February 29, 2020 - Happy Leap Day

I honestly don't remember anything about Leap Day of 2016, but all these goofy little apps on my phone sure made a point to remind me that it was coming yesterday. If it only comes once every four years, then heckfire, we better celebrate it with a sale here and a sale there. So, last night I decided to do a little research and find out some interesting facts about Leap Day.

• There are actually 365.242188931 days in a year. Do that math and you know what's up.
• Did you know that the year 1900 was not a leap year? 2100 will not be either. It can only be a leap year if it is divisible by if it is divisible by 4, or even 400 (for turn of the century years). 
• There is an Irish tradition where women will actually propose to men on Leap Day only. This was started by the Saint that everyone in America loves to celebrate, St. Patrick.
• Evidently in Greece it is an unlucky idea to wed in a leap year, especially on Leap Day. 
• The official Leap Day Capitol of the World is in Anthony, Texas, on the border of Texas and New Mexico. There are gatherings and celebrations there for Leap Year babies.
• There is even an honor society for babies born on Leap Day
• In Denmark there is a tradition where women have to wear twelve gloves to hide their non-ring wearing hand if their proposal is shot down. 
• In a region of North Italy it is believed that whales only give birth during leap years. 
• Various retailers have had all kinds of fun promotions through the day, especially if you are a Leap Year Baby. 
• This one is an easy to think about - every time we have a Presidential election, we have it during a leap year.
• In Scotland, it used to be considered unlucky for someone to be born on Leap Day. 
• Leap Day is also considered St. Oswalt's Day, named after the archbishop of York who died on February 29, 992. He is celebrated every Leap Day, nonetheless. 

Here are just a few random tidbits regarding Leap Day. Hopefully you have not taken a daring leap of any kind today. That is unless you are in the NFL Combine. That is a totally different story though.