Official Kids Mag

We ❤ February! Not only is Valentine's Day this month, but it's also american Heart month, a time to take care of your heart by eating right and exercising. It's also Black History Month, a great month to learn more about the history and contributions of African Americans. It first began as a week, by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926, a famous African American historian known as the "Father of Black History." Woodson hoped to change the content of textbooks and historical documents which often ignored or minimized the impact and influence of black individuals. The second week in February was chosen, because it covered the birthdays of Frederick Douglass (February 14) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12). Through the years, the celebration stretched throughout the entire month of February. In 1976, President Ford decreed that Black History Month be celebrated across all of the USA to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." Now, Black History Month has been adopted by countries across the world. February 5 National Wear red day The first Friday in February (February 5) is National Wear Red Day. On this day in February (American Heart Month), people everywhere are encouraged to wear the color red in order to raise and spread awareness of heart disease and stroke in women and congenital heart disease in children. So put on your reddest red hat, shirt…or even dress your dog in red! look for some ways to keep your own heart healthy at home on page 11! February 11 National Inventors' day Without our inventors, where would we be? No television or computers, no video games or smartphones, no bicycles or skateboards! Human inventiveness is what sets us apart from every other species on this planet. We've come a long way since the invention of the wheel, and that's worth celebrating. check out the story on page 10 about some "nutty" arkansas brothers who invented a new kind of peanut butter! February 12 abraham lincoln's birthday Sure, you probably know Abraham Lincoln was our 16th president. Maybe you even know something about the Emancipation Proclamation or the Gettysburg Address. But did you know that Lincoln's parents were illiterate? Or, that thanks to his long arms and legs, he was a great wrestler? In fact, he earned an "Outstanding American" honor in the Wresting Hall of Fame. The future president was first called "Honest Abe" when he was working as a young store clerk in New Salem, Illinois. According to one story, whenever he realized he had shortchanged a customer by a few pennies, he would close the shop and deliver the correct change-regardless of how far he had to walk. February February 2 Groundhog Day This is the day we find out if there will be six more weeks of winter. It's all up to a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil. Each year on Groundhog Day, people flock to Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to await the forecast by the local celebrity groundhog. This strange superstition started with German settlers who came to Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow on February 2, winter will continue. But, if the weather is cloudy and he doesn't see his shadow, we can expect warmer temperatures and early spring. Groundhog Day is a fun and silly tradition. And yes, it is also a film starring Bill Murray. February 11 The International Day of Women & Girls in Science This day honors women's achievements in science and focuses on girls entering careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Have some fun by learning about science trailblazers, like Katherine Johnson, and be inspired to explore your own career in STEM. Who was Katherine Johnson? Katherine Johnson, an African-American space scientist and mathematician, is a leading figure in American space history who made great contributions to America's aeronautics and space programs. She played a huge role in calculating key trajectories in the Space Race — including the one for Alan Shepard, the first American in space, as well as for the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the moon. Astronaut John Glenn, who, in 1962 became the first American to orbit the Earth, refused to fly unless Johnson, with her mastery of mathematics, verified the computer's work. "Get the girl," he said about the numbers, "If she says they're good, then I'm ready to go." She did, and he flew. Johnson died last February at the age of 101. Even in retirement she continued to encourage girls to pursue careers in science and technology. official Kids Mag calendar 6 • FeBruary 2021 • officialKidsMag.com

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