Why Do We Need a Leap Year?

Once every for years we have a February 29th. We call it a leap year, but why do we have to add this extra day to our calendars?According to Gizmodo,

During one orbit of the sun—what we call a year—the Earth rotates just over 365 times. In fact, to be precise, it rotates 365.242190419 times.

Meaning that once every four years we tack on an extra day to keep our season in-sync. If we scrapped leap years we would "lose" 24 days over the next 100 years. And in 700 years December would become the middle of summer.

Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

You kind read of the the details in the Gizmodo article, pretty fascinating stuff.

Do you have any 'Leap Day' traditions or superstitions?

Apparently this is the day for ladies to ask for their man's hand in marriage.

Picture by danielmoyle, Flickr.