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; and St. Brigid of Kildare, a feast day for St. Brigid celebrated by some Christian denominations. February 1 is also 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 1–2 is Imbolic, a Gaelic, Pagan, and Wiccan traditional festival that represents making way for spring and the rebirth of nature. February 1–7 is World Interfaith Harmony Week, an annual event observed during the first week of February as a way to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith. 

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 Constitution Day, a holiday in Mexico that marks the enactment of its Constitution. February 2 to 3 (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 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; Setsubun-Sai (Beginning of Spring), the day before the beginning of spring in Japan which is celebrated annually as part of the Spring Festival; and 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 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 13–21 is Rio Carnival, an annual festival held in Brazil. 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 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 15 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 15–16 is Maha Shivaratri, a Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva. February 16 is Presidents Day, a U.S. holiday that honors the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as well as those of every U.S. president. 

February 17 is Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, marking the beginning of the lunar calendar in many East Asian cultures. February 17 is also Seollal (or Korean New Year), a major holiday in the lives of South Koreans; Seollal comes in January or February and involves family visits, ancestral rites, eating of traditional foods, and playing of Korean games. February 17 is Mardi Gras, the last day for Catholics to indulge before Ash Wednesday starts the sober weeks of fasting that accompany Lent; and Shrove Tuesday, a Christian holiday chiefly marked by feasting and celebration, which traditionally preceded the observance of the Lenten fast. February 17–March 18 (sundown to sundown) is Ramadan, an Islamic holiday marked by fasting, praise, prayer, and devotion to Islam. February 18 is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent on the Christian calendar which follows immediately after the excesses of the two days of Carnival. February 18–March 4 is Losar (or Tibetan Buddhist New Year), a time of renewal through sacred and secular practices. 

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 Cheesefare Sunday (or Forgiveness Sunday), the last Sunday prior to the commencement of Great Lent for Orthodox Christians. February 22 is also Foundation Day (Founding Day), a holiday in Saudi Arabia commemorating the founding of the first Saudi state named Diriyah. February 23 is Beginning of Great Lent (or Clean Monday) in the Orthodox Christian faith. February 23 is also the Emperor’s Birthday, a holiday in Japan celebrating the birthday of Emperor Naruhito. February 24 is Día de la Bandera (or Flag Day), a holiday in Mexico dedicated to the country’s flag. February 25 to March 1 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.