February - The Shortest Month of the Year
For a month with only 28 days, except leap year which has 29, there are a lot of designations and special days.
February is Black History Month. Historian Carter G. Woodson believed that Black contributions were not adequately recognized and designated the second week in February as Black History Week. There were two reasons; Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, February 12 and Frederick Douglass’s birthday, February 14. It is also American Heart Month stemming from the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day, symbolized by hearts. As with many things, the Romans get credit. An emperor, Claudius II, executed two men named Valentine on February 14. These men became martyrs – hence, St. Valentine’s Day.
Chaucer and Shakespeare romanticized Valentine’s Day in their writings and the observance became a celebration of love. Paper greetings and decorations, made by hand, became popular. Then in 1913, with the advent of modern printing processes, Hallmark, the creator of cards for every occasion, introduced commercially produced Valentine’s Day greetings. Today it is really big business: nearly $19 billion in sales last year, to include cards, candy, jewelry, weekend getaways, spa treatments, and an endless list of gifts.
George Washington had his own day on his birthday, February 22, but that has been combined with Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12 and referred to as Presidents’ Day. In law, the third Monday in February is still called Washington’s Birthday. Entrepreneurs having found any excuse for events have used the term “Presidents’ Day" for the three-day weekend sales - what most people call it. When Washington had his own day, merchants tied the number 22 to the price – something for $.22, $22.00, $222.00 – What would George Washington think of that?
One collection at the Center, the Druid Mills Papers, donated after Mr. Mills died, contains many cards that Mr. Mills received when he was in the Army during World War II. Mr. Mills, an eligible bachelor, stationed overseas, got Valentines from many admiring young ladies. In the future, when the Center reopens, come see our collections of ephemera marking a multitude of February events.
Beth Daly
Volunteer
