It is a tradition that ladies can make marriage proposals once every 4 years on 29th, February in a Leap Year. But why do we have Leap Years and how did this tradition start?

In the Gregorian Calendar we add 1 extra day every 4 years to re-align to the astronomical year on the 29th of February, except for when a year is divisible by 100, but not 400. 2000 was a Leap Year but 1900 wasn't. The Earth does not orbit the sun in exactly 365 days. Normally in the calendar, the days move forward 1 day each year, but in a Leap Year (which runs 1st, March - 28th, February), they move forward 2 days or 'leap' a day.

The origins of the proposal tradition are unclear, but there are fines if a man refuses the proposal. In Finland the man has to buy the fabric to make the lady a skirt. It is believed that it all started in Ireland when St. Patrick is supposed to have granted St. Bridget one day every 4 years for the lady to propose.

The summer Olympic Games are normally held in a Leap Year.

If you are making a proposal today, will he say yes?

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leap_year

http://www.mnn.com

http://www.tinawingphotography.co.uk/engagementphotography