A calendar page highlighting February 29th with a playful frog leaping across the numbers, symbolizing the extra day in a leap year

Leap Day, celebrated on February 29, is an extra day added to the calendar during leap years. This unique occurrence ensures that our calendar remains aligned with the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, which takes approximately 365.25 days to complete.

Quick Facts

  • When is it?: February 29
  • Tagged as: Leap Day
  • What’s the hashtag?: #LeapDay
  • When was it founded?: The concept of Leap Day was established in 46 BCE.
  • Who founded it?: Julius Caesar introduced Leap Day as part of the Julian calendar.

History

The idea of adding an extra day to the calendar originated with Julius Caesar in 45 BCE, aiming to correct the discrepancies in the Roman calendar. The Julian calendar included a leap day every four years, but this system proved slightly inaccurate over time. To address this, Pope Gregory XIII refined the rules in 1582, leading to the Gregorian calendar we use today, which includes exceptions for certain years.

Timeline

  • 46 BCE: Introduction of Leap Day by Julius Caesar.
  • 1582: Pope Gregory XIII introduces the Gregorian calendar.
  • 1900: Leap year skipped (not divisible by 400).
  • 2000: Leap year included (divisible by 400).
  • 2024: Next Leap Day.
  • 2028: Following Leap Day.

Dates by Next Year

YearMonth and DateDay
2024February 29Thursday
2028February 29Tuesday
2032February 29Sunday
2036February 29Friday
2040February 29Wednesday
2044February 29Monday

Observed

Leap Day is often celebrated with various traditions and activities. In some cultures, it is considered a day when women can propose marriage to men, a practice known as “Ladies’ Privilege.”

Fun Facts About Leap Day

  • People born on Leap Day are called leaplings, and they celebrate their birthdays either on February 28 or March 1 during non-leap years.
  • The odds of being born on February 29 are approximately 1 in 1,461.
  • Anthony, Texas, and Anthony, New Mexico, are known as the “Leap Year Capitals of the World,” hosting celebrations every leap year.

Quiz

  1. What is another name for Leap Day?
  2. Who established the concept of Leap Day?
  3. How often does Leap Day occur?

Answers:

  1. Leap Year Day
  2. Julius Caesar
  3. Every four years

FAQs

What happens if you are born on Leap Day?

Leaplings typically celebrate their birthdays on February 28 or March 1 in non-leap years.

Why do we have a Leap Day?

Leap Day helps keep our calendar synchronized with Earth’s orbit around the Sun.

Related

  • Leap Year Traditions
  • History of Calendars
  • Celebrating Rare Birthdays