Recognizing Our Diverse Community
Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. He became the most important leader of the movement for African-American civil rights in the 19th century.
Around the world and in different communities, February is a month of recognition and awareness:
February 10th is the Lunar New Year, a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is the most important holiday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and countries with a significant overseas Chinese population. The lunar calendars follow the lunar phase while lunisolar calendars follow both the lunar phase and the time of the solar year. The event is celebrated by numerous cultures in various ways at different times of year. You can learn more HERE.
Tuesday, February 13th is Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras, (French: Fat Tuesday) festive day celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which marks the close of the pre-Lenten season. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent in preparation for fasting and abstinence. You can learn more about the history of Mardi Gras HERE.
Wednesday, February 14th is Frederick Douglas’ Birthday. Although Douglass' actual birthdate is unknown, he chose February 14 as the day to celebrate his birth, recalling that his mother called him her “Little Valentine.” Frederick Douglass was an escaped enslaved person who became an impassioned activist, abolitionist, and icon. His eloquence on the subject of equality and acceptance remains just as timely today as it was over two hundred years ago, and we celebrate this date as a moment for creating Black history together. You can learn more about this historical figure HERE.
Wednesday, February 14th is Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is important because it marks the start of the Lenten period leading up to Easter, when Christians believe Jesus was resurrected. The ashes symbolize both death and repentance. During this period, Christians show repentance and mourning for their sins, because they believe Christ died for them. You can learn more about this day by visiting HERE.
Wednesday, February 14th is Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine and through later folk traditions, it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. You can learn about this day by visiting HERE.
Thursday, February 15th is Susan B. Anthony’s birthday. We celebrate this day because Susan B. Anthony was a pioneer crusader for women's suffrage in the United States. She was president (1892–1900) of the National Woman Suffrage Association. Her work helped pave the way for the Nineteenth Amendment (1920) to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote. You can learn more about this historical figure HERE.
Thursday, February 15th is Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day, is a Mahayana Buddhist holiday celebrated in East Asia, Vietnam and the Philippines. By some it is celebrated on the 8th of February, but by most on the 15th of February. In Bhutan, it is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the fourth month of the Bhutanese calendar. You can learn more about this HERE.
