February Fun Facts
Begins and Ends with E
Mid-Century Required Reading
Odds & Ends
Class Trip to D.C
100
Most people do not want this animal to see his shadow on February 2.
What is groundhog? Also known as a woodchuck, the special weather-forecasting groundhog’s proper name is Punxsutawney Phil. If he sees his shadow, legend has it we will see six more weeks of winter. We can expect an early spring if he doesn’t see his shadow.
100
This is the fatty, external extension of the ear.
What is earlobe? It is either attached or detached at the bottom. Scientists do not know what purpose earlobes serve, but they do know that they continue to grow as we age.
100
George Orwell’s “other” book, not 1984, was once mandatory reading in high school.
What is Animal Farm? Some call it allegory; others call it satire. Either way, it addresses the Stalinist revolution and life under the tyrannical regime that unfolded afterward.
100
Conventional wisdom says that a highly unpopular politician couldn’t get elected to this position if they tried.
What is dogcatcher? Vermont has an elected dogcatcher, but it’s not something you typically find on a ballot.
100
Self-guided multimedia tours are available for this storied, controversial institution associated with J. Edgar Hoover.
What is the FBI? Although the FBI is a domestic agency, it operates more than 80 offices worldwide.
200
Almost every four years, this affects February.
What is leap year? An extra day is added to February during leap years. Without adding an extra day, the seasons would start drifting earlier. NBC reports that the rule for skipping a leap year is: “If a year is divisible by 100 and not divisible by 400, leap year is skipped.
200
It is the U.S. national bird.
What is the bald eagle? The bald eagle, of course, isn’t bald but has white feathers on its head when it reaches maturity. They typically mate for life.
200
This Tennessee Williams classic is set in New Orleans.
What is a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof? You might remember the quote “Whoever you are—I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” Those words are spoken by Blanche DuBois, who never relied on herself.
200
Dried rose petals in a sachet are called this.
What is potpourri? You can make your potpourri with dried flower petals, bark (such as cinnamon), and herbs. To augment or refresh the fragrance, sprinkle with a drop or two of essential oil.
200
You’re bound to find a museum to explore in this collection of 17 museums based in Washington, D.C.
What is the Smithsonian? Entrance is free; you can view exhibits on everything from science and aviation to art exhibits and the National Zoo.
300
On Valentine’s Day, many people receive roses of this color.
What is red? Red symbolizes romantic love. If the rose is thornless, it symbolizes love at first sight.
300
This refers to something that can be eaten, such as the part of a plant that is safe to eat.
What is edible? For example, we eat apples, but the seeds are not edible because they contain cyanide
300
This is one of two popular series of amateur teenage detective franchises for leisure reading.
What is Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys? Freelance ghostwriters write both series. The Atlantic reports, “The secret behind the longevity of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys is simple. They’re still here because their creators found a way to minimize cost, maximize output, and standardize creativity.”
300
Other than dust mites, these are one of the main ingredients in household dust, particularly if you have pets.
What are dead skin cells? Other dust ingredients include pollen, soil, and whatever you bring in from outdoors.
300
You can ride on the subway that connects the House and Senate office buildings to this building.
What is the Capitol? The original Capitol subway was inaugurated in 1909.
400
Although rare, February is the only month where it is possible not to have this in the night sky.
What is a full moon? If the January full moon falls on January 31, you won’t see the next full moon until the beginning of March.
400
If something is facile, it can be done with this.
What is ease? The word facile comes from the Latin facilis, meaning “easy.”
400
“It was the best of times. It was the worst of times,” begins this novel by Charles Dickens.
What is A Tale of Two Cities? The two cities are London and Paris, and the classic opens in 1775, leading up to the French Revolution. You may remember the character Madame Defarge, who knits a list of revolutionaries who should be executed.
400
During the Roaring Twenties, women wore cloches on this part of the body.
What is the head? A cloche is a bell-shaped hat.
400
When in D.C., attend a performance at the Center for Performing Arts named for this president.
Who is John F. Kennedy? The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts houses the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera.
500
On February 3, 1913, the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving the federal government the right to do this.
What is impose a federal income tax? The initial tax rate was three percent on incomes more than $800.
500
This is a large, imposing building or structure.
What is edifice? Examples include the U.S. Capitol and the cathedrals of Europe.
500
The Importance of Being Earnest was written by this author.
Who is Oscar Wilde? If you didn’t read this while in high school, it’s worth the read as an adult. It has nothing to do with being earnest in character. It’s quite the opposite—an amusing tale about an imaginary Ernest, a satire on Victorian-era life.
500
This is the most popular surname in the United States.
What is Smith? More than 2.7 million people share the name. It originated as an Old English term meaning “blacksmith” or “ironworker.”
500
Witness the changing of the guard at this national landmark.
What is Arlington National Cemetery? Arlington is the nation’s largest military cemetery. The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier takes place at every hour on the hour from October 1 through March 31 and every half hour from April 1 through September 30.
