Love? Deuce? Advantage? This is what it all means
The first warrants for arrest were issued on February 29, 1692.
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.
Indeed, 2020 is a leap year. But what does it mean to have an extra day at the end of February? What's so special about it, really? And are there any interesting events that have taken place on February 29?
You'll find the answers to these and other questions in this new gallery. From amazing discoveries to groundbreaking moments, click through to discover fascinating facts about Leap Day.
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.
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!
James Milne Wilson, who was Premier of Tasmania from 1869 to 1872, was born and died on February 29.
On February 29, 2004, 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' won 11 Oscars.
On Leap Day 1988, South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu was arrested during an anti-apartheid demonstration in Cape Town.
On February 29, 1960, a devastating earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.6 on the Richter scale, hit Agadir, Morocco.
On February 29, 1976, Jeffrey Atkins, better known as rapper Ja Rule, was born in New York.
Yes, there's an official Leap Day cocktail! It was invented in 1928 by world-famous bartender Harry Craddock at London's Savoy Hotel.
On Leap Day 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first ever African American to win an Academy Award.
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.
On Leap Day 1952, the first signs were installed in Times Square, New York City.
Speaking of 'The Lord of the Rings,' hobbits use the Shire Calendar, which has 12 months at 30 days each.
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.
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.
The iconic Japanese tower was completed on February 29, 2012.
On Leap Day 1996, Daniel Green, the man convicted of killing James R. Jordan, was sentenced to life in prison.
The late singer's iconic glasses went missing when his plane crashed in 1959. The discovery was reported on February 29, 1980.
Davy Jones from The Monkees passed away on February 29, 2012.
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.
The discovery was announced on Leap Day 1968.
Margaret, Maid of Norway and Queen of Scots apparently established this tradition in 1288. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)
According to the Irish version of the legend, this was the result of a deal struck between Saint Brigid and Saint Patrick.
On Leap Day 1960, Hugh Hefner opened the first Playboy club in Chicago.
What's so special about Leap Day?
Legend has it that women can only propose to men on February 29
LIFESTYLE Curiosities
Indeed, 2020 is a leap year. But what does it mean to have an extra day at the end of February? What's so special about it, really? And are there any interesting events that have taken place on February 29?
You'll find the answers to these and other questions in this new gallery. From amazing discoveries to groundbreaking moments, click through to discover fascinating facts about Leap Day.