Happy Birthday Leaplings

Today, February 29 is Leap Year. Legend has it that because this day only comes around every four years, strange, unusual and even unorthodox events are bound to happen.  

Leap year happens every four calendar years and is skipped once every century, unless that century is divisible by 400. But why do we need leap year?

According to Minute Physics, a year, or 365 days is roughly the amount of time it takes for the Earth to circle the sun. Unfortunately, the time it actually takes for the Earth to circle the sun is six hours longer than 365 days.

This means that without a Leap Year, the calendar would eventually become out of sync with Earth’s rotation – After 100 years, the calendar would be off by 24 days and Santa Clause would be coming down chimneys in the middle of summer! Thanks to the Gregorian calendar which introduced the modern day formula for Leap Year, the calendar is only off one day every 8,000 years.

Like any strange and unusual event such as Friday the 13th, certain traditions and superstitions become attached to that very day.

For many single women around the Western Hemisphere, Leap Year 2012 just may be the day you can escape long-term relationship limbo, and exercise your “Lady’s Privilege,” turning the tables on tradition. If your unexpected marriage proposal is denied, well hopefully you’ll get a killer dress, 12 pairs of gloves, a kiss, or even turn a profit.

Legend has it, that “Lady’s Privilege” stems from an old Irish folktale depicting a bargain between St. Patrick and St. Bridget. Another legend paints the origin of Lady’s Privilege as a Scottish Act of Parliament enacted in 1288. Under this decree drafted by Queen Margaret, men who denied a sweetheart’s proposal on Leap Year had to pay a fine, or purchase an expensive gift for the denied.

Other Western traditions describe that a man who refuses a Leap Year proposal must purchase 12 pairs of silk gloves to disguise a hand without an engagement ring. Tradition states that women who propose on Leap Year must wear red petticoats and a man who rejects “Lady’s Privilege is will suffer from a lifelong bout of bad luck.”

Greek traditions state that it is bad luck to get married during a leap year and unmarried couples should not be photographed together on February 29.  In fact, only one in five Greek couples will choose not to get married in Leap Year.

Leaplings, or children who are born on Leap Year, have 75 percent fewer birthdays and can join the Honor Society of Leap Babies. Here are some famous Leaplings: Tony Robbins – Motivational Speaker, Ja Rule – American Rapper and Actor, Saul Williams, American rapper, poet, and actor, Jack Lousma, American astronaut.