Poor February. It’s the most misspelled and mispronounced month, as well as the coldest, and its number of days changes every fourth year.
February’s name comes from the Latin word februum, which translates to "purification." Not exactly the ideal month for the Superbowl, our annual rite of excess and debauchery.
February 15th marked the festival called "Februa" or "Febratio" on the old Roman calendar. The bash was apparently a purification ritual, perhaps in preparation for the vernal equinox and the prospect of warm weather and bumper crops
February had 28 days until Julius Caesar gave it 29, and 30 days every four years. A subsequent emperor, Augustus, took one day off to add one day to August, the month named after him. So now February has 28 days, and 29 on leap years.
Fascinating facts about February:
Say it three times quickly, and we’ll know if you’re drunk.
February’s birthstone is the amethyst. The vibrant violet stone, a crystal of quartz, is reputed to induce a feeling of tranquility in its wearer.
"Amethyst" is a Greek derivative (a meaning "not" and methustos meaning intoxicated); the amethyst is a symbol of sobriety.
Foundering Father? Our first president George Washingon was born on February 22, 1732. Did you know that sleepy Mount Vernon, now a popular tourist destination, was in its day a working plantation with marijuana as one of its crops?
Evolution and revolution. Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. So was Charles Darwin.
Shoot, the moon forgot. February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon.
Plan now to celebrate. February is National Cherry and Chocolate Month (Valentine’s Day, remember?). It’s also National Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month. When you’re at the grocery stocking up on Valentine’s candy, you can honor the latter while you’re supporting the former.
Famous February birthdays: James Joyce, Irish novelist and poet (Feb. 2, 1882), aviator Charles Lindbergh (Feb. 4, 1902), Aaron Burr (Feb. 6, 1756), Babe Ruth (Feb. 6, 1895), Ronald Reagan (Feb. 6, 1911), Charles Dickens (Feb. 7, 1812), Thomas Edison (Feb. 11, 1847), Galileo (Feb. 15, 1564), Susan B. Anthony (Feb. 15, 1820), composer George Frederic Handel (Feb. 23, 1685), Enrico Caruso (Feb. 25, 1873), Buffalo Bill Cody (Feb. 27, 1846), Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Feb. 27, 1807).
