For some reason, every four years the month of February gains another day. Today, February 29th 2012, we are experiencing that “other” day. Drink it in. It’s called the “Leap Year” or “Año Bisiesto” in Spanish.
But why does this happen? We dislike math as much as the next person, but basic math is needed to explain why a leap year exists:
6 x 4 = 24!!!!!!!!!!!
24 hours = 1 day
Huh?
Our calendar tells us that there are 365 days in one year, but it takes the Earth 365 days and six hours to revolve all the way around the sun. That means that every four years, there’s another day added onto our calendar…
So, every four years, one more day is added to keep our calendars in line with the Sun. But, since it takes a little less than 365 days and six hours to the Earth to rotate completely around the Sun, a few years are kept shorter, which is why there are three years in between leap years with no Feb. 29th.
Leaplings, unite!
So yes, if you’re born on Feb. 29th, it’s possible that you may be forever young. But then again, a leap year won’t reverse the signs of aging! We can’t all be flatworms. Actually, most people born on a leap year (calling themselves “leaplings”) celebrate their birthdays either on Feb 28th or March 1st to make up for it.
So, savor today! Like the Olympics, it’ll be another four years until we can enjoy it.