Author: Lisa Mungovan

Today is Cordova Ice Worm Day. Ice worms live in glaciers, and function best at temperatures below freezing. They eat snow algae and bacteria. Only a few centimeters long, they move between the ice crystals. Cordova Alaska celebrates the glacial nematodes with an annual 8-day festival, featuring a squirmy mascot that’s 150 feet long!

Today is Carrot Cake Day. The natural sweetness of carrots, makes it one of the few vegetables, that sounds good in a dessert! You can even make a version for dogs, to celebrate Golden Retriever Day. The gentle dog is one of the most popular breeds for families in the United States. Good doggie!

Winter can be hard on birds, especially when snow covers everything. Give them a little help, on Feed The Birds Day. Set up a bird feeder, and fill it with bird seed. Woodpeckers enjoy blocks of suet, cardinals love sunflower seeds, and many birds enjoy fruit. Your old wrinkly apples will make them happy.

50 years ago, 16 years after the first sit-ins demanding an end to segregation, President Gerald Ford officially recognized February 1 as the first day of Black History Month. He challenged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

It’s Groundhog Day! The official weather-predicting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, emerged from his burrow and saw his shadow. That means there will be 6 more weeks of winter. But Martinsburg Maxwell, a groundhog with a degree in meteorology, said, “Phil’s only right 20% of the time. It’s impossible to accurately predict weather that way!”

You might know about Groundhog Day, but what about Marmot Day? Marmots are large ground squirrels. There are 15 species of marmot, and groundhogs are one of them! It’s also Hedgehog Day! They look like spiky balls, with quills that feel like toothpicks. Don’t forget Sled Dog Day! Take your dog sledding, and yell “Mush!”

Happy World Wetlands Day! This year’s theme is, “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage”. Wetlands are swamps and marshes that act like a sponge, absorbing water to reduce flooding during wet seasons, and releasing it during dry spells. Wetlands are also home, to 40% of the world’s plant and animal species.

Today is World Play Your Ukulele Day. Ukuleles look like small guitars, but the Hawaiian instrument has unique tuning. Pop some little potato balls in your mouth between songs, because it’s Tater Tot Day too! It’s also Crepe Day. They’re like skinny pancakes, that you can fold around any filling you like!

A zoo in Utah, announced a new baby giraffe, born to mother Minka and father Ja. The calf took his first steps soon after he was born, and was quickly exploring and bonding with mom. Giraffe calves are around 6 feet tall at birth, and stand up within an hour.

Groundhog Day is coming. The most famous prognosticator, Punxsutawney Phil, only correctly predicts the coming of spring 35% of the time. New York’s Staten Island Chuck has an 85% success rate, while Georgia’s General Beauregard Lee comes in second, at 80%. You could also follow French Creek Freddie, Malverne Mel, or Woodstock Willie.