130: Punxsutawney Phil’s age, according to ancient folklore claiming the magical groundhog was born in 1887. If he sees his shadow on Groundhog Day (Feb. 2), it signals six more weeks of winter.
1853: On Feb. 22 of this year, the Town of Kansas was incorporated by Missouri as the City of Kansas.
10.5 + 2: Pounds of fish plus polar bear chow eaten daily by Berlin, the Kansas City Zoo’s resident polar bear, who is celebrated on Feb. 27, National Polar Bear Day.
44: Years the Crown Center Ice Terrace has been the place to skate in Kansas City.
1920: On Feb. 9 of this year, the KCMO City Council approved a plan to build Kansas City’s Liberty Memorial on the property south of Union Station. The Liberty Memorial Association envisioned a monument that would be among the world’s most spectacular memorials to World War I veterans.
11: Date of this month’s full moon, known as the “snow moon” by Native Americans.
5: Super Bowl Sunday. It has been 48 years since the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl.
26: Number of counties served by Harvesters. In the local area, one in seven people is food insecure. February is Canned Food Month; visit Harvesters.org to learn how you can donate canned goods, time or money to help feed the hungry in our community.
1913: In this year, Hallmark first offered Valentine’s Day cards. The company began producing them in house in 1916.
50: Number of years ago Barnett Jr. Helzberg proposed to Shirley Bush, leading to an ad idea: a lapel button with the words “I AM LOVED.” The pins are still available for free at Helzberg stores across the city.
35: Millions of heart boxes sold annually by Kansas City company Russell Stover as valentine gifts.