February 2nd is... Groundhog Day, Groundhog Job Shadow Day, Crepe Day/La Chandeleur, Heavenly Hash Day, Hedgehog Day, Sled Dog Day (1925), Bottle Cap Patented (1892), California Kiwi Fruit Day, National League Birthday (1875), Self Renewal Day, Grand Central Station Birthday (1913), Lung Leavin Day, Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day, Ayn Rand Day,
The Record of a SneezeDay, Marmot Day, Tater Tot Day, World Wetlands Day, World Day for Consecrated Life, Bonza Bottler Day, World Ukulele Day/World Play Your Ukulele Day, Anniversary of Hama massacre (1982), Dia de la Candelaria (Mexico), Inventor's Day (Thailand), La Fête de la Chandeleur (France, Canada), Bald Eagle Day (Utah), Candlemas/Feast of the Purification of the Virgin/Meeting of the Lord/Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
MORE (1st Saturday): Ice Cream For Breakfast Day, International Pisco Sour Day, Take Your Child to the Library Day, Barber Day, Lace Day
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
Groundhog Day-- A holiday celebrated in Canada and the US on February 2nd. In weather lore, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end. If the groundhog sees its shadow, it will return into its burrow, and the winter will continue for six more weeks.
Read: Groundhog Weather School: Fun Facts About Weather and Groundhogs
-- Ever wonder where Groundhog Day first began? Want to know the reason why we have different weather seasons? Curious about how some plants and animals can help predict the weather? Learn the answers to these questions and many more at Groundhog Weather School! This clever story — starring a cast of lovable groundhog characters — is a fresh, informative, and fun look at Groundhog Day through the eyes of the animals who are the stars of it each year.
• Punxsutawney Phil -- 2004 Ty Beanie Baby for Groundhog Day. Soft brown plush. Wearing black bow tie and top hat. 6-1/2 inches tall• Color Your Own
All About Groundhog DayPoster -- Made of paper. (30 pieces. per unit) 17 Inch x 12 1/2 Inch. These Color Your Own
All About Groundhog DayPosters are a fun way for kids to record and share their big Groundhog Day predictions!
• Groundhog Day Coloring and Activity Books
Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun
Amazon Freebies:• Free Groundhog Day ebooks. No Kindle? Download a FREE Kindle Reading App
• Read Groundhog Day ebooks for free with a Free Trial of Kindle Unlimited
• Free Groundhog apps
• Free Groundhog games
• Listen to Groundhog Day LPs with a Free Trial of Amazon Music Unlimited
• Watch Groundhog Day Videos for Free with a Free Trial of Amazon Prime
• Listen to Groundhog Day Audible books with Amazon Audible, and Get Two Free Audiobooks
• Free Alexa Skills | Groundhog
Free Printables, Coloring Pages, Activities and Crafts:
• WATCH LIVE FROM GOBBLER'S KNOB: Groundhog Day 2019 in Punxsutawney, Pa.
• Groundhog Day theme free printables
• Groundhog Day Quick Print Activity Book
• Groundhog Day Printable Freebies
• Crafts, Worksheets and Printable Books for Groundhog Day
• Groundhog Day Crafts and Activities
• Groundhog Day Printables
• Groundhog Finger Puppet
• Groundhog Day Printable Book
• Groundhog Mask
• Groundhog Day Printable Activities
• Groundhog Day Activity Pages
• Groundhog Day I Spy Game
• Free Punxsatawney Phil Groundhog Day Printable
• Wake Up Groundhog! - Little Giraffes
• Groundhog Day Coloring Pages - Free Printables
• Hearts Groundhog Craft
• Easy Arts and Crafts Projects and Activities to Make Groundhogs
• Groundhog Mask Template
• Pop Up Groundhog Cookies
Crepe Day/La Chandeleur
- The Catholic holiday of Candlemas, on February 2nd, is a feast to commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of baby Jesus. In France, this holiday is called la Chandeleur, Fête de la Lumière, or jour des crêpes.
Candlemas
- The last holiday of the Christmas season. Candlemas is a Christian celebration, or festival, of the Feast of Purification of the Virgin Mary. It also celebrates the annual blessing of candles used by the church.
Heavenly Hash Day
- Heavenly Hash recipes vary from ice cream to brownies and cookies, and to a gelatin-based dessert with rice, marshmallows, and fruit. Most heavenly hash recipes contain either marshmallows or a marshmallow crème or fluff. Over the years many ice cream brands have added their version of Heavenly Hash Ice Cream to the freezer shelf. What type will you enjoy today?
Groundhog Job Shadow Day
- Students spend part of the day in the workplace
shadowingan employee as he or she goes through a normal day on the job. Job Shadow Day demonstrates the connection between academics and careers and introduces students to the requirements of professions and industries.
Hedgehog Day
- This ancient Roman tradition was the inspiration for Groundhog Day in the U.S. Romans observed whether a hedgehog emerging from hibernation could see its shadow in the moonlight — if it could, then six more weeks of winter were expected. Later observed as a folk holiday in Europe and the British Isles.
Sled Dog Day (1925)
- When a diphtheria outbreak was diagnosed in Nome, AK (population 1,500), on January 21, 1925, the nearest large amount of antitoxin serum was in Anchorage. Bitter winter temperatures made air delivery impossible, so a heroic dog sled relay was set up. Some 300,000 units of serum were delivered by train to Nenana, AK, and on January 27 — in temperatures of 40–50 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit) — 20 mushers drove scores of dogs on a 674-mile journey to Nome in 127 hours. Togo was the lead dog for the first 350 miles, and Balto was the lead dog on the final 53 miles. The frozen serum arrived on February 2nd, at 5:30 AM. Once it was thawed and administered, there were no more diphtheria deaths. Balto became a national hero, and a statue was erected in his honor in New York City's Central Park.
Bottle Cap Patented (1892)
- Bottle caps were originally designed to be pressed over and around the top of a glass bottle to grab a small flange on the bottleneck. The Crown Cork was patented by William Painter on February 2, 1892. It originally had 24 teeth and a cork seal with a paper backing to prevent contact between the contents and the metal cap.
California Kiwi Fruit Day
- Did you know kiwifruit promotes heart health, protects against cancer and aids in DNA repair, outranks bananas as the top low-sodium, high potassium fruit, is a good low-fat source of Vitamin E, Vitamin C rich kiwifruit may help protect against asthma and is the most nutrient dense fruit? Don't forget to pick up a few kiwis at your local grocery store and celebrate the fuzzy green fruit of the West.
National League Birthday (1875)
- On February 2, 1875, the National Base-Ball League was organized, also in New York City. The clubs represented at the convention were the Chicago, Boston, Athletic, and Mutual clubs; the Hartford, St. Louis, Louisville and Cincinnati clubs made the complement of contestants in the first League season.
Self Renewal Day
- In medical terms, this is called
constructive rest.In the morning, instead of cozying up to a coffee and the news, try sitting in silence for several minutes. On the weekends, plan things to look forward to, and leave your work at the office. Regularly plan time to connect with other people. Arrange something fun or creative or rejuvenating to do, something that will engage your passion and re-energize your spirit.
Grand Central Station Birthday (1913)
- At the stroke of midnight on February 2, 1913, Grand Central Station opened in New York City.
