Leap Day is coming, let's celebrate!
Why do we have leap years?
A solar year – and that's what the Julian/Gregorian calendar we count our days by is based on – has 365 days, six hours and 26 seconds. So to account for those extra ticks and keep the calendar in tune with the sun's rotation, we have Leap Day, Feb. 29, every four years.
But only one out of every four century years – like the year 2000 – is a leap year. 1700, 1800 and 1900 were not, nor will 2100 be. Why? That extra day every four years only adds up to three extra days over a 400-year period. Only century years evenly divisible by four end up being leap years.
Is your head spinning? Maybe a Leap Year Cocktail might help. There is such a recipe. Click through our photos to find out how to make one, along with learning some other fun facts about Leap Day and Leap Year.
Contact the writer: twalker@ocregister.com or 714-796-7793. Follow me on Twitter @telltheresa.
