The Leap Year...
Although most modern calendar years have 365 days, a complete revolution around the Sun (one solar year) takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours. An extra 24 hours thus accumulates every four years, requiring that an extra calendar day be added to align the calendar with the Sun's apparent position.
Some groovy Leap Year stuff...
- The set leap day was introduced in Rome as a part of the Julian reform in the 1st century BC.
- A person born on February 29 may be called a "leapling", a "leaper", or a "leap-year baby".
- In 1644 Abel Tasman's second Pacific voyage began.
- In 1712 February 29 is followed by February 30 in Sweden, in a move to abolish the Swedish calendar for a return to the Julian calendar.
- In 1940 for her performance as "Mammy" in Gone with the Wind, Hattie McDaniel becomes the first African American to win an Academy Award.
- In 1956 Aileen Wuornos, American serial killer was born.
- In 1968 Frank Woodley, Australian actor, producer, and screenwriter is born.
- In the town of Aurora, Illinois, single women are deputized and may arrest single men, subject to a four-dollar fine, every February 29.
- In Greece, it is considered unlucky to marry on a leap day.
To celebrate this quirky but very necessary date there will be a dinner at Mac's Hotel commencing at 6:00 PM. Please make sure that you have lodged your will attend with numbers at least one week before the event so that tables can be booked. Attendees to the dinner will qualify for a unique Leap Day souvenir to add to their vitrtual collection.
Hope to see you all there!!
Beaker :)