On behalf of the PLTC DE&I Committee, Please see below a list of notable February, Holidays and Observances:
Black History Month (observed for the full month of
February):
According to History.Com
(https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month), “Black History Month is an annual
celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing
their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History
Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted
historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976,
every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black
History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the
United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history…Since 1976, every American president has designated
February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. The Black History Month 2021 theme, ‘Black
Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity’ explores the African diaspora,
and the spread of Black families across the United States.”
February 1: National Freedom Day, which
celebrates the signing of the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery in 1865.
February 3: Setsubun-Sai (Beginning of Spring),
the day before the beginning of spring in Japan, celebrated yearly as part of
the Spring Festival.
February
12: Lunar New Year is the first day of the year according to
the lunar (lunisolar) calendar. This year it falls on February 12. In many
parts of the world, people know of it as Chinese New Year. In Chinese
communities, the celebration ends on the 15th day of the new year with the
Lantern Festival. Other Asian communities all over the world also follow the
lunar calendar, so lunar new year is celebrated across cultural and ethnic
groups. It is an important time for family reunion and delicious food; a time
to reflect on the past and prepare for a bright future.
February 16: Vasant Panchami, the Hindu festival
that highlights the coming of spring. On this day Hindus worship Saraswati
Devi, the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, music, art, and culture.
February 16: Mardi Gras, Carnival, Fat Tuesday, Shrove
Tuesday: This holiday takes place on the day
before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the 40-day period that precedes
Easter. The type of celebration or name
of the holiday depends on the country of origin and local traditions.
February 17: Ash Wednesday, the first day of
Lent on the Christian calendar. Its name is derived from the symbolic use of
ashes to signify penitence.
February 20: World day of social justice. Was declared an annual celebration by the UN
General Assembly in 2007.
February 21: International Mother Language Day. This holiday has been observed every year since
February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and
multilingualism.
February 25-28: Intercalary Days or Ayyám-i-Há,
celebrated by people of the Bahá’í faith. At this time, days are added to the
Bahá’í calendar to maintain their solar calendar. Intercalary days are observed
with gift giving, special acts of charity, and preparation for the fasting that
precedes the New Year. People of the
Bahá’í Faith also participate in a 19-day fast from Feb. 28 – March 19
to reinvigorate the soul and bring one closer to God. This fast takes place immediately before the
beginning of the Bahá’í New Year.
February 25-26: Purim, a Jewish celebration that
marks the time when the Jewish community living in Persia was saved from
genocide. On Purim, Jewish people offer charity and share food with friends.
February 27: Maghi-Purnima, a Hindu festival
especially for worshippers of Lord Vishnu. Millions of devotees take a holy
bath on this day. Devotees also carry out charity work on this day.