The earth doesn’t take exactly 365 days to complete its
orbit around the sun. It takes 365 days and about six hours. This is why, for
most years divisible by four, there’s an extra day tacked on to the end of February.
I say “most years,” because centurial years only get a leap day if they’re
divisible by 400. So, 1600 and 2000 had leap days, but 1700, 1800 and 1900 did
not. The year 2100 won’t have a leap day, either. But I don’t suppose many of
us will be around long enough to worry about it. If today is your birthday, you’re
what is called a “leapling.” Leaplings in England, Wales and Hong Kong can (for
legal purposes) use February 28 as a birthdate. All the rest must wait until
March 1. Famous leaplings include Pope Paul III, Emmeline Wells, Jimmy Dorsey, Joss Ackland, and Dinah Shore.
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