All About February

It's finally February! Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are still trapped in winter, but in February we can at least feel uplifted by the promise that spring is coming soon. February is also a nice, short month, so it should go by pretty quickly, right? 

All About February!

History

• February is named for the Latin term februum, which refers to purification. Historically, mid-February was the time for Februa, a Roman purification ritual very similar to today's practice of spring cleaning. 
• Much like January, which was added later than the other months to the Roman calendar, February wasn't considered part of the calendar year until around 713 BC.
• February is a special month. It's the shortest of all the months in the calendar, and features an extra day (February 29^th) every four years (known as the leap year). 
• Until the concept of a leap year was established, the number of days in February was subject to change every year. Talk about confusing!

The Roman tradition of spring cleaning has followed us up until present day!Courtesy of styleathome.com

Fun Facts

• In Old English, February was known as Solmonath, meaning "mud month," and and in Polish (where winters may be harsher than in England) it is known as luty, meaning the month of hard ice or frost. 
• If you were born in February, your birthstone is the amethyst. An amethyst is a beautiful deep purple stone, which is said to promote clear-headedness and cleverness. It also symbolizes sincerity and wisdom. 
• Born in February and wondering about your zodiac sign? If you were born on February 18^th or before, you're an Aquarius, and you are likely to be inventive, clever, and original. If you were born in February but after the 18^th, you are a Pisces, and are probably dreamy, emotional, and sometimes over-sensitive. 

Amethyst is purple quartz. Courtesy of krcdesigns.com

Famous Birthdays

• Rosa Parks, the American civil rights activist known for protesting against giving up her seat on the bus to a white passenger, was born on February 4^th, 1913. Her birthday is commemorated as Rosa Parks Day in California and Missouri. She died in 2005, at the ripe old age of 92.
• Bob Marley, much loved reggae musician, was born in Jamaica on February 6^th, 1945. He tragically died of cancer in 1981, at the young age of 36. 
• Scientist Charles Darwin, who specialized in the natural sciences and is credited with contributing greatly to the theory of evolution, was born on February 12^th, 1809, and lived until 1882. He is known as being one of the most influential scientists of all time.

Rosa Parks is pictured here with Martin Luther King, Jr. Courtesy of Ebony Magazine