February 2012

Dominion employee Ana Bodreeva defines diversity as "a variety of things — people that are different between each other." In her photo, taken in Richmond, Va., six hands of Dominion employees form three hearts. "Different hands symbolize a diversity of people and a workforce (different age, race, sex)," Bodreeva said. "This photo depicts a 'Rising Heart' and that diversity leads to the heart."

Black History Month and, more importantly, the study of black history owe a great debt to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who first launched Negro History Week in 1926. Woodson chose February because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly impacted the American black population — Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The purpose of Black History Month is to recognize the contributions of black Americans and develop a better understanding of the black experience.

In December 1995, the Parliament of Canada recognized February as Black History Month following a motion introduced by the first African-Canadian woman elected to Parliament, Jean Augustine. The presence of peoples of African descent in Canada dates back farther than Samuel de Champlain’s (a French explorer and navigator in the early 1600s) first voyage down the St. Lawrence River.

• Learn about Dominion's Strong Men & Women Program.

February 3:

• Setsunbun-sai (Japan) - Known as Bean Throwing Night, beans are thrown to protect against demons with shouts of "Devil out, Good Fortune in."

February 4:

• Prophet's Birthday (Islamic) - Celebrates the birthday of Muhammad, the final prophet of Islam; also known as "the seal of the prophets." Some scholars consider this holiday to be an innovation in the religion, as Muhammad himself did not celebrate it, except by fasting. This is the day it is celebrated by Sunni. It is celebrated by Shia Muslims five days later.

February 6:

• Waitangi Day (New Zealand) - Commemorates the signing of a treaty at Waitangi on February 6, 1840, by a group of Maori chiefs and the British government.
• Lantern Festival (China, Taiwan) - Marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

February 8:

• Tu B’Shevat (Jewish) The new year for trees. This day was set aside in the Mishnah as the day on which to bring fruit tithes.

February 14:

• Valentine's Day (International) - The traditional day on which lovers in certain cultures let each other know about their love, commonly by sending Valentine's cards.

February 20:

• President's Day (USA) - A holiday held to honor former presidents of the United States; celebrated on the third Monday of February.
• Louis Riel Day (Canadian Aboriginal) - Louis Riel was a famous Metis leader who in 1885 led a rebellion and lost against the Canadian authorities. Today his name is a symbol for Native independence.

Feb 21:

• Mardi Gras (Christian) – This day concludes the season of Epiphany. It is a carnival day on the eve of Ash Wednesday. Pancakes are often served. It is also known as Fat Tuesday in some places.

Feb 22:

• Losar (Tibet) - The Tibetan New Year is called Losar and is celebrated for fifteen days, the first three being the most important,  by visiting, feasting and relaxation of the monastic discipline.

February 22: 

• Ash Wednesday (Christian) - Marks the beginning of Lent. Ash symbolizes sorrow for wrong doings and foreheads of churchgoers are marked with the shape of the cross with ashes as a sign of penitence. During the 40 days of Lent, Christians fast and pray to imitate Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness before his crucifixion.

February 28:

• Kalevala Day (Finland) - Elias Lonnrot, a country doctor, folklorist and philologist compiled the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic, in 1835. This day is observed countrywide with lectures, parades and recitations to honor him.