Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 14 is Valentine’s Day. This date apparently has its origins in the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalia, a mid-February festival with links to fertility and romance. In an apparent attempt to Christianize the festival, in the 5th century CE Pope Gelasius declared February 14 to be a feast in honor of St. Valentine. Who St. Valentine actually was, however, is historically unclear, and the romantic associations with the date did not go away.
Today Valentine’s Day is primarily a secular holiday, growing increasingly commercial as mass production of greeting cards began in the 19th century. Giving the lack of clarity on the historical identity of St. Valentine as a reason, in 1969 the Roman Catholic Church removed St. Valentine’s Day from its roster of official feast days.
Parinirvana Day
Nirvana or Parinirvana Day is celebrated by some Buddhists on February 8, and by others on February 15. It is a celebration of when Buddhists believe the Buddha, or Siddhartha Gautama, achieved Nirvana, ending the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and thus ending desire and suffering. According to BBC.com, celebrations vary around the world, but Buddhists might commemorate the date by meditating, going to Buddhist temples, preparing special foods, or bringing gifts.
Susan B Anthony Day
February 15 is Susan B Anthony Day, a celebration of the birthday of Susan B Anthony (1820-1906) and the women’s suffrage which she fought for. Voting rights for women were enshrined in the US Constitution when the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920.