World Wetlands Day – This day raises awareness about the importance of wetlands for biodiversity, climate regulation, and human well-being, and promotes efforts to protect and restore wetland ecosystems around the world.
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) – This day raises awareness about the harmful practice of FGM, which involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons, and promotes efforts to eliminate the practice and support its survivors.
World Play Your Ukulele Day – This day celebrates the joy of playing and listening to the ukulele, a small four-stringed instrument that originated in Hawaii and has become popular around the world.
Candlemas Day – This Christian holiday commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the purification of Mary, and is traditionally associated with the lighting of candles and the blessing of throats.
National Tater Tot Day (USA) – This day celebrates the humble but delicious Tater Tot, a popular American snack food made from grated potatoes that are fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
1653 – New Amsterdam, now known as New York City, is incorporated.
1848 – The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, ending the Mexican-American War and ceding much of Mexico’s territory to the United States.
1887 – Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog who predicts the weather on Groundhog Day, makes his first appearance in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
1925 – Serum run to Nome: Dog sleds deliver diphtheria antitoxin to remote Alaskan town.
1971 – Idi Amin seizes power in Uganda in a military coup.
2004 – Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” occurs during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show.
2014 – Philip Seymour Hoffman, an American actor, dies of a drug overdose at the age of 46.
