An interactive cultural timeline

Jan./Feb.: Chinese New Year Spring Festival

Chinese Spring Festival is celebrated by Chinese people all over the world.

Jan./Feb.: Chinese New Year Spring Festival

Pagoda in Chinatown, Singapore. Photo William Cho (CC BY-NC-SA).
Lion Dance in Sydney. Photo Christopher Chan (CC BY-NC-ND).

America has been for several generations a destination for Chinese migrant workers and immigrants who brought their own culture to the New world. California and other states have Chinatowns where the well-established Chinese community is visibly present. The month-long traditional Festival of Spring also known as Chinese New Year, is the occasion of reviving colourful original traditions : sweet food, firecrackers and the lion dance are the most striking elements.

In Australia, Canada and the United States, Chinese New Year is not an official holiday, but ethnic Chinese people hold large celebrations. Australia Post, Canada Post, and the US Postal Service issue Chinese New Year's themed stamps.
2nd Feb. : Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day

A Pennsylvanian groundhog predicts the coming of spring.

2nd Feb. : Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day

At Gobbler's knob. Photo Sfgamchick (CC BY-NC-ND).
I forgot. Photo D Hew Richardson (CC BY-NC-ND).

The city of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, USA, is the home of a furry animal, the world's most famous prognosticating rodent, a groundhog called Phil. Groundhogs spend the winter hibernating in underground burrows, living on the fat reserves stocked in their bodies over summer. They come out in spring when the weather gets warmer. Punxsutawney Phil leaves his burrow in February to check if he can see his own shadow, so predicting six more weeks of cold winter. If he cannot see his own shadow, an early spring will follow. Phil’s prediction is the occasion of a local festival on Groundhog Day. A Groundhog Society controls that the ritual will be followed according to tradition.
14th Feb. : Valentine's Day

The Festival of Lovers.

14th Feb. : Valentine's Day

Have a heart. Photo Today is a good day (CC BY-NC-ND).
Be my Valentine. Photo Pringle Hill (CC BY-NC-ND).

Valentine’s Day is the day when you do something nice for your sweetheart, telling her or him that you care. You give presents like chocolate or sweet candy, or 12 red roses, the flower of love. Postcards called valentines are sent, featuring red roses and pink hearts and pictures of Cupido-Amor the little god of love. You can also send a digital animation over the internet to let a person know that you love or simply care for her or him. Valentines can be anonymous if you are shy or wish to play mysterious. Many people book a dinner or a night out in a romantic place to enjoy spending time together on this special occasion.
3rd Monday of Feb. : President's Day

George Washington's Birthday.

3rd Monday of Feb. : President's Day

Statue of Abraham Lincoln. Photo Joe Penniston (CC BY-NC-ND).
Presidents' race. Photo Scott Ableman (CC BY-NC-ND).
Abraham Obama. Photo Wally Gobetz (CC BY-NC-ND).

President’s Day is a national public holiday in the United States. It is held on the third Monday of February, it is generally associated with President George Washington, who was one of the leaders of the American Independance from Great Britain, many people also add President Abraham Lincoln in the celebration, who was also born in February