February 13

Calendar position and characteristics

As a late-winter date in the Northern Hemisphere, February 13 often lies in the middle of religious, civic and cultural preparations for the Lenten season and for mid-February festivities. The precise weekday shifts each year; because of the leap day added on February 29 in leap years, the relative sequence of weekdays repeats on a defined multi-year cycle.

Observances and historical notes

February 13 has been chosen for several contemporary observances and is associated with notable historical events. UNESCO designated World Radio Day to be celebrated on this day; the resolution formalizing it began observance on February 13. Among historical events commonly recalled on or around this date are wartime actions and political developments that have fallen in mid-February.

Common cultural associations

Because it is the eve of February 14, February 13 is sometimes used for preparatory or informal celebrations. In modern popular culture it is occasionally the date for community gatherings, performances and broadcasts leading into Valentine’s Day. In places where movable religious observances fall in mid-February, this date can coincide with the final day of carnival-style festivities or with the start of fasting seasons.

Notable facts and distinctions

• Day number: 44 in the Gregorian year.
• Days remaining: 321 in common years, 322 in leap years — see leap years for details on how the extra day is added.
• Astrological sign: Aquarius (in most modern sun-sign systems).
• Relation to other dates: the day immediately preceding St. Valentine’s Day (February 14).

Because February 13 sits close to a widely celebrated holiday, its everyday significance is often shaped by local customs and events arranged as part of Valentine’s Day programming or as independent observances such as World Radio Day. Its placement in the calendar also makes it a useful reference point when describing events that occur in the first third of February.