Six Interesting Facts About Leap Year

This Saturday, February 29 is leap day, but what exactly is leap day, and what does it mean?

Image retrieved from Wikimedia Commons

It is common knowledge that our planet takes 365 days to orbit around the Sun, but this year the Earth will take 366 days. This extra day turns the year 2020 into Leap Year, and it happens approximately every 4 years.

Here are 6 interesting facts about Leap year.

1. A typical year actually lasts 365.25 days

The .25 adds up over time, and in the span of four years, it creates an extra day. This day is February 29th; but Leap year math is not that simple. In order for a year to be considered a leap year, it needs to be divisible by 4; if it falls on a century year, it needs to be divisible by 400. Whoa!

2. Leap years balance out the calendar

In the Gregorian calendar, leap day helps the calendar coincide with the seasons. If it wasn't for this extra day, winter would feel like summer in 100 years.

3. People born on February 29 are called Leaplings

Leaplings only celebrate their birthday every four years (Just kidding.) Leaplings either celebrate it on February 28^th, March 1^st or both.

4. In Ireland, Leap Day is also known as Bachelor's Day

According to Irish Tradition, women can propose marriage to their partners on Leap Day.

5. The United States Declaration of Independence happened on a Leap year

Our country’s Declaration of Independence occurred in 1776, which was a Leap year.

6. The Titanic sunk in 1912, which was also a Leap year

Some cultures view leap years as bad luck, while others view them as good luck, just by being born on a Leap year is a rarity in itself.

Well, If you ask me I say its great luck; if you’re here, reading this, and visiting our page, we’re already having a spectacular year. Happy Leap day to all our readers!