A leap day is a day that comes around each year that is a multiple of 4… because it helps our calendar match up with seasons every year. In this case, we are in a leap year, so the extra quarter of a day has to go somewhere around every four years- we add 24 or four times six hours to the calendar.
The History
It is said that Julius Caesar recognized Leap Day in 45 B.C. and gave us a blueprint that the world still follows today.
According to history.com, in the 5th century, origins in Ireland allowed women to propose marriage to a man on leap day. Saint Brigid complained that their men were too shy to propose – therefore, Saint Patrick declared that February 29th would be a day when women could propose.
Did you know that in Scotland, it’s said that being born on a leap day will lead to a life of bad luck?… luckily not all cultures share the same unfounded belief because many people believe being born on a leap day will bring good fortune!
