Whenever someone askes when my birthday is and I say February 28th, the next thing that the person asking says is, “Oh, so you were almost a leap-year baby.” Not quite, because I was not born in a leap year (1997). But since I was constantly getting asked this question, and as some leaplings (people born on leap day) decide to use the 28th as a day to celebrate their birthday every year, I decided to research what a leap year really is.
1. The reason why we have leap day every four years is because it takes the Earth 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds to rotate around the sun. After 4 years, the extra 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds it is enough time to create a whole extra day. Thus, every 4 years, we have a leap-day.
2. Anthony, Texas is known as the leap-year capital of the world. They hold a leap-year club and festival every leap-day. A one of its kind in the world.
3. In Greece, it is considered bad luck to get married during a leap–year, and especially on a leap-day.
4. But in Ireland, it is seen as an opportunity for a woman to propose to a man. If a man refuses, he is punished by giving a kiss, a silk dress, or a pair of gloves to the rejected lady.
5. There is a movie called Leap-Year, and it is about a women who travels to Ireland to propose to a man on leap-day.
6. Leap-year babies can official throw a sweet 16th birthday party when they turn 64.
7. Leaplings or leap-year babies are said to have unusual talents and personalities to match.
8. There are about 4 million people in the world with a February 29th birthday, and chances of being born on a leap day are 1 in 1,461.
Happy leap-year collegiettes, and celebrate it like you’re in Anthony, Texas!