The first Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans occurred 2/27/1827.  Mardi Gras refers to the events beginning on or after Epiphany and ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. From the French term "Mardi Gras" (literally "Fat Tuesday"), has come to mean the whole period of activity related to those events.

Since 1968, President’s Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February. President's Day is a day set aside to honor all of the U.S. presidents.

The Random Acts of Kindness™ Foundation inspires people to practice kindness and to “pass it on” to others. They provide free educational and community ideas, guidance, and other resources to kindness participants through their website.

 http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

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. Gumdrops, spice drops, and their variations are used in baking, candy crafting, decorating, and for eating out of hand. They are often used for decorating cakes and cupcakes. Around Christmas time, this candy is an ingredient used in making gingerbread houses.

In the United States, three other "old fashioned" gumdrop candies are also popular: Orange Slices, Licorice Babies, and Spearmint Leaves. All are larger in size than spice drops or gumdrops, are fruit slice, kewpie-doll, or leaf shaped, sprinkled with sugar, and are typically sold by the bag.

Valentine's Day is one of the most popular holidays, probably because its theme applies to people the world over. Anyone affected by love has a reason to celebrate on this date!

The holiday most likely originated from the Roman celebration of Lupercalia, an annual rite of passage festival for young men. The names of young women were placed in a box and randomly selected by the youths. The two would be partners for the length of a year, when another lottery would be held.  This ritual was established around the 4th century B.C.E. and lasted at least for several centuries before it was stripped of its pagan characteristics and a commemoration of lovers through the exchange of heartfelt notes gradually emerged in its place.

Over $1 billion of chocolate is purchased for Valentine's Day.

The Hershey Company, known until April 2005 as the Hershey Foods Corporation and commonly called Hershey's, is the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America.Its headquarters are in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which is also home to Hershey's Chocolate World. It was founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1894 as the Hershey Chocolate Company, a subsidiary of his Lancaster Caramel Company. Hershey's products are sold in about sixty countries worldwide.

The first old-age home for pioneers opened in Prescott, Arizona. The Arizona Pioneer's Home was initially built to house 40 men, but thanks to a donation in 1916, a wing was added for women. Today, state funded and charitable donations, the home can care for 150 residents.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday 2012!
Giants Vs Patriots!