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When? -

If the last two digits of a year can be divided by four, then it's a leap year.  The only exception is century years—these must be divisible by 400. The year 2100, for instance, will not be a leap year.

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Reason -

Leap years are supposed to adjust the Gregorian calendar to the solar calendar.

Now, let's get into the legends, historical events, and other curiosities.

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Women can propose to men on Leap Day -

The origins of the legend of "The Ladies' Privilege," also known as "Bachelor's Day," originated sometime around the fifth century. So ladies, if you want to pop the question to your man, this is the day to do it!

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The Irish version -

According to the Irish version of the legend, this was the result of a deal struck between Saint Brigid and Saint Patrick.

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Though the Scottish version is different -

Margaret, Maid of Norway and Queen of Scots apparently established this tradition in 1288. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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The Salem witchcraft trials begin -

The first warrants for arrest were issued on February 29, 1692.

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Oscars -

On Leap Day 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first ever African American to win an Academy Award.

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A French newspaper is published once every four years -

La Bougie du Sapeur can only be found on newsstands on Leap Day.  If you don't want to miss one ever again, you can get a subscription for €100 (about US$108) per century.

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The first pulsar star was discovered by Dr. Jocelyn Bell Burnell -

The discovery was announced on Leap Day 1968.

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Clergyman against apartheid -

On Leap Day 1988, South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu was arrested during an anti-apartheid demonstration in Cape Town.

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Born on Leap Day -

Motivational speaker and self-help superstar Tony Robbins was born on Leap Day. The odds of being born on this day are one in 1,461.

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Ja Rule -

On February 29, 1976, Jeffrey Atkins, better known as rapper Ja Rule, was born in New York.

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Aileen Wuornos - The infamous serial killer was born on Leap Day 1956.

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Davy Jones dies -

Davy Jones from The Monkees passed away on February 29, 2012.

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What are the odds? -

James Milne Wilson, who was Premier of Tasmania from 1869 to 1872, was born and died on February 29.

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Agadir earthquake -

On February 29, 1960, a devastating earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.6 on the Richter scale, hit Agadir, Morocco.

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Pope John Paul II almost died -

On February 29, 1944, Karol Wojtyla was hit by a German army truck and left to die on the road. He was eventually taken to a hospital and survived.

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Buddy Holly's trademark glasses were found -

The late singer's iconic glasses went missing when his plane crashed in 1959. The discovery was reported on February 29, 1980.

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Walk/Don’t Walk signs -

On Leap Day 1952, the first signs were installed in Times Square, New York City.

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Leap Day Cocktail -

Yes, there's an official Leap Day cocktail! It was invented in 1928 by world-famous bartender Harry Craddock at London's Savoy Hotel.

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The man who murdered Michael Jordan's father is sentenced to life -

On Leap Day 1996, Daniel Green, the man convicted of killing James R. Jordan, was sentenced to life in prison.

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Tokyo Skytree -

The iconic Japanese tower was completed on February 29, 2012.

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The first Playboy club opens -

On Leap Day 1960, Hugh Hefner opened the first Playboy club in Chicago.

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Academy Awards 2004 -

On February 29, 2004, 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' won 11 Oscars.

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Hobbits have February 29... every year -

Speaking of 'The Lord of the Rings,' hobbits use the Shire Calendar, which has 12 months at 30 days each.

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February 30th -

This date actually occurred in Sweden and Finland in 1712. The extra Leap Day was to help catch up their Julian calendar with the Gregorian calendar.

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See also - Historical "facts" that are anything but factual

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