2 — Groundhog Day
Spring can’t be that far away. Rent the Bill Murray movie and look for your shadow.
3 — The day the music died. Rock pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash, 1959. Today,play their music for the little boppers at your house.
4 — Rosa Parks (above) born, 1913. Share the civil rights icon’s story and be inspired by her courage.
5 — Year of the Dragon, 4698, begins on the Chinese lunar calendar. Serve fortune cookies.
6 — Monopoly goes on sale for the first time, 1935. Host a Monopoly Marathon.
9 — The Beatles’ first appearance on Ed Sullivan, 1964. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Call 800-227-3988 for local info.
11 — When flakes fall, drop everything and build a snowman with your children.
12 — Abraham Lincoln born, 1809. See if your kids can find his portrait in your house. When they’re stumped, gather pennies and shine them up in his honor.
13 — “The Nazi Olympics” opens at Spertus Museum, 618 S. Michigan Ave.
The Old Town School Children’s Center hosts an Open House.
14 — Valentine’s Day
15 — The two-day 124th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show concludes at Madison Square Garden, New York. Make your pet top dog today.
16 — First 911 system goes into service in Haleyville, Ala., 1968. A good time to review emergency procedures with your family.
18 — Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” first published, 1885. Why not warm up reading this, or another, Twain classic?
19 — First toy prize packed into Cracker Jack, 1913. Munch on the sweet treat (and Chicago original) today.
20 — John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth, 1962. Rent “The Right Stuff” and teach your children about the space race.
21 — President’s Day
22 — George Washington born, 1732. You’ll see President Washington’s false teeth, rare swords and letters as part of Chicago Historical Society exhibit.
23 — Dig into your garden tools to see what needs repair or replacement.
25 — Federal income tax is ratified with the 16th Amendment, 1913. Are your 1999 receipts and other documents in order?
26 — Buffalo Bill Cody born, 1846. Round up the kids for a winter rodeo. Buck cabin fever with a series of silly games.
27 — Make your own version of King Tut’s golden headdress in a workshop designed for kids 5 and up at the Oriental Institute Museum.
28 — Final episode of “MASH,” 1983. When 50 million households tuned in, it became (and remains) the most watched TV show in history.
29 — Leap Year
Make a big hoopla over anyone who celebrates a birthday today. These birthday-deprived folks deserve it!
