by The Justice William J. Murray Jr. Unity Bar Section

Cultural Awareness Brief from The Justice William J. Murray Jr. Unity Bar Section

February is Black History Month in the United States and Canada, a month designated to remember and celebrate the contributions of people of the African diaspora. February is also American Heart Month and National Cancer Prevention Month. February 1 is National Freedom Day which celebrates the signing of the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery in the United States in 1865. February 1 is St. Brigid of Kildare, a feast day for St. Brigid celebrated by some Christian denominations. February 1–2 is Imbolic, a Gaelic, Pagan, and Wiccan traditional festival that represents making way for spring and the rebirth of nature. February 2 is Candlemas, 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. February 2 is also Vasant Panchami, the Hindu festival that highlights the coming of spring; on this day, Hindus worship Saraswati Devi, the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, music, art, and culture. February 3 is St. Blaise Day (The Blessing of the Throats), the feast day of St. Blaise of Sebaste celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church and some Eastern Catholic Churches. February 3 is Setsubun-Sai (Beginning of Spring), the day before the beginning of spring in Japan which is celebrated annually as part of the Spring Festival. February 3 is Four Chaplains Day which commemorates the anniversary of the sinking of the U.S. Army transport Dorchester and the heroism of the four chaplains aboard. February 3 is also Constitution Day, a holiday in Mexico that marks the enactment of its Constitution.

February 11 is National Foundation Day, a holiday in Japan celebrating the foundation of Japan and enforced by a specific Cabinet Order set in 1966. February 12 is Daeboreum, a holiday in South Korea celebrating the first full moon of the New Year. February 12 is also Lantern Festival, the first significant feast after the Chinese New Year; participants enjoy watching paper lanterns illuminate the sky on the night of the event. February 13 is Magha Puja Day (or Maka Bucha), a Buddhist holiday that marks an event early in the Buddha’s teaching life when a group of 1,250 enlightened saints ordained by the Buddha gathered to pay their respect to him; it is celebrated on various dates in different countries. February 13 to 14 (sundown to sundown) is Lailat al Bara’a, also known as Lailat Al Baraah, Barat, or popularly as Shab-e-Bara or Night of Forgiveness; it is an Islamic holiday during which practitioners of the faith seek forgiveness for sins. Muslims spend the night in special prayers and is regarded as one of the most sacred nights on the Islamic calendar. February 14 is 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 is Maghi-Purnima, a Hindu festival especially for worshippers of Lord Vishnu; devotees take a holy bath on this day and carry out charity work. February 15 is also 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 20 is World Day of Social Justice which 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 22 is Foundation Day (Founding Day), a holiday in Saudi Arabia commemorating the founding of the first Saudi state named Diriyah. February 23 is the Emperor’s Birthday, a holiday in Japan celebrating the birthday of Emperor Naruhito. February 23 is also Meatfare Sunday (The Sunday of the Last Judgment), a Greek Orthodox holiday and the last day that meat can be eaten before the Lenten fast. February 24 is Día de la Bandera (Flag Day), a holiday in Mexico dedicated to the country’s flag. February 25 to February 28 is  Intercalary Days or Ayyám-i-Há, a period 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 is Maha Shivaratri, a Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva. February 28 to March 8 is Bio Carnival, an annual festival held in Brazil. February 28 to March 14 is Losar or the Tibetan Buddhist New Year, a time of renewal through sacred and secular practices. February 28 to March 29 (sundown to sundown) is Ramadan, an Islamic holiday marked by fasting, praise, prayer, and devotion to Islam.