Valentine’s Day Is Celebrated in Many Parts of the World

 Events
Feb 142026
 

Created by Sandie Obrin

Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world. Three factors may contribute to the creation of Valentine’s Day. The holiday may have roots in an ancient Roman festival, Lupercalia. One saint named Valentine secretly married couples against a Roman emperor’s wishes. Another saint named Valentine refused to worship Roman gods and was arrested. Children tossed him notes, and thus the idea of exchanging valentines began. Other people believe birds choose their mates on Valentine’s Day. Idea: Instead of buying valentines, children could make cards. They could also learn more at: Valentine’s Day.

Great Backyard Bird Count Occurs between February 14 and February 17!

 Events
Feb 142026
 

Anna’s Hummingbird in Big Bend

Great Backyard Bird Count occurs between February 14 and February 17! Children can spend as little as fifteen minutes in the backyard, identifying, counting, and photographing birds. They can submit their findings to add to the world’s knowledge of birds. Children can visit Great Backyard Bird Count. There they can find a printable bird checklist, data regarding past bird counts, and free apps to identify birds. What a fun, free, and engaging activity!

Happy Birthday, Oregon!

 Events
Feb 142026
 
Oregon State Flag

Oregon State Flag

Reverse Oregon State Flag

Reverse Oregon State Flag

Oregon became the thirty-third state of the United States in 1859. The state’s nickname is the Beaver State. Salem is the state capital, but Portland is the largest city. It is the leading state in the production of Christmas trees. It is also one of the strongest states in regard to the environment. The state is the ninth largest state, and it is 43rd in population. The square dance is the state’s official dance.

Happy Birthday, Arizona!

 Events
Feb 142026
 
Arizona State Flag

Arizona State Flag

Arizona became the forty-eighth state of the United States in 1912. The word Arizona derives from a Pima or Papago word meaning, place of small springs. It was relatively unpopulated until the wide spread use of air conditioners. It still faces the problem of water scarcity. Arizona is the sixth largest state and the fourteenth most populated. The bolo tie is the state’s official neckwear.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Feb 142026
 

Original Ferris Wheel at World’s Columbian Exposition

George Washington Gale Ferris (born Galesburg, Illinois, 1859; died Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1896) invented the Ferris wheel. He created the first Ferris wheel for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. It was made to rival the Eiffel Tower.

Adam Gidwitz (born San Francisco, California, 1982) writes books for children. He received a 2017 Newbery Honor Award for The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and their Holy Dog. Children could visit his site at: Adam Gidwitz.

Margaret E. Knight (born York, Maine, 1838; died Framingham, Massachusetts, October 12, 1914) was a most accomplished woman inventor. One of her most-famous inventions produced flat-bottom paper bags. She received at least 27 patents, perhaps as much as 30. Children could read Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor, by Emily Arnold McCully.

George Shannon (born Caldwell, Kansas, 1952) writes books for children. His books include Frog Legs and Heart to Heart. Children can visit his website at: George Shannon.

Paul O. Zelinsky (born Evanston, Illinois, 1953) is a children’s book author and illustrator. His Rapunzel won the 1998 Caldecott Award. He has illustrated books by other authors, including Beverly Cleary and Jack Prelutsky. Children could visit his interesting website at: Paul O. Zelinsky.

World Whale Day

 Events
Feb 152026
 

Southern Right Whale

World Whale Day is today. Celebrated on the third Sunday in February, the day was was started by a group in 1980 in Maui, Hawaii. They were concerned about the humpback whale, which is found in the waters off the island. Gregg Kauffman founded the Pacific Whale Foundation because he was concerned about the decline in whale populations. Whales are now protected by international laws. Prior to such laws whales were hunted. Even today bycatch and pollution threaten whale populations. Whales are the largest mammals. Two types of whale exist: baleen whales and toothed whales. Children could learn more at: Whales.

 

World Hippo Day

 Events
Feb 152026
 

Hippopotamus

World Hippo Day is today! The day reminds us to make sure hippos survive and thrive. The animals’ name is interesting: hippos means horse and potamos means river. So the animals’ name is apt: a river horse. Two types of hippos exist today. The common hippo is on the vulnerable list and the pigmy hippo is on the endangered list. Both types exist in sub-Saharan Africa. They are the third largest land mammal, after elephants and rhinos. Children can learn more at: Hippos.

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