Groundhog Day doesn’t actually come from "Punxsutawney Phil" as many believe. I apologize to all Pennsylvanians for taking away the luster of this holiday but it actually comes from Candlemas Day. Candlemas Day was observed for centuries in Europe on February 2 where the clergy would bless candles and distribute them to the people. This seemed to have come from a Pagan tradition, Imbolc, which took place at the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.

Valentine’s Day seems to be just a holiday created by Hallmark but there is actual historical basis to this holiday. The word Valentine comes from at least two celebrated saints, Valentine or Valentinus. There are two martyrs whose festival falls on February 14th. One of these men was a bishop and the other a priest. Both lived at the same time and died on the same day. They were both buried on the Via Flaminia at different distances to Rome.

St. Patrick’s Day has become a holiday to celebrate Irish heritage. The origins of the holiday are less known by the average Guinness drinking celebrator. And no, he didn’t create Guinness. Most of what is known about St. Patrick comes from the book he wrote towards the end of his life, The Confession. St. Patrick was born around 389 in England, yes he was born British.