Quote: "Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age." Victor Hugo
Gumdrops are a type of confectionery (candy). They are usually brightly-colored gelatin- or pectin-based pieces, shaped like a truncated cone and coated in granulated sugar. This makes them very sweet. Gumdrops come in (usually artificial) fruit and spice varieties; the latter are also known as spice drops. They are often used for decorating cakes and cupcakes. Around Christmas time this candy is a key ingredient in making gingerbread houses.
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Ancient Rome - Third and final day of Lupercalia - February 13 through 15
"Lupercalia was a very ancient, possibly pre-Roman pastoral festival, observed on February 15 to avert evil spirits and purify the city, releasing health and fertility. Lupercalia subsumed Februa, a possibly earlier-origin spring cleansing ritual held on the same date, which gives the month of February its name."
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National Flag of Canada Day in Canada - February 15
"National Flag of Canada Day is observed annually on 15 February, commemorating the inauguration of the national flag of Canada by Governor General Georges Vanier on that date in 1965. The day, officially called National Flag of Canada Day, is marked by flying the flag, occasional public ceremonies and educational programs in schools. It is not a public holiday, although there has been discussion about creating one."
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John Frum Day in Vanuatu - February 15
"John Frum (or Jon Frum, or John From) is a figure associated with cargo cults on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu. He is depicted as an American World War II serviceman, who will bring wealth and prosperity to the people if they follow him.
Followers of John Frum built symbolic landing strips to encourage American aeroplanes to land and bring them "cargo". In 1957, a leader of the John Frum movement, Nakomaha, created the "Tanna Army", a non-violent, ritualistic organisation which organised military-style parades, their faces painted in ritual colours, and wearing white t-shirts with the letters "T-A USA" (Tanna Army USA). This parade still takes place every year on February 15.
The cult is still active today. The followers believe that John Frum will come back on a February 15 (the year of his return is not known), a date which is observed as "John Frum Day" in Vanuatu."
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National Day in Serbia - February 15
The beginning of the Serbian revolution against Ottoman rule 1804, first constitution 1835)
The National Day is a designated date on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a nation or non-sovereign country. This nationhood can be symbolized by the date of independence, of becoming republic or a significant date for a patron saint or a ruler (birthday, accession, removal etc). Often the day is not called ”National Day” but serves and can be considered as one. The National Day will often be a national holiday.
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Total Defence Day in Singapore - February 15
"Total Defence Day (Chinese: 全面防卫日) is celebrated annually on February 15 in Singapore to commemorate the anniversary of the surrender of the British to the Japanese on February 15, 1942, precursoring 3 years and 8 months of Japanese Occupation.
Schools frequently organize activities, such as quizzes, for students to remind them on the importance of Total Defence, to remind students that Singapore is defensible and is worth defending, and only Singaporeans would have the will to defend Singapore.
At 1205 hours, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will sound the Important Message Signal through the island-wide Public Warning System (PWS) sirens. Simultaneously at 1205 hours, 10 local radio stations will sound the important message signal and explain to the listeners on the appropriate measures to be taken for the three different types of PWS signals. After the sounding, schools will read out a Civil Defence message in which students were reminded of the significance of the PWS signals and appropriate measure.
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In the Eastern Orthodox Church: Candlemas - Dates can be confusing
Western Christianity - Candlemas occurs 40 days after Christmas.
"Traditionally the Western term "Candlemas" (or Candle Mass) referred to the practice whereby a priest on 2 February blessed beeswax candles for use throughout the year, some of which were distributed to the faithful for use in the home. In Poland the feast is called Matka Boska Gromniczna (Matka Boska, "Mother of God" + Gromnica, "Thunder"). This name refers to the candles that are blessed on this day and called gromnicy, since these candles are lit during (thunder) storms and placed in windows to ward off the storm.
Within the Roman Catholic Church, since the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, this feast has been referred to as the Feast of Presentation of the Lord, with references to candles and the purification of Mary de-emphasised in favor of the Prophecy of Simeon the Righteous. Pope John Paul II connected the feast day with the renewal of religious vows."
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In the Roman Catholic church: - February 15
Saint Siegfried of Sweden
Saints Faustin and Jovita
Saint Claude de la Colombière
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Significant February
• Birthstone of the Month: Amethyst - meaning Sincerity.
• The name for the Moon this month is called Hunger Moon, Snow Moon, Chaste Moon, Wolf Moon.
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