| February
2005 |
| 1-29 |
Black
History Month This observance began in 1926 when Dr.
Carter G. Woodson, an African American concerned with the absence
of black history in history books, initiated Negro History Week.
In 1976, the month-long celebration was established as a time
to reflect on the history, teachings, and achievements of African
Americans. Read more at www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html
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| 1
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National
Freedom Day This day commemorates the signing of
the Thirteenth Amendment which abolished slavery in 1865.
Presidential proclamation established the date in 1949.
Rydal
Elementary School PTO Meeting 9:00 a.m. |
| 2 |
Groundhog
Day
Parent
Council Meeting at McKinley Elementary School, 7:30
p.m. |
| 6 |
Lantern
Festival This is the last day of the Chinese New Year
when the full moon occurs. A lantern festival takes place at
night with both lantern displays and parades of children carrying
lanterns. |
| 8 |
Mardi
Gras or Shrove Tuesday This is the day to celebrate
and feast (on pancakes, doughnuts, and the like) before the
Christian church season of Lent begins when Christians are called
to fasting.
Abington
Board of School Directors meeting, 7:30 p.m., School
District Administration Building, 970 Highland Ave., Abington
|
| 9 |
Ash
Wednesday This is the first day of Lent, a period of
fasting and penitence observed by Christians. Many choose to
go to church to have ashes imposed on their forehead in the
sign of the cross. This symbolizes that they belong to Jesus
who died on a cross and reminds them of their mortality. The
ashes come from burning palms from the previous Palm Sunday.
Lent
This 40-day period begins in Western Christian churches on
Ash Wednesday and ends on March 25, the Saturday before Easter.
In the Roman Catholic Church, Lent ends at sundown on March
23, the Thursday before Easter, with the beginning of the
Lord's Supper. Sundays are not counted as part of the 40 days
because they commemorate the Resurrection. Lent calls Christians
to a period of reflection and repentance in preparation for
Easter.
Chinese
New Year 2005 is the year of the Rooster. Chinese
New Year begins with the new moon and ends with the full moon
15 days later on Lantern Day. It is determined based on a
combination of lunar and solar movements. A month is 29.5
days long. An extra month is added to the Chinese calendar
every 7 years in a 19-year cycle. New Year’s Eve and
New Year’s Day are celebrated with family as a time
or reunion and thanksgiving. Departed ancestors are remembered
with great respect because they laid the foundation for the
family’s fortune and glory. Their presence is acknowledged
at a New Year’s Eve feast.
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| 12 |
Abraham
Lincoln's Birthday The sixteenth president of the United
States, Lincoln served as President from 1861 until he was assassinated
in 1865. His birthday, actually February 12, is observed on
the third Monday in February as President's Day (see February
16). He is best remembered for the Emancipation Proclamation
in which he declared freedom for all slaves in the area of the
Confederacy not under Union control and his Gettysburg Address
which dedicated the battlefield to the soldiers who had perished
there and called on the living to finish the task that the dead
soldiers had begun. |
| 14 |
St.
Valentine's Day An occasion to celebrate love and exchange
greetings and gifts. Read more at www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine/history.html
Copper
Beech Elementary School PTA meeting, 7:30 p.m.
|
| 15 |
Parent
Advisory Council for Special Education meeting at Copper
Beech Elementary School, 7:30 p.m. |
| 16 |
McKinley
Elementary School PTO meeting, 9:00 a.m.
Highland
Elementary School PTO meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Parent
Course Selection Workshop at Abington Senior High
School, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays
in Lent During the Christian church season of Lent
leading up to Easter Christians may attend special Wednesday
Lenten services that focus on this season of reflection and
repentance
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| 20 |
Frederick
Douglas Day This African American journalist, who published
an antislavery paper called the North Star, was known as a brilliant
speaker and leading abolitionist. He fought to end slavery in
the United States in the decades leading up to the Civil War
He died on this date in 1894. His birth date is unknown. |
| 21 |
President's
Day This Federal holiday is observed on the third Monday
in February. It combines the observance of George Washington's
(first President) birthday and Abraham Lincoln's (sixteenth
president) birthday. |
| 22 |
George
Washington's Birthday Born in 1732, Washington became
the first president of the United States on April 30, 1789 and
served two terms. Prior to his Presidency, he served as Commander
in Chief of the Continental Army and was a prime mover in steps
leading to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in
1787
Abington
Board of School Directors meeting, 7:30 p.m., School
District Administration Building, 970 Highland Ave., Abington.
|
| 23 |
Kindergarten
registration at all Abington Elementary Schools |
| 24 |
Roslyn
Elementary School PTO meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Hello Dolly
- Abington Senior High School All-School Musical,
7:30 p.m.
|
| 25 |
Hello
Dolly - Abington Senior High School All-School Musical,
7:30 p.m. |
| 26 |
Hello
Dolly - Abington Senior High School All-School Musical,
7:30 p.m. |
| 28 |
Abington
Senior High School PTO meeting, 7:30 p.m. in the Library
Abington
Board of School Directors meeting, 7:30 p.m., School
District Administration Building, 970 Highland Ave., Abington
PTO meeting, 7:30 p.m.
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