Is 2024 a Leap Year?- Discover the concept of a leap year and unravel the reasons behind its occurrence. Unveiling all the essential details about Leap Day.
In 2024, February will be slightly longer than usual due to it being a leap year. This means that Leap Day, which falls on Friday, Feb. 29, will add an extra day to the calendar. As a result, this year will consist of 366 days instead of the usual 365. The occurrence of leap years is based on specific rules and calculations.
What is the reason behind having a leap year?
Leap years are necessary due to the fact that the Earth’s orbit around the sun is not exactly 365 days. In reality, it takes the Earth 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds to complete one full orbit. To accommodate this extra time, leap years are introduced. These additional days prevent calendars and seasons from drifting out of alignment, which could have significant effects on agricultural practices and other seasonal activities.
Without leap years, calendars would be off by 24 days in a century, and Northern Hemisphere summers would start in December after 700 years. If leap years were not implemented, over time, months like July could end up occurring during the winter season due to the accumulation of missing hours.
NASA explained online that without leap years, the missing hours would accumulate over time, causing July to eventually shift to the cold winter months after a few hundred years.
What is the reason for Leap Day falling in February?
According to Ben Gold, a professor of astronomy and physics at Hamline University, the reason Leap Day falls in February is primarily due to the ancient Roman history. In the 8th century BC, the Roman calendar consisted of only 10 months, and winter was considered as a single period without any divisions into months. Later on, the Romans introduced January and February, with February being the final month and having the fewest days.
To align the calendar with the sun, Julius Caesar made adjustments and added Leap Day through a decree. However, this still didn’t completely account for the time difference, which took several more centuries to resolve.
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII adopted the Gregorian calendar that we currently use. He specified that all years divisible by four are leap years, except for century years, which must be divisible by 400 to be considered leap years. For instance, 2000 was a leap year, but 2100 and 2200 will not be.
During the 1700s, British law officially designated February 29 as Leap Day.
The upcoming leap year is in 2024.
Leap years happen every four years, except for century years that are not divisible by four. The upcoming leap year will be in 2028, and Leap Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 29. Following that, the subsequent leap year will be in 2032, with Leap Day occurring on Sunday, February 29.
On February 29, 2024, enjoy complimentary items and discounts at Wendy’s, Krispy Kreme, and other participating establishments.
To commemorate Leap Day, which occurs once every four years on February 29th, several establishments in St. Louis are providing complimentary goodies and exclusive offers.
Build-A-Bear
Build-A-Bear customers born on Leap Day can create a Birthday Treat Bear for just $4 at select stores, as stated in an online announcement.
The special “celeBEARation” package features a personalized heart ceremony, fun photo accessories, a birthday bell ringing, and recognition from the entire workshop.
For additional details, please visit this link.
Krispy Kreme
Customers born on February 29th can enjoy a complimentary Original Glazed dozen at Krispy Kreme, no purchase needed. Valid proof of birthday is necessary.
All customers have the opportunity to purchase a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for just $2.29 when buying any regularly priced dozen.
For additional details, please visit this link.
Wendy’s
According to an online press release, Wendy’s is offering its customers a complimentary Cinnabon Pull-Apart during breakfast hours, while supplies last. Each vehicle in the drive-thru or dine-in is eligible for one free treat. It is important to note that this offer does not require any purchase. However, it is not available on third-party delivery platforms. The Cinnabon treat was introduced at Wendy’s earlier this week.
Chipotle
Chipotle has announced that its loyal customers who are part of the rewards program can now enjoy complimentary guacamole by simply entering the code EXTRA 24 when placing their orders through the Chipotle app or website. This exciting offer was revealed in an online press release.
Staples
Staples has recently introduced its rewards program and to celebrate this launch, they are providing 29,000 complimentary passport photos across the country. This exciting offer is mentioned in an online press release.
In addition to this, customers have the opportunity to earn 29 times the points when they spend $29 or more either in-store or online.
To learn more about the rewards program, please click here.
Duck Donuts
According to the company’s website, Duck Donuts offers a delightful combo of a cinnamon sugar donut and a medium hot coffee or cold brew for just $2.29. Whether you prefer to order online or visit one of their stores, customers have the convenience of choosing their preferred method.
Dunkin’
Dunkin’ patrons who are part of the rewards program have the opportunity to enjoy a medium cinnamon vanilla coffee for just $2 when placing an order through the Dunkin’ app or by presenting their rewards ID during checkout, as stated on the company’s official website.
Members are also eligible to accumulate four times the points on every purchase.