February Diversity Holidays

FEBRUARY 1 - 7

• World Interfaith Harmony Week, observed annually during the first week of February, was established by the United Nations in 2010 to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith.

FEBRUARY 1

• World Hijab Day, an annual event that encourages people of all backgrounds to experience wearing a hijab, a traditional headscarf worn by many Muslim women. The event aims to foster understanding, promote religious tolerance, and combat stereotypes surrounding the hijab.
• National Freedom Day, which celebrates the signing of the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States in 1865.

FEBRUARY 2

• Groundhog Day, a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada. According to tradition, on this day, a groundhog emerges from its burrow, and if it sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If it doesn't see its shadow, an early spring is predicted.
• Candlemas, also known as The Presentation of Christ, a Christian holiday that celebrates three occasions according to Christian belief: the presentation of the child Jesus, Jesus’ first entry into the temple, and Virgin Mary’s purification.
• Vasant Panchami, also known as Saraswati Puja, is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated to honor Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, art, and wisdom. It falls on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magha, usually in January or February.

FEBRUARY 3

• Four Chaplains Day commemorates the fifty-fifth anniversary of the sinking of the US Army transport Dorchester and the heroism of the four chaplains aboard.

FEBRUARY 4

• World Cancer Day, an international day observed by the United Nations to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

FEBRUARY 7

• Wear Red Day, occurring on the first Friday in February every year in the US, Canada and the UK, uses the red dress as a national symbol to raise awareness about heart disease in women.

FEBRUARY 9 - 15

• National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, a time to recognize and honor veterans who are hospitalized or receiving care in VA medical facilities across the United States. The week is dedicated to showing appreciation for the sacrifices these veterans have made and acknowledging their continued strength and resilience while receiving treatment.

FEBRUARY 11

• Thaipusam, a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated by Tamil communities around the world dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Hindu deity of war and victory.
• International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a global initiative to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.

FEBRUARY 12-13 (sundown to sundown)

• Tu BiShvat, a Jewish holiday recognizing “The New Year of the Trees.” It is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. In Israel, the flowering of the almond tree usually coincides with this holiday, which is celebrated by planting trees and eating dried fruits and nuts.

FEBRUARY 13-14 (sundown to sundown)

• Mid-Sha'ban, also known as Laylat al-Bara'ah, or popularly as Shab-e-Barat. It falls on the 15th night of the month of Sha'ban, the eighth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. Muslims mark this night with special prayers, during which practitioners of the faith seek forgiveness for sins.

FEBRUARY 14

• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, one of the world's largest and most iconic LGBTQ+ pride celebrations of love, equality, and acceptance, held annually in Sydney, Australia.
• Pink Triangle Day, a day dedicated to reflecting on the history of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly remembering the persecution of homosexuals during the Nazi regime in World War II, where the pink triangle was used as a symbol of identification and discrimination.
• St. Valentine’s Day, a Western Christian feast day honoring one or two early saints named Valentinus. This holiday is typically associated with romantic love and celebrated by people expressing their love with gifts.

FEBRUARY 15

• Parinirvana Day (or Nirvana Day), the commemoration of Buddha’s death at the age of 80, when he reached the zenith of Nirvana; February 8 is an alternative date of observance.

FEBRUARY 17

• Presidents Day, a federally recognized celebration in the United States that honors the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, as well as those of every US president.

FEBRUARY 20

• World Day of Social Justice promotes global awareness and action for social justice, urging individuals and organizations to address issues of inequality, discrimination, and poverty through education, advocacy, and collaborative efforts.

FEBRUARY 21

• International Mother Language Day, observed each year to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and promoting mother languages.

FEBRUARY 25 - FEBRUARY 28

• Intercalary Days or Festival of Ayyám-i-Há, celebrated by people of the Bahá’í faith. At this time, days are added to the Bahá’í calendar to maintain their solar calendar. Intercalary days are observed with gift-giving, special acts of charity, and preparation for the fasting that precedes the New Year.

FEBRUARY 26

• Maha Shivaratri, a Hindu festival celebrated each year to honor Lord Shiva. It is celebrated just before the arrival of spring. It is also known as the Great Night of Shiva or Shivaratri and is one of the largest and most significant among the sacred festival nights of India.

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 30

• Ramadan, a holy month observed by Muslims worldwide, commemorating the first revelation of the Quran (the holy book of scriptures) to Prophet Muhammad. During this sacred month lasting either 29 or 30 days, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking, and intimacy. It is also a period of heightened charity and compassion.