By Kathleen Britton

Hello! I’m glad you returned to our continuing journey through the Holidays and Observations of 2023. This article will guide you through events from February 6 through February 13. I’ve included the history of some of these celebrations simply because I wasn’t anticipating the depth and breadth of that history. I hope you find it interesting. Please note that there is so very much more to learn about these subjects should you choose to delve more deeply.

February Weekly Holidays and Observances, Week 2:

Boy Scout Anniversary Week Tinnitus Awareness Week

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Tu B’Shevat (Arbor Day) February 5-6 Valentine’s Week

Yukon Quest (Begins February 11, 2023) Publicity for Profit Week

Burn Awareness Week Catholic Schools Week (January 29 – February 4)

Celebration of Love Week Children of Alcoholics Week

Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week

Dump Your Significant Jerk Week Getting Dizzy Week

Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week International Networking Week

National Children’s Mental Health Week International Week of Black Women In the Arts

National Date Week (Fruit) National Green Week

National Marriage Week (USA) National School Counselling Week

Pay Your Bills Week Pride in Food Services Week

In addition, I’d like to address the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival which runs from December 23, 2022 – February 28, 2023. It originally began in 1963 as a small event to highlight local ice sculpting talent in Zhaolin Park. Harbin, located in Northeast China, is provided the frigid winter wind from Siberia, making it an ideal place for such a venue. It is the largest ice and snow festival in the world, attracting 18 million visitors and $4.4 Billion of revenue annually. 2’-3’ blocks from the Songhua River are used to create full-sized buildings and sculptures. There are ice lantern parks throughout the city, and activities including Yabuli alpine skiing, winter-swimming in the Songhua River, ice skating, sledding, and snow skiing, to name a few. It sounds pretty cool, to me! (Pun intended)

Boy Scout Anniversary Week is observed on February 5-11 to recognize people who are honorable, dependable, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, happy, thrifty, brave, clean, and respectful. The Boy Scouts of America, which was established in 1910 by an American named W.D. Boyce, has shaped many of our country’s leaders. Boyce was allegedly lost on a foggy London Street when an unidentified Scout assisted him by guiding him to his hotel. Boyce was motivated to bring the principles of the British Boy Scout Association back to the U.S. after witnessing the boy decline a tip and explain that he was merely carrying out his duty as a Scout.

Valentine’s Week is observed February 7-14, with each day of the week being a special event.

Rose Day: Tuesday, February 7th, 2023

Propose Day: Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

Chocolate Day: Thursday, February 9th, 2023

Teddy Day: Friday, February 10th, 2023

Promise Day: Saturday, February 11th, 2023

Hug Day: Sunday, February 12th, 2023

Kiss Day: Monday, February 13th, 2023

Valentine’s Day: Tuesday, February 14th, 2023

So how did Valentine’s Day begin? Around 500 AD, the day was added to the liturgical calendar as a feast day in the Catholic religion. Legends claim the day celebrated three different saints called Valentine or Valentinus. One legend says Saint Valentine refused to convert to paganism and was to be executed by Roman Emperor Claudius II. At the last minute, he was able to miraculously heal the daughter of the jailer, who, with his family, then converted to Christianity. Another legend claims a bishop called Saint Valentine of Terni is the true namesake of the holiday but was also executed. The third legend tells that Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who performed weddings for soldiers forbidden to marry, due to a decree of an edict by a Roman emperor saying married soldiers did not make good warriors. This Saint Valentine wore a ring with a cupid on it – the symbol of love – in order that the soldiers could recognize him. It is said that Valentine’s Day cards began as a result of him handing out paper hearts to remind Christians of their love for God. As a result, Saint Valentine became known as the patron saint of love.

Historians believe what truly solidified the connection between Saint Valentine and love was a poem by Geoffrey Chaucer, a medieval author, in 1381. The Middle Ages were also known as the era of courtly love, poems, paintings and romantic statements of devotion celebrated partnership.

However, tragedy also occurred on Valentine’s Day during prohibition in Chicago. A gang organized by Al Capone on February 1, 1929, murdered seven men. The Valentine’s Day Massacre became a pinnacle in prohibition history whereas gangs and mobs controlling then-illegal alcohol were pursued by police and lawmakers.

International Winter Bike to Work Day, observed on February 10, was first organized by the Federation of American Cyclists in 1956, and can be easily linked to the U.S. national holiday Bicycle to Work Day. The holiday has helped many people’s health in ways like cardiovascular advantages, muscle definition building, and general feelings of excellent physical health. In terms of lowering the carbon emissions of motor vehicles, it also has positive environmental effects. Participating nations in the International Winter Bike To Work Day include Canada, the United States, Russia, Croatia, Germany, and Poland. Special winter bicycle tires are now available from several retailers due to the increased popularity of the sport.

Super Bowl Sunday, February 12 is the National Football League’s (NFL) annual championship game, played in January or February and features the league’s American Football Conference and National Football Conference champions. Every year, a different city hosts the game.

The NFL and rival American Football League (AFL) merged in 1966, giving rise to the game. The merger was not complete until 1970, but the agreement stipulated an end-of-season championship game, and the first one, known at the time as the AFL-NFL World Championship Game, was held on January 15, 1967, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Green Bay Packers of the NFL defeated the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL in this game, 35-10, in front of a crowd that was less than a sellout and was broadcast on two television networks. The term “Super Bowl” and the usage of Roman numerals are used to identify the individual games because the game is played in a year distinct from the season it concludes, both first appeared in 1969.

Super Bowl Sunday has developed into an unofficial holiday in America as viewing parties are organized in homes, pubs, and restaurants all throughout the nation. The week leading up to the game is marked by intense media anticipation and a festive mood in the host city. Extensive pregame and halftime ceremonies and entertainment are held in conjunction with the actual game.

Since the inaugural Super Bowl, every game has been a sellout and a consistent TV ratings leader, with numerous Super Bowls ranking among the highest-rated athletic events ever telecast. As a result, the price of commercial time during the game is the highest of the year; for instance, a 30-second spot in 2016 cost over $4.8 million. To stand out to the massive Super Bowl audience, the high-profile advertising has featured celebrities, renowned filmmakers, and innovative technology. Since the 1980s, the amount of media attention and public interest paid to Super Bowl commercials has almost reached the level given to the actual game.

February Daily Holidays and Observances, Week 2:

February 6 Canadian Maple Syrup Day International Frozen Yogurt Day

Lame Duck Day National Chopsticks Day Pay a Compliment Day

Ronald Regan Day (California) International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

February 7 African American Coaches Day International Clash Day

National Periodic Table Day Harry Potter Book Night National Periodic Table Day

Rose Day Send a Card to a Friend Day E Day

National Periodic Table Day Ballet Day National Fettuccine Alfredo Day

Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbors Day National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness

February 8 Boy Scout Anniversary Day Laugh and Get Rich Day

Molasses Bar Day National Kite Flying Day Opera Day

Propose Day