​Why Leap Years?

By Ramir Wearen
 
February 29th comes once every four years. Every month of the year has at least 30 days, except for February. It’s the only month that has 28 OR 29 days.

Firstly, let's get into the most interesting part of it all: why does February 29th come every four years? This is called a “Leap Year.” On these days, the year has become 366 days long instead of the typical 365. 

According to cbc.ca, “We do it to play catch-up, ‘we’ as in Earth.” A year is based on the time it takes for the Earth to orbit around the sun once. It takes about 365 days and 6 hours for the Earth to do this. Over the years, those extra 6 hours can add up. To make up for this, another 24 hours is added to the calendar during certain years. That’s why we sometimes end up with February 29.

Now typically the next thing most may wonder is what happens to those born on February 29th? These people are called “leaplings” or a leaper and because their birthdays fall on the 29th; they're forced to celebrate their birthdays on February 28th or March 1st. 
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I find February to be a very interesting month. It's such a short month but yet full of so many important dates Black History Month, Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day and so much more.