It’s been a fun Leap Day, hasn’t it? But a lot of monks had to give up their lives to give you 24-bonus hours every four years. You owe it to them (and yourself) to know the full story behind “Leap Day.”
Well, it’s been nice having a bonus day this year, hasn’t it? But while Leap Day might be a bigger deal for some than it is for others (Happy 24th birthday, Superman), not everyone’s a fan.
The irregular rules behind an extra day that regularly occurs only once every four years … sometimes.
As a general rule, leap days occur every four years. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, during the turn of each century, we skip a leap year. Even if the year is divisible by four, we do not add an extra day in the years that end in 00.
Nonetheless, there is also an exception to this exception. If the year is a multiple of 400, we do include an additional leap day. At the turn of the millennium, despite being divisible by 100, the year 2000 did indeed have a February 29th because it was also divisible by 400.
Got that? Good. Now if you want to know more, tune into this article from the BBC.
But why February 29th?
That’s actually a good question. As presented in this article on The Conversation, the leap year (and leap day) appears to be the work of some obsessive compulsive monks from the Middle Ages. While it might make sense to add an extra day to the year at its end (meaning December 32nd), the original plan was to add the extra day on February 24th … which leads to a much more convoluted series of consideration.
So, shout out to Byrhtferth of Ramsey (who had a bissextile day fetish … and it’s not what you think that is) and all of the other medieval monks who contributed to the creation of February 29th as we know it today.
The most helpful explanation I could find about why February 29th appears on our calendar every four years (or so) is this article from NPR. Reporter Rachel Treisman manages to sum up hundreds of years of calendar niggling into a concise 2-minute audio report which is, in fact, 2-minutes long no matter what day of the year it might be.
So let’s celebrate it, already.
People born on Leap Day are known as “Leaplings” (no, seriously) and range from Dennis Farina and Dinah Shore to Ja Rule and Tony Robbins. Interested in the list of who’s who? They’re all just a bunch of kids, really, but here you are: People | AL.com | Town & Country
A dream job … or just a job of dreams?
You need to know one of the true “wizards” of Disney’s Imagineering department. He’s made a real-life lightsaber and now he’s creating the technology that could put a Holodeck experience in every home. Find out more …
Gone but not forgotten – favorite automotive trends from the past
America (and much of the world) has had a century-long love affair with automobiles – of all shapes and sizes. But just like that person you dated back in high school, a second look few decades after the fact may result in a raised eyebrow or two.
Leaping back into the DAILY SPAM … and much more.
It’s well preserved in its own juices and fresh out of the can. The DAILY SPAM is back.
Celebrating the best underwater photography of the year
The online gallery showcasing the best entries of the 2024 Underwater Photographer of the Year competition is absolutely stunning. I’ve posted a few samples and a link to the online exhibit.
Nothing to watch on HULU? Not exactly …
Overwhelmed with options when it comes to finding a new series to stream or a movie to watch? If you’ve got a subscription to HULU, I might have a few suggestions …
How Godzilla found his voice
There’s something delightfully nostalgic about the unforgettably corny schreech of a roar coming from the original King of the Monsters (Godzilla) in the original 1954 production. Here’s the story behind the sound …
Additions for your “ttrbyd” list
What’s this? Just another one of those lists of things to do, read, watch, experience before you leave this mortal coil? Maybe, but it’s worth the read.
A little walk can take us miles
How many steps do you take in a day? Believe it or not, there are physiological, mental, and emotional benefits to literally “taking a hike” whether your wife asks you to or not.
Apple’s big bet on the MLS
How does Apple view its 10-year, $2B+ deal between Apple TV+ and Major League Soccer? It’s a way to reinvent sports for a streaming environment and get in on the ground floor of what could be the freshest source of “reality television” on the planet.
Animal stories … and much more.
Whether it’s a rampaging bear, a happy dog, or the return of the woolly rhino … it’s all good in today’s DAILY SPAM.
Still turning heads at 50 … happy birthday to THE EXORCIST.
Everything from celebrating fifty years of head-spinning thrills to the health benefits of ice cream. It’s all part of today’s nutritious meal of email delights.
Have you had your SPAM today?
Introducing a new column … Daily Spam is what I serve up after digging through the hundreds of emails I get every day … just so you don’t have to. I’ll provide links to interesting articles, videos, podcasts and more with no offers for winning lotto numbers, inheritances from African princes, or the latest NFTs. It’s free content worth every penny. Guaranteed.
You’ll never guess where I found the biggest obstacle to my recovery journey …
It turns out that the mind-body connection works both ways. Sometimes the biggest barrier keeping you from your success is located between your ears – which is why its important to understand how physical trauma can bring on depression and how your mental health affects your recovery.
The patient can go on vacation, but the therapy can’t.
Even when you intentionally “get away from it all” you don’t get away from it ALL. Blogger Mike Bawden explains how to manage travel, touring foreign countries, chasing grandchildren, and rehabbing an injured shoulder simultaneously.
Sometimes physical therapy can be a real pain …
I learned the hard way that pain, and my reaction to it, is one of the useful signals a therapist uses to evaluate the progress of your rehabilitation.
