2024 marks a leap year, featuring February 29, a rare quadrennial occurrence. The last leap days were in 2020 and 2016, with the next slated for 2028. Given its infrequency, celebrations abound, from businesses offering special deals to those marking their once-in-four-years birthday. Discover Leap Day’s significance, quadrennial recurrence, and historical origins.
What is a leap day
Leap day, occurring every four years, adds an extra day to the calendar on February 29, thereby extending the shortest month of the year.
Why is Leap Day every four years
Leap days and leap years exist due to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. A full revolution isn’t precisely 365 days but approximately 365.242190 days, as the National Air and Space Museum notes. Accumulating these 0.242190 days ensures seasonal alignment each year. Without leap day, seasonal shifts would disrupt traditional crop growth and harvesting cycles.
Adding four 0.242190 days approximately equals one full day, which explains why February 29 is included in the calendar during most years divisible by four, such as 2024.
When do we skip leap day
Leap years occur every four years, except in years divisible by 100 but not by 400. This rule was applied in skipping leap years in 1700, 1800, and 1900, but not in 2000. The next leap year to be skipped will be in 2100. Therefore, the frequency of leap years is generally every four years, with exceptions based on this century rule. The next leap day after 2024 will be in 2028, followed by subsequent leap days every four years unless they fall on a year divisible by 100 but not by 400.
Who created leap day
As reported by Britannica, the practice of adding leap days has existed for millennia. Additionally, according to the History Channel, certain calendars like the Hebrew, Chinese, and Buddhist calendars include leap months, referred to as “intercalary” or “interstitial” months.
Julius Caesar is often credited with adopting leap days from the Egyptians, who had been using them since the third century BCE with a solar calendar of 365 days and a leap year every four years, as reported by National Geographic. In ancient Rome, a 23-day intercalary month called “Mercedonius” was occasionally added to February to reconcile differences between the Roman and solar calendars, according to the History Channel.
When Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 45 BCE, he followed the Egyptian model by adding an extra day to February every four years. Despite his approximation of 365.25 days per year, slightly overestimating the solar year by 11 minutes, the Julian calendar eventually fell short by a day every 128 years, as noted by the History Channel and National Geographic.
By the 16th century, discrepancies in time had become noticeable, impacting significant dates such as Easter, which had shifted approximately 10 days. To address this issue, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar. This calendar retained leap days every four years but excluded them in centurial years not divisible by 400, such as 1700, 1800, and 1900. However, the year 2000 remained a leap year under this rule, as noted by the History Channel.
While the Gregorian calendar improved accuracy compared to its predecessor, it has minor flaws. According to the History Channel, instead of accumulating an error of one day every 128 years like the Julian calendar, the Gregorian calendar deviates by one day every 3,030 years.
Upcoming leap days
2024 is indeed a leap year, with leap day falling on Thursday, February 29th.
The upcoming leap years after 2024 will occur in 2028, 2032, and 2036.
Leap day deals: Where to score on food, products, and more Feb. 29
Popular food chains such as Wendy’s, Chipotle, and Krispy Kreme are celebrating leap day with special deals and free food offerings.
What happens if you are born on leap day?
February 29 is considered the rarest birthday someone could have, yet approximately 5 million people worldwide celebrate their birthday on leap day, as reported by the History Channel. The odds of being born on February 29 are one in 1,461.
Many “Leaplings,” as those born on a leap day are often called, celebrate their birthdays on February 28 or March 1 during non-leap years, although official documents record their birthday as February 29.
25 never looked so good: Oklahoma woman born on leap day celebrates 100th birthday
Meet Mary Lea Forsythe: Turning 100 on Leap Day but celebrating only her 25th official birthday.
Just Curious for more? We’ve got you covered
USA TODAY explores the questions you and others ask daily, from “What is the olive theory?” to “How many dog breeds are there?” and “How many Zodiac signs are there?” Visit our Just Curious section for answers to these and more common inquiries.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the olive theory?
The olive theory is a concept from the TV show “How I Met Your Mother,” where a couple’s compatibility is judged by whether they like the same foods, specifically olives.
How many dog breeds are there?
There are over 340 recognized dog breeds worldwide, according to various kennel clubs and breed registries.
How many Zodiac signs are there?
There are 12 Zodiac signs, each representing different personality traits and characteristics based on astrological beliefs.
What causes a leap year?
A leap year occurs every four years to synchronize the calendar year with the solar year, which is approximately 365.242190 days long.
Why do some people celebrate their birthday on February 28 or March 1 instead of February 29?
Leap day, February 29, occurs only every four years. Those born on this day, known as “Leaplings,” often celebrate February 28 or March 1 during non-leap years. However, legally, their birthday remains February 29.
Conclusion
Understanding the nuances of leap years, the rarity of February 29 birthdays, and the cultural and historical significance of calendars like the Julian and Gregorian is fascinating. Whether it’s exploring the quirks of leap day celebrations or delving into the reasons behind calendar adjustments throughout history, these topics provide insight into how humanity has reckoned with time and celestial cycles across civilizations.
