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When? -

A leap year occurs when the last two digits of a year are divisible by four, unless it is a century year. Century years must be divisible by 400. Therefore, the year 2100 will not be a leap year.

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Reason -

Leap years were created to align the Gregorian calendar with the solar calendar.

Now, let's explore legends, historical events, and other intriguing facts about leap years.

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Women can propose to men on Leap Day -

"The Ladies' Privilege," or "Bachelor's Day," legend arose in the fifth century. Ladies, feel free to propose to your partner on this day! 

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The Irish version -

According to the Irish interpretation of the myth, this was the outcome of an agreement made between Saint Brigid and Saint Patrick.

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The Scottish version is different -

In Scotland, the legend says that Margaret, Maid of Norway and Queen of Scots, established this tradition in 1288. 

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The Salem witchcraft trials begin -

Arrest warrants were first issued on February 29, 1692.

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Oscars -

Hattie McDaniel made history on Leap Day 1940 by becoming the first African American to win an Academy Award.

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A French newspaper is published once every four years -

La Bougie du Sapeur is exclusively available at newsstands on Leap Day. To ensure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe for €100 (approximately US$108) per century.

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The first pulsar star was discovered by Dr. Jocelyn Bell Burnell -

The announcement of the discovery was made on February 29, 1968.

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Clergyman against apartheid -

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu was taken into custody on Leap Day 1988 during an anti-apartheid protest in Cape Town.

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Born on Leap Day -

Tony Robbins, a renowned motivational speaker and self-help icon, was born on Leap Day, a date that occurs only once every 1,461 days.

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Ja Rule -

Rapper Ja Rule, born Jeffrey Atkins, came into the world on February 29, 1976, in New York.

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Aileen Wuornos -

The notorious serial killer was born on February 29, 1956.

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Davy Jones dies -

Davy Jones of The Monkees died on February 29, 2012.

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What are the odds? -

James Milne Wilson, Tasmania's Premier from 1869 to 1872, was born and died on February 29th.

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Agadir earthquake -

On February 29, 1960, Agadir, Morocco was struck by a destructive earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale.

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Pope John Paul II almost died -

On February 29, 1944, Karol Wojtyla, the future pope, was struck by a military truck from the German army and left for dead on the road. He was later transported to a hospital and managed to survive.

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Buddy Holly's trademark glasses were found -

The famous singer's distinctive glasses were lost when he died in a tragic plane crash in 1959. They were finally located on February 29, 1980.

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Walk/Don’t Walk signs -

The installation of the first signs occurred on Leap Day 1952 at Times Square in New York City.

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Leap Day Cocktail -

There is an official Leap Day cocktail called the Leap Year, which was created in 1928 by bartender Harry Craddock at London's Savoy Hotel. It contains gin, grand marnier, sweet vermouth, and lemon juice.

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The man who murdered Michael Jordan's father is sentenced to life -

Daniel Green, the individual found guilty of murdering James R. Jordan, was given a life sentence on Leap Day in 1996.

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Tokyo Skytree -

The well-known tower in Japan was finished on February 29, 2012.

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The first Playboy club opens -

The first Playboy club in Chicago was opened by Hugh Hefner on Leap Day 1960.

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Academy Awards 2004 -

'The Return of the King' received 11 Academy Awards on February 29, 2004.

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Hobbits have February 29... every year -

In 'The Lord of the Rings' books, hobbits employ the Shire Calendar, which comprises 12 months, each consisting of 30 days.

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February 30th -

This date was added in 1712 in Sweden and Finland. An additional Leap Day was added to align their Julian calendar with the Gregorian calendar.

See also: Historical "facts" that are anything but factual

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