Today is Leap Day! We only experience this day once every four years. Do you know why? The earth makes a complete revolution around the sun in 365 days and 6 hours, or so. Thus, every four years, one extra day is added to the calendar in order to coordinate with the sun’s approximate position.
Leap days were introduced into the calendar through the reforms of Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. Most societies have replaced the Julian calendar by the Gregorian calendar (introduced in 1582 A.D.), which more accurately accounts for the rotation of the earth around the sun.
People who are born on Leap Day are known as “leaplings” or “leap year babies.” Most “leaplings” celebrate their birthdays on February 28th or March 1st. In some countries, they calculate time intervals differently so “leaplings” must celebrate their birthdays according to the laws of the country in which they reside.
Historic events on Leap Day:
1504 - Christopher Columbus used his knowledge of the lunar eclipse to communicate with Native Americans in the New World.
1704 - French and Native Americans fighting in Queen Anne’s War raid Deerfield, Massachusetts.
1796 - The Jay Treaty is signed between the United States and Great Britain.
1940 - Hattie McDaniel, who played “Mammie” in Gone with the Wind, became the first African American woman to win an Academy Award.
1956 - General Dwight D. Eisenhower announces his bid for re-election to the office of President of the United States.
1972 - Hank Aaron became the first player in Major League Baseball history to sign a contract for $200,000.
1980 - Gordie Howe, hockey player for the Hartford Whalers, scored his 800th goal.
1988 - South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu was arrested for participating in an anti-apartheid demonstration in Cape Town.
You may be wondering what Leap Day/Year has to do with teeth…well nothing, really, except that it is one more day that we are able to continue our ministry in the workplace. This is just one of those rare four year events that, in my opinion, deserve more attention. So enjoy this Leap Day, especially if you are a “leapling!”
- Stevie Lawrence
*Pictures are courtesy of National Geographic Online.
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