A leap year is a calendar year that contains an additional day in the solar calendars - February 29. The coming year 2024 will be a leap year.
Why do leap years exist?
The Earth makes a full revolution around the Sun in 365 days, 5 hours, 46 minutes and 48 seconds. In non-leap years, the number of days is rounded to 365. However, the calendar year lags behind the astronomical year by 0.2422 days. If we rounded constantly and did not introduce leap years, then our calendar would gradually shift in relation to seasonal phenomena over time.
Why exactly once every four years?
Because it is during this period that an “extra” calendar day accumulates (6 [hours] * 4 [years] = 24).
Interesting facts about leap years:
– there is a European tradition according to which on February 29, once every four years, women can independently propose to men;
– the French satirical newspaper La Bougie du Sapeur was first published on February 29 in 1980 and has since been published only in leap years. It is noteworthy that the newspaper publishes a crossword puzzle, the correct answers to which can be found in the next issue in four years. A subscription to La Bougie du Sapeur costs €100 for an entire century;
– people born on February 29 can celebrate their birthday only once every four years. But you can celebrate the holiday on a grand scale in the Texas city of Anthony, which proudly calls itself the Leap Year Capital of the World and annually organizes a festival in honor of people born on February 29.
There are many superstitions and fears associated with leap years. Some people believe that disasters and catastrophes occur more often during these years. However, like other years, both good and bad events occur during leap years.
Whether it's a leap year or not, we can make the world a better place if everyone does good deeds.
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