FLASHBACK 40

Ah, February. Stemming from the Latin term februum, meaning “purification,” this is the month where we let groundhogs determine when we put our thermal underwear back into storage. It’s also the only month of the year when cherubs can justifiably shoot arrows at single people. Those long winter days of yesteryear made our ancestors come up with some crazy traditions. Speaking of yesteryear, let’s look at four issues from the history of Games.

20 YEARS AGO: FEBRUARY 2001

Writing this column has made me realize just how many issues are historically significant. In February 2001, for example, three notable changes occurred. The magazine expanded to the now-standard 80-page length, it introduced two new sections (Motley Stew and puzzles for younger readers), and the publication