It is Leap Year Day – February 29, 2024 – a day some of us will recognize and others just allow to pass by.
Have you ever wondered what the deal is behind the extra day every four years? The answer is actually simple in some ways – MATH.
NASA tells us that the Earth’s orbit isn’t exactly what we are told in 3rd grade science class. The trip around the sun takes a bit longer – six hours longer. We will see the next Leap Year Day in 2028.
Without it, after a few hundred years, our summer would be in November, and Christmas would be in the summer. That is what Younas Khan, a physics instructor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham believes.
One need only research the history of the calendar to understand how it all evolved. As a civilization, we have been adjusting the calendar since the Bronze Age to accommodate this phenomenon. Most credit Julius Caesar back in 45 BC for adding the extra 24-hour day. Others, the Pope. It seems the Pope was concerned without a Leap Year, we would interfere with important religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas.
Besides the math, what else is there about this special day?
Women can propose to men. Some like to call it “Ladies’ Privilege” Day. It is a tradition of the Irish going back to the fifth century. The story goes that Saint Bridget persuaded Saint Patrick to have a day when women could propose to their beloved when they became tired of waiting for him to propose. Interestingly, the tradition holds that if a female is denied by a male suitor she has proposed to, he must lavishly shower her with gifts or he will never marry anyone. One such gift is gloves. Twelve pairs of gloves to hide her hand with no ring on it.
In other cultures, it is a bad luck day. One would never want to get married on a Leap Year Day because it would lead to divorce.
In Texas, there is a Leap Year Capital! Anthony, Texas, has a claim to fame. The city has a Leap Year Festival. Like most festivals, the city entertains people with food, music, and activities for the whole family. Carnival-style games and vendors galore are among the favorites for those who attend. There is recognition of those whose actual Birthday is February 29th.
In France, Leap Year is celebrated by a once-in-four-years publication La Bopugie du Sapeur newspaper. Translated, this means The Sapper’s Candle. The newspaper started in 1980 and has sold over 2,000,000 copies.
Taiwan has bad news for the elderly. There is a superstition which believes bad luck will fall upon those who are older. To counter it, a married daughter must return home and prepare pig trotter soup. This will bring good luck to their parents’ home.
To make this enticing dish you will need: pork trotters (2), black pepper – (15 grains), carrots (2), and onions (1 head).
There are two thickening agents – The first needs yogurt 4/5 cup and flour (1 TBSP). The second: grated garlic (1 head), vinegar 2/3 tbsp, and cayenne pepper (2 pinches).
Boil the pork trotters discarding the water twice. Add the onion head sliced into fourths; the carrots cut in half, and add the black pepper. Boil this until the meat comes off the bone. Put on low heat. Pour in the first thickening agent. Stir in the second thickening agent. Allow to come to a boil again. Bon appetite!
(If you actually make this, please send us pictures or videos and your review!)
However you celebrate this once in four year day, it is a special day. If it is your Birthday – Happy Birthday! Enjoy!
