February
Super Bowl Commercials
Did you get a chance this year to watch the New York Giants and New England Patriots play in the big game? You certainly don’t have to be a fan of either team, or even American football to get caught up in the excitement of the event! While advertisements on TV are typically seen as an annoyance, during the Super Bowl, many Americans tune in just to watch the commercials.
Some of the most recognizable companies in the world, including M&M’s, Budweiser, Volkswagen, Coca-Cola, and Doritos, purchase time for their commercials to play on TV at the price of millions of dollars a spot. Because the advertising cost is so high, and the viewing audience is so large and diverse, it is each company’s hope to produce a creative and memorable advertisement. In the days following the game, Americans commonly discuss who achieved this goal and go online to watch any of the popular ads they may have missed.
The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League and is frequently the most watched American television broadcast of the year. The league, which is composed of two divisions, is the highest level of professional American football in the United States. The best team in each of the divisions plays each other to determine the overall league winner.
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The Academy Awards (Oscars)
The Oscars are awards presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize professional excellence in the film industry. A group of distinguished actors and filmmakers vote on which nominee they think should win. These votes are kept secret, and are not announced (or “leaked”) before the live telecast of the event.
Viewers (and the paparazzi) keep a vigil before the show to watch the movie stars arrive and walk down the red carpet in their designer gowns. A large number of people bet on who is going to win like it’s a sporting event. Elegant Oscar Night parties are popular and people typically dress in their own finery for such social gatherings.
The Academy Awards ceremony originated as a private dinner in 1929, and was first televised in 1953. In 1969, it was first broadcast internationally, and now airs in over 200 countries. This year, the host of the show is Billy Crystal. Typically, the awards are hosted by an accomplished comedian or comic actor.
Black History Month
Celebrated during the month of February, Black History Month recognizes and celebrates the achievements of African Americans in U.S. history. Black History Month grew out of Negro History Week, which was started by Carter G. Woodson in 1926. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month. Since then, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. This year’s theme, “Black Women in American Culture and History,” was chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. It was selected to further understanding of the roles and contributions that African American women played in making America.
During the month, teachers in elementary schools, high schools and universities focus on teaching their students about the contributions of African American writers, artists, scientists, and leaders.
National Park of the Month
Most of the United States is chilly at this time of year, and sometimes in February there is snow on the ground in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.! But one place that it’s always hot is Death Valley. Located in the California desert, Death Valley is the hottest, driest, lowest portion of North America.
The average daily high temperature in Death Valley is 91 °F (33 °C) and temperatures have reached 134 °F (56.7 °C). It has been known to exceed 110 °F (43 °C) for more than 100 days in a row. Average annual rainfall in the area is only 2.36 inches (6 cm). Badwater Basin, in the south central part of Death Valley is 282 ft (86 m) below sea level, making it the lowest point in the Americas.
Despite the extreme environment, a large variety of small animals and desert plants are found in Death Valley. It is a place of rare beauty and is a popular tourist destination that attracts more than a million adventurous visitors each year.
For more information on visiting Death Valley National Park, visit the website.
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