Every month, there are hundreds of national and international celebrations dedicated to raising awareness and support for meaningful causes.
For those working to bring attention to important topics, it can be challenging to keep track of the next relevant awareness event. We’re here to help.
At Good Good Good, we aim to help people feel more hopeful and do more good. For years we’ve privately curated a comprehensive list of important cause-themed holidays that we’ve used for creating content on our good news Instagram, our Goodnewsletter, our Goodnewspaper, and on this very website.
We’ve organized this list of observances and events by month — and are making them public for the first time. Our hope is that this will help you or your organization bring attention to important issues.
Where applicable, we’ve included resources (usually good news around particular topics, action steps on how to make a difference, or relevant quotes) — and encourage you to share them if you find them helpful.
The main days and months you should know about for February are:
February Holidays
Date
Black History Month
February 1
Humpback Whale Awareness Month
February 1
World Cancer Day
February 4
Shine a Light on Slavery Day
February 13
Random Act of Kindness Day
February 17
World Day of Social Justice
February 20
February is the second month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It typically has 28 days, except in leap years when it has 29 days. It continues the season of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. February is renowned for Valentine’s Day, a celebration of love and affection.
Explore our comprehensive list of national and international months, weeks, days, and birthdays for the month of February:
February Celebrations:
Awareness Months
There are several awareness months celebrated in February — though the five that often get the most attention include Black History Month, Humpback Whale Awareness Month, National Cancer Prevention Month, American Heart Month, and Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month.
Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
American Heart Month
Black History Month
Explore ideas and activities for to celebrate Black History Month
Dog Training Education Month
Humpback Whale Awareness Month
Read good news about humpback whales
Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month
Low Vision Awareness Month
Marfan Awareness Month
National Bird-Feeding Month
National Cancer Prevention Month
National Cat Health Month
Pet Dental Health Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
Awareness Weeks
Tinnitus Awareness Week
1st full week of February
National School Counseling Week
1st full week of February
Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Week
Week-long event in February
Homes for Birds Week
Week-long event in February
Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week
Week after February 14th
National Nestbox Week
Week-long event in February
National Justice for Animals Week
Week-long event in February
Read our entire collection of dozens of good news stories about people making a difference for animals
Bird Health Awareness Week
Week-long event in February
Black Climate Week
Third full week of February
National Invasive Species Awareness Week
Last Monday of February
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Last week of February or the first week of March
Awareness Days
Lunar New Year – Based on lunar calendar
National Freedom Day – February 1
World Hijab Day – February 1
World Wetlands Day – February 2
National Wear Red Day – February 2
National Women Physicians Day – February 3
World Cancer Day – February 4
Learn about the good news about the fight against cancer and meet one doctor changing the way we treat cancer
National Mail Carrier Day – February 4
Transit Equity Day – February 4
Time to Talk Day – 1st Thursday of February
Anniversary of the Appointment of the First Openly Gay United States Federal Judge, Joseph Gale – February 6
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – February 7
Safer Internet Day – February 8
International Epilepsy Day – 2nd Monday of February
National Day of Women and Girls in Science – February 11
Get inspired by Afghan girls who are bypassing the Taliban through underground coding classes
World Day of the Sick – February 11
National Freedom to Marry Day – February 12
Shine a Light on Slavery Day – February 13
Read about one nonprofit that found a creative way to combat human trafficking with a fashion challenge
Valentine’s Day – February 14
This day can often be filled with waste, but we put together a guide for celebrating a sustainable Valentine’s Day and a guide to eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gifts
Anniversary of the Parkland Shooting – February 14
Read about the Parkland students who became activists and are working to bring an end to gun violence — and also about how to stop school shootings
Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Day – February 14
National Donor Day – February 14
World Bonobo Day – February 14
Douglass Day – February 14
World Hippopotamus Day – February 15
International Childhood Cancer Day – February 15
Marfan Awareness Day of Giving – February 15
Random Act of Kindness Day – February 17
Try one of these ideas for random acts of kindness and read about how to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day
Project For Awesome – 48-hour event in February
Learn more about Hank and John Green’s annual Project For Awesome
World Pangolin Day – 3rd Saturday of February
The Great Backyard Bird Count – 3rd Sunday of February
World Whale Day – 3rd Sunday of February
Read good news about humpback whales and learn how noise reduction can save whales
Day of Remembrance – February 19
World Day of Social Justice – February 20
Check out our curated collection of the best quotes about social justice
National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day – February 22
Chosen Family Day – February 22
International Polar Bear Day – February 27
Rare Disease Day – February 28
There’s good news to be celebrated about science’s progress against rare diseases
World Encephalitis Day – Last day of February
Notable Birthdays
Birthdays of leading activists, nonprofit leaders, and other world-changers:
Frederick Douglass’ Birthday – February 1
Langston Hughes’ Birthday – February 1
Harry Styles’ Birthday – February 1
Elizabeth Blackwell’s Birthday – February 3
Amal Clooney’s Birthday – February 3
Rosa Parks’ Birthday – February 4
Read and share the best Rosa Parks quotes
Mia Farrow’s Birthday – February 9
Thomas Edison’s Birthday – February 11
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday – February 12
Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday – February 15
Audre Lorde’s Birthday – February 18
Read and share the best Audre Lorde quotes
Yoko Ono’s Birthday – February 18
Read and share the best quotes from Yoko Ono
Ansel Adams’ Birthday – February 20
Rihanna’s Birthday – February 20
Sidney Poitier’s Birthday – February 20
Read about Sidney Poitier’s Hollywood legacy
Elliot Page’s Birthday – February 21
John Lewis’ Birthday – February 21
Read and share the best quotes from John Lewis
Nina Simone’s Birthday – February 21
Steve Irwin’s Birthday – February 22
W. E. B. Du Bois’ Birthday – February 23
You might also like: The Best February Quotes
Explore More Events:
Main Awareness Calendars: All Awareness Holidays | Heritage Months | International Days
More Awareness Calendars: Animals | Pets | Environment & Sustainability | LGBTQ+ | Black & African American | Mental Health | Disability | Cancer | HIV/AIDS
Awareness Days & Months: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Is this list missing a holiday or awareness week/month? Let us know. We want to ensure this list is comprehensive and inclusive.
This article was first published in 2022 — and is continually updated.
