It's a Jolly Holiday in February! Quiz

Answer: The 13th Amendment, outlawing slavery

Did you pick the Emancipation Proclamation? That document only declared the freedom of the slaves of the states in rebellion during the Civil War. Not until the ratification of the 13th Amendment were all the slaves in the USA freed. Although not constitutionally necessary, Lincoln signed the amendment on February 1; however, it had to go through the ratification process among the states and was adopted on December 18.

Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., a former slave, originated the idea for National Freedom Day. He formed the National Freedom Association to push for this holiday in 1942.

On June 30, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming February 1 as National Freedom Day. While this is in fact an official observance, it is not a federal holiday on which government offices, banks, and post offices are closed. Remembrance ceremonies include the laying of a wreath before the Liberty Bell.

As Lincoln himself said, "As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy."

Answer: Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

Punxsutawney has held its festival since 1886. Punxsutawney Phil, the furry prognosticator on whom the celebration centers, became a star after his portrayal in the comical movie 'Groundhog Day' starring Bill Murray.

The tradition of Groundhog Day began among Pennsylvania Germans in the 18th century. Its origins may go deeper and may be related to the Gaelic festival Imbolc, also called St. Brigid's Day, held on February 1, or halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox (in the Northern Hemisphere).

Answer: The Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League (NFL) in the USA. It is a face-off between the American Conference and the National Conference within the League. The first Super Bowl took place on January 15, 1967. The game has grown into quite a cultural phenomenon since then, with many households holding huge viewing parties. By the early 21st century it had become a day of eating in the USA surpassed only by Thanksgiving Day.

Some families also watch (or watch instead) the Puppy Bowl on the cable channel Animal Planet. Puppies play in a model stadium, and the program has a special Kitty Half-Time Show. All animals are from shelters and adoption information is provided on the air.

Answer: Arbor Day

"Shrove" is the past tense for "shrive", which means to hear a confession. The idea of "Fat Tuesday" comes from celebrating with great feasting in a carnival before having to abstain from meat during Lent. In fact the word "carnival" comes from the Latin for "flesh, farewell". One of the foods to feast on traditionally was pancakes, hence another name for the Tuesday before Lent.

Originating in Nebraska, Arbor Day is an observance during which many trees are planted and tended. It is generally observed in March or April in the Northern Hemisphere, as February is a little too early to plant, although some countries observe the day in summer or fall.

Answer: Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is a solemn occasion marked by fasting and abstinence among Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and other Christians. On this day in many Christian churches, a priest or minister puts ashes on the forehead of observers to remind them of their mortality.

Lent, a period of penitence, lasts for forty days and culminates in Easter Sunday, the day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, according to Christian belief. The holiday's date varies because of this connection to Easter, which falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox.

Answer: (Lunar) New Year

In China, New Year's Day was traditionally called Yuandan, meaning "first sunrise". In 1913 the new Republic of China designated the holiday "Chunjie" or "Spring Festival". Taiwan and the People's Republic of China have continued to use this official name for the holiday. This is a great 15-day festival, the longest and most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. The Chinese eat foods they consider lucky, such as noodles for long life and spring rolls for wealth. Fireworks are set off, streets and homes are decorated with flowers, and gifts are exchanged.

Many other countries, including South Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, follow the Chinese lunisolar calendar, and so they also celebrate a Lunar New Year that falls around the same time as the Chinese New Year.

Answer: United Church of God

The United Church of God was founded in 1996 in Indiana, USA. Like many newer American denominations, the UCG does not honor any traditional saint of Western Christianity, and indeed considers the practice of Valentine's Day to be far too pagan in its origins to be celebrated by faithful Christians.

The Roman Catholic Church removed St. Valentine's Day from the General Calendar in 1969 because of all the mystery and legend (see below), but Valentine is still listed as a saint. Moreover, Pope Benedict XVI in 2007 also gave Traditionalist Roman Catholics explicit permission to celebrate the Feast of St. Valentine. In the Anglican Communion, St. Valentine's Day remains listed as a commemoration day. The Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church recognizes February 14 as a commemoration day for "Valentine, Martyr", as listed in the 'Lutheran Service Book'.

The origins of this holiday and indeed St. Valentine himself are quite in dispute. Whilst the Bishop of Interamna is the most accepted as St. Valentine, at least among Catholics, the Catholic Encyclopedia notes at least two other candidates, including a priest who secretly married couples. St. Valentine's feast day became mingled with the pagan Feast of Lupercalia, a time when boys would draw girls' names in honor of the goddess Juno Februata (meaning Juno Purified and Purifying) on Februrary 15. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius put a stop to that practice by declaring the day before as St. Valentine's Day.

Answer: On the third Monday in February

When Congress originally passed the Act in 1885, the federal holiday honoring George Washington, the first President of the USA and the "father of our country", was celebrated on his actual birthday, February 22. On January 1, 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved the observance to the third Monday in February.

February 11 is the Old Style date of Washington's birthday, as the Julian calendar was in use by the British colonies at the time of Washington's birth. Interestingly, under the Uniform Act the holiday will always fall between February 15 and 21, and never on Washington's actual birthday, whether Old or New Style.

Various groups have been pushing for a Presidents' Day since 1951, but the law has never been changed. Although by the start of the third millennium, the February federal holiday was *popularly* called Presidents' Day (and many states call their equivalent holiday Presdients' Day) it is still officially George Washington's Birthday.

Answer: Woodrow Wilson

February 12 is often marked on U.S. calendars as Abraham Lincoln's birthday even though it is not an official holiday. Lincoln (1809-1865) was the sixteenth President and has been revered by Americans for leading the country through a horrific Civil War, reuniting the States, and freeing the slaves.

Born on February 9, William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) was the ninth President and best-known for serving only a month. He died of pneumonia after riding horseback and giving a lengthy inaugural address whilst insufficiently dressed for the cold and damp weather.

Until Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), Harrison held the record for the oldest President. Reagan was the 40th President and the first film actor to become President, and the first divorcé besides. His birthday is February 6.

The odd one out is Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), 28th President and leader of the Progressive Movement. He founded the League of Nations and was the first President to earn a doctorate. His birthday is December 28, although he died in February, on the 3rd.

Answer: Purim

The details of how Queen Esther, a Jew who married King Xerxes I of Persia, thwarted a plot by Haman to destroy the Jews are detailed in the Book of Esther in the Ketuvim ("writings") of the Tanakh, or Old Testament. On Purim, the Book of Esther (also called the Megillah) is read in synagogues. When the reader comes to the name of Haman, the plotter against the Jews, his name is blotted out with noisemakers.

Purim is additionally observed by eating festive foods, dressing up in costumes, and giving food to charity.

Passover, by the way, commemorates the deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt under the leadership of Moses -- which occurred much earlier than the events in the Book of Ruth.