February Favorites

The world steps into the second month of 2025 with hope and trepidation. The United States has a new administration. Canada is finding its way to a new administration. Germany and several other European nations are wrestling with what is next. South America, led by Brazil, is finding its voice. India forges on building its economy and industry. China sticks to the long game it plays so well as Russia and Ukraine endure in battle. Sudan continues to spiral into famine and potential genocide—while the Middle East proceeds on eggshells through a fragile ceasefire.

What this month will bring is yet to be known. What is known are the themes, anniversaries, celebrations and holidays on the calendar.

[To view past issues focusing on events in February, see 2023 and 2024.]

GENERAL THEMES FOR FEBRUARY

Black History Month, heart health, love and marriage, engineering, pet spay and neutering, preparing for Lent, Chinese New Year celebrations and self-care top the month's themes.

The Super Bowl in the United States and the Six Nations rugby in Europe remain key sporting events. In the Southern Hemisphere, summer is at its height. In the Northern Hemisphere, we're just trying to stay warm.

Click through links or images to access the entire event description and available videos. The below are abbreviated explanations.

Let's start this issue with a bit of fun with Mike.

Woman screaming, "For the Love of Mike!" rather than invoking the word "God."

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE DAY

Date: February 22, 2025

Location: United States

Champion: Wellcat

For the Love of Mike Day celebrates the phrase "For the Love of Mike" from 1927, originally called Hell's Kitchen, was later retitled For the Love of Mike. The film was directed by Frank Capra (It's a Wonderful Life) and featured Claudette Colbert in her debut, with Ben Lyon playing Mike. No known copy of the film exists. It is a romantic drama involving gambling and trying to throw a rowing competition, plus a Three Men and a Baby scenario as three single men raise Mike.

In the 1880s, rather than profaning God's name in moments of incredulity or exasperation, people would say either "For Pete's Sake!" or "For the Love of Mike!". It was one way to avoid blemishing the Fourth Commandment, "Thou shall not take thy Lord's name in vain."

The Margarita originated in Mexico in the 1930s.

NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY

Date: February 22, 2025

Location: United States

Champion: Todd McCalla

National Margarita Day celebrates one of the world's most popular cocktails. Which woman named Margarita is responsible for the Margarita (tequila, triple sec, and lime) is debated. What is known is that the drink is Mexican and was created sometime in the late 1930s or early 1940s, depending upon which story you believe. It is named after a woman, and its main ingredient is tequila.

There are three varieties of Tequila: Gold Tequila, Tequila Anejo, and White Tequila.

Gold and Anejo are aged in oak, like wine. Most tequila is produced in Mexico. It is made from the Blue Agave (century) plant and must contain 51 percent Blue Agave under Mexican law to be considered tequila. Blue Agave is grown in Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, and Guanajuato.

Sword Swallowing is a real sport. The event highlights swallowing disorders.

INTERNATIONAL SWORD SWALLOWERS DAY

Date: February 22, 2025

Location: Worldwide

Champion: Sword Swallowers Association International

Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) President Dan Meyer created International Sword Swallowers Day to highlight not only the artistry and risks involved in sword swallowing but also to raise awareness about the complexities of the human swallowing mechanism—an aspect critical to those living with swallowing disorders.

Historically, sword swallowers have fascinated medical professionals, who studied their ability to overcome reflexes that typically protect the airway. This intersection of medicine and performance underscores the importance of proper esophageal function and the dangers that can arise when compromised.

From ancient spiritual rituals in India to modern stage performances, sword swallowing reveals the intricate coordination required to relax and align the throat, pharynx, and esophagus. Because it requires such precise control over muscles and reflexes, it starkly illustrates what can go wrong when swallowing function is impaired.

Cans for food were invented in 1809.

CANNED FOOD MONTH

Dates: February 1-28, [1809]

Location: Worldwide

Champion: Historical Anniversary

Canned Food Month celebrates the process of preserving foods in cans, which was invented in February 1809. Preserving foods before cans relied on glass, pottery, and other materials. They functioned with limited effect, particularly given that refrigerators were decades away from being invented. These materials were difficult to transport, easily broken or failed to prevent food spoilage.

Now quite familiar, the tin can revolutionize food storage and thus prevented many once-common food-borne diseases.

200 leaders opposed to the new communist regime were executed in Bulgaria on February 1, 1945.

DAY OF REMEMBRANCE AND RESPECT FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE COMMUNIST REGIME

Date: February 1, [1945]

Location: Bulgaria

Champion: Historical Anniversary. National Day of Mourning.

The Day of Remembrance and Respect for Victims of the Communist Regimecommemorates the events of February 1, 1945. On this date, Bulgaria's conquerors favoring communism (previously a Constitutional Monarchy) deployed the euphemistically named People's Court to carry out a wave of executions against high-profile politicians, aristocrats, and intellectuals deemed "enemies of the state" by the newly installed government. More than 200 people were executed that day, including three regents, 67 members of parliament, cabinet ministers, generals, colonels, teachers, lawyers and bankers.

Ultimately, the "court" issued more than 10,000 sentences in 131 trials. A total of 2,600 people received formal death sentences. Thousands of others were murdered without trial or sentence and remain to this day in unmarked graves.

Aspergillosis is a fungal infection that attacks your airways.

WORLD ASPERGILLOSIS DAY

Date: February 1, 2025

Location: Worldwide

Champion: Fungal Infection Trust

World Aspergillosis Day spotlights a lesser-known but potentially life-threatening fungal infection. Aspergillosis is caused by inhaling microscopic spores of the fungus Aspergillus—commonly found in soil, decaying vegetation, and even household dust. While most healthy individuals can fend off infection, those with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions can develop serious complications, including invasive forms that spread to vital organs.

Antifungal medications can help manage or even resolve certain cases, but cures do not exist for all forms, especially if the condition is diagnosed late. World Aspergillosis Day underscores the urgent need for early detection, new therapies, and greater global awareness of a fungus that often lurks in plain sight by uniting healthcare professionals, researchers, patients, and caregivers.

Women doing yoga with goats on their backs.

NATIONAL GOAT YOGA MONTH

Date: February 1-28, 2025

Location: United States

Champion: Arizona Goat Yoga

First held in 2015, National Goat Yoga Month (yes, this is real) takes the monotony out of the traditional yoga routine. It brings real goats in for strength training, novelty, and companionship. The month is the brainchild of Goat Yoga instructor April Gould and occurs each year in February.

Four chaplains, Alexander Goode, John Washington, Clark Poling, and George Fox, gave their lives in 1943 to save their shipmates.

FOUR CHAPLAINS MEMORIAL DAY

Date: February 3, [1943]

Location: United States

Champion: Historical Anniversary. No Sponsor.

On February 3, 1943, during WWII, the USAT Dorchester, a troop ship, was making its way across the Atlantic when German U-boats off the southern coast of Greenland torpedoed it.

The passengers onboard fell into the water, but there were not enough lifejackets to go around. Four chaplains, Alexander Goode, John Washington, Clark Poling, and George Fox (a Catholic, a Jew, and two Protestants), relinquished their lifejackets to save the lives of other passengers.

Four Chaplains Memorial Day is a memorial to their selfless sacrifice.

Impressionist idea of the world's flags.

NATIONAL DAYS IN FEBRUARY

Independence Day

• Dominican Republic (February 27th, 1844)

• Estonia (February 24th, 1918)

• Granada (February 7th, 1974)

• Kosovo (February 17th, 2008)

• St. Lucia (February 22nd, 1979)

• Lithuania (February 16th, 1918)

• Sri Lanka (February 4th, 1948)

Liberation Day

• Afghanistan (February 15th, 1989)

• Kuwait (February 26th, 1991)

National Day

• Gambia (February 18th, 1965)

• Guyana (February 23rd, 1970)

• Kuwait (February 25th, 1950)

• Vietnam (February 3rd, 1930)

Revolution Day

• Libya (February 17th, 2011)

• Suriname (February 25th, 1980)

Graphic representation of sports.

• Alpine World Ski Championships: February 4-16 —Austria

• Cairo Derby (Football): February 15 (date estimated) —Egypt

• Daytona 500 (Auto Racing): February 16 —United States

• Fiesta de los Vaqueros and Tucson Rodeo (Rodeo): February 15-23 —United States

• Georgia State Rodeo (Rodeo): February 20-22 —United States

• Hustle Chicago (Running): February 23 —United States

• Invictus Games (Multi-sport): February 8-16 —Canada

• Ladbrokes Launceston Cup (Horse Racing): February 26 —Australia

• NBA All-Star Game (Basketball): February 14-16 —United States

• NFL Pro Bowl (American Football): February 2 —United States

• Nordic World Ski Championships: February 26 - March 9 —Norway

• Royal Hobart Regatta (Specialty): February 8-10 —Australia

• Simplot Games (Multi-sport): February 13-15 —United States

• Six Nations, Round 1 (Rugby): January 31 - February 1 —Europe

• Six Nations, Round 2 (Rugby): February 8-9 —Europe

• Six Nations, Round 3 (Rugby): February 22-23 —Europe

• Snowshoe National Championships (Running): February 27 - March 1 —United States

• Super Bowl (American Football): February 9 —United States

• Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (Specialty): February 8-11 —United States

FEATURED DEEP DIVE

"Hijab" is the universal name for the Islamic head covering women wear. However, it is worn in many styles.

WORLD HIJAB DAY

Date: February 1, 2025

Location: Worldwide

Champion: World Hijab Day

The significance of the hijab and its role in society led to World Hijab Day on February 1st, beginning in 2013. Founded by Nazma Khan, World Hijab Day aims to foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting women of all faiths to experience wearing a hijab for a day. The day also serves to support Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab and to stand against discrimination and stereotypes associated with it.

World Hijab Day has gained international recognition, with events and activities organized globally to encourage solidarity with Muslim women who wear the hijab and to educate the public about its meaning and diversity of practices. It is a day that promotes inclusivity, respect for choices, and intercultural dialogue.

The hijab, a head covering traditionally worn by Muslim women, has a rich history that spans several centuries and varies significantly across different cultures, tracing back to early Islamic texts, such as the Quran and Hadith. The faith promotes modesty concepts and includes directives regarding how men and women should dress. The term "hijab" can refer to covering a woman's hair with a scarf, but it generally denotes the headscarf.

The interpretation and practice of wearing the hijab vary widely. In some Muslim-majority countries, it is a symbol of religious identity and cultural norms, and women may choose to wear it as a sign of faith, modesty, and privacy. In other contexts, the hijab can reflect national or regional practices, with styles and attitudes towards it influenced by local customs, political climates, and individual beliefs. How the hijab is worn gives clues to the country or region the woman comes from and her level of conservatism or progressiveness in the faith.

The hijab has practical functions as well. In addition to protecting a woman's hair, neck, and head from the sun, it is used as face and nose coverage against sand storms and other wind-driven hazards.

At times, the hijab has been a subject of political and social discourse, symbolizing various ideologies and often serving as a focal point in discussions about women's rights and religious freedom. During the nineteenth century, wearing the hijab was prohibited in many societies. Women wore them as a sign of independence and defiance.

In some countries, including at times in Iran and Afghanistan, a woman's hair is covered thoroughly, and sometimes entirely obscuring the face is mandatory (burka). Since the mid-teens, Saudi Arabia has relaxed its head covering laws, though a majority of Muslim women in the country still wear one. However, it is not uncommon to see women without hijabs in the Kingdom, particularly within the expat and foreign communities.

World Hijab Day celebrates the hijab, a garment with deep religious and cultural significance that varies widely across the Muslim world and beyond. World Hijab Day plays a vital role in highlighting the diversity of Muslim women, promoting understanding, and standing against the stigma that can be associated with this form of dress in various societies.

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Last updated: Feb 1st 2025