In the Northern Hemisphere, February is often associated with the winter doldrums as we leave the holiday season behind and brace ourselves for the remainder of the cold. However, it’s also a time of remembrance, being Black History Month, focusing on the overall struggles and triumphs of the Black American community. Also, some organizations take advantage of the mid-month celebration of Valentine’s Day to bolster their awareness events. So, we had to ask: What are all the important awareness events in February 2025?

February has 105 important awareness events. Monthly events include Black History Month and American Heart Month; awareness days include World Cancer Day and World Day of Social Justice; and weekly events include Random Acts of Kindness Week and National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

In this article, we share the most important awareness events that happen in February with you—categorized into month-long, day-long, and week-long events. For each event, we provide you with a short description, as well as a link to the main event page for further information.

Here Are All the Important Awareness Events for February 2025

You can find an overview of all the most important awareness events happening in February in the table below (you can also click on their link to directly jump to their respective section).

Trivia: Named for a Roman purification festival, February is one of the most commonly misspelled words in the English Language. And, in addition to being the shortest month, it is also the only one with a varying number of days.

19 Important Month-Long Awareness Events in February 2025

Month-long awareness events serve as platforms to focus attention on important causes, fostering widespread understanding, engagement, and action:

These extended campaigns allow organizations, communities, and you and other individuals to delve deep into complex issues, raise public awareness, and ignite conversations.

With their extended duration, month-long awareness events provide ample time for educational initiatives, community involvement, and sustained advocacy efforts.

By dedicating an entire month to a specific cause, these awareness events aim to generate lasting impact, empower you and other individuals, and foster positive change within society.

🐰 Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month: Rabbits are the third most common pet surrendered to animal shelters, behind dogs and cats. The purpose of this month is to educate the public about rabbits and encourage them to consider rescuing a shelter bunny.

👓 AMD/ Low Vision Awareness Month: Impacting about 15 million Americans, Age-related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision impairment in people over 50. This day was created by the non-profit organization Prevent Blindness to raise awareness of age-related vision impairment and help people learn how to preserve their sight.

❤️‍🩹 American Heart Month: Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. First proclaimed by US President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, organizations utilize this month to stress the importance of heart health, help people understand their risks, and rally support for more research.

🐈 Beat the Heat Month: Of the millions of animals that end up in shelters each year, less than half are adopted into loving forever homes. During Beat the Heat Month, organizations come together to emphasize the importance of spaying or neutering your pets, especially cats. 

✊🏾 Black History Month: Since 1976, every US President has designated February as Black History Month. Organizations come together to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout history and honor those who fought for equality.

🚨 Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month: With only about 10,000 new cases in the US each year, Cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer is considered rare. This month, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation educates the public about the disease and raises funding for patient education, support, and research.

🧑‍💻 FOSS February: Free and open-source software has code that anyone can access, modify, and enhance. While tech-savvy individuals already appreciate this software, non-techies should understand its implications too. The goal of this month is to raise awareness about the importance of FOSS and how it benefits everyone.

🐋 Humpback Whale Awareness Month: Representing the diversity of ocean life, the Humpback Whale is the official state mammal of Hawaii. Yet, by 1985, decades of extreme hunting reduced their population by about 95%. The purpose of this month is to bring attention to these gentle giants and encourage their protection.

🤰🏻 International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month: During pregnancy and the delivery process, infants can contract deadly yet vaccine-preventable diseases from their mothers. This month aims to bring awareness to prenatal infections and how pregnant women and new mothers can protect their babies.

🔗 Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month: Impacting about 1 in 5,000 people worldwide, Marfan syndrome is a genetic disease that affects the body’s connective tissue. This month draws attention to Marfan syndrome and related illnesses and gives the community resources for early detection, treatment, and support.

🙅🏼‍♀️ National Cancer Prevention Month: In the US, approximately 2 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year, and over 40% of those cases can be attributed to preventable causes like smoking or obesity. This month’s goal is to raise awareness about cancer prevention and encourage people to modify their behaviors to reduce their risk.

😸 National Cat Health Month: This month is an important reminder for cat owners to attend to the physical and mental health of their feline friends. Cat-centric organizations utilize this month to bring awareness to the importance of keeping your cat happy and healthy and provide tips and resources to help.

🦷 National Children’s Dental Health Month: Children with poor oral health miss more school and receive lower grades than children who receive adequate dental care. This month draws attention to the importance of oral hygiene in childhood and helps parents understand how to protect their children’s teeth.

🍆 National Condom Month: When used correctly and consistently, condoms are the only widely available, proven method for reducing the risk of STIs and unplanned pregnancy. Organizations utilize this month to educate the public about safe and effective condom use and provide resources to improve accessibility.

🤳 National Self-Check Month: Each year, millions of people around the world die from chronic diseases that could have been treated if caught earlier. From voicing your health concerns to performing regular self-examinations, this month urges us to listen to our bodies as the first defense against disease. 

💡 National Women Inventors Month: Female inventors are behind some of the world’s most useful products, such as windshield wipers, life rafts, and kevlar. During February, organizations come together to celebrate women inventors and their contributions to society.

🦽 North American Inclusion Month: Launched by Jewish non-profit Yachad in 2010, the goal of this month is to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities, specifically within Jewish communities. Yachad and like-minded organizations offer educational programs to increase awareness of the realities of living with a disability and how to prioritize inclusion.

🐩 Pet Dental Health Month: Pet dental health is often overlooked until it can no longer be ignored, and dental procedures for pets can be very costly and even dangerous. During this month, veterinary organizations remind pet owners to maintain their animal’s oral hygiene.

💔 Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month: In the US, dating violence amongst teens is alarmingly common, with 1 in 3 teens experiencing some form of romantic abuse before adulthood. The goal of this month is to raise awareness of teen dating violence and focus on advocacy and education to stop the abuse before it starts.

67 Important Day-Long Awareness Events in February 2025

Day-long awareness events offer concentrated and focused efforts to draw attention to specific causes or commemorate important occasions:

These events serve as catalysts for raising awareness, promoting education, and sparking meaningful conversations within a condensed timeframe.

With a concentrated burst of activities, day-long awareness events aim to engage you and other individuals, communities, and organizations, encouraging them to take immediate action, show support, or honor significant milestones.

By dedicating a single day to a particular cause, these awareness events create opportunities for concentrated impact, reflection, and collective mobilization toward positive change.

👥 February 1, Conservatorship and Guardianship Abuse Awareness Day: The conservatorship and guardianship system intends to care for those with compromised decision-making abilities, but some use it to control and manipulate the people they are supposed to protect. The purpose of this day is to bring attention to abuses of power within the system and advocate for reform. 

🗽 February 1, National Freedom Day: On this day in 1865, US President Abraham Lincoln signed the amendment that would end slavery in America. This holiday was created to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy and reflect on those that many are still trying to achieve.

🫁 February 1, World Aspergillosis Day: With symptoms similar to lung cancer, Aspergillosis is rare and difficult to diagnose, and many patients wait years to receive the proper treatment. The goal of this day is to raise awareness of this disease through targeted education.

🧕 February 1, World Hijab Day: This day honors the millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab and live a life of modesty. Women of all backgrounds are invited to wear a hijab for up to 30 days to deepen their understanding of the discrimination Muslim women face throughout their lives.

❄️ February 2, Groundhog Day: Each year, millions of Americans tune in to watch the world’s most famous groundhog emerge from his burrow to predict the end of winter. Based on German folklore, if the groundhog sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter will follow.

👋 February 2, Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day: Rheumatoid Arthritis is a painful autoimmune disease impacting about 1.5 million Americans, more than 70% of whom are women. While there is no cure, RA can go into remission with early intervention, so organizations utilize this day to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms.

💧 February 2, World Wetlands Day: Wetlands are critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation, and more. Yet, 90% of them have been degraded since the 1700s. This day was created to bring awareness to the plight of wetlands and encourage people to join conservation efforts.

🧭 February 2 (varies), Scout Sunday: Founded in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America’s goal is to instill ethical and moral values in young people. Each year, the first Sunday before February 8 (Scouting Anniversary Day) is designated as Scout Sunday to recognize the contributions of the 130 million scouts and 35 million adult volunteers to scouting.

❓Feb 3,  National Missing Persons Day: The third of February is dedicated to the families of missing persons who mourns for their loved ones. All over the glode, there are thousands of cases of missing persons that remain unsolved.

🐦 February 3, Feed the Birds Day: For many places, early February is the snowiest, coldest time of the year, and also the time when food becomes scarce for wild birds. This day was created to encourage people to help birds through the rest of winter by leaving high-energy birdseed in their backyard feeder.

👩🏼‍⚕️ February 3, National Women Physicians Day: This day was created to honor the pioneering achievements and contributions of female physicians. It commemorates the birth of Elizabeth Blackwell, who, in 1849, became the first American woman to earn a medical degree.

☮️ February 4, International Day of Human Fraternity: As part of their commitment to promoting a culture of peace, the UN established this day to encourage interreligious dialogue and mutual understanding. The goal is to achieve global harmony by focusing on similarities instead of differences.

🌎 February 4, World Cancer Day: This day was established in 2000 by the Union for International Cancer Control to unite the world against cancer. The goal is to raise global awareness, improve education, and support advocacy efforts to create a cancer-free world.

⛈️ February 5, National Weatherman’s Day: With technology ensuring the most accurate weather forecast is available at our fingertips, it’s easy to forget about the people working to create that forecast and keep it up to date. This day honors the dedicated meteorologists who not only help us plan our day but also warn of impending weather events to keep us safe.

☀ ️ February 6 (varies), Optimist Day: Created by community service non-profit Optimist International, this day recognizes the efforts of volunteers to better their communities. While Optimist International offers branded merchandise to increase awareness, they also encourage everyone to celebrate by performing acts of community service.

🗣️ February 6 (varies), Time to Talk Day: The stigma surrounding mental healthcare prevents many people from talking openly about their distress. Organizations utilize this day to encourage people to be honest about their mental health struggles and help people learn to listen without judgment.

🙅🏼‍♀️ February 6, International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation: Globally, there are an estimated 200 million girls and women living with the aftermath of female genital mutilation, and 3 million more are at risk of the practice each year. This day was created by the United Nations to incite a global effort to end female genital mutilation by 2030.

💞 February 6, Reclaim Social Day: An initiative of UK-based nonprofit Lightful, this day was created to draw attention to negativity on social media. Organizations encourage social media users to utilize this day to promote awareness campaigns about which they are passionate, like #MeToo and #GivingTuesday.

😁 February 7 (varies), Give Kids A Smile Day: In the US, about half of all children do not receive dental care due to social, economic, and geographic obstacles. Established by the American Dental Association Foundation, this day gives dentists nationwide the opportunity to give back to their communities by providing free dental care to children in need. 

❤️ February 7 (varies), National Wear Red Day: On the first Friday in February, which also happens to be American Heart Month, the American Heart Association encourages everyone to wear red to raise awareness of heart disease in women. The goal is to educate the public on risk assessment, prevention, and treatment to eventually eradicate heart disease.

🛑 February 7, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Despite accounting for only 12% of the population, they accounted for more than 42% of new cases in 2020. This day raises awareness of HIV/AIDS within the Black American community and celebrates the progress that has been made toward reducing its impact.

🏃🏽‍♀️ February 7, National Women and Girls in Sports Day: Since 1987, this day has been an annual celebration of the achievements of women and girls in sports. The goal of this day is not only to inspire young girls to follow their athletic dreams but also to raise awareness of gender inequality in sports.

📖 February 7, World Read Aloud Day: This day was founded in 2010 by the nonprofit LitWorld to celebrate the power of reading aloud. In addition to encouraging communities to participate in read-aloud events, this day also raises awareness for literacy as a fundamental human right.

🚴 February 9 (varies), International Winter Bike to Work Day: This holiday was created by the Winter Cycling Federation to draw attention to cycling as a normal and practical mode of transportation for anyone in any climate. It is also an opportunity for cycling enthusiasts to advocate for laws and infrastructure to make cities more cyclist-friendly.

🚭 February 9, National Develop Alternative Vices Day: A harmful vice is any activity a person engages in that isn’t beneficial or healthy, like smoking, excessive drinking, and gambling. On this day, organizations encourage replacing harmful vices with helpful ones, like drinking water instead of alcohol or volunteering instead of gambling.

📰 February 10, All the News That’s Fit to Print Day: On this day in 1897, New York Times publisher Adolf Ochs printed this slogan in the upper left corner of the paper to distinguish it from other, less reliable news sources. Today, this holiday spreads awareness of the importance of high-quality reporting and reminds us to support honest journalism.

🧩 February 9 (varies), Autism Sunday: This day is also known as the International Day of Prayer for Autism Spectrum Disorders. The goal is to raise awareness by urging religious leaders around the world to speak up for autism.

🧠 February 10 (varies), International Epilepsy Day: For many people living with epilepsy, the misconceptions and discrimination they face can be more difficult than the seizures themselves. This day was created to raise awareness about the disorder and rally for improved treatment and research.

🫘 February 10, World Pulses Day: Established in 2019 by the United Nations, this day celebrates the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses, also known as legumes. In addition to being a viable protein alternative, pulses also contribute to sustainable food production.

🛜 February 11 (varies), Safer Internet Day: The Internet can be a powerful tool for good, but dangers like cyberbullying, fraud, and stalking lurk in every corner. The goal of this day is to raise awareness of these concerns and equip people with the tools they need for safer surfing. 

👩🏻‍🔬 February 11, International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Founded by the United Nations in 2015, this day celebrates the contributions of women and girls in science. It’s also a reminder of the underrepresentation of women and girls in the field and encourages the public to rally for policies that promote gender equality.

💡 February 11, National Inventors’ Day: In 1983, US President Ronald Reagan designated this day to celebrate American ingenuity. The date coincides with Thomas Edison’s birthday, the famous American inventor responsible for inventions like the incandescent electric lamp, the phonograph, and the motion picture projector.

🫂 February 11, National Shut-In Visitation Day: Due to physical or mental disorders, many individuals are unable to leave their homes or nursing homes, and living in isolation can be lonely. On this day, organizations encourage people to remember their home-bound loved ones and pay them a visit or a phone call.

🙏 February 11, World Day of the Sick: In 1992, Pope John Paul II introduced World Day of the Sick to urge believers to pray for those suffering from illnesses. It is also a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who care for the ill.

🐦‍⬛ February 12, Darwin Day: This day honors the man responsible for the Theory of Evolution, Charles Darwin. It is a time to reflect on the principles of intellectual bravery, perpetual curiosity, and forward thinking, and how they are crucial to scientific advancement.

🙅🏼‍♀️ February 12, International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers: An estimated 300,000 children are currently being used as child soldiers in as many as 20 countries. This day, also known as Red Hand Day, was created to draw attention to the issue and encourage steps to end the use of children for military purposes.

🤎 February 12, NAACP Founders Day: On this day in 1909, America’s largest and most widely recognized civil rights organization, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was founded in New York City. This day highlights the organization’s historic victories and the crucial role they continue to play in the pursuit of equality.

🏳️‍🌈 February 12, National Freedom to Marry Day: This day was originally created in 1998 to rally support for marriage equality, specifically for gay and lesbian couples. Having achieved nationwide marriage equality in 2015, the day now commemorates the long road to equality and honors those who helped us get there.

🖤 February 13, Black Love Day: This spiritual holiday was founded in 1993 to encourage people to practice love, forgiveness, and acceptance. It is also a day for people of all races to reflect on their behavior and racial attitudes toward Black people.

🍆 February 13, International Condom Day: An estimated 1 in 5 adults in the US have a sexually transmitted infection. This day was created by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation to remind people that condom use can prevent pregnancy and the spread of STDs.

📻 February 13, World Radio Day: This day celebrates one of the most dependable and widely utilized forms of media in the world, the radio. The goal is to draw attention to the power of radio to spread information and ideas, encourage dialogue, mitigate conflict, and more. 

❤️‍🩹 February 14, Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day: Impacting more than 40,000 newborns in the US each year, congenital heart defects are the most common birth abnormality. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of congenital heart defects and support families living with the ramifications.

✒️ February 14, Frederick Douglass Day: Held on his chosen birthday, this day honors the prominent African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass and his contributions to Black history. Organizations hold gatherings during which thousands of volunteers help create new and free resources for learning about Black history.

📚 February 14, National Black Literacy Day: Created by a bookstore owner in 2021, this day celebrates the profound impact of literacy, specifically within the Black American community. Organizations encourage people to observe the day by volunteering with youth literacy programs, and donating resources or funding to them.

🩻 February 14, National Donor Day: In the US, more than 100,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. The goal of this day is to spread awareness and education about organ, eye, and tissue donation and encourage people to become donors.

🤫 February 14, National Impotence Day: Impotence, or erectile dysfunction, impacts about half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70, yet many do not seek treatment due to the stigma surrounding the condition. The goal of this day is to raise awareness about impotence and encourage men to share their stories to reduce the stigma.

🥰 February 14, Valentine’s Day: Originating as a Christian feast honoring a martyr named Valentine, this day has become a commercial celebration of love and romance. Organizations ask people to spread the love to the less fortunate by hosting campaigns like blood drives, animal adoptions, and making cards for the elderly.

🐒 February 14, World Bonobo Day: Bonobos are highly intelligent primates that are known to settle conflict peacefully, demonstrate compassion, and willingly share their food. This day raises awareness of bonobos and the threats they face and encourages people to join rescue efforts.

🚨February 15, World Cholangiocarcinoma Day: This is an international effort to raise much-needed awareness of Cholangiocarcinoma, a poorly understood and under researched disease.  It is a devastating cancer that occurs in the bile ducts in or outside the liver that is increasing in incidence globally.

👼 February 15, International Angelman Day: Angelman Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that can cause issues like developmental delays and gastrointestinal issues. While there is no cure, some researchers believe they are close. The goal of this day is to raise awareness of the condition and rally support for continued research.

🧸 February 15, International Childhood Cancer Day: Globally, more than 400,000 individuals under the age of 20 are diagnosed with cancer. On this day, organizations come together to raise awareness about childhood cancer and express support for those affected.

💀 February 15 (varies), World Anthropology Day: Anthropology is the study of what makes us human, drawing from the fields of social, biological, and physical sciences as well as humanities. Anthropologists use this day to spread awareness of their profession and celebrate achievements in the discipline.

🦛 February 15, World Hippo Day: Cute but definitely not cuddly, hippopotamuses are vital to the ecosystems of the rivers and lakes in which they dwell. The goal of this day is to celebrate hippos and encourage people to take action against their extinction.

🐳 February 16 (varies), World Whale Day: World Whale Day was founded in Hawaii in the 1980s to celebrate the Humpback Whales living off the coast. Today, organizations utilize this day to raise awareness of whales and educate people on how to help protect them.

🔬 February 17, National Public Science Day: Created by the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1989, this day provides an opportunity for children to discover the world of science. Scientists guide students in hands-on activities to help them learn about the increasing importance of science and technology in their lives.

🛟 February 17, World Pangolin Day: While relatively unknown outside of Africa and Asia, Pangolins are one of the most popular mammals in the illegal wildlife trade. On this day, organizations raise awareness of this unique animal and their plight.

🇺🇸 February 17 (varies), Presidents’ Day: Founded in honor of George Washington’s birthday after his death, this day celebrates American presidents and their contributions to the nation. Setting aside a day to honor presidents is not unique to the US, though: for example, Palau celebrates on June 1 while Botswana celebrates on July 19.

⚖️ February 20, World Day of Social Justice: Poverty, homelessness, climate change, and healthcare inequities are just some of the social justice issues facing the world right now. This day brings social justice issues to the forefront and highlights the need for collaboration to overcome them.

🗣️ February 21, International Mother Language Day: Around the world, more than 40% of people do not have access to education in a language they speak or understand. The goal of this day is to promote multilingual education based on mother tongue or first language.

❣️ February 22, Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day: In the US, more than 11 million people live with heart valve disease, yet up to 75% of Americans know nothing about it. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about heart valve disease, including risk factors, symptoms, detection, and treatment.

📐 February 22 (varies), Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day: On this day, volunteers, educators, and other role models facilitate engineering activities to show girls how engineers change the world. It is part of a movement to increase female representation in STEM.

🥤 February 23, Skip the Straw Day: Americans use more than 500 million plastic straws each day. And since they don’t biodegrade, those straws create an ecological dilemma, especially in the ocean. Organizations utilize this day to raise awareness of the dangers of single-use plastics and encourage people to consume their drinks straw-free.

👃 February 27, Anosmia Awareness Day: Up to 3% of Americans live with anosmia, or the loss of the sense of smell. The goal of this day is to raise awareness of anosmia and let those suffering know they are not alone.

🐻‍❄️ February 27, International Polar Bear Day: Polar bears are in crisis, with climate change threatening their territory and reducing their food supply. This day was created by Polar Bears International to raise awareness about polar bears and the threats they face and urge people to take action to protect them.

🆘 February 27, World NGO Day: Non-governmental organizations are non-profit, citizen-based groups that function independently of government for the good of the people. This day was created to recognize, celebrate, and honor these groups and the people behind them.

👎 February 28 (varies), International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day: Repetitive Strain Injuries are painful ailments that result from the overuse or misuse of tendons, muscles, nerves, and joints. On this day, organizations raise awareness about RSIs and offer tips on how to prevent them.

🔎 February 28 (varies), Rare Disease Day: Worldwide, over 300 million people live with a rare disease. The goal of this day is to raise awareness and generate change for those living with a rare disease, their families, and caretakers.

19 Important Week-Long Awareness Events in February 2025

Week-long awareness events provide a balanced and dynamic approach to spotlighting important causes and promoting widespread engagement: 

These events span an entire week, allowing for sustained focus, activities, and initiatives aimed at raising awareness and inspiring action.

With their intermediate duration, week-long awareness events offer a comprehensive platform to educate, advocate, and mobilize communities. They provide opportunities for impactful campaigns, interactive events, and collaborative efforts to address complex issues and drive positive change.

By dedicating an entire week to a specific cause, these awareness events foster a sense of momentum, unity, and lasting impact, empowering you and other individuals and organizations to actively contribute to the cause.

🕊️ February 1-7, World Interfaith Harmony Week: This week was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010. It is a time to promote mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue to foster harmony between all people regardless of their faith.

🔥 February 2-8 (varies), National Burn Awareness Week: Sponsored by the American Burn Association, this week is all about spreading burn awareness and education. Each year, a different theme is chosen; in 2025, the focus is on flammable liquid burn injuries.

🍽️ February 2-8 (varies), Feeding Tube Awareness Week: Whether due to illness or injury, over 3 million people worldwide depend on feeding tubes to ensure adequate nutrition. Organizations utilize this week to educate the public about tube feeding and raise awareness of the daily challenges that come with it.

📝 February 3-7 (varies), National School Counseling Week: School counselors can have a huge impact on the students they work with, helping them achieve school success and plan for the future. Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, this week highlights the work of school counselors and celebrates their contributions to school systems. 

👂 February 5-11, Tinnitus Awareness Week: This week is dedicated to increasing awareness of tinnitus and educating the public about the causes, impact, and management of the condition. It also gives those suffering a chance to share their experience and connect with a community of support.

🌍 February 7-13 (varies), African Heritage and Health Week: This week commemorates the flavors and cooking techniques that were central to the health of ancestors from Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the American South. Organizations encourage people to incorporate some traditional cooking to improve their diet.

💞 February 7-14, Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: The purpose of this week is to increase public awareness of congenital heart defects and recognize the children and adults living with the condition. Organizations also utilize this week to rally for increased research funding.

👩🏾‍🎨 February 7-15, International Week of Black Women in the Arts: This week celebrates the achievements of Black female artists in various fields. It also sheds light on the persisting issues of racism and classism and what we can do to better support Black female artists. 

🙇 February 9-15 (varies), Children of Addiction Awareness Week: Addiction is an international health crisis, and the forgotten victims are often the children caught in the crossfire. The goal of this week is to raise awareness of the plight of children of addiction and encourage people to support child welfare programs.

❤️‍🩹 February 9-15 (varies), Heart Failure Awareness Week: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, but heart disease doesn’t have to lead to heart failure. The goal of this week is to promote heart failure awareness and prevention education to reduce the burden of heart disease.

🤗 February 14-20, Random Acts of Kindness Week: The mission of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is to normalize being kind. They created this week to provide people with a focused starting point for incorporating random acts of kindness into their daily lives.

💪 February 15-22 (varies), National Entrepreneurship Week: To be an entrepreneur requires more than just a great business idea; education, networking, funding, and more are needed for success. The purpose of this week is to promote diversity in entrepreneurship and build equitable access to America’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem.

🧑‍🌾 February 15-22 (varies), National FFA Week: Future Farmers of America is a youth development organization that prepares the next generation of leaders through agricultural education. This week, members take part in service-based activities and raise awareness of the club’s mission.

🦜 February 16-22 (varies), Bird Health Awareness Week: This week is a crucial time for bird enthusiasts to raise awareness about the challenges faced by birds in the wild. Organizations encourage the public to implement practices to support wild bird populations.

📐 February 16-22 (varies), National Engineers Week: Engineers utilize their creativity and expertise to address global challenges, drive technological advancements, and shape the future. The goal of this week is to recognize the work of engineers and engage students to increase interest in the field.

⚖️ February 16-22 (varies), National Justice for Animals Week: Founded by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, this week aims to raise awareness about crimes against animals. The organization utilizes this week to educate the public on criminal animal cruelty and encourage advocacy.

💙 February 24- 28 (varies), Eating Disorders Awareness Week: In the US, an estimated 8 million people suffer from some kind of eating disorder. This campaign by the National Eating Disorders Association seeks to educate the public about eating disorders and provide support for those impacted.

🐗 February 24- 28 (varies), National Invasive Species Awareness Week: Invasive species are those that are not natural to an ecosystem and left to their own devices, they can cause significant damage. This event raises awareness of invasive species, the threat they pose, and how to prevent their spread.

February in History: The Most Important and Impactful Events of the Past

✊🏾 February 1, 1960: Four Black college students refused to leave a “whites-only” counter at a popular store in Greensboro, North Carolina, initiating a non-violent protest that would last for 6 months and spark a nationwide movement of student activism for civil rights.

❄️ February 2, 1887: The first Groundhog Day was celebrated in the US. According to tradition, if the emerging groundhog sees his shadow, residents are in for an extended winter, while no shadow means an early spring.

🎶 February 3, 1959: A chartered plane carrying rising American rock stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP Richardson crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 3. The day would later become known as “the day the music died”.

😀 February 4, 2004: Harvard sophomore Mark Zuckerberg launched the social media site Facebook, quickly gaining popularity amongst his fellow college students. Today, there are over 2 billion active users worldwide.

⚖️ February 5, 1994: More than 3 decades after gunning down Black civil rights leader Medgar Evers, white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith was finally convicted of murder. This was the third attempt at prosecution after two previous trials resulted in deadlocked juries.

👑 February 6, 1952: King George VI of Great Britain and Northern Ireland died in his sleep after a long illness. His older daughter Elizabeth was crowned Queen 4 months later at age 27.

🧑‍🚀 February 7, 1984: While in orbit 170 miles above Earth, Navy Captain Bruce McCandless II performed the first untethered spacewalk. He maneuvered as far as 320 feet away from the space shuttle and safely re-entered an hour and a half later.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 February 8, 1587: Mary, Queen of Scots was beheaded after 19 years of imprisonment in the Tower of London. She had been arrested for her complicity in a plot to murder Queen Elizabeth I.

🕑 February 9, 1942: Originally called “war time”, US Congress first imposed daylight saving time in an effort to conserve fuel and better utilize resources during World War I.

⛷️ February 10, 1970: An avalanche crashed down on a ski resort in Val d’Isere, France. The disaster killed 42 people, most of whom were young skiers eating breakfast.

🔏 February 11, 1990: Anti South African apartheid leader Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years. He was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and was elected President of South Africa in 1994.

🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 February 12, 1909: A group of prominent African American leaders announced the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The organization would go on to have a profound effect on the struggle for civil rights.

🏀 February 13, 1923: The first all-Black professional basketball team was organized in New York City. Called the New York Renaissance, the team was one of the most dominant throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

💔 February 14, 1929: The gang war between arch-rivals Al Capone and Bugs Moran culminated in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Four men falsely identifying themselves as police entered Moran’s headquarters in Chicago and shot 7 of his henchmen.

🇨🇦 February 15, 1965: Canada raised its new flag above Parliament Hill in Ottawa for the first time. The red maple leaf flag was chosen to represent Canada’s independence and is one of the most easily recognizable flags in the world today.

⚰️ February 16, 1923: Archaeologist Howard Carter opened the sealed barrier chamber of King Tut. Unlike many of the previously uncovered tombs, King Tut’s had been spared by grave robbers and much of the treasures were still intact.

🚗 February 17, 1972: Volkswagen manufactured the 15,007,034th Beetle, breaking a world car production record previously held by Ford’s Model T for over 40 years. Although it was not initially popular in America, it went on to become the top-selling auto import to the US.

🥇 February 18, 2006: American speed skater Shani Davis wins the men’s 1,000-meter race at the Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. He was the first Black athlete to win an individual gold medal in Winter Olympics history.

🌸 February 19, 1942: Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, forcing Japanese Americans into internment camps. This misguided effort to quell American fears of another attack is widely regarded as a tragic civil rights violation today.

🇮🇪 February 20, 1985: In a highly controversial move and to the dismay of the Catholic Church, the Irish government voted to legalize the sale of non-medical contraceptives like condoms and spermicide. Although the birth control pill was still illegal, this marked a major turning point in Irish history.

🙏🏾 February 21, 1965: African American nationalist and religious leader Malcolm X was assassinated in New York City at the age of 39. Three members of the Nation of Islam were convicted of his murder, 2 of whom were exonerated in 2021.

🇺🇲 February 22, 1732: The first president of the US, George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Although he was initially a loyal British subject, he would go on to lead the US to victory in the American Revolution.

💉 February 23, 1954: A group of children from Arsenal Elementary School in Pennsylvania received the first doses of the newly developed polio vaccine. By the 21st century, polio cases were reduced by 99% worldwide.

🪖 February 24, 1991: After six weeks of intensive bombing against Iraq, US-led coalition forces launched a ground invasion. After less than four days, Kuwait was liberated and the majority of Iraqi forces had been defeated or retreated to Iraq.

🙋🏿 February 25, 1870: Hiram Rhodes Revels, a Republican from Natchez, Mississippi became the first African American ever to sit in Congress. He had been elected to fill the Senate seat once occupied by Jefferson Davis, the former president of the Confederacy.

🗽 February 26, 1993: A terrorist bomb exploded in a parking garage under the World Trade Center in New York City, killing 6 people and injuring over 1,000. Within days, several radical Islamic fundamentalists were arrested for the attack.

🇮🇹 February 27, 1964: The Italian government announced it was accepting suggestions on how to save the Leaning Tower of Pisa from toppling over. Restorative work on the structure didn’t begin until 1999.

🧬 February 28, 1953: Two male scientists from Cambridge University announced that they had determined the double-helix structure of DNA. Although they received significant aid from female scientist Rosalind Franklin, she was not credited for her work.

🏆 February 29, 1940: At the 1940 Oscars, Gone With the Wind earned a slew of awards, including Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay. Most notably, however, Hattie McDaniel won Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first Black American to win an Oscar.

The History of the Month February: Its Development Over Time and Interesting Facts

February, the second month of the Gregorian calendar, has a fascinating history. It’s a story that weaves through ancient calendar systems, important events, cultural traditions, and more. Let’s take a look at the historical journey of February:

• Roman beginnings: In the early Roman calendar, originally a ten-month lunar calendar starting in March, February did not exist. It was only around 713 BC, under the reign of King Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, that February was added to the calendar.
• The last month: Initially, February was placed at the end of the year and was the last month of the Roman calendar. It was named after the Latin term “februum,” which means purification since the month was associated with purification rituals.
• Moved to the second position: In 450 BC, February was moved to its current position as the second month of the year as part of the establishment of the Roman Republican calendar.
• Julian calendar: The Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, carried over the structure of the Roman calendar including February as the second month. In the Julian calendar, February typically has 28 days but is extended to 29 days every four years during a leap year.
• Gregorian calendar: The Gregorian calendar was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, in order to more accurately align the calendar year with the solar year. This reform kept February as the second month, with 28 days in common years and 29 days in leap years.
• Religious significance: February hosts various religious observances across different cultures. For instance, the Christian period of Lent often begins in February.
• Cultural importance: February holds cultural significance in many societies. For example, February 14 is celebrated as Valentine’s Day, a day dedicated to love and romantic relationships. In the United States, the entire month is observed as Black History Month, celebrating the contributions and history of African Americans.
• Seasonal transitions: In terms of seasons, February marks the end of winter and the onset of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it represents the last full month of summer.

The history of February, from its introduction into the Roman calendar to its role in modern-day cultural and seasonal observances, provides a snapshot of humanity’s evolving understanding and marking of time.

Final Thoughts

February is full of awareness events and fascinating history. This month reminds us to acknowledge the journey of Black people, especially in America, and honor their contributions to society. We are also called to pay attention to our heart health, participate in wildlife conservation, and normalize being kind. It also contains several historically significant events, like the first untethered spacewalk and the assassination of Malcolm X. So this month, remember to check the Awareness Calendar to ensure you don’t miss out on your chance to observe a holiday or support a cause that is important to you!

Stay impactful,

Sources

• Britannica: February
• National Humane Education Society: Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
• Prevent Blindness: AMD/ Low Vision Awareness Month
• American Heart Association: American Heart Month
• Cat Tipper: Beat the Heat Month
• The History Channel: Black History Month
• The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation: Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month
• Opensource.com: National Free and Open Source Software Month
• Hawaii 247: Humpback Whale Awareness Month
• NACCHO: International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
• Marfan Foundation: Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month
• American Association for Cancer Research: National Cancer Prevention Month
• Catster: National Cat Health Month
• Centers for Disease Control: National Children’s Dental Health Month
• American Sexual Health Association: National Condom Month
• PR Newswire: National Self-Check Month
• Bellevue: National Women Inventors Month
• Yachad: North American Inclusion Month
• American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Dental Health Month
• Love is Respect: Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
• American Bar Association: Conservatorship and Guardianship Abuse Awareness Day
• Menokin: National Freedom Day
• Optimist International: Optimist Day
• ReThink Mental Health: Time to Talk Day
• National Aspergillosis Centre: World Aspergillosis Day
• World Hijab Day: Our Story
• American Dental Association Foundation: Give Kids A Smile Day
• Britannica: Groundhog Day
• American Heart Association: National Wear Red Day
• Everyday Health: Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day
• World Wetlands Day: About
• Gardener’s Net: Feed the Birds Day
• Fox Carolina: National Missing Persons Day
• American Medical Association: National Women Physicians Day
• Boy Scouts of America: Scout Sunday
• United Nations: International Day of Human Fraternity
• World Cancer Day: About
• National Weather Service: National Weatherman’s Day
• United Nations: International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
• Reclaim Social Day: Home
• Safer Internet Day: About
• Centers for Disease Control: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• Women’s Sports Foundation: National Women and Girls in Sports Day
• LitWorld: World Read Aloud Day
• International Winter Bike to Work Day: Home
• International Business Times: National Develop Alternative Vices Day
• My Front Page Story: All the News That’s Fit to Print Day
• Chinese New Year: Home
• United Nations: World Pulses Day
• Wikipedia: Autism Sunday
• International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Home
• Invent.org: National Inventors’ Day
• Keystone Law Firm: National Shut-In Visitation Day
• Catholic Health Association of the United States: World Day of the Sick
• Darwin Day: Home
• Wikipedia: International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers
• Epilepsy Foundation: International Epilepsy Day
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: History
• National Freedom to Marry Day: Home
• Black Information Network: Black Love Day
• AIDS Healthcare Foundation: International Condom Day
• United Nations: World Radio Day
• Set Works: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day
• Frederick Douglass Day: Home
• Literary Hub: National Black Literacy Day
• Donate Life: National Donor Day
• The Urology Foundation: National Impotence Day
• Wikipedia: Valentine’s Day
• Friends of Bonobos: World Bonobo Day
• Angelman Syndrome Foundation: International Angelman Day
• International Childhood Cancer Day: Home
• American Anthropological Association: World Anthropology Day
• Global Cholangiocarcinoma Alliance: World Cholangiocarcinoma Day
• Happy Eco News: World Hippo Day
• American Association for the Advancement of Science: National Public Science Day
• World Pangolin Day: Home
• New England Aquarium: World Whale Day
• Farmer’s Almanac: Presidents’ Day
• United Nations: World Day of Social Justice
• United Nations: International Mother Language Day
• Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day: Home
• DiscoverE: Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
• SCARCE: Skip the Straw Day
• Anosmia Awareness: Anosmia Awareness Day
• Polar Bears International: International Polar Bear Day
• World NGO Day: Home
• Unifor: International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day
• Rare Disease Day: Home
• Oldways: African Heritage and Health Week
• United Nations: World Interfaith Harmony Week
• American Burn Association: National Burn Awareness Week
• The Oley Foundation: Feeding Tube Awareness Week
• American School Counselor Association: National School Counseling Week
• Hearing Aid.org.uk: Tinnitus Awareness Week
• Children’s Hospital of Atlanta: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week
• Africanah: International Week of Black Women in the Arts
• National Entrepreneurship Week: About
• National Association for Children of Addiction: Children of Addiction Awareness Week
• Heart Failure Society of America: Heart Failure Awareness Week
• Random Acts of Kindness Foundation: Random Acts of Kindness Week
• Sepsis Alliance: Sepsis Survivor Week
• Future Farmers of America: National FFA Week
• BirdTipper: Bird Health Awareness Week
• DiscoverE: National Engineers Week
• Animal Legal Defense Fund: National Justice for Animals Week
• National Eating Disorders Association: Eating Disorders Awareness Week
• National Invasive Species Awareness Week: Home
• The History Channel: Greensboro Sit-In Begins
• Britannica: Groundhog Day 
• The History Channel: The Day the Music Died
• Britannica: Facebook
• Britannica: White Supremacist Convicted
• The History Channel: Elizabeth Becomes Queen
• The History Channel: First Untethered Spacewalk
• The History Channel: Mary Queen of Scots Beheaded
• The History Channel: Daylight Saving Time Instituted
• The History Channel: Avalanche in France
• The History Channel: Nelson Mandela Released from Prison
• The History Channel: NAACP Founded in New York City
• The History Channel: First all-Black Professional Basketball Team
• The History Channel: St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
• The History Channel: Canada Adopts Maple Leaf Flag
• The History Channel: Archaeologists Open King Tut’s Tomb
• The History Channel: Beetle Overtakes Model T as Best Selling Car
• The History Channel: Shani Davis Becomes First Black Athlete to Win Gold
• The History Channel: FDR Signs Executive Order 9066
• The History Channel: Ireland Allows Sale of Contraceptives
• The History Channel: Malcom X Assassinated
• The History Channel: George Washington is Born
• The History Channel: Children Receive First Polio Vaccine
• The History Channel: Gulf War Ground Offensive Begins
• The History Channel: First African American Congressman Sworn In
• The History Channel: World Trade Center Bombed
• The History Channel: Italy Asks for Help Saving the Leaning Tower of Pisa
• The History Channel: Chemical Structure of DNA Discovered
• The History Channel: Hattie McDaniel Wins Oscar
• E. G. Richards: Mapping Time: The Calendar and Its History