View source for February

{{short description|Second month in the Julian and Gregorian calendars}}
{{About|the month}}
{{Redirect|Feb.|other uses|FEB (disambiguation){{!}}FEB}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Calendar}}

'''February''' is the second month of the year in the [[Julian calendar|Julian]] and [[Gregorian calendar]]s. The month has 28 days in [[common year]]s and 29 in [[leap year]]s, with the [[February 29|29th day]] being called the ''leap day''. 
February is the third and last month of [[meteorological winter]] in the [[Northern Hemisphere]]. In the [[Southern Hemisphere]], February is the third and last month of [[meteorological summer]], being the seasonal equivalent of [[August]] in the Northern Hemisphere.

== Pronunciation ==
"February" can be pronounced in several different ways. The beginning of the word is commonly pronounced either as {{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-February.ogg|ˈ|f|ɛ|b|j|u|-}} {{respell|FEB|yoo|-}} or {{IPAc-en|audio=LL-Q1860_(eng)-Commonsense1776-February.wav|ˈ|f|ɛ|b|r|u|-}} {{respell|FEB|roo|-}}; many people drop the first "r", replacing it with {{IPAc-en|j}}, as if it were spelled "Febuary". This comes about by analogy with "January" ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-January.ogg|ˈ|dʒ|æ|n|.|j|u|-}}), as well as by a [[dissimilation]] effect whereby having two "r"s close to each other causes one to change.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/february |title=February &#124; Definition of February by Merriam-Webster |website=Merriam-webster.com |access-date=2016-09-17 |archive-date=2016-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918005620/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/February |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite LPD|3}}</ref> The ending of the word is pronounced {{IPAc-en|-|ɛr|i}} {{respell|-|err|ee}} in the US and {{IPAc-en|-|ər|i}} {{respell|-|ər|ee}} in the UK.

== History ==
[[File:Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry février.jpg|thumb|February, from the {{lang|fr|[[Très riches heures du Duc de Berry]]}}]]
[[File:Februar Leandro Bassano.jpg|thumb|''February'', [[Leandro Bassano]]]]
[[File:02 February - Percent of global area at temperature records - Global warming - NOAA.svg |thumb |In recent decades, the number of warm temperature records in February has outpaced cold temperature records over a growing portion of Earth's surface.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mean Monthly Temperature Records Across the Globe |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/202501/supplemental/page-3 |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) }} Link is an example for one month; for other months, change the "202501" in the preceding URL to '''yyyymm''', where '''yyyy''' is the four-digit year and '''mm''' is the two-digit month (01=January through 12=December)</ref>]]

The Roman month {{lang|la|[[Februarius]]}} was named after the Latin term {{lang|la|februum}}, which means "purification", via the purification ritual {{lang|la|[[Februa]]}} held on February 15 (full moon) in the old lunar [[Roman calendar]]. January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar, since the Romans originally considered winter a monthless period of the year. They were added by [[Numa Pompilius]] about 713&nbsp;BC.  February remained the last month of the calendar year until the time of the [[decemvirs]] ({{circa|450&nbsp;BC}}), when it became the second month. At certain times February was truncated to 23 or 24 days, and a 27-day intercalary month, [[Mercedonius|Intercalaris]], was occasionally inserted immediately after February to realign the year with the [[season]]s.

February observances in [[Ancient Rome]] included [[Amburbium]] (precise date unknown), [[Sementivae]] (February 2), [[Februa]] (February 13–15), [[Lupercalia]] (February 13–15), [[Parentalia]] (February 13–22), [[Quirinus|Quirinalia]] (February 17), [[Feralia]] (February 21), [[Caristia]] (February 22), [[Terminalia (festival)|Terminalia]] (February 23), [[Regifugium]] (February 24), and [[Agonalia#Agonium Martiale|Agonium Martiale]] (February 27). These days do not correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar.

Under the reforms that instituted the [[Julian calendar]], Intercalaris was abolished, leap years occurred regularly every fourth year, and in leap years February gained a 29th day. Thereafter, it remained the second month of the calendar year, meaning the order that months are displayed (January, February, March,&nbsp;..., December) within a year-at-a-glance calendar. Even during the Middle Ages, when the numbered [[Anno Domini]] year began on March 25 or December 25, the second month was February whenever all twelve months were displayed in order. The [[Gregorian calendar]] reforms made slight changes to the system for determining which years were leap years, but also contained a 29-day February.

Historical names for February include the [[Old English language|Old English]] terms Solmonath (mud month) and Kale-monath (named for [[cabbage]]) as well as [[Charlemagne]]'s designation Hornung. In Finnish, the month is called {{lang|fi|helmikuu}}, meaning "month of the pearl"; when snow melts on tree branches, it forms droplets, and as these freeze again, they are like pearls of ice. In [[Polish language|Polish]] and [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]], respectively, the month is called {{lang|pl|luty}} or {{lang|uk|лютий}} ({{transliteration|uk|lyutiy}}), meaning the month of ice or hard frost. In [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]] the month is {{transliteration|mk|sečko}} ({{lang|mk|сечко}}), meaning month of cutting (wood). In Czech, it is called {{lang|cs|únor}}, meaning month of submerging (of river ice).

In [[Slovene language|Slovene]], February is traditionally called {{lang|sl|svečan}}, related to [[icicle]]s or [[Presentation of Jesus at the Temple|Candlemas]].<ref name="KoledarDPG2007">{{citation |url=http://www.dobrova-polhovgradec.si/doc/priponke/koledar%20prir%2007%20zadnji.pdf |title=Koledar prireditev v letu 2007 in druge informacije občine Dobrova–Polhov Gradec |language=sl |trans-title=The Calendar of Events and Other Information of the Municipality of Dobrova–Polhov Gradec |publisher=Municipality of Dobrova-Polhov Gradec |year=2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102060918/http://www.dobrova-polhovgradec.si/doc/priponke/koledar%20prir%2007%20zadnji.pdf |archive-date=2013-11-02 }}</ref> This name originates from {{lang|sl|sičan}},<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0V9gAAAAMAAJ|title=Zeitschrift für slavische Philologie |publisher=Markert&Petters|year=1972|editor-first=Max|editor-last=Vasmer|page=115|volume=36–37|access-date=2020-10-02|archive-date=2021-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206103250/https://books.google.com/books?id=0V9gAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> written as {{lang|sl|svičan}} in the ''New Carniolan Almanac'' from 1775 and changed to its final form by [[Franc Metelko]] in his ''New Almanac'' from 1824. The name was also spelled {{lang|sl|sečan}}, meaning "the month of cutting down of trees".<ref name="KoledarDPG2007" /> In 1848, a proposal was put forward in ''[[Kmetijske in rokodelske novice]]'' by the Slovene Society of [[Ljubljana]] to call this month {{lang|sl|talnik}} (related to ice melting), but it did not stick. The idea was proposed by a priest, Blaž Potočnik.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.dlib.si/details/URN:NBN:SI:doc-ACZAUJWT/?&language=eng|journal=Kmetijske in Rokodelske Novice|title=Slovenska imena mesecev|trans-title=Slovene Names of Months|volume=6|issue=37|date=13 September 1848|access-date=8 March 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201917/http://www.dlib.si/details/URN:NBN:SI:doc-ACZAUJWT/?&language=eng|url-status=live}}</ref> Another name of February in Slovene was {{lang|sl|vesnar}}, after the mythological character [[Vesna (mythology)|Vesna]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.posta.si/downloadfile.aspx?fileid=14263|title=Slovenska mitologija – Vesna|language=sl, en, de|trans-title=Slovene Mythology – Vesna|journal=Bilten; poštne znamke [Bulletin: Postage Stamps]|issue=56|year=2005|issn=1318-6280|first=Janez|last=Bogataj|access-date=2016-03-08|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924080359/http://www.posta.si/downloadfile.aspx?fileid=14263|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Patterns ==
[[File:Valentines Day Chocolates from 2005.jpg|thumb|Chocolates for [[St. Valentine's Day]]]]
Having only 28 days in common years, February is the only month of the year that can pass without a single [[full moon]]. Using [[Coordinated Universal Time]] as the basis for determining the date and time of a full moon, this last happened in 2018 and will next happen in 2037.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Moon Phases 2018 – Lunar Calendar for London, England, United Kingdom|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/uk/london?year=2018|access-date=2021-08-25|website=www.timeanddate.com|language=en|archive-date=2021-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829121541/https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/uk/london?year=2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/uk/london?year=2037|title=Moon Phases 2037 – Lunar Calendar for London, England, United Kingdom|access-date=2018-03-03|archive-date=2018-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303225455/https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/uk/london?year=2037|url-status=live}}</ref> The same is true regarding a [[new moon]]: again using Coordinated Universal Time as the basis, this last happened in 2014 and will next happen in 2033.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/uk/london?year=2014|title=Moon Phases 2014 – Lunar Calendar for London, England, United Kingdom|access-date=2017-10-26|archive-date=2017-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026213659/https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/uk/london?year=2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/uk/london?year=2033|title=Moon Phases 2033 – Lunar Calendar for London, England, United Kingdom|access-date=2017-10-26|archive-date=2017-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026163025/https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/uk/london?year=2033|url-status=live}}</ref>

February is also the only month of the calendar that, at intervals alternating between one of six years and two of eleven years, has exactly four full 7-day [[week]]s. In countries that start their week on a Monday, it occurs as part of a [[common year starting on Friday]], in which February 1st is a Monday and the 28th is a Sunday; the most recent occurrence was [[2021]], and the next one will be [[2027]]. In countries that start their week on a Sunday, it occurs in a [[common year starting on Thursday]]; the most recent occurrence was [[2015]] and the next occurrence will be [[2026]]. The pattern is broken by a skipped leap year, but no leap year has been skipped since 1900 and no others will be skipped until 2100.

== Astronomy ==
February [[meteor showers]] include the [[Alpha Centaurids]] (appearing in early February), the [[Virginids#March Virginids|March Virginids]] (lasting from February 14 to April 25, peaking around March 20), the [[Delta Cancrids]] (appearing December 14 to February 14, peaking on January 17), the [[Omicron Centaurids]] (late January through February, peaking in mid-February), [[Theta Centaurids]] (January 23 – March 12, only visible in the southern hemisphere), [[Virginids#Eta Virginids|Eta Virginids]] (February 24 and March 27, peaking around March 18), and [[Virginids#Pi Virginid|Pi Virginids]] (February 13 and April 8, peaking between March 3 and March 9).

== Symbols ==
[[File:1760 - Salzburg - Stiftskirche St Peter - Viola.JPG|thumb|150px|The [[Viola (plant)|violet]]]][[File:Primrose primula cultivars in Great Canfield churchyard, Essex, England 01.jpg|alt=White and mauve primroses|thumb|White and [[mauve]] primroses]][[File:Siberian Iris Iris sibirica Flower Closeup 2520px.jpg|alt=Purple Siberian iris|thumb|Purple [[Iris sibirica|Siberian iris]]]][[File:Améthystre sceptre2.jpg|alt=Amethyst crystals|thumb|Amethyst crystals]]
The zodiac signs of February are [[Aquarius (astrology)|Aquarius]] (until February 18) and [[Pisces (astrology)|Pisces]] (February 19 onward).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americangemsociety.org/february-birthstones |title=February Birthstone &#124; Amethyst |website=Americangemsociety.org |access-date=2016-09-17 |archive-date=2013-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630094932/http://www.americangemsociety.org/february-birthstones |url-status=live }}</ref>

Its birth flowers are the violet (''[[Viola (plant)|Viola]]''), the common primrose (''[[Primula vulgaris]]''),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.babiesonline.com/flowersbirthmonth/ |title=Birth Month Flowers |website=Babiesonline.com |access-date=2016-09-17 |archive-date=2016-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805050107/https://www.babiesonline.com/flowersbirthmonth/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the [[Iris (plant)|Iris]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.1stinflowers.com/fom_february.html|title=Birth Month Flower of February - the Iris|access-date=2018-10-16|archive-date=2018-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016165235/https://www.1stinflowers.com/fom_february.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Its birthstone is the [[amethyst]], which symbolizes piety, humility, spiritual wisdom, and sincerity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2024 |title=gia.edu |url=https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/february-birthstones |access-date=1 September 2024 |website=GIA}}</ref>

== Observances ==
''This list does not necessarily imply either official status nor general observance.''

=== Month-long ===
* In Catholic tradition, February is the Month of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
* [[American Heart Month]] ([[United States]])
* [[Black History Month]] (United States, Canada)
* [[National Bird-Feeding Month]] (United States)
* National Children's Dental Health Month (United States)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month|title=National Children's Dental Health Month|year=2017|publisher=[[American Dental Association]]|access-date=September 23, 2017|archive-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915043053/http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Season for Nonviolence]]: January 30 – April 4 ([[International observance]])
* [[List of Month-long observances#February|Turner Syndrome Awareness Month]] (United States)
* [[LGBT History Month]] (United Kingdom, Ireland)

=== Non-Gregorian ===
''(All Baha'i, Islamic, and Jewish observances begin at the sundown prior to the date listed, and end at sundown of the date in question unless otherwise noted.)''
* [[List of observances set by the Bahá'í calendar]]
* [[List of observances set by the Chinese calendar]]
* [[List of observances set by the Hebrew calendar]]
* [[List of observances set by the Islamic calendar]]
* [[List of observances set by the Solar Hijri calendar]]

=== Movable ===
* [[Food Freedom Day]] ([[Canada]]): Date changes each year
* [[Safer Internet Day]]: First day of second week
* [[National Day of the Sun]] ([[Argentina]]): Date varies based on province
'''First Saturday'''
* [[Ice Cream for Breakfast Day]]
'''First Sunday '''
* [[Mother's Day]] ([[Kosovo]])
'''First Week of February (first Monday, ending on Sunday)'''
* [[World Interfaith Harmony Week]]
'''First Monday'''
* [[Constitution of Mexico|Constitution Day]] ([[Mexico]])
* [[List of food days#February|National Frozen Yogurt Day]] (United States)
'''First Friday '''
* [[National Wear Red Day]] (United States)
'''Second Saturday '''
* [[International Purple Hijab Day]]
'''Second Sunday'''
* [[Autism Sunday]] ([[United Kingdom]])
* [[Children's Day]] ([[Cook Islands]], Nauru, [[Niue]], [[Tokelau]], [[Cayman Islands]])
* [[Mother's Day]] ([[Norway]])
* [[Super Bowl Sunday]] ([[United States]])
* [[World Marriage Day]]
'''Second Monday'''
* [[Meal Monday]] ([[Scotland]])
'''Second Tuesday '''
* [[National Sports Day]] ([[Qatar]])
'''Week of February 22 '''
* [[National Engineers Week (U.S.)]]
'''Third Monday'''
* [[Family Day (Canada)]] (provinces of [[British Columbia]], [[Alberta]], [[Saskatchewan]], [[Manitoba]], [[Ontario]], [[New Brunswick]] and [[Prince Edward Island]].)
* [[President's Day|President's Day/Washington's Birthday]] (United States)
'''Third Thursday'''
* [[Global Information Governance Day]]
'''Third Friday '''
* [[Family Day (Canada)|Yukon Heritage Day]] ([[Canada]])
'''Last Friday'''
* [[International Stand Up to Bullying Day]]
'''Last Saturday'''
* [[Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher|Open That Bottle Night]]
'''Last day of February'''
* [[Rare Disease Day]]

=== Fixed ===
* [[February 1]]
** [[Mauritius#Holidays and festivals|Abolition of Slavery Day]] ([[Mauritius]])
** [[Air Force Day (Nicaragua)]]
** [[Federal Territory Day]] ([[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Labuan]] and [[Putrajaya]], Malaysia)
** [[Heroes' Day (Rwanda)]]
** [[Imbolc]] ([[Ireland]], [[Scotland]], [[Isle of Man]], and some [[Neopaganism|Neopagan]] groups in the Northern hemisphere)
** [[Lammas]] (some [[Neopaganism|Neopagan]] groups in the Southern hemisphere)
** [[Memorial Day of the Republic]] ([[Hungary]])
** [[National Freedom Day]] ([[United States]])
* [[February 2]]
** [[Anniversary of Treaty of Tartu]] ([[Estonia]])
** [[Constitution Day (Philippines)]]
** [[Day of Youth (Azerbaijan)]]
** Feast of the [[Presentation of Jesus at the Temple]] (or [[Candlemas]]) ([[Western Christianity]]), and its related observances:
*** A [[quarter day]] in the Christian [[liturgical calendar]] (due to [[Candlemas]]) ([[Scotland]])
*** Celebration of [[Yemanja#Brazil|Yemanja]] ([[Candomblé]])
** [[Groundhog Day]] ([[United States]] and [[Canada]])
*** [[Marmot Day]] ([[Alaska]], United States)
** [[Inventor's Day (Thailand)]]
** [[List of food days#February|National Tater Tot Day]] ([[United States]])
** [[World Wetlands Day]]
* [[February 3]]
** [[The Day the Music Died|Anniversary of The Day the Music Died]] (United States)
** [[Communist Party of Vietnam Foundation Anniversary]] (Vietnam)
** [[Day of the Virgin of Suyapa]] (Honduras)
** [[Heroes' Day (Mozambique)]]
** [[Martyrs' Day (São Tomé and Príncipe)]]
** [[Setsubun]] (Japan)
** [[Veterans' Day (Thailand)]]
* [[February 4]]
** [[Day of the Armed Struggle]] (Angola)
** [[Independence Day (Sri Lanka)]]
** [[Rosa Parks Day]] ([[California]] and [[Missouri]], United States)
** [[World Cancer Day]]
* [[February 5]]
** [[Crown Princess Mary's birthday]] (Denmark)
** [[Kashmir Solidarity Day]] (Pakistan)
** [[Liberation from the Alberoni Occupation|Liberation Day]] (San Marino)
** [[National Weatherperson's Day]] (United States)
** [[Runeberg's Birthday]] (Finland)
** [[Unity Day (Burundi)]]
* [[February 6]]
** [[International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation]]
** [[Ronald Reagan Day]] ([[California]], United States)
** [[Sami National Day]] (Russia, Finland, Norway and Sweden)
** [[Waitangi Day]] (New Zealand)
* [[February 7]]
** [[Independence Day (Grenada)]]
* [[February 8]]
** [[Parinirvana Day]]  (some [[Mahayana Buddhism|Mahayana Buddhist]] traditions, most celebrate on February 15)
** [[Prešeren Day]] (Slovenia)
** [[Propose Day]]
* [[February 9]]
** [[List of food days#February|National Pizza Day]] (United States)
** [[Public holidays in Lebanon|St. Maroun's Day]] ([[Maronite Church]], [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], public holiday in Lebanon)
* [[February 10]]
** [[Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck]] (Public holiday in Malta)
** [[Fenkil Day]] (Eritrea)
** [[National Memorial Day of the Exiles and Foibe]] (Italy)
* [[February 11]]
** [[112 (emergency telephone number)#European 112 Day|112 day]] ([[European Union]])
** [[Armed Forces Day (Liberia)]]
** [[Day of Revenue Service]] (Azerbaijan)
** [[Evelio Javier Day]] ([[Panay]] Island, the Philippines)
** Feast day of [[Our Lady of Lourdes]] ([[Catholic Church]]), and its related observance:
*** [[World Day of the Sick]] ([[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church]])
** [[Inventors' Day]] (United States)
** [[National Foundation Day (Japan)]]
** [[Youth Day (Cameroon)]]
* [[February 12]]
** [[Darwin Day]] ([[International observance|International]])
** [[Georgia Day]] ([[Georgia (U.S. state)]])
** [[List of awareness days#February|International Day of Women's Health]]
** [[Lincoln's Birthday]] (United States)
** [[National Freedom to Marry Day]] (United States)
** [[Red Hand Day]] ([[United Nations]])
** [[List of awareness days#February|Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day]] (Canada)
** [[Union Day (Myanmar)]]
** [[Youth Day (Venezuela)]]
* [[February 13]]
** [[Black Love Day]] (United States)
** [[Children's Day (Myanmar)]]
** [[World Radio Day]]
* [[February 14]]
** [[List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union#List of U.S. states|Statehood Day]] ([[Arizona]], United States)
** [[List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union#List of U.S. states|Statehood Day]] ([[Oregon]], United States)
** [[Presentation of Jesus at the Temple]] ([[Armenian Apostolic Church]])
** [[V-Day (movement)]] ([[International observance|International]])
** [[Valentine's Day]] ([[International observance|International]])
*** [[Singles Awareness Day]]
* [[February 15]]
** [[Candlemas]] ([[Eastern Orthodox Church]])
** [[International Duties Memorial Day]] (Russia, regional)
** [[John Frum Day]] ([[Vanuatu]])
** [[Liberation Day (Afghanistan)]]
** [[National Flag of Canada Day]] (Canada)
** [[List of food days#February|National I Want Butterscotch Day]] (United States)
** [[Parinirvana Day]] (most [[Mahayana Buddhism|Mahayana Buddhist]] traditions, some celebrate on February 8)
** [[First Serbian Uprising|Serbia's National Day]]
** [[Statehood Day (Serbia)]]
** [[Susan B. Anthony Day]] (United States)
** [[The ENIAC Day]] ([[Philadelphia]], United States)
** [[Total Defence Day]] ([[Singapore]])
* [[February 16]]
** [[Day of the Shining Star]] (North Korea)
** [[Act of Independence of Lithuania|Restoration of Lithuania's Statehood Day]] (Lithuania)
* [[February 17]]
** [[Independence Day (Kosovo)]]
** [[Random Acts of Kindness Day]] (United States)
** [[Public holidays in Libya|Revolution Day (Libya)]]
* [[February 18]]
** [[National Democracy Day]] (Nepal)
** [[Dialect Day]] ([[Amami Islands]], Japan)
** [[Independence Day (Gambia)]]
** [[Kurdish Students Union Day]] ([[Iraqi Kurdistan]])
** [[Wife's Day]] ([[Iceland]])
* [[February 19]]
** [[Armed Forces Day (Mexico)]]
** [[Brâncuși Day]] (Romania)
** [[Commemoration of Vasil Levski]] (Bulgaria)
** [[Flag Day (Turkmenistan)]]
** [[Shivaji|Shivaji Jayanti]] ([[Maharashtra]], India)
* [[February 20]]
** [[Maidan casualties|Day of Heavenly Hundred Heroes]] ([[Ukraine]])
** [[World Day of Social Justice]]
* [[February 21]]
** [[International Mother Language Day]]
** [[Language Movement Day]] ([[Bangladesh]])
* [[February 22]]
** [[Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter]] ([[Roman Catholic Church]])
** [[Independence Day (Saint Lucia)]]
** [[Founder's Day (Saudi Arabia)]]
** [[Scouts' Day|Founder's Day or "B.-P. day"]] ([[World Organization of the Scout Movement]])
** [[List of food days#February|National Margarita Day]] (United States)
** [[World Thinking Day]] ([[World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts]])
* [[February 23]]
** [[Mashramani-Republic Day]] ([[Guyana]])
** [[Meteņi]] ([[Latvia]])
** [[List of food days#February|National Banana Bread Day]] (United States)
** [[National Day (Brunei)]]
** [[Red Army Day]] or Day of Soviet Army and Navy in the former [[Soviet Union]], also held in various former Soviet republics:
*** [[Defender of the Fatherland Day]] ([[Russia]])
*** [[Defender of the Fatherland and Armed Forces day]] ([[Belarus]])
** [[Emperor's Birthday]] (Japan)
* [[February 24]]
** [[Dragobete]] (Romania)
** [[Engineer's Day]] (Iran)
** [[Flag Day in Mexico]]
** [[Independence Day (Estonia)]]
** [[Thailand National Artist|National Artist Day]] (Thailand)
** [[Sepandārmazgān]] or "Women's Day" ([[Zoroastrian]], Iran)
* [[February 25]]
** [[Armed Forces Day#Dominican Republic|Armed Forces Day]] ([[Dominican Republic]])
** ''[[Kitano Tenman-gū|Kitano Baika-sai]]'' or "Plum Blossom Festival" ([[Kitano Tenman-gū|Kitano Tenman-gū Shrine]], [[Kyoto]], Japan)
** [[Meher Baba#Legacy|Meher Baba's birthday]] (followers of [[Meher Baba]])
** [[Memorial Day for the Victims of the Communist Dictatorships]] ([[Hungary]])
** [[National Day (Kuwait)]]
** [[People Power Revolution|People Power Day]] ([[Philippines]])
** [[Public holidays in Suriname|Revolution Day]] ([[Suriname]])
** [[Soviet Occupation Day (Georgia)]]
* [[February 26]]
** [[Liberation Day]] ([[Kuwait]])
** [[Public holidays in Azerbaijan|Day of Remembrance for Victims of Khojaly massacre]] ([[Azerbaijan]])
** [[National Wear Red Day]] (United Kingdom)
** [[Saviours' Day]] ([[Nation of Islam]])
* [[February 27]]
** [[Anosmia Awareness Day]] ([[International observance]])
** [[Doctors' Day (Vietnam)]]
** [[International Polar Bear Day]]
** [[Majuba Day]] (some [[Afrikaners]] in [[South Africa]])
** [[Marathi Language Day]] ([[Maharashtra]], India)
** [[Public holidays in the Dominican Republic|Independence Day (Dominican Republic)]]
** [[Anti-Bullying Day]] ([[Canada]])
* [[February 28]]
** [[Public holidays in Armenia|Day of Remembrance for Victims of Massacres in Armenia]] ([[Armenia]])
** [[Andalusia Day]] ([[Andalusia]], Spain)
** [[Kalevala Day]] ([[Finland]])
** [[National Science Day]] ([[India]])
** [[Peace Memorial Day]] ([[Taiwan]])
** [[Teachers' Day]] ([[Arab states]])
* [[February 29]]
** [[Bachelor's Day (tradition)|Bachelor's Day]] ([[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], United Kingdom)
** [[List of food days#February|National Frog Legs Day]]{{cn|date=January 2025}} (United States)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Anthony Aveni, "February's Holidays: Prediction, Purification, and Passionate Pursuit," ''The Book of the Year: A Brief History of Our Seasonal Holidays'' (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003), 29–46.

== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|d=Q109|c=Category:February|n=Category:February|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=February|species=no}}
* [https://www.straightdope.com/21341610/how-come-february-has-only-28-days The Straight Dope: How come February has only 28 days?]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=February |short=x}}

{{months}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:February| ]]
[[Category:Months|*02]]