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Writer's pictureJace Shoemaker-Galloway

Leap Year Day FAQs: Fun & wacky facts about Leap Day, leapers & 29ers

If you need a little more time to manage those busy schedules, you’re in luck. Between the careers, kids, pets and never-ending housework, there just isn’t enough time in the day to get everything accomplished. 2016 is Leap Year, which means we get 366 days in the year compared to 365.

Leap Day or Leap Year Day, which is observed on Feb. 29, occurs almost every four years (certain years are not Leap Years). Because the Earth completes its orbit around the sun in about 365 ¼ days, Leap Day helps the calendar and the solar year stay in sync. Julius Caesar created the special day thousands of years ago.

Leap Year Day FAQs

  • Leapers - While remembering special occasions, birthdays and anniversary may not be all that difficult for most of us, things aren’t so cut-and-dried for folks born on Leap Day. Just how old are “leapers” or “leaplings” and do they celebrate their birthdays on Feb. 28 or March 1? When are Leap Day babies eligible to drive, to vote or to drink? (Some countries actually have laws defining which day a birthday officially occurs) Some businesses and organizations do not recognize Feb. 29 as a valid date. What to do?

  • Did you know there is actually a special club for people born on Feb. 29? Launched in 1997, the Honor Society of Leap Year Babies has over 10,000 members worldwide.

  • What are the odds? While having one leaper in the family is pretty awesome, imagine having two?Michelle Birnbaum, born on Feb. 29, 1980, gave birth to baby Rose on Feb. 29, 2008.

  • Famous Leapers: Dinah Shore, Dennis Farina, Jimmy Dorsey, Alan Richardson, motivational speaker Tony Robbins, Ja Rule and hunky actor Antonio Sabato Jr., are all members of the “29ers” or “leapers” club!

  • Happy Anniversary? What about the couples who get hitched on Leap Day? How many years have they been married and how and when exactly do they celebrate their nuptials?

  • Did you know Anthony, TX, is touted as the Leap Year Capital of the World?

  • The Summer Olympics are always held on a Leap Year.

  • Some businesses, restaurants and organizations celebrate the occasion by offering a slew of steals-and-deals in honor of Leap Year Day.

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