Also known as Orthodox Shrove Monday or Ash Monday.
Clean Monday is the Monday that begins the season of Great Lent in Eastern Orthodox Churches. This corresponds to the season of Lent found in Western Christendom, but the periods of these two seasons are calculated differently. Both have 40 days between the beginning and end of Lent because of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting the desert. Western Christendom doesn’t count Sundays because Jesus is recorded as having resurrected on a Sunday while Eastern Orthodox churches do count Sundays.
February 2012 Estonia Independence Day
The Republic of Estonia was founded on February 24, 1918 when the Salvation Committee, Päästekomitee, declared the independence of the Republic of Estonia. This date was celebrated as the Day of Independence until the Soviet occupation of Estonia in 1940.
Presidents’ Day, also known as Washington’s Birthday, is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of February. The day honors presidents of the United States, including George Washington, the USA’s first president.
Presidents Day was originally designated in honor of George Washington’s birthday and is still legally called “Washington’s Birthday.” The first president of the United States was born on February 22, 1732.
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with great devotion and religious fervor by Hindus, in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the Hindu Gods forming the Trinity. The festival falls on the moonless, 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun (in the month of February – March, according to English Calendar). On the festival of Maha Shivaratri, devotees observe day and night fast and worship Shiva Lingam, to appease Lord Shiva. Many interesting legends have been related to the festival of Maha Shivaratri, explaining the reason behind its celebrations as well as its significance.
Family Day is a statutory holiday occurring on the third Monday in February. In the provinces of Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, the statutory holiday on this date is instead termed Louis Riel Day and Islander Day, respectively. The timing of Family Day coincides with Presidents Day in the United States.
Legislation proclaiming the third Monday in February as Louis Riel Day was passed by Manitoba’s Legislative Assembly in 2007, and first celebrated on February 18, 2008. Louis Riel Day is a name that was suggested by Manitoba school students, in honour of Louis Riel, the Métis leader regarded as the Father of Manitoba.
FAMILY DAY
Observed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan. This holiday celebrates the importance of families and family life to people and their communities.
