By Catherine Boeckman, Farmers Almanac Jan., 2025

 

Welcome February, the second month on the calendar, but originally the last! How many days are in February? 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.

 

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 2028. 

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 The Roman King Numa had originally made all months 29 days, as Romans believed that even numbers were unlucky.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 6 more weeks or call it quits early. How did this quirky tradition get started? Find out the meaning of Groundhog Day.

• February 9 is the Super Bowl in 2025. See some tasty Super Bowl recipes!

• 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 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 15 is Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday. How much do you know about this women’s rights leader?

• February 15 is also National Flag of Canada Day!

• February 17 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 28 is Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

   

  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.

   

  February Weather

   

  On average, February is the United States snowiest month, according to data from the National Weather Service. I was shocked that it snowed in New Orleans in January.

  New Orleans saw near-blizzard conditions as the region experienced its first measurable snow since 2009. A blizzard blasted parts of the Gulf Coast on Tuesday January 21st and brought the worst snowstorm to New Orleans since 1885.

   

  February Astronomy 

  • The primrose lets someone know that you can’t live without them 

  • The Full Snow Moon 

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  The violet signifies watchfulness, loyalty, and faithfulness. Give a violet to someone to let them know that you’ll always be there for them.

• February’s full Moon reaches peak illumination on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. 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).

   

  February’s Birth Flower 

• Even though so many roses are sold during February due to Valentine’s Day, the violet and the primrose are the symbolic flowers.

 

February's Birthstone

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.