Since the time of Julius Caesar over 2000 years ago, every 4 years an additional day has been added to the month of February to keep the Gregorian calendar year in line with the solar year. This extra day, February 29, is known as a Leap Day or Intercalary Day. Much folklore and many traditions have become associated with February 29, with one of the more famous customs being that on Leap Day, women can propose to men.
According to an old Irish legend, it is believed that in the 5th century AD, St Briget came to an agreement with St Patrick that on Leap Day women could propose to their men (rather than the accepted practice of men proposing to women). This balances the traditional roles of men and women, much the same that the Leap Day balances the Gregorian calendar and solar years. Another explanation of this tradition goes back to the time of when Leap Day had no legal status under English Law. As the day wasn't recognised by the law, it was believed that a woman could break with the convention of having to wait for a marriage proposal and she could propose to a man herself.
In some countries, tradition dictates that if a man refused a woman's proposal on February 29, he would be required to pay a penalty. In Ireland, where Leap Day is also known as Bachelor's Day, a man refusing a woman's proposal was expected to buy her a silk gown or pay £100. In other parts of Europe, especially amongst the upper classes, this penalty included the purchase of 12 pairs of gloves, so that the woman who had unsuccessfully proposed could hide the embarrassment of not wearing an engagement ring. Oh, how times have changed!
This cache is dedicated to everyone - and not just the single ladies - who are planning to take the plunge and make 'The Proposal'. The cache's release coincided with the geocaching event 'Leap Year Shenanigans' (GC69C47), that took place at 7th Brigade Park on February 29, 2016. A big thank you also to barbbowman who helped with finding a great location for the cache.
Congratulations to Dora the Explorer on her first to find and for making a terrain 2 cache a terrain 4 