The calendar oddity of February 29th keeps us in sync with the seasons, but it has also given rise to many rituals and superstitions, not to mention computer glitches.
Leap years have been around since the 16th century, an invention of the Gregorian calendar that was introduced to deal with the pesky fractions of solar years.
Keeping in mind that it takes the Earth approximately 365.2422 days per year to revolve around the Sun, the extra fraction (approximately 6 hours per year) adds up over time.
Leap days regulate things. Without leap days, we would be out of sync with the seasons, wreaking havoc on farmers, their crops, and even school holidays.
Most leap years occur every four years, but years that are exactly divisible by 100 are excluded because the additional snippet is not exactly 6 hours long. However, years such as 1600, 2000, and 2400 are leap years because they are exactly divisible by 400.
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Who is the famous leap day baby?
For leap day babies, or “leap children,” being born on February 29th may mean a quarter less birthday, but as some argue, it's an eternity. It is also the key to youth.
At least, that's what beloved French screen star Michelle Morgan used to say during her lifetime, until the ripe old age of 96.
Other famous or infamous “jumpers” include Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, American rap star Ja Rule, and serial killer Aileen Wuornos, personified in an Oscar-winning performance by Charlize Theron. There is. monster.
The chance of a baby being born on a leap day is approximately 1 in 1,500, and there are currently an estimated 5 million “leap babies” in the world.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is a famous “jumper” born on February 29th. Photo: EPA-EFE
Irish leap day traditions
In Ireland, February 29th is known as Singles' Day or Women's Privilege, where tradition says women can propose to men instead of waiting to be wooed.
Some argue that only a “yes” answer is allowed, while others argue that the man can refuse, but must buy the admirer a gift.
This tradition got the Hollywood treatment in 2010. leap day Starring Amy Adams, she follows her lover to Dublin, where she tries to ask him the question and ask her to marry him that day.
In 2004, the Irish Government commemorated the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Families by giving every child born on February 29th a gift of €100.
29 Leap Year Facts on February 29th
Companies jump on the hype
A rare day on the calendar is also an opportunity for businesses to try to expand their business.
On February 29, Northeastern U.S. restaurant chain Legal Sea Foods will offer discounts on lobster, a beloved regional dish.
Pizza chain Papa John's used Leap Day in 2008 to launch its Perfect Pan Pizza with the tagline, “A giant leap forward for breadkind.”
Leap years also bring special discounts on hotels and flights.
As the US airline Virgin America says in one of its advertising slogans, “Why jump when you can fly?”
Pizza chain Papa John's launched the Perfect Pan Pizza on February 29, 2008 with the tagline, “A giant leap forward for breadkind.”Photo: Reuters
Leap Day confusion in 2000
The existence of about two extra days per decade has also generated a fair share of online mayhem for the last millennium or so.
The prophet's prediction of a complete information blackout on January 1, 2000 did not come true, but on February 29, an astonishing series of system errors occurred around the world.
These include Japan's weather bureau sending out incorrect weather forecasts and Montreal's tax office being closed.
