What is Leap Day?

Leap Day falls on February 29 and occurs only once every four years. This special day is the result of an astronomical correction: it actually takes the Earth 365.25 days to complete one full orbit around the sun. To account for that extra quarter of a day, we add an additional day to the calendar every four years — and that day is Leap Day.

The year in which Leap Day occurs is called a leap year. In a leap year, February has 29 days instead of the usual 28.

Why Does Leap Day Exist?

Without Leap Day, our calendars would slowly fall out of sync with the seasons. After a century, spring would begin in February instead of March. The Gregorian calendar solves this by making every year divisible by 4 a leap year. However, century years such as 1900 are only leap years if they are also divisible by 400. This is why the year 2000 was a leap year, but 1900 was not.

Traditions and Superstitions Surrounding Leap Day

Leap Day is surrounded by fascinating traditions and stories:

• Women proposing marriage: In Ireland and Scotland, there is a tradition that women may propose to men on February 29. This custom is attributed to Saint Brigid of Ireland, who in the 5th century reportedly persuaded Saint Patrick to allow this exception.
• Leap Day babies: People born on February 29 are called "leaplings." They typically celebrate their official birthday on February 28 or March 1 in non-leap years.
• Superstitions in some cultures: In Greece, getting married during a leap year is considered bad luck. In Scotland, it was once said that sheep born in a leap year brought misfortune.

Leap Day by the Numbers

• Chance of being born on Leap Day: approximately 1 in 1,461
• Number of Leap Days per 400 years: 97
• Famous Leap Day birthdays: composer Gioachino Rossini, actor Antonio Sabàto Jr.

When Is the Next Leap Day?

The next Leap Day is February 29, 2028. Mark your calendar! And you know what? That day already has a portrait in the calendar. Because 366 is complete — and every day matters.