Today is an interesting day because it only comes once every 4 years. This year is a leap year, a year in which February has 29 days instead of the regular 28. A Leap Year is a year containing one additional day in order to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year. The Gregorian Calendar that most people live by normally has 365 days a year; however, the astronomical year (how long it takes the earth to revolve around the sun) is actually longer by about 6 hours. To make up for these lost 6 hours, we add an extra day to February every 4 years.
Famous People Born on the Leap Day:
Born 1976 – Ja Rule, rapper
Born 1972 – Anthonio Sabato Jr., model & actor
Born 1916 – Dinah Shore, singer
Born 1904 – Jimmy Dorsey, bandleader
Born 1792 – Gioacchino Rossini, Italian opera composer
Leap Day Traditions:
One interesting tradition for the Leap Day is women proposing to men. The story goes that in 5th century Ireland, St. Brigid complained to St. Patrick that women always had to wait for men to propose. Because of her complaint, St. Patrick finally relented and said that this day, February 29th, would be set aside as the day that women had the right to ask for a man’s hand in marriage.
A similar modern American tradition to this is Sadie Hawkins Day. A day to honor ‘the homeliest gal in the hills’, meaning that on this day, all the women are allowed to pursue and catch the most eligible bachelors in their town.
Now that you have an extra day in 2012, what will you do with your time?
y. Today’s King Cake is made up of braided Danish Pastries and frosted with the traditional Mardi Gras colors, purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). New Orleans Mardi Gras has become so popular that over half a million people attend each year.
