updated February 17, 2025
February is an interesting month. It’s the shortest month of the year, although every 4 years is a day longer, due to leap year, creating February 29.
A leap year is a calendar year that contains an additional day compared to a common year. The 366th day is added to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year or seasonal year.
Wikipedia
Fun-Groundhog Day
The month starts with a FUN holiday known as Groundhog Day. You may be more familiar with the movie of the same name, which was also funny with a reflective message.
“Groundhog Day is a 1993 American fantasy comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and written by Ramis and Danny Rubin. Teamed with a relentlessly cheerful producer (Andie MacDowell) and a smart-aleck cameraman (Chris Elliott), TV weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. It stars Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a TV weatherman who, during an assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event, is caught in a time loop, repeatedly reliving the same day.” (Amazon affiliate link and quote)
I can understand how that feels after my husband was in a hospital for 10 days earlier this year. I felt like I was living the same day over and over. Even after he came home, during his continued convalescence, our days tended to feel the same until he regained his strength and stamina.
Anyway, if you’ve never seen the movie I recommend it for a good laugh as well as for the message. Andie MacDowell and Bill Murray are at their finest in these roles.
The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The annual ritual has roots in pre-Christian traditions and was brought to the U.S. by German immigrants.
History.com
The real Groundhog Day is supposed to predict whether or not we will have an early spring. You can learn about it at this link.
graphic from Lightstock.com, stock photo site, affiliate link
Feelings-Valentine’s Day, February 14
When I say Valentine’s Day what comes to your mind? Love, hearts, cards, candy, jewelry, and romantic dinners? But probably not seizures.
Saint Valentine-patron of lovers and epilepsy.
St. Valentine of Terni, a third-century Roman saint, was known for healing the sick. Valentine had been imprisoned for secretly marrying couples despite the edict of Roman Emperor Claudius II which forbade Roman soldiers to marry, for possibly diminishing their efficiency on the battlefield. As the legend goes, he restored the sight of Julia the daughter of Asterius his jailer.
People believed epilepsy (a brain disorder causing seizures) was caused by a supernatural event such as a curse or possession by an evil spirit. Since there was no cure for epilepsy healing was only possible by divine intervention and saints were called upon to intercede for these patients.
very few people know he , Saint Valentine, also was helpful and beneficent to people with epilepsy in ancient times.
Saint Valentine: Patron of lovers and epilepsy
February 14 is also National Donor Day. Registering as an organ donor means you may save someone’s life-or someone may save your life.
February 14 is National Donor Day. Registering as an organ donor means you may save someone’s life-or someone may save your life.
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Fasting-Ash Wednesday
In 2024, Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is also on February 14.
In 2025, Ash Wednesday returns to March, on the 5th.
Lent, in the Christian church, is a period of preparation for Easter, which will be on March 31, 2024.
During Ash Wednesday mass or services, a minister distributes ashes by lightly rubbing the shape of a cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. The tradition of tracing a cross on the forehead is meant to identify the faithful with Jesus Christ.
Follow this blog for posts about fasting for Lent.
photos by Dr. Aletha and Raymond Oglesby
Freedom-President’s Day, third Monday
On the third Monday in February, we honor our first President, George Washington, whose birthday is February 22. We also traditionally honor President Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is February 12.
archives.gov
“Contrary to popular belief, neither Congress nor the President has ever stipulated that the name of the holiday observed as Washington’s Birthday be changed to ‘President’s Day.’”
census.gov
Two United States presidents are honored in February, their birth month.
With the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress, George Washington helped the American colonies gain FREEDOM from rule by an English king in 1776 as General of the Continental Army during the American War of Independence, and then as the republic’s first President.
As President, Abraham Lincoln extended FREEDOM to enslaved persons in the Confederate states when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, and led the fight to “preserve the Union” as commander-in-chief of the Union military during the Civil War.
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