Leap Day and Leap Year
When is Leap Day? The next Leap Day is February 29, 2028, February 29, 2032; February 29, 2036
Leap Day is every four years….almost. It’s every four years except years ending with “00” that are not divisible by 400. The year in which Leap Day occurs is called a Leap Year. Although it sounds odd, it’s true. Also, because it occurs infrequently, there are no other February 29 holidays or special events.
Why the fancy calculation? The earth rotates around the sun once every 365 and about 1/4 days. So, by adding an extra day every four years, we get mighty close to keeping the calendar consistent with the Earth’s annual trip around the sun. And to be very precise, the Earth orbits the sun every 365.242190 days. So, on years ending in “00”, (except those not divisible by 400) we skip Leap Year and Leap Day. With all that fancy calculating out of the way, let’s just celebrate the day.
If your birthday is on Leap Day, congratulations, you finally get to celebrate your birthday on your birth date. Just how many of us are celebrating our Birthday on Leap Day? Only about one in 1461 people. If you were born on this day, consider yourself very, very special.
Leap Seconds
Historically, occasional “Leap Seconds” were added to the official time. We will spare you the details on leap seconds, except to say it helps to correct minor variations in the Earth’s orbit. Our orbit around the sun is not perfectly constant. Rather, if can speed up or slow down. Thus, the leap second corrects these minor deviatrions.
On December 31, 2016, the folks who maintain the official time for the planet added an extra second to the day! Did you enjoy the extra time? In 2026, the world’s official timekeepers announced that as of May 20, 2027, there will be no need for further leap second adjustments. The reason for the elimination of leap seconds is because it wrecks havoc on computer systems. Of course, future changes in the rate of the Earth’s rotation could result in an adjustment again at some time in the future.
Today's Leap Day Quote
“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” – – George Burns
More About Today
This Day in History – Indeed, many other important events occurred on this date. See what happened on this date in history.
Famous Birthdays – Did you ever wonder what famous people share your birth date? If so, then find out now!
Recipe of the Day: Eggs Benedict
Plant of the Day: Angelica
Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any February calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!
Holiday Insights, where every day in February is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? In addition to Leap Day and other February 29 holidays, there are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. Many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating many new holidays. February holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great care to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.