An extra day is added to February every 4 years; Julius Ceasar ordered that February begiven an extra day to keep the seasons in balance with the calendar dates.

This year, February has only 28 days. However, next year is a Leap Year and February will have 29 days. It’s time to start thinking about how to observe this day which occurs only once every four years.

For instance, according to an old Irish legend or history, St Brigid struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men–and not just the other way around–every four years, on February 29. This was to balance the traditional roles of men and women in a similar way to how leap day balances the calendar. In Scotland however, to ensure success the woman should also wear a red petticoat under her dress–and make sure that it is partly visible to the man when they propose (as red is associated with love and passion).

In some places, Leap Day has been known as “Bachelors’ Day” for the same reason. A man was expected to pay a penalty, such as a gown or money, if he refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day.
In many European countries, especially in the upper classes of society, tradition dictates that any man who refuses a woman’s proposal on February 29 has to buy her 12 pairs of gloves. The intention is that the woman can wear the gloves to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring. During the middle ages there were laws governing this tradition.

Also in Scotland, it used to be considered unlucky for someone to be born on Leap Day, just as Friday 13th is considered an unlucky day by many. Greeks consider it unlucky for couples to marry during a leap year, and especially on Leap Day.

Leap Day is also St. Oswald’s Day, named after the archbishop of York who died on February 29, AD 992. His memorial is celebrated on February 29 during leap years and on February 28 during other years.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, there is a family that holds the world record of having a baby born on February 29 for three generations in a row!