Dates of Caring: February Celebration Days

February 13, 2025

This last month of winter is arguably the most romantic month of all, no doubt because of that cloying holiday we call Valentine’s Day. February 14th is, of course, devoted to all things that communicate love, from Hallmark cards and heart-shaped chocolate boxes to freshly cut roses. But romance and symbolism aside, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to express all shades of love, including the platonic variety.

My Heart Your Heart, ca. 1930; A Valentine to Teacher, ca. 1955; To my Valentine, ca. 1920. IHS, M0829.

Is there anything more adorable than these vintage Valentine cards? This nostalgic ephemera reminds me of Valentine crafts from grade school—the folding, scissoring, and gluing of colored paper into cards for friends and teachers. The three images are part of our digital Indiana Seasons & Holiday Greetings collection, which includes a wealth of visual material related to several other holidays.

National Caregivers Day falls on the third Friday of every February—February 21st for 2025. This is a day to highlight the vital work of long-term caregivers, whether they’re caring for family members or strangers in need. The compassion and emotional attentiveness of caregivers should move us all; these hard workers provide daily support to people during some of life’s most difficult and challenging moments. Below are two caregivers posing with young patients at the National Surgical Institute, which specialized in caring for those with congenital conditions and disabilities. Herman List, an amateur photographer who worked at the institute as a cook, produced these photographs. Our digitized Herman List Collection contains numerous photographs of other patients and staff at the National Surgical Institute.

Mrs. Dowling Showing a Little Girl’s Foot, ca. 1890s; Nurse with Two Small Children at the National Surgical Institute, ca. 1890s. Indianapolis, IHS, P0017 (cropped).

Another kind of care that may not immediately spring to mind is daycare! Daycare providers relieve parents of the responsibility of looking after their children through the workday, enabling employment and time for other pursuits. These caregivers also play an inspiring role in the character development of children through patience, sensitivity, and discipline. The image below highlights a daycare provider supervising young boys at a day nursery; day nurseries expanded in the 1940s when World War II necessitated the mass entry of mothers into the workforce with fathers fulfilling military service. Long after the war, daycare providers continue to support families across the country.

Day Nursery, 1943, IHS, P0569 (cropped).

These National Days of warmth and affection inspire selflessness and the desire to bring a smile to those in need of one—those whom you care for and who care for you. All of us at the IHS wish you good health and a sweet Valentine’s Day.

We will continue to showcase IHS collections in our National Days Calendar blog series, so please stay tuned for our March installment!

Cooper Davis Cooper Davis is an Assistant Librarian at the IHS. When he’s not researching history, he enjoys reading poetry and playing Chopin nocturnes.

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