Leap Year Birthday

A person born on February 29 may be called a "leapling".

[edit] What is a Leap Year?

Leap years are years with 366 days instead of the usual 365. This extra day is added to the calendar on February 29th. Julius Caesar's astronomer added days to different months so that their festivals would occur at the same time each year. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII further refined the calendar with the rule that leap day would occur in any year divisible by 4.

[edit] Leap Year Traditions

It is believed that the tradition of women proposing to men was started in 5th century Ireland when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait for so long for a man to propose. According to legend, St. Patrick said the females could propose on this one day in February during the leap year.

In 1288, Scotland passed a law that women could propose to men during that year. Men who declined were fined.

According to Greek tradition, it is bad luck to marry in a Leap Year.

The United States has Sadie Hawkins Day, which was created by the artist Al Capp for the comic strip Li'l Abner. On this day, women run after unmarried men to propose. Some communities prefer to celebrate this day in November, when it was first mentioned in the strip.

[edit] Leap Year Party Ideas

Going with the "leap" concept, frogs are a popular icon to represent the "leaper" theme.

• Birthday sLEAPover
• 2/29ers - In reference to the date
• Party Like It Only Happens Every 4 Years - More of an adult theme

[edit] Leap Year Party Games

• Pass the Toad – Played like Hot Potato
• Ribbit, Ribbit, Jump – Played like Duck, Duck, Goose
• Musical Lily Pads – Cut out large lily pads for the floor, using one less than the number of children. Play this like Musical Chairs.
• Kiss the Frog or Crown the Frog – Draw a large frog on poster board. Make small crowns or smooches for the kids with a tack or tape on each piece. Play as Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

Leap Year Martini Recipe

6 parts citrus-flavored vodka
1 part sweet vermouth
1 part Grand Marnier
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with cracked ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

[edit] Famous Persons Born on Leap Days

1468 Pope Paul III last Renaissance pope (1534-1549)
1692 John Byrom English poet
1792 Gioacchino Rossini - Italian composer (The Barber of Seville, William Tell)
1896 Ranchhodji Mararji Desai - 6th Prime Minister of India
1916 Dinah Shore (Frances Rose Shore) - USA, Actress, Singer, Talk Show Host
1936 Henri "The Pocket Rocket" Richard - NHL Hall of Fame Center, Montreal Canadians
1976 Ja Rule - American Rapper and Actor

For a more comprehensive list, go to Famous Leapies.

[edit] Related Links

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