The Legend of Leap Day
The Legend of Leap Day
February 29th Meant More Than Just Balancing Out the Calendar
You will always remember Leap Year because it goes all the way back to 46 BCE, when Julius Caesar reformed the Roman Calendar. Before that time, a year in Rome was shorter than ours (minus 10 days), divided into lunar months, with an occasional month thrown in to balance things out. To say the least, it was complicated. Ahh, but the Greeks had a calendar based on the sun so with the help of his astronomer, old Julius, who deemed himself one step lower than a god, created a new system. Turns out this guy ended up being so hated for thinking he was untouchable, beyond all mortal beings and could do what he wanted. He demanded so many titles and honors from his Senate that even the kow-towing Senators feared he would try to declare himself king. So, a group of Senators had the situation resolved by simply having him assassinated. Oops, guess he got a tad overly imperial; J.C. permanently left the room.
But not before changing the calendar. There remained a wee bit of a discrepancy, but it was resolved by adding one extra day to the shortest month. Of course, it was more complicated, but you get the idea. So, bottom line, nearly every four years, we add an extra day to the calendar in the form of February 29th, also known as Leap Day. Put simply, these additional 24 hours are built into the calendar to ensure that it stays in line with the Earth’s movement around the sun. Of course, we moderns complicated things by adding leap seconds in 1972, but finally everyone across the globe got on board, knowing that a second could be removed now and then to catch up with the Earth’s rotation. Aren’t you glad you asked?
As a youngster, I recall that leap year was an empowering year for young (or old, I suppose) women who were given the freedom to propose marriage without waiting for their reluctant suitor to pop the question. Back then, we celebrated Sadie Hawkins Day with dances and fun celebrations. Anyone remember Li’l Abner? Sadie Hawkins, from Dogpatch, was homely as an old coon hound and at 35, still a spinster. In desperation, her Paw called together all the bachelors in town and set up a foot race. Whomever she caught had to marry her. In Wikipedia, “The storyline sometimes also includes the Sadie Hawkins Eve Dance which is held on the previous evening, when the young women wear hob-nailed boots and stomp on their partners' feet, to make the bachelors run slower during the event.” Imagine!
Aside from Sadie, ancient legend has it that St. Patrick came to St. Bridget’s rescue when she lamented that women were not allowed to propose marriage to men. The Irish saint generously designated a day that came around only once every four years where women could indeed do the proposing. In some places, February 29th is known as Bachelor’s Day. The tradition found its way to England where the Brits added a bit of a twist. If the woman were to be rejected, he must pay her a debt for her trouble in the form of fabric to make a skirt, or many pairs of fine gloves, perhaps to hide the fact that she didn’t get the ring she wanted.
Were you or someone you know born on February 29th? You are an official “Leapling,” making you one of about 5 million worldwide. The odds of being a Leapling are about 1-in-1,461. Some notable Leaplings are actor Dinah Shore, public speaker Tony Robbins and rapper JaRule. Shore, for instance, born in 1916 would only have celebrated 27 birthdays if she were around today. Leaplings celebrate their birthdays on February 28th or March 1st. They even have a club, The Honor Society of Leap Year Babies.
Looking for some fun things to do on Leap Day? Our friend at the Post Office, Tim Woodin, is retiring. Now, that’s a BIG Leap, so make sure you stop in to wish him a fond farewell! You could rent a movie about a Leap Day proposal, “Leap Year” starring Amy Adams. Write a Leap Day letter to yourself and put it away until 2028 (which is when the next Leap Year will happen). Bake a frog shaped cake. Visit the twin cities of Anthony, Texas and Anthony, New Mexico which are the self-proclaimed Leap Year Capitals of the world, with a birthday party for all Leaplings. Of course, any day is a good day to do something special for someone else. Leap into someone’s life on February 29th and make their day extra special!