Minister’s Message for February 2026

February is famously the shortest month of the year, but its history and unique calendar quirks make it one of the most interesting.

Calendar Quirks

The Shortest Month: February is typically 28 days long. It becomes 29 days during a Leap Year, which occurs every four years to keep our calendar in sync with the solar year.

No Full Moon: Because it is so short, it is the only month that can occasionally pass without a single full moon (the next occurrence will be in 2037).

The "Last" Month: In the original Roman calendar, winter was a month-less period. February was actually the last month added to the calendar around 713 BC.

Major Holidays & Observances

Black History Month: Celebrated throughout February in the U.S. and Canada to honor the achievements and history of Black communities.

Valentine’s Day (Feb 14): A global celebration of love that likely originated from the ancient Roman fertility festival, Lupercalia.

Groundhog Day (Feb 2): A North American tradition where a groundhog's shadow supposedly predicts whether winter will last six more weeks.

Presidents' Day: Observed on the third Monday in February in the U.S. to honor the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Health Awareness: February is also American Heart Month, focusing on heart health and prevention.

Symbols & Birth Facts

Birthstone: The Amethyst, a purple quartz symbolizing peace, courage, and stability.

Flowers: The Violet (loyalty) and the Primrose (young love).

Zodiac Signs: Individuals born in February are either an Aquarius (until Feb 18) or a Pisces (Feb 19 onward).

Etymology: The name comes from the Latin word februum, meaning "purification," reflecting ancient Roman cleansing rituals held this time of year.

Historical and Astronomical Oddities

Originally Last, Not Second: February was added to the Roman calendar around 713 BC as the final month of the year to align with the lunar cycle.

A Month Without a Full Moon: Due to its short length, February is the only month that can completely skip a full moon (or new moon), next happening in 2037.

Short Due to Superstition: Roman King Numa Pompilius changed the calendar to 12 months but made February 28 days long because Romans considered even numbers unlucky.

It Can Have Exactly 4 Weeks: February is the only month that can have exactly four 7-day weeks (28 days total), a rare occurrence depending on the calendar year.

Significant February historical events include the 1952 accession of Queen Elizabeth II, the 1990 release of Nelson Mandela, the 1945 raising of the flag on Iwo Jima, and the 1965 assassination of Malcolm X. Other milestones include the 1865 abolition of slavery in the US (13th Amendment) and the 1923 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb.

Key Historical Events in February:

Feb 1, 1865: President Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery.

Feb 4, 1789: George Washington was unanimously elected as the first U.S. President.

Feb 6, 1952: Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne.

Feb 11, 1990: Nelson Mandela was freed from prison after 27 years.

Feb 12, 1809: Births of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin.

Feb 14, 1929: St. Valentine's Day Massacre occurs in Chicago.

Feb 16, 1923: Howard Carter opened Tutankhamun's tomb.

Feb 21, 1965: Malcolm X was assassinated in New York.

Feb 23, 1945: US Marines raised the flag on Iwo Jima.

Feb 24, 1868: The US House of Representatives impeached President Andrew Johnson.

Feb 28, 1953: Scientists Watson and Crick announced they found the structure of DNA.

Feb 29, 1692: The first warrants were issued in the Salem witch trials.

Military & Political Milestones:

Feb 15, 1898: The USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, sparking the Spanish-American War.

Feb 20, 1962: John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth.

Feb 21, 1804: First steam locomotive demonstrated by Richard Trevithick.

Feb 22, 1797: Last invasion of Britain (Battle of Fishguard) began.

Groundhog Day originated from ancient European weather lore, particularly Germanic traditions and the Christian festival of Candlemas, where hibernating animals like badgers predicted the length of winter. German immigrants brought this tradition to Pennsylvania, substituting the groundhog for the badger, leading to the first official Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney in 1887, centered on the idea that if the groundhog sees its shadow, six more weeks of winter follow, as noted by the National Weather Service and Britannica.

Key Origins & Influences:

European Folklore: The core idea comes from pre-Christian European beliefs about animals predicting spring's arrival, observed around February 2nd, the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox.

Candlemas: This Christian feast day (February 2nd) involved blessing candles, symbolizing the coming spring, and became a focal point for weather prophecies, as described in Merriam-Webster and Wikipedia.

Germanic Tradition: In Germany, a hedgehog (or sometimes a badger) was the prognosticator, with a sunny Candlemas (shadow seen) meaning more winter, according to AP News and Britannica.

Transition to America:

Pennsylvania Dutch: German immigrants (Pennsylvania Dutch) brought the custom to America in the 18th century, but since hedgehogs were scarce, they adapted it using the native groundhog (also called a woodchuck).

First Official Celebration: The first documented Groundhog Day in the U.S. was in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in 1887, establishing the famous Punxsutawney Phil and Gobbler's Knob, notes History.com and The Canadian Encyclopedia.

The Legend: If the groundhog sees its shadow (a sunny day), it gets scared and retreats to its burrow for six more weeks of winter.If it doesn't see its shadow (a cloudy day), it signifies an early spring

Depression in February is frequently linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression occurring as a result of reduced sunlight and colder temperatures. It causes symptoms like low energy, hopelessness, and oversleeping. February is considered one of the hardest months for this, with symptoms often lasting until spring. Effective treatments include light therapy, counseling, antidepressants, and Vitamin D.Understanding February Depression (SAD).

Causes: The primary causes are reduced sunlight, which affects the body's serotonin levels (mood regulator) and circadian rhythm (internal clock), often disrupting melatonin levels.

Symptoms: Persistent, low-grade depression, increased irritability, social withdrawal, craving carbohydrates, and excessive fatigue.

"Winter Blues" vs. SAD: While many experience mild "winter blues" (a feeling of being in a slump), true SAD is a clinical form of depression that severely impairs daily functioning.

Peak Time: While symptoms often start in the fall, January and February are often the most difficult months for sufferers.

Effective Coping Strategies

Light Therapy: Using a 10,000-lux light box for 20-30 minutes, ideally in the morning, can help mimic natural sunlight.

Get Outside: Spending time outdoors during the limited daylight hours can improve mood.

Stay Active & Socialize: Counteract the desire to hibernate by staying active, exercising, and maintaining social connections.

Nutritional Support: Vitamin D supplements are often recommended, as sunlight produces this in the body.

Therapy & Medication: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and, if necessary, antidepressants can be very effective.

PERSONAL NOTE 

Viki and I were married on February 3,1973. The original plan was to have the event on Saturday, April 21, because that is Viki's birthday. Our minister, however, was uncomfortable with that because it was also Holy Saturday. So, we then just decided to make it as early as possible, and that was Feb 3.

 HAPPY FEBRUARY

 bruce