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15 Offbeat Holidays You Can Celebrate in February
February may be the shortest month of the year, but there is certainly no shortage of unusual holidays to celebrate.
February 4th: Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
Ice cream waffle image via Shutterstock
Created by a brother and sister in upstate New York, Ice Cream for Breakfast Day says its official founding was in 1997. The only rules to observing the holiday are:
Eat ice cream For breakfast On the first Saturday in February Spread the word
In case there’s still any confusion, self-appointed ICFBD apostle Itzah C. Kret has provided the Internet with an FAQ page about ICFBD.
February 5th: World Nutella Day
In 2007, an expat blogger in Italy decided the one thing the world was missing was a day to openly celebrate deep, unbridled passion for Nutella. To celebrate the fifth annual WND, the official website provides 700 creative Nutella-based recipes, a link to Nutella food porn and the suggested hashtag of #nutelladay to show your virtual pride.
February 6th: Lame Duck Day
Without a Presidential election preceding it, this is kind of a lame duck holiday. Though the holiday was created to celebrate the introduction of the 20th amendment in 1933, the amendment was actually ratified in January of that year. Lame duck day is more of a way to honor those who just left office after being rendered totally ineffective for a few months. In other words, it is appropriately lame.
February 8th: Boy Scout Anniversary Day
Time to bust out your campfire-building skills. On this date in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America were founded. While it remains the largest youth organization in the country today, the number of Americans currently capable of tying square knots remains egregiously low.
February 9th: National Read in the Bath Tub Day
Bath reading image via Shutterstock
Today is the day to treat yourself to a warm bath and a good book. Unless you don’t mind severe pruning, this might not be the day to finally finish Infinite Jest.
February 12th: Darwin Day & Paul Bunyan Day
Charles Darwin was born 203 years ago (side note: Abe Lincoln was ALSO born on February 12, 1809, which is just wild). Today, the International Darwin Day Foundation elects February 12th as a day to commemorate the man, science in general, as well as humanity. Creationists observe February 12th as just another day on God’s green earth. However you choose to spend the day, take a moment to appreciate being a fully evolved person.
As we know, many American towns call Paul Bunyan a native. The city of Bangor, Maine, claims Bunyan was born there on February 12th, 1834 – and they have a 31-foot statue of him to prove it. If you side with Bangor, then today is your day to celebrate mythic lumberjacks. Wherever you choose to believe Paul Bunyan was born, take a moment to appreciate being an actual person.
February 14th: Ferris Wheel Day
The seats on a Ferris Wheel may be made for two, but they fit one quite comfortably. Ferris Wheel Day is a whimsical alternative to its more famous peer, Valentine’s Day – but it may give you the same stomach ache consuming a box of chocolates would.
February 17th: National PTA Founders Day
The specific day seems to vary from state to state, even school district to school district – but February 17th is designated as a nationwide day to honor the founding of the National Parent Teacher Association – and the resulting number of embarrassed kids.
February 21st: International Mother Language Day
This might prove tricky for expatriates, but February 21st is the day to honor your native tongue by speaking it. It also happens to coincide with Fat Tuesday this year, so by the end of the day you might be speaking mother tongues you didn’t even know you had.
February 22nd: National Margarita Day
It should come as a surprise to no one that Jimmy Buffett is behind this one. If you are looking to put off Lent for one day more, celebrate February 22nd by appreciating as many Margaritas as you deem fit. If you happen to live near a Margaritaville drinking establishment, they will be providing specials all day.
February 25th: International Sword Swallowers Day & National Pistol Patent Day
Sword Swallower image via Shutterstock
It may be pure coincidence that both holidays on February 25th involve weapons, but it’s best to be on your guard today.
President of Sword Swallowers International, Dan Meyer, proclaimed February 25, 2012, World Sword Swallower’s Day as a way to raise awareness about the art. On this day at 2:25 pm, swallowers will “drop sword” at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditoriums around the world.
As for pistols, it was on this day in 1836 Samuel Colt patented his famous revolver in the United States. Europe got his patent first in 1835 on a different date, which is why this holiday is relegated to mere “national” status.
February 28th: National Pancake Day & National Public Sleeping Day
These two holidays go hand in glove if you do it right.
Every year, the International House of Pancakes sponsors the one holiday you won’t want to miss. On the 28th, swing by an IHOP and receive a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes. Continue the celebration all day by eating only pancakes, perhaps even host a pancake crawl with friends.
And when the food coma kicks in, simply lie down wherever you are. As long as it’s in public.