It seems unfair, but people born on February 29 have to take one for the team. And by that we mean forego their actual birthday for the good of the whole calendar year.
Thank you.
With 2016 being a “leap year,” Monday, February 29, 2016 is considered a “leap day.” These days come around once every four years and are added in to keep our calendar on track with the Earth’s revolutions around the Sun.
And what would happen if we didn’t implement a leap day here and there? Well…
If it weren’t for leap years, we would lose about six hours every year, according to a calendar explanation from TimeAndDate.com. In 100 years that would throw our calendar off by about 24 days, thus shifting us away from the seasons as we know them.
It takes the Earth a whopping 365 days, five hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds to circle around the sun one time, according to the explanation. Since our calendar doesn’t divide that time perfectly, we’re forced to make up for it when we can. Ta da! Leap year.
