This year (2024) is a special one. It’s not every year that we have the privilege of having a February 29th, so there are specific causes and moments that are recognized every four years.

The term “leap year” was coined in 46 BCE, to describe the process of adding an extra day to the calender every four years in order to keep it aligned properly with earth’s orbit.  They were an aspect of the Julian calendar, implemented by Julius Caesar, who held a dictatorship over Rome. Even though he was only in power for just short of a year, his impact on Rome and on our world was wildly significant. This is because every four years the Earth takes a little bit over 365 days to fully orbit the sun, and without leap days we would fall behind after multiple years of skipping a day.

As a society we usually take advantage of leap days as a way to recognize rarities, such as rare diseases. Another legend surrounding leap days is that if you propose to someone on a leap day your marriage will be forever happy and bountiful. This stems from Irish traditions of the leap year being lucky and blessed. So if you every happened to be in Ireland, on February 29th, make sure to get on one knee.

Overall, leap days are special days that allow us to appreciate the things that only come around so often, and leap years give us that opportunity as well. This leap year, make sure to make the most of every day that you are given, because we only get so many.