Leap Day
Leap Day is celebrated every four years. When February 29th is on the calendar, it is called a Leap Year. A leap day is observed because the Earth’s period of orbital revolution around the Sun takes approximately 6 hours longer than 365 whole days. Leap Day is added to the calendar in leap years as a corrective measure because the earth does not orbit the sun in precisely 365 days. Leap years are those that are divisible by 4, such as 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024.For those people who are born on a leap day, they only get to celebrate their birthday on the actual date every four years. Does this make them a lot younger?
When is Leap Day?
Every four years, February 29th shows up on the calendar, with the last leap year taking place in 2016.
Type of Holiday?
Official Holiday.
How is Leap Day celebrated?
- Watch the movie “Leap Year” (2010, starring Amy Adams).
- In school or at a party have children engage in leaping/jumping contests, including the game Leap Frog.
- Make a frog cake or cupcakes.
- Since this is an extra day, try to give extras all day – extra hugs, extra cookies, extra compliments, etc.
Leap Day Trivia/Facts:
- Leap Year Day was added to the calendar when February was the last month of the year. When February was promoted to the second position of the calendar, it retained the responsibility of keeping the calendar in line with the seasons.
- Anthony, TX was declared the Leap Year Capital of the World in 1988 after Mary Ann Brown, a resident who was born February 29th, petitioned the governors of Texas and New Mexico to make the title official.
Celebrities who celebrate their birthday on February 29th:
- Dinah Shore – Singer
- Gioachino Rossini – Composer
- Jessie Usher – Actor
- Ja Rule – Rapper
- Herman Hollerith – Inventor of first tabulating machine
- Aileen Wuornos – Serial Killer
- Jimmy Dorsey – Jazz saxophonist
Popular Social Media Hashtags:
#leapday #leapyear