Now You Know

Why does February have only 28 days? (from http://webexhibits.org/calendars/year-history.html#Anchor-39778)

January and February both date from about the time of Rome's founding. They were added to a calendar that had been divided into ten month-like periods whose lengths varied from 20 to 35 or more days. A winter season was not included, so those period lengths are believed to have been intended to reflect growth stages of crops and cattle.

When introduced, January was given 29 days and put at the beginning of the calendar year. February was given 23 days and put at the end. Then, for an undetermined period shortly after Rome's founding, months were said to have begun when a new moon was first sighted. At some later time, month lengths were separated from lunations and again became fixed. At that time, February's original length was extended by five days which gave it a total of 28.

I was hoping for a better answer myself, but now I know and that's half the battle. Check out that web site for answers to other interesting questions like, "Why do the 9th thru 12th months have names that mean 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th?"