February

February is the shortest month of the year, typically lasting 28 days, but it has 29 days during a leap year, which occurs every four years. It marks the end of winter in many regions, and its name comes from the Roman festival of purification called "Februa." February's variation in length is due to the way the ancient Roman calendar was structured and later adjusted to fit the solar year. It’s notable for holidays like Valentine’s Day and, in leap years, the extra day helps keep the calendar aligned with Earth's orbit around the sun.