Except for Valentine's day, which is a fluffy trifle, there isn't
anything in the way of a cheery national holiday after Thanksgiving,
Hanukah, Christmas and New Year's are over.
 Granted that's already quite a lineup, but after Jan 1, it's pretty
much a cold grim stretch until the spring.
 Has anyone proposed the creation of a new, cheery national holiday to
break the winter monotony?

With my typical lack of humility, I propose that February 10th (my
birthday) should be declared Pink Day. Winter monotony doesn't stand a
chance if the Google Answers crew pitches in to make merry. Pink
balloons. Pink cupcakes. Pink margaritas (I have a great recipe). I'm
tickled pink just thinking about it. ;-)

If we consider existing holidays, I think Groundhog Day is a good
candidate for promotion. It may not sell as many greeting cards and
candy as Valentine's Day, but you've gotta love a holiday whose mascot
is -- like Santa Claus -- a fat, furry fella.

Greetings Pcventures:

Easter might qualify as a "winter ending" holiday as well because...

"The Babylonian name "Esther" is believed to have been a form for
Ashtorah or Asherah. The name "Easter" is derived from it and
originally this festival was adapted from practices associated with
the fertility goddess which is the reason for  easter eggs...Asherah
is also mentioned in the Bible but in the KJ it is translated as
"grove" and "groves" really were frequently dedicated to the goddess
"Asherah". An "asherah" in Hebrew can also mean a grove dedicated for
pagan purposes."
From http://www.hebroots.org/hebrootsarchive/0005/000527_g.html

"However, while Ostara is the actual date of the Spring Equinox, the
Christian holiday of Easter is generally celebrated on the first
Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. (Yes, the
"Christian" holy day is based on the Pagan calendar.)...Ostara marks
the first day of the year in the Roman tradition. It is said that
there were no calendar months between the end of December (its name
comes from the word for ten, since there were only ten months) and
Ostara. So while we look forward to the return of light and warmth
when we celebrate Imbolc, we know that Ostara marks the full return of
Spring...the first day of actual growth and new life in the new year."
From http://www.fionabroome.com/craft/ostara1.htm

Best regards,
journalist-ga


SEARCH STRATEGY:

feast of easter esther pagan

OK, I second Pink's suggestion for Feb 10th. I'm afraid, though, that
the commercialism that is Valentine's Day will get in the way of the
parade, though. :) Handy to have all that pink regalia available in
the shops, though! So what if it's all in the shape of hearts?

Being of Chinese descent myself, and residing in a Canadian city with
a large Chinese population, I must respectfully point out that there
is already a large celebration that goes on every year at the end of
January/beginning of February (depends on the Lunar Year), with enough
fireworks etc. to blast away any winter blues. While not quite a
national holiday, it's a good enough excuse for a party! Great
parades, too, if you like Lion Dances. :)

Regards,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

By the way... doesn't Presidents Day count?

There are actually many holidays in February. Just pick one and
celebrate the heck out of it!

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/february.htm

tutuzdad-ga

Bryan's Day

The day when everyone can be silly.

30th February?

Why have only a day when we can have a whole week dedicated to the
favorite pastime of many - - - Eating Chocolate.

The first week of March is National Chocolate Week.

Deck the halls with Hershy's Kisses
Fa la la la laaaaa la la la laaaa
Ghirardelli for the misses
Fa la la la laaaaa la la la laaaa
Chocolate bunnies fast approaching
Fa la la la la la laaaa laaaaa laaaaaaa
Cadbury eggs on hens encroaching
Fa la la la laaaaaa la la laaaaaaaa

Oreos with tall milk glasses
Fa la la la laaaaa la la la laaaaaa
chocolate crunchies for the masses
Fa la la la laaaaa la la la laaaaa
Brownies, pies and puddings merry
Fa la la la la la laaaa laaaaa laaaaaaaa
Topped off with whipped cream and cherry
Fa la la la laaaaaa la la laaaaaaaa 

And they said I would never sing again.

digs

Interesting feedback... Happy New Year to everyone who replied! :)