purification
February, along with January, were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar
February is the month limited to 28 days during common years, yet 29 during leap years – but all months have a 28th day
February starts on the same day of the week as March and November in common years, and on the same day of the week as August in leap years
February ends on the same day of the week as October every year and on the same day of the week as January in common years only
During leap years, February is the only month that ends on the same weekday it begins
February, the Northern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of August in the Southern Hemisphere
February is the only month than can pass without a single full moon – but not this year.
Full Moon 3rd 6:09 pm (Eastern US); New Moon 18th 6:47 pm (Eastern US)
February symbols
- Birth flowers: Violet and the common primrose
- Birthstone: Amethyst symbolizing piety, humility, spiritual wisdom, and sincerity
- Zodiac Signs: Aquarius (until February 19) and Pisces (after February 20)
February is a month for national celebrations in Dominican Republic, Estonia, Kuwait, Serbia, and Sri Lanka
Movies with February in the title include Summer in February (2013) and The Curse of February 29th (2006); plus documentaries Black February (2012) and February One (2009)
February is for promoting African-American History, pulling your sofa off the wall, returning carts to the supermarket, dog training education, a healthy heart, jobs in golf, feeding birds, indoor air care, therapeutic recreation, mending a broken heart, time management, responsible pet owners, wise health care, and youth leadership
February is for celebrating the Cricket World Cup, women inventors, library lovers, parental leadership, weddings, my birthday, spunky old broads, and Black History
February is for increase awareness in AMD/low vision, hoof care, prenatal infection protection, Marfan Syndrome, marijuana, children’s dental health, pet dental health, spay & neutering, and teen dating violence
February is for appreciating expecting success, barley, grapefruits, Florida strawberries, cherries, sweet potatoes, hot breakfasts, canned food, snacks, pies, and potatoes
February is for embracing blah-busting, adopting a rescued rabbit, my birthday, baking for a family, beating the heat (in the southern hemisphere), loving buses, condoms, laugh friendly, and relationship wellness
Are any days in February special to you? Which songs do you enjoy?
i will appreciate sweet potatoes tomorrow, before your birthday. happy birthday in february
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Raechel,
Ah ha … a sweet potatoes lover. Enjoy! … and thanks for the month-of wishes.
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I like February this year…I arrive in Bagni di Lucca on Feb 16…can’t wait.
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Debra,
Now that’s a big event … awesome … and my next trip probably won’t be until 2016.
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You are right Frank, Feb is usually our hottest month, but this year we think January might have beaten it, hands down! February 6th is also our national holiday known as Waitangi Day.
Also your birthday month – I caught that! Have a good one!
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Pauline,
Believe it or not, I have Waitangi Day on the daily calendar, but I was hoping to surprise you with it on that day … but because you mentioned it, I’m spoiling the surprise. … .and ah ha … you read the post. 🙂
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Oh, I’m sorry to spoil the surprise! And of course I read the post! I didn’t listen to all the music though, just Josh Grobin 🙂
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No big deal … but it’s on the list because of a special Kiwi blogger.
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Blah busting!! Happy birthday Month. Yay, for you. I love George Winston.
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Audra,
Blah-Busting Month is a new on for me, … sure sounds wonderful! Cheers to your love for George Winston .. .and thanks for catching the scoop.
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There is one day in February I am partial to since it is my birthday.
The last day of February is always on the Magic Day. This year, the Magic Day is a Saturday, unlike in 2014 when it was on Friday.
Melanie could explain this all to you. I have a brain blockage about it.
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JIm,
The calendar bit is interesting .. many thanks … I recall seeing something like this done on TV to viewers! Meanwhile, come on now .. spill the beans .. when is your birthday?
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In February…
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Apparently, Frank, you are not the only smartmouth in the bunch! in February…. c’mon Jim! You can do better than that!!!
Love that calendar thingy… very cool.
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I embrace my cryptic nature.
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As you should!
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As they say on The Family Feud … Good answer!
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Okay, you “mentioned” it more than once, but not the exact day…are you a pisces, or one of us aquarians? Happy February, Frank!
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Cynthia,
Cheers to you for reading the fine print … and cheers to The Age of Aquarius. 🙂
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1st. Happy birth month (do we get the official day?); 2nd, that is my favourite George Winston disc (and I have a slew of ’em!); 3rd: Goo Goo Dolls, Lou Reed, Josh Groban & Julie London! I thought I had eclectic tastes! Kudos to you Mr. Frank! I knew I liked you (even when you are snitching on me…)
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Snitch … I mean Dale,
Ah ha … glad we are on the same wavelength when it comes to music. Oh yes … I’m all over the map! … and when in the car (with XM radio) I commonly listen to stations with music I don’t now. … and yes, I have a day, but don’t publicize it in advance … but odds are I’ll post on it on the day … and sometimes so cryptic, some miss it.
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Ohhh you!!
Yes… and since I now drive Mick’s big-ass F-150, I also have Sirius now so… I can listen to pretty much anything I want. The truck is probably freaking out because it no longer is tuned to Classic Rock or 80’s on 8 or 70’s on 7… 😉
Fine, be that way. I shall hope to be alert enough to pick up on it…
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You may enjoy channels 28, 31, & 32 … one may also find me tuned into 63, 68, & 71. … Enjoy!
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Will check ’em out. I’m often found on 171 (Canadian CBC channel)
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… and I on 124 (Politics in the US) … but the listed were my music channels.
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Ewwww… Politics in the US – blech. Non merci. I don’t listen to the Canadian one either! In my car, I want to be entertained – yes, politics can be entertaining – just not my cuppa tea!
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The US political channel I listen to is very moderate & balanced … thus I don’t tune into the channels specializing in the view point from one side of the spectrum. That is my way of staying informed … and, at times, entertained.
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If February is your birthday AND dog training month, I propose I give you Duncan for the month and you can train him. Deal?
I love the George Winston tune.
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Happy Birthday month to you, Frank. Our son’s birthday is in February, which makes a usually bleary month cheerful. When he was little, we used to leave the Christmas tree up until his birthday. 🙂
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Maddie,
Ah ha … another reason for a February being a special month. 🙂
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Happy Birthday month, Frank. Our grandson Max was born on February 15th. He’s the only February birthday in the family. I only had time to watch and listen to the George Winston video. The piano music was great, and the one image which sticks in my mind, was that poor little cold and miserable squirrel. 🙂 Have a great weekend.
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Sylvia,
Cheers to Max, a fellow Aquarian! Knowing your love for the ivory keys, I knew you would appreciate George Winston. Eat well Sunday night!
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Hi Frank – Never knew this much about my birthday month as well! I’ve always loved George Winston, too, and enjoyed that video. You’re just a treasure trove of fun facts here – happy birthday in advance 🙂
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Kelly,
Cheers to another February person of distinction! Aquarius or Pisces? … feel free to discuss the date if you wish. Gotta love George Winston!
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Hi Frank – Aquarius – date to remain publicly unknown 🙂
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On the good side of the month! That a way!!!!
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So are you an Aquarius or a Pisces Mr Frank? I would officially like to swap my flowers and birth stone for those of February please. Earl would like it officially known that he is taking up a protest banner for “neutering and spaying” and would like his vote (registered 20 times) firmly in the “AGAINST!” camp. Lots of things to do and life to lead in February. Stevie-boy and I are returning to school and are off to tax our middle aged brains with “Interactive Digital Media” studies. I think it involves creating apps for mobile phones. The only app I have ever used on our mobile is the G.P.S. this could be interesting…
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Narf,
I’m an Aquarian! … Does Earl display a sign in protest? … Glad luck on those studies … topics?
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Ah, so you and Stevie-boy have something in common eh? Aquarians are most interesting creatures. They tend to be bound to be “different” and march to the beat of a different drum. It took me quite a few years to learn that the very best of Stevie-boy had nothing to do with me trying to change him into what “I” wanted him to be. We leo’s like to “mould and shape”…Aquarians hate being moulded and shaped. Life lesson, learned 🙂
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Marching to a different drummer is my normal mindset. In a personality profile workshop I once attended, my grouping was “the least understand”. Perfect!!!!
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That’s an Aquarius for you 😉
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The “So are you an Aquarius or a Pisces Mr Frank?” comment got me thinking about a song by a group that I recently just discovered. They are called The Rubber Bandits and as plastic bag wearing Irish duo’s go, they are the bomb. Just thought one of their songs rang a bell with that comment. Hope you enjoy it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_ZTrXAxZ-g
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I admit not knowing the Rubber Bandits, nor have I contemplated the life question of hipster or hobo?
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Glad I could introduce you to a new and most interesting “experience” Mr Frank. I know how much you guys love anything from the “Old Country”. Just thought you might like to see how avant garde some of the Old Country fare is becoming 😉
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One problem with “Old Country” … I’m not Irish.
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Yeah but most of the U.S. seem to think that they are of Irish decent. I am sure that’s what keeps the Irish economy from going completely under, all of your country-men and women heading over to investigate their heritage 😉
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February looks a very busy month. Older brother’s birthday is this month, too.
And return shopping cart week? (That’s really oddly funny, but you won’t understand why until tomorrow’s post )
Always “appreciating expecting success” around here – even when it’s not February!
Enjoy the weekend and start of a wild wild month!
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Mouse,
In terms of the shopping carts, OK … I can get onboard with people returning shopping carts to the cart corals. I take it one step further, pick up your cart from the parking lot on your way into the store. Otherwise, I wonder who has a shopping cart at their house!
Cheers to your older brother’s birthday!
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(Eerie that I was just finishing a post with the giant shopping cart and there was your post! ) We’ll have to birthday party for both of you!
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It’s get to be in sync …
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So tunefully true!
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February is for condoms? Yikes, I hope every month is for condoms. Eleven months of burgeoning STDs would not be good…
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Doc Carrie,
Well said … so I will take the positive spin, that is proclaiming February as Condom Education Month, which doesn’t mean educating a condom.
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Ha, I wonder what method of teaching would be best in that situation. 🙂
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Probably activity based.
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Hahaha! Good one!
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Ah February the month of teasing, warm temps then plunging cold and we all look forward to Spring. Oh and did I forget – Happy Birthday to you, Frank! We’ll be celebrating your special day all month long with “sweet potato’s!”
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Mary,
February is definitely up and down .. and for my area, March is more of the same. And now that I’m in the same light as sweet potatoes, I have an improved outlook on life.
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Used to be, the Stupor Bowl was in January. No more. Now Stupor is February’s child, for better or for worse.
February is for Groundhog Day, which would be virtually meaningless except that it is the title of what I consider the funniest movie ever.
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Jim, Would you believe I forgot it was Super Bowl Sunday??!! That tells you how “with it” and what a hermit I am! On the other hand, how many people know this is the feast of St. Brigid of Kildare—Celtic goddess/matron saint of Ireland, who is said to have once actually hung her cloak on a sunbeam….
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I knew about St, Brigid because of the commemorative days I collect!
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Ah, Cynthia, you are a breath of fresh air amidst the Dark Ages of February, and from the frozen braes of Vermont no less! Deflate-gate does not diminish your spirit. Stay warm!
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Jim,
The NFL’s pursuit for more money continues to push it out further … and to think they are considering addition playoff teams. Meanwhile, cheers to your love for the Bill Murray classic.
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😆
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Happy Birthday Month, Frank! I like Valentines day because I love love, cinnamon hearts, roses and chocolates. Many years ago, on Valentines Day, I quit smoking cigarettes. Gotta love that! I really do love love, and I love the Julie London song! Thank you!
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Resa,
Many thanks … and cheers to your love for Valentine’s Day and to the anniversary of kicking the habit. Julie London continues to be a big hit here!
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😎 😀
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Happy birthday! My husband and daughters all have February birthdays, as well as some other family members.
I like Dar Williams’ “February.”
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Merril,
Cheers to birthdays in your family. Aquarians or Pisces? Thanks for the wishes, but hope to celebrate here on the day. I didn’t now the Dar Williams song … many thanks … and here it is for you … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy-v-UgNhuI …. Enjoy!
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Thanks!
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A very very happy February to you, my dear friend!! Wishing you a Birthday month just as you would wish it to be …and even better!!!!! 🙂 [and a great new week ahead]
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Marina,
Thanks for the wonderful greeting to start the new month.
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Happy birthday month to you, Frank! I checked out the Julie and Lou videos … but maybe you knew I’d go there.
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Lame,
Yep – You presence influenced selecting Lou … and many here have enjoyed Julie in the past, so it was an easy choice. Thanks for the wishes.
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Three cheers to your birthday month!
I like Feb 1 because it is a good friend’s birthday and because it symbolizes the start of a new month 🙂
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Christy,
A happy belated birthday to your good friend!
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Thanks! We had a good time yesterday and I was sure to sing happy birthday to him in my usual out-of-tune style 😀
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George Winstons video has stunning images and the music is grand. I love violets. Maybe, I was born in Febraury. Enjoyed all of the February information. I feel I am prepared for whatever comes up about February. 😊
Happy Birthday Wishes to you !!! 🎉 🎂 🍦 💝
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Isadora,
I’m with you about George Winston. Just love his music! Many thanks for the birthday wish. I can say that if all goes as planned, I will post about my day on that day. 🙂 … the question is will I be obvious or subtle. 😉
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