Every four years, February gets an extra day, taking it from 28 to 29 days. The extra day was added to February because Roman emperors named months after themselves (July and August, for example) and then kept on stealing an extra day here or there to make their months longer. It was a “my month is longer than your month” game. February was left short at 28 days, and was the obvious choice to even out the calendar.
Women pop the question
You might have heard of this tradition. It dates back to 5th Century Ireland when St Brigid bargained with St Patrick, allowing women to propose to their guy on February 29.
Of course, society has progressed where such traditions aren’t seen as abnormal. If you’re interested in taking part, they say the best luck goes to those women who wear pants or a red petticoat while down on one knee…just saying.
Babies born on Leap Day join an Exclusive Group
Benefits of joining this group are hard to find, although it apparently takes great pride in ensuring websites include the option for February 29 birth date when signing up.
The society claims more than 10,000 members of the 4 million Leap Year babies globally.
Leap Year Capital of the World
The city of Anthony, which lays across the border of Texas and New Mexico has named itself the Leap Year Capital of the World. It holds a four-day festival to celebrate the occasion, including a huge birthday party for Leap Day babies. Sounds like a good time.
The Olympics and US Presidential elections are held in a Leap Year.
This year’s Olympics will be Rio de Janiero in Brazil. A Leap Year also marks the US Presidential elections. I wonder if this was intentional or not?
February 29 – Rare Disease Day
There are about 7000 diseases considered rare. Examples include Crohns Disease and Tourette Syndrome.
