Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Get Married on Leap Day & Other Crazy Facts
Fun facts about the holiday you've been waiting on for four years.
1. Salaried workers don't actually get paid for working on Leap Day
Since annual salaries are usually fixed for 365 days, when Leap Day comes around, employees are technically working for free. Maybe Leap Day should be considered an actual holiday where we forget about all of our responsibilities and just relax.
2. There's a greater chance for you to be born with an extra finger than for you to be born on Leap Day
The chances of being born on February 29th are 1 in 1,461. On the other hand, the chances of being born polydactyl (born with an extra finger or toe) is 1 in 500.
May the odds be ever in your favor.
3. Ladies are expected to propose on February 29th
In some European traditions, it's traditional for a woman to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day. In Denmark, however, if the man refuses, it is tradition for him to give the woman 12 pairs of gloves so she can hide the shame of not being married.
Yikes.
4. On the other hand, it's unlucky to marry on Leap Day
Just as Friday the 13th is considered unlucky in the United States, Scotland considered Leap Day a very bad day to get married. In Greece, it's even considered unlucky to get married during a leap year.
5. The officially Leap Year Capital of the World is located in the United States
In the town of Anthony, Texas, two Chamber of Commerce members were born on February 29, so they voted to give their city the dignified title. Each leap year, they hold parades on Leap Day and even throw a huge birthday party for anyone born on the special day.