Many people associate February with good ol’ Valentines Day. But there are other weirder holidays during the month. Here are some of those strange holidays during the first week of February.
1. Hula in the Coola Day: This is the day to escape from the cold! If you do not want to wait for summer to arrive to enjoy a good luau, then take advantage of February 1st to throw a luau. Bust out flip flops, island music, limbo sticks and tropical drinks and party away the chill.
National Baked Alaska Day: A baked Alaska is a dessert made of sponge cake filled with ice cream and topped with meringue. It is then cooked in a very hot oven or blow torched just until the meringue is brown. The creator is Benjamin Thompson, who claims he made it while investigating the heat resistance of beaten egg whites.
2. Groundhog Day: This is a folklore based holiday. When the groundhog emerges from his burrow, he will either leave it or duck back inside. If it’s cloudy when the groundhog peaks his head out, he will leave, signifying that winter will soon leave as well. If it’s sunny out, the groundhog with see his shadow and duck back inside. This means winter will linger for another 6 weeks.
3. The Day the Music Died: This day marks the death of three American musicians – Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper). The three of them, along with the pilot, died in a plane crash in Iowa. Don McLean later called this day “The Day the Music Died” in his song “American Pie”.
4. Give Kids a Smile Day: Dental disease in children not does receive as much attention as other issues. Because of that, this day has been set aside to teach children proper gum and teeth health. In addition, participating professionals will give free oral health care services to low-income children.
Wear Red Day: Red is the color of women’s heart disease awareness, the number one killer of women in the United States. The number one cause of heart disease is coronary artery disease. Wear Red Day provides many experts and non-experts a chance to share information about the prevention of heart disease, such as regular exercise, controlling blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
5. Weatherman’s Day: This observance commemorates the birthday of one of the first weathermen, John Jeffries. John Jeffries was born in 1744 and began his career in 1774.
World Nutella Day: This observance started in 2007. Nutella is a chocolaty hazelnut spread created by Pietro Ferrero in the 1940s. The best way to celebrate this day is to simply eat some Nutella, whether it be by spoonful or served on toast.
6. Dump Your Significant Jerk Day: This day falls on the 6th, however, Dump Your Significant Jerk week continues on through the 12th. If your significant other is a “jerk”, take this time to reevaluate your relationship – are you with this person for the right reasons? Or the wrong reasons?
Super Bowl: February 6, 2011 is providing us with Super Bowl XLV. This extremely popular football game has been playing once a year since January 15, 1967. Super Bowl Sunday is the second leading day for food consumption, behind only Thanksgiving. Not only is there the football game, but there are halftime shows and commercials.
7. Ballet Day: This formalized dance originated from Italy during the late 15th century. It has been popular throughout the world, but is now beginning to be forgotten is some parts.
Here are some observances that carry on throughout the whole month of February.
-Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month: The House Rabbit Society recommends that single-bunny owners adopt a companion bunny. The two rabbits will keep each other company, groom each other, and play.
-Bake for Family Fun Month: This observance is to encourage families to spend time in the kitchen. Not only can this provide an inexpensive learning experience, but it can allow for quality bonding time.
-International Expect Success Month: Positive outlooks can lead to positive results. Focus on expecting success during this month.
-National Bird Feeding Month: This observance started in 1994. Each year has a new theme – 2011 being “Most Wanted – America’s Top Ten Backyard Birds”.
-National Condom Month: In response to all of Cupid’s arrows during the month of February, this month is National Condom Month. Safe sex greatly helps reduce the risk of STIs (formally known as “STDs), and this month allows experts to promote condom-safety awareness.
-Pull Your Sofa off the Wall Month: This month encourages people to experiment with different furniture arrangement.
-Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month: Due to cart, basket, crate, and tray theft, product prices go up. This month encourages the return these stolen items.
