February '09

Groundhog Day is an American tradition that supposedly predicts when spring will arrive. According to legend, the ground hog, also called the woodchuck, awakens from its winter sleep on February 2 and emerges from its burrow. If the sun is shining that day and the ground hog sees its shadow, it will be scared back into its den, and there will be six more weeks of winter. But if it is cloudy and the ground hog does not see its shadow, it will come out, and spring will arrive soon.

For hundreds of years, European farmers had similar traditions that involved bears, badgers, and other animals. Germans who settled in Pennsylvania brought the custom to America. The ground hog, which is plentiful in the Eastern and Midwestern United States, became linked with the custom. Today, Groundhog Day is treated largely as a joke. But the custom is partly based on ancient and traditional weather signs. People have long looked to the awakening of hibernating animals as one of the first signs of spring.

Valentines Day

Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and lovers. The roots of Valentine's Day goes back to ancient times, when people paid honor to the Roman God of Fertility. This was known as the Feast of Lupercalia, and was celebrated even then on February 14th.

The traditions of Valentine's Day are broad and many. It is a time to exchange cards or small gifts. Chocolates and jewelry are the big hits of this holiday as is romantic dinners. It is a romantic event for lovers and a fun event for kids and family. Many a couple become engaged or wed on this day. For others it is a day to fall in love.

Did you know? While 75% of chocolate purchases are made by women all year long, during the days and minutes before Valentine's Day, 75% of the chocolate purchases are made by men. Over $1billion of chocolate is purchased for Valentine's Day.

Saint Valentine's Day Massacre During the "Roaring twenties(1920's)", mobs, crime and gangsters were at a height in many parts of the U.S. Alcohol was banned, spawning the rise of Bootlegging and mob activity. Chicago , Illinois experienced more than it's share of mobs and gangsters. On Valentine's Day, February 14, 1929, four gangsters dressed up as policemen, massacred seven members of a rival gang.

Did you Know? February 14th was formerly thought to be the first day of bird's mating for the season. This sparked the custom of sending valentines to each other.

President's Day

Since 1968, it is celebrated on the third Monday in February

President's Day is a day set aside to honor all of the U.S. presidents. We often think of two great presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln when we celebrate this holiday as it falls by design between their birthdays. But more and more of us, look at this day as a tribute to each and every person who has ever served in the office as President of the United States of America. It is a national holiday, although most businesses and industry do not recognize it as a paid holiday.

George Washington's Birthday is on February 22nd .

The "Father of His Country", George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. He became commander in chief of the Continental Army in 1775 and fought a long and arduous war for freedom from British rule. The war was finally over in 1781 when the Continental Army with the help of the French, forced Cornwallis to surrender at Yorktown.

In 1787, Washington was unanimously elected president by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and took the oath of office in 1789. He served two terms of office from 1789 until 1797.

After the presidency, Washington retired to his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia where he died on December 14, 1799 of a throat infection.

Abraham Lincoln's Birthday is on February 12th.

Every American knows President Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. "Honest Abe", as he was commonly known as, was born in the wilderness country of Hardin County, Kentucky on February 12, 1809.

Abraham Lincoln became president in 1861. Although he hated war, he was drawn into it as he believed it was the only was to save the nation after the southern states declared their secession to the Union.

In addition to serving as president during the civil war and saving the Union, Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation that ended slavery in the U.S. forever. He also wrote and gave The Gettysburg Address, memorializing the bloodiest and most important battle of the Civil War. Gettysburg proved to be the turning point of the war.

Shortly after the war ended, Abraham Lincoln became the first U.S. President to be assassinated. He was shot and mortally wounded on Good Friday, April 14, 1865 by James Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theatre.