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The U.S. has celebrated African-American history since 1926, when the first "Negro History Week" was celebrated. The first studies of Black history did not happen until the early 20th century, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson took on the goal of documenting the history of his people. Born in 1875 to former slaves, Dr. Woodson first worked in the coal mines of West Virginia and put himself through school. In 1912, he earned a Ph.D. in history from Harvard, only the second African-American to do so. The founder of both the Journal of Negro History and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Woodson championed the creation of Negro History Week, which was celebrated the second week of February. In 1976, it was expanded to Black History Month.

The history of Groundhog Day is one of several different cultures.

The early European Christians celebrated Candlemas Day which was observed midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Their custom was for the clergy to bless candles which they would then distribute to people to light and put in their windows to brighten the midwinter nights, and if the sun came out on that day, it meant 6 more weeks of harsh winter.

In 1723, the Delaware Indians settled in the area of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. They considered that their ancestors began life as animals and eventually emerged to live as men. In the 18th century, the Germans settled the area, and celebrated the pagan version of Candlemas. They believed that if the weather was fair on that day, the second half of the winter season would be cold and stormy.

Finally, on February 2nd, 1886, the first annual Groundhog Day as we know it today was celebrated. The groundhog's official name was "Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary."

This year, Mardi Gras is on February 24 in the American south, though it is primarily known as a New Orleans celebration. Mardi Gras is a moveable feast which is roughly the same celebration as "Carnival" in Brazil and "Shrovetide" in Britain. It is celebrated on Fat Tuesday, the day before the first day of Lent, which is called Ash Wednesday. Lent is the 40 days before Easter Sunday. This year, Mardi Gras February 24, though it is celebrated for between 1 and 3 weeks leading up to Lent.

February is also the month in which we celebrate Presidents' Day, which is a combination of Abraham Lincoln's birthday (February 12) and George Washington's birthday (February 22), as well as Valentine's Day (February 14), which is the observation of romance.

Boy Scout founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell and Girl Guides organizer Lady Olave Baden-Powell were both born on February 22, and were married when he was 55 and she was 23.

Writers were born this month include Ayn Rand, James Joyce, William Burroughs, Laura Ingalls Wilder, John Steinbeck, and Charles Dickens; actors include Clark Gable, Joey Bishop, James Dean, Kelsey Grammer, Drew Barrymore; and singers include Natalie Cole, Sonny Bono, Yoko Ono, and George Harrison.

Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron were both born in February, as were Charles Lindbergh, and Ronald Reagan.

Additional resources for February:

• Groundhog Day - The official website of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club provides a history of Groundhog's Day and resources for teaching about the annual holiday.
• Mardi Gras New Orleans - Comprehensive resource for learning about Mardis Gras traditions and tips for attending a party or parade.
• White House 101 - Biographies for all 44 presidents and fun facts for all ages.
• History.com: Black History Month - Find an interactive timeline and an archive of Black history shows and videos produced by the History Channel.