There are 365 days in a calendar year; however, every four years the Georgian calendar accounts for 366 days. The additional day in February results in what is known as a leap year. While this extra day may seem a bit random and obscure, there is actually a method to this madness. We have an extra day every four years in order to compensate for the fact that a non-leap year consists of 365.25 days, which is six hours shorter than a tropical year, which is laid out in the original Mayan calendar. Therefore, an extra day in February every four years makes up for this abnormality. Another reason we celebrate leap year every four years is to synchronize the calendar and solar years. 

  For the most part, a leap year occurs every four years. However, every 100 years we skip a leap year unless that particular year is divisible by 400. For example, the years 1600, 2000, and 2400 were and will be leap years, while 1700, 1800, 1900, 2100, 2200, and 2300 were not and will not be leap years. Any year in which a presidential election or a summer Olympics ceremony is being held will be a leap year. 

  Currently, there are only 187,000 people in the United States who were born on leap day. Junior Hannah Regan said, “My friend’s sister was born on leap day in 2000. Her family often teases her about how she is turning twenty this year, but it will only be her fifth actual birthday.” According to old superstitions, being born on February 29 can be both extremely lucky and extremely unlucky. It has been proven that people who are born on leap day are more likely to become professional athletes; however, the same people also have the constant struggle of their birthdays not showing up on drop down menus. 

  The United States may not have any established leap year traditions, but many countries around the world have loose traditions in place which occur on the additional day. In many countries, there is a tradition of a woman proposing to a man on February 29, and it is then said if the man refuses said proposal, he shall have to pay a penalty.

  With such a momentous occasion, many will wonder what to do with an extra day in their year. While many people will most likely just carry on with business as usual, some people may want to take advantage of the extra twenty-four hours. Take the day to do things you would not usually do, treat yourself to something you enjoy, or try a fun activity you have always wanted to participate in but have never had the chance. 

  While there are many myths and superstitions surrounding leap day, many people consider it a gift to have an extra twenty-four hours built into the calendar every four years. If you go out today, you are likely to find many people taking a leap of faith and diving into a new activity on leap day, as the opportunity of an extra day only comes around every four years.