Today is February 29, 2020.
Normally the month of February only has 28 days but we get to enjoy one more day because 2020 is a leap year.
But have you ever wondered why we have a leap year?
Here’s a short history lesson: Our calendar has 365 days in a year because that’s how long it takes the earth orbit the sun.
But in reality it takes the earth about 365 1/4 days to circle the sun which means our calendar is off by a quarter of a day every year.
That may not seem like a lot but one quarter add up to additional days over time.
So in 45 BC a decree by Julius Caesar began the practice of adding an extra day every four years to make up for those quarter days.
Now a leap year occurs in every year that is divisible by four but only in century years evenly divided by 400, like 2020.
And there you have it.
Happy Leap Year everyone!
Posted – 2.29.20