Eight holidays in February that you may have never heard of

Sruthi Boppuri, Staff Writer

Sick of all the Valentine’s Day hype? Here are some holidays that are celebrated in February that you may not have heard of.

 

Feb. 8 – Clean Out Your Computer Day

Falling on the second Monday of the month, this holiday has been around since 2000 and is sponsored by the Institute of Business Technology. People are encouraged to clean out their digital files and hard drives on their computers, as a cluttered computer is considered wasteful.

 

Feb. 11 – White Shirt Day

Created by Bert Christenson in 1948, this holiday honors the men and women who protested in a sitdown strike at General Motors which ended on this day back in 1937. The protesters helped the United Auto Workers (UAW) become the bargaining agent for General Motors. Although best known in Flint, Michigan, people celebrate this unofficial holiday by wearing white shirts or blouses.

 

Feb. 13 – Get a Different Name Day

Created and copyrighted by Ruth and Thomas Roy, this day is perfect for those who dislike their given birth names. On this day, it is socially acceptable to change your name and have others address you by your desired name.

 

Feb. 14 – National Donor Day

This national holiday was created by the Saturn Corporation and its UAW partners, along with the support of the United States Department of Health and Human Services in 1998. Centered around five points of life – organs, tissues, marrow, platelets and blood – people are encouraged to donate to help save lives. Many organizations hold and sponsor various donor drives across the nation.

 

Feb. 18 – National Battery Day

This annual holiday is dedicated to commemorating the birth of Count Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta, an Italian physicist who invented the battery back in 1800. As batteries are used for almost everything, this day is perfect to appreciate the importance of something you may take for granted.

 

Feb. 20 – Love Your Pet Day

Although the origin of this holiday is unknown, this special day is dedicated to loving your pet and giving them extra attention. Many households in the United States have at least one pet, but with our busy lives, sometimes we fail to give our pets the attention they deserve. So on this day, make sure your pet knows just how much you love them.

 

Feb. 22 – Walking the Dog Day

Celebrated since 2011, this unofficial holiday is dedicated to walking your dog. Although this should be done everyday, it is a necessity to walk your dog on this day. It is a perfect opportunity for you to spend quality time with man’s best friend.

 

Feb. 28 – Public Sleeping Day

We all get tired throughout the day, right? For one day a year, it socially acceptable to take a quick nap anywhere you like. Whether it is sleeping on a train or on the job, you can practically sleep wherever and whenever you want.