February 22 - Are you excited, people? The weekend starts tonight! (Or let’s face it - sometime just after lunch). As we prepare to blow the dust of the work week off in style, let’s see what our more industrious forefathers and mothers were up to back in the day.

1819 - Spain Sells Florida to the US for $5 Million - Nowadays you could barely buy a Spanish-style mansion in South Beach for twice that. On the other hand, if you just want to visit Florida save up to $75 on a hotel stay with Orbitz.

1969 - The Beatles Record Together for the Last Time - Still the greatest, after all these years. Will there ever be another band as good as The Beatles? Besides S Club 7, of course. Show your love for the Fab Four and get $5 off a ‘Let It Be’ Lyrics backpack from Target when you spend $50 or more.

1997 - Cloning of Dolly the Sheep Announced - Interesting and True Fact #1: she was cloned from a mammary gland. Interesting and True Fact #2: she was named after Dolly Parton.

Famous Birthdays

• George Washington, 1732 - The first president of the United States of America and certainly the greatest thing ever to happen to the powdered wig industry
• Drew Barrymore, 32 - Watch her every move from within the pages of a celebrity rag. Get $5 off select subscriptions at Magazines.com

February 21 - Only eight more days until Leap Year day, and I can barely contain myself. In the mean time, have a quick peek through some of the more incredible events recorded by Father History on the large page marked February 21.

1842 - Sewing Machine Patented - History doesn’t record the first item made on the first sewing machine, but I’m betting it was a pair of track pants. At least that’s what I made in Home Ec class back in high school. Why not whip up a pair yourself with a brand new sewing machine from Overstock. Get $5 off when you spend $100 or more.

1947 - Edwin Land Demonstrates Polaroid Camera - Again, the details are lost to the winds of time, and we don’t know what the first photos were of. But if Mr. Land used his Polaroid camera like I use my Polaroid camera, you probably wouldn’t want to see them. Visit Camera World to get your own Polaroid camera and don’t pay shipping or sales tax.

1948 - NASCAR Incorporated - NASCAR was born in the back hills of the south, when hillbillies souped up their cars and ran moonshine down twisty mountain roads. Today, the hillbillies drink moonshine in the stands and watch cars drive around in a circle. Shake ‘n Bake! If you want discount tickets to see the bumpin’ and rubbin’ live, RazorGator offers $20 off any order.

Famous Birthdays

• Kelsey Grammar, 52 - Sure, everybody knows your name - but they think it’s Frasier.

February 20th - What a wonderful Wednesday. I stand atop the peak of the week’s midpoint, and I see that it is good. While you have a moment, reflect on this date’s more important moments from years gone by and take advantage of some pretty sweet deals, too, if you’re so inclined.

1872 - Metropolitan Museum of Art Opens in New York - The Met houses one of the greatest collections of art on the planet and yet can’t compete with the Dogs Playing Poker gallery in my basement. Thankfully, Art Select sells framed prints of the card-shark canines, and right now everything at Art Select is 15% off.

1962 - John Glenn Orbits the Earth - He might not have been the first to do it, but doggone it, he was the best. The closest you’re likely to get is the Dine With An Astronaut tour at the Kennedy Space Center. Get 7% off this Viator experience and have yourself some space ice cream.

Famous Birthdays

• Enzo Ferrari, 1898 - I have a garage full of Ferraris and you can to - save up to 50% on Lego sets with this Lego.com coupon.
• Kurt Cobain, 1967 - The man changed the face of music. Wolfgang’s Vault let’s you put his face on your wall with 10% off all merchandise, including concert photos.

February 19th - Tuesday is music day at This Day in History. Or at least, this Tuesday is music day because there’s definitely a theme running through today’s fascinating factoids. Strap on your dancing shoes, because we’re going to tripping the light fantastic down memory lane.

1878 - Edison Patents the Phonograph - He played the first tune for his mother Nancy, who noted: ‘You call that music? In my day we had singers.’ In honor of this day, turn your stereo up to 11. If you aren’t annoying the neighbors, get something more powerful. Save 6% on home audio electronics at Second Act.

2005 - NASA Probe Maps Mars - Remember the song, Pump Up The Volume? Do you remember the name of the group? M.A.R.R.S. Okay that’s a stretch, but I told you this was music day so I have to deliver. Speaking of deliver, Wolfgang’s Vault will deliver cool music gear right to your door. Get 10% off merchandise and 20% off apparel.

Famous Birthdays

• Smokey Robinson, 67 - The singer of Bein’ With You is as cool as ice.
• Falco, 1957 - The Austrian singer behind Rock Me Amadeus was decidedly less so.

February 18th - Oh man…Monday has arrived again. What is with that? I can barely put together a cup of coffee let alone a coherent sentence. It boggles the mind that anything ever got done on a Monday, but a casual glance at my collection of world events indicates otherwise.

Let’s see what these keeners were up to.

1885 - Huckleberry Finn Published - See, this blows me away. You couldn’t even get me to read this book on a Monday. But you should - it’s a classic, I’ve been told. Abebooks has free shipping and super-low prices.

1929 - First Oscars Announced - Do you have an Academy Awards Party? I do. Although I call it the Annual Celebration of Lou Diamond Phillips’ Impact on Cinema and I usually spend most of the evening being outraged over his latest snub. I still can’t believe the Academy didn’t recognize the genius of his performance in last year’s Striking Range. Maybe next year. Party supplies are 10% off 50$ or more at BuyCostumes.com

Famous Birthdays

• Queen Mary I, 1516 - Bloody Mary burned 300 people at the stake. I once had 3 Bloody Mary’s and burned my steak on the barbecue.

February 17th - Sunday - Traditionally a day of rest, Sunday to me is day filled with activity. I rise at the crack of noon to get a head start on my planned activities, then begin by watching an hour or two of TV. By mid-afternoon I am ready to roll…but first, a nap. How can a man be expected to roll without his nap? By the time 4PM comes around, I am raring to go. A long shower, a nice dinner, glass of port and a book by the fire and my to-do list is fully checked.

Let’s see what our forebears were up to on the February 17ths of yesteryear, shall we?

1933 - Prohibition Ended - Teddy Roosevelt famously quipped: ‘I think this is a good time for a beer’, and I think he was right. But because I prefer wine, why not raise a glass with me? Save 15$ on select wine packs at My Wine Direct.

1933 - First Issue of Newsweek Published - February 17th was a big day in 1933! My guess is that Newsweek would have written a story about this day if they had the ability to look ahead in time and then back again. My prediction? You visit Magazines.com. You subscribe to Newsweek and save up to 80% off the cover price. I know, my powers can be awesome and overwhelming, but fear not. I only use them for good.

Famous Birthdays

• Lou Diamond Phillips, 45 - The handsome star of mega-smashes Alien Express, Lone Hero and Wolf Lake deserves a place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In the meantime, you can show that you’re a true fan by wearing diamonds. ICE.com offers 20% off all jewelry plus free shipping.

February 16th - Ahhh…the weekend. Saturday is a day for both maxing and relaxing. While you kick your feet up wondering how best to spend your leisure time, take a moment to see what was up back in the days of yore.

1923 - King Tut’s Tomb Opened - The lengths some men will go to find a bargain is incredible. But you don’t have to dig up graves to get affordable gold - save 10% at Limoges Jewelry. The best part is that Limoges products come with a guarantee, not a fatal curse born in the depths of hell.

1937 - Nylon Patented - First used in toothbrush bristles, nylon became famous as the affordable alternative to silk in women’s stockings. It’s generally believed, however, that nylon reached a fashion peak in the 80s with parachute pants. Today, no one uses nylon better than NASCAR - save 10% on a Mark Martin jacket at the NASCAR Superstore.

Famous Birthdays

• John MacEnroe, 48 - Johnny Mac’s almost 50?! You CANNOT be SERIOUS! Celebrate the superbrat with a new tennis racket. Sports equipment is 20% off at Eastbay.

February 15th - It’s the day after Valentine’s Day, and it’s the last time I bring it up until next year. It’s just that some of today’s historical events and birthdays are appropriate. Especially if you blew it yesterday.

1903 - Morris Mitchom Introduces the Teddy Bear - What better way to show a deep and abiding love than with a useless child’s toy? I’ve never understood why girls like stuffed animals, but if you forgot to get her something yesterday, Hallmark has teddy bears on sale for 15% off.

1946 - ENIAC, The World’s First Computer Unveiled at University of Pennsylvania - It was about the size of my apartment, weighed 30 tons and didn’t even have solitaire. Thank goodness times have changed. New Sony VAIO laptops are 5% off at Sony Style, and while they don’t read punchcards, you don’t need a ladder to turn the things on.

2005 - YouTube Launched - I can barely remember a world without instant access to the meaningless ramblings of self-important strangers and their no-talent music/poetry/athletics/jokes.

Famous Birthdays

• Charles Tiffany, 1812 - Last Valentine’s Day reference, I promise, but seriously, this is the guy at the top. Chances are if you’ve forgotten to get her something on the day and then show up with jewelry from Tiffany’s, you’re golden. Luckily, Ross-Simons offers 15% off everything, including one-of-a-kind vintage Tiffany pieces.

February 14th - Listen closely for the collective gasp as millions of men all over the world realize today’s Valentine’s Day. But not you, my man…you’ve had this special day planned out for weeks, right? Yeah, you’re covered…so use this time to read up on something that your relationship is NOT going to be - history.

1859 - Oregon Becomes 33rd State - It may have been late to the party, but the Beaver State’s the one with the lampshade in its head. How cool is Oregon? The state beverage is milk and the state rock is the Thunderegg. If you don’t believe me, book a discount Oregon hotel room with Orbitz and check it out for yourself.

1876 - Alexander Graham Bell Applies for Telephone Patent - Gr8 idea, Alx! C u l8r, lolly!

1924 - The Tabulating Machine Company Becomes IBM - And it only took them 73 years to invent a computer smart enough to beat a guy at chess. If it sometimes seems like your computer’s got a mind of its own, it’s time to update your security software. Total Protection from McAfee’s on sale for $30 off.

Famous Birthdays

• Lois Maxwell, 1927 - Appearing in fourteen 007 films, her Miss Moneypenny was the real Bond girl.

February 13th - Today, thousands of men are overcome with panic when they remember that tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. But why worry about that now? Instead, take a trip down memory lane and recall some of the date’s most memorable events from years gone by.

While you’re at it, save a few bucks with our exclusive coupons.

1866 - Jesse James Pulls Off First Armed Bank Robbery - It’s not entirely appropriate to celebrate a bank robbery, but we can’t help loving an outlaw. Make a Wild West getaway to Las Vegas and save 7% on The Jesse James Horse Ride from Viator.

1899 - Tallahassee Records Florida’s Lowest Temperature On Record - Did they even dream of canceling Spring Break when the temperature dropped to -2? Not on your life! Get yourself ready for the biggest party of the year by saving 10% on a new swimsuit from Figleaves.

1990 - Agreement Reached to Reunify Germany - Don’t be put off by obsessive efficiency and brutalist architecture - Germany’s cool. And if one band combines efficiency, brutalism and coolness, it’s Kraftwerk. Save 10% on band photographs from Wolfgang’s Vault and lord it over other music nerds.

Famous Birthdays

• Chuck Yeager, 84 - The first man to break the sound barrier. The aviation legend makes Maverick and Iceman look like a couple of stewardesses.
• Jerry Springer, 63 - Celebrate by cheating on your wife with her sister then breaking a chair over their daddy’s head.