February 18th is... Great Backyard Bird Count, Thumb Appreciation Day, National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day, Pluto Day/Pluto Discovered (1930), Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane, National Battery Day, National Drink Wine Day, Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day (2001), National Hate Florida Day, Flirting Day, Gambia Independence Day, St. Bernadette's Day, St. Fra Angelico's Day
MORE (3rd Monday): Presidents' Day/George Washington's Birthday, Family Day (Canada), Heritage Day (Canada), Louis Riel Day (Manitoba), Heritage Day (Nova Scotia), Purim Katan
PLUS - interesting books to read and free printables, paper crafts, kid crafts, activities, and coloring pages.
Want more Holidays to celebrate? Click for our Index of Holiday Freebies
Great Backyard Bird Count-- Thousands of volunteers nationwide track the number and types of birds living near their homes. Results help researchers monitor species in trouble. Co-sponsored by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology.
Read: National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Birds of North America
-- No matter where you live — in the country, city, a high-rise or house — this handy guide will quench your curiosity about the feathered creatures in your midst. It features 150 of the most common and interesting birds likely to be observed at backyard feeders, nesting nearby or just migrating through. An indispensable visual index of all 150 species appears on the inside front and back laminated covers, making identification a snap. Core species on everyone’s list—such as robins, woodpeckers, bluebirds and chickadees—are featured in two-page spreads including practical tips with additional imagery.
• Bird Journal: Bird Watching Logbook -- This bird watching journal will help you connect with nature, learn about birds and their ecosystem which will make you experience and appreciate the natural wonders around us. Write down the name, date, location, weather, time and species plus what you observed about the bird and its actions in this journal. There's also a space to put the bird's picture or drawing and it comes in a cute portable size perfect to carry about. • Compact Binoculars 10x25 -- Contemporary style, lightweight and compact, you can put it into your pocket to go where you want to go! Fit for hunting, hiking, exploring, viewing, sailing, bird watching, concert, outdoor sports etc.
• Bird Coloring and Activity Books
Thumb Appreciation Day
- Opposable thumbs are what separates humans from most mammals. For the next 24 hours, try using only your fingers. You will soon learn how much you love your thumbs!
National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day
- First of all, I had no idea people even stuffed their flounder with crab. Is this some sort of regional delicacy I'm not aware of? As someone who isn't a fan of seafood, this isn't a day I would celebrate anyway, but I thought I would have at least heard of this day in my web travels, but it's a new one on me.
Pluto DayPluto Discovered (1930)
- Pluto was discovered by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh in 1930 at the Lowell Observatory at Flagstaff, AZ. It was given the name of the Roman god of the underworld. It was considered the ninth planet of the solar system until 2006, when astronomers reclassified it as a dwarf planet.
Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane
- Elm Farm Ollie became the first cow to fly in an airplane. During the flight, which was attended by reporters, she was milked, and the milk was sealed in paper containers and parachuted over St. Louis, MO.
National Battery Day
- Just imagine where the world would be without batteries. We'd still be using a crank to start our automobiles. We'd have to cart around long extension cords to bring the boombox to the beach. And, forget about hand-held games. They'd never be popular tied to an electrical outlet. Today is a good time to appreciate the power of batteries in our everyday life.
