Women Propose to Their Men:
According to an old Irish legend, or possibly history, St Brigid struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men – and not just the other way around – every four years.
This is believed to have been introduced to balance the traditional roles of men and women in a similar way to how leap day balances the calendar.
Gloves Hide Naked Ring Finger:
In some places, leap day has been known as “Bachelors’ Day” for the same reason. A man was expected to pay a penalty, such as a gown or money, if he refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day.
In many European countries, especially in the upper classes of society, tradition dictates that any man who refuses a woman's proposal on February 29 has to buy her 12 pairs of gloves. The intention is that the woman can wear the gloves to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring. During the middle ages there were laws governing this tradition.
Leap Day Babies World Record:
People born on February 29 are all invited to join The Honour society of Leap Year Day Babies.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the only verified example of a family producing three consecutive generations born on February 29 is that of the Keogh family. Peter Anthony was born in Ireland on a Leap Day in 1940, while his son, Peter Eric, was born in the UK on February 29, 1964. Peter Eric's daughter, Bethany Wealth, was also a Leap Day baby, born in the UK on February 29, 1996.
The Henriksen family from Andenes, Norway currently holds the official record for the most number of children born in one family on leap day. Karin Henriksen gave birth to three children on February 29; her daughter Heidi in 1960 and her sons Olav and Leif-Martin in 1964 and 1968.
When do Leap Day Babies Celebrate Their Birthdays:
Leap day on February 29 occurs (nearly) every four years, but leap day babies, or leaplings, still get to celebrate their birthdays in common years. Some celebrate on February 28, some prefer March 1. However, many countries have laws defining which date a person born on February 29 comes of age in legal terms. For instance in New Zealand, the official birthday falls on February 28 in common years; in other countries like the United Kingdom, leap year babies have to wait until March 1.
Unlucky in Love:
In Scotland, it used to be considered unlucky for someone to be born on leap day, just as Friday 13th is considered an unlucky day by many. Greeks consider it unlucky for couples to marry during a leap year, and especially on Leap Day.
St Oswald’s Day:
Leap day is also St Oswald’s Day, named after the Archbishop of York who died on February 29, 992. His memorial is celebrated on February 29 during leap years and on February 28 during common years.
See words above, and more, from articles here and here
Enjoy your life, love and health.
Look after yourself, and loved ones, the best way you know how.
All the best Jan
27 comments:
These are really fascinating. My mother always talked about how Feb 29th was Sadie Hawkins Day (or at least I think that's what she called it) how it was the only day women could propose to men. Thanks for sharing.And happy Leap Day to you.
I remember Sadie Hawkins dances. I didn't know you could propose to a man on that day. I thought you just got to ask him to dance. LOL
...St Oswald’s Day is new to me.
Happy Leap Day.... this was fun. I had to laugh at the Women propose to their men.
Interesting bits of trivia. I know of one person who celebrates his birthday on Feb 29th.
That is all interesting Jan.
Fascinating! I had only heard about women proposing. I do know someone born on this day
Lots of interesting facts about Leap Day. Oh, the shame of being refused your proposal and having to wear gloves . . .
Interesting facts about leap years. Imagine having three generations of the same family all born on that one date, I wonder what the odds of that happening are.
Grazie infinite per tutte queste curiosità sul 29 febbraio, alcune non le conoscevo
Interesting facts on Leap Day.
The dish looks yummy!
Take care, have a great day!
My mom missed it by one day. She was born on the 28th. Lots of good trivia.
Yummy dish for leap day!
I am the 27th of February. I am 71. Two days later I would be almost 18! I enjoyed the information!
Such an interesting post :D
Beautiful blog
I didn't know about most of these fun facts! Thanks!
this is a great post for today. chuck and i were just talking about leap birthdays, it seems neither is wrong!!
Interesting fun facts.
It is a peculiar day!
Me gusto saber las curiosidades. De l año bisiesto. Gracias por la receta.
I truly appreciate your recipes. Feb. 29th birthdays were not something I knew about. Just the old Weavers who lived up the road from our farm. She was 72 and he was 20.
Great post!
That is so cool that 3 generations were all born on leap day, I just saw on TV yesterday a Grandfather and his grandson were both born Feb.29th.
That is interesting about the ladies proposing and the men having to gift if they don't agree, they probably dreaded this date
I always enjoy these informative posts.
Another great post and so informative ~ thanks,
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Gracias por la información, es muy interesante. Besos.
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