Recognized in February

During February, BEPC recognizes the following:

February BLACK HISTORY MONTH  Celebrates Black History and African American culture in the United States.

February 1 NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY Commemorates the signing of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in 1865.

February 5 LUNAR NEW YEAR • Confucian, Daoist and Buddhist Also known as the Spring Festival, an important festival celebrated at the turn of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.

February 6 TU B'SHVAT• Jewish New Year's Day for Trees, and traditionally the first of the year for tithing fruit of trees. Now a day for environmental awareness and action, such as tree planting.

February 14 VALENTINE'S DAY Celebrates the idea of romantic love.

February 15 NIRVANA DAY Celebrates the day when the historical Buddha achieved Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body. Sometimes celebrated on February 8.

February 15 SUSAN B. ANTHONY DAY A commemorative holiday to celebrate the birth of Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) and women's suffrage in the United States.

February 18 MAHA SHIVARATRI • Hindu Also called Shiva Ratri, the Great Night of Shiva, is a festival in reverence of the god Shiva. The festival is celebrated at the 13th night or 14th day of the waning moon in the Hindu calendar (month of February or March of the English calendar).

February 20 PRESIDENT'S DAY Honors all past presidents of the United States of America.

February 20 WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE U.N. day to recognize efforts to achieve fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights at work.

February 21 SHROVE TUESDAY • Western Christian A day of penitence as well as the last chance to feast before Lent begins. Also known as Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday and Carnival Day as this day is observed in many ways worldwide.

February 22 ASH WEDNESDAY • Western Christian The first day of Lent for Western Christian churches, a 40-day period of spiritual preparation for Easter, not counting Sundays.

February 26 - March 1 AYYÁM-I-HA OR INTERCALARY DAYS • Bahá’í A period of celebration devoted to charity, gift-giving and festivities prior to the annual period of fasting.

February 27 CLEAN MONDAY The beginning of Great Lent for Eastern Orthodox Christian churches, which starts 40 days before Pascha, counting Sundays