Although popular since the 19th century, April Fool’s Day is not a public holiday
in any country. Geoffrey Chaucer‘s The Canterbury Tales (1392) contains the
first recorded association between April 1 and the playing of harmless pranks.

Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting, is the first day of Lent in Western
Christianity and occurs 46 days before Easter and can fall as early as
February 4 or as late as March 10. Ash Wednesday is observed by many
Western Christians, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Roman
Catholics and Presbyterians. 

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made
from palm branches blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday, and
placing them on the heads of participants.

Washington’s Birthday is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the
third Monday of February in honor of George Washington, the first President
of the United States, who was born on February 22, 1732. It can occur on the
15th through the 21st of February. The day is also now widely known as
Presidents’ Day and is often an occasion to honor all persons who have
served as president, not just George Washington. It is a state holiday in
most states.

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