Leap Day tips and traditions

Find out which celebrities celebrate their birthdays on Leap Day, how to get a free cupcake, and why some enamored ladies will be spurned with 12 pairs of gloves.

5 Seconds

00:00

Watch out! She's got a ring!

Old Irish legend has it that women propose to men on this day every four years — and men have to accept. That was the basis for the 2010 Amy Adams comedy "Leap Year."

Jonathan Hession / AP

What’s with the gloves?

In another European tradition for ”Bachelors Day,” men have to pay if they said no to being wed; one legend holds that a man who rejects a proposal must buy the person 12 pairs of gloves — to hide the ringless finger.

Mark Ralston / AFP/Getty Image

Is Leap Day Feb. 29 in other cultures?

Not at all. In the Lunar calendar, a leap month is added about every three years. The Jewish calendar also adds an extra month in a leap year, which occurs seven times every 19 years. The Iranian, or Persian, calendar has about eight leap years in a 33-year cycle.

Feng Li / Getty Images

Before ‘The Help,’ there was ‘The Wind’

On that night in 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Oscar. She took the best supporting actress award for her role in “Gone With the Wind.’’ The epic also took best picture, best director and best actress (Vivien Leigh).

/ AP

Introducing the Playboy Club

Hugh Hefner opened his first Playboy Club in Chicago on that day in 1960.

/ AP

A new mark in hockey

Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe scored his 800th goal playing for the Hartford Whalers on that day in 1980. He finished with 801. Only Wayne Gretzky has scored more.

/ AP

Not every four years is a leap year

Only one in every four centenary years is a Leap Year (the first two digits have to be divided by four). Therefore, 1800 and 1900 didn’t have a Feb. 29, but 2000 did.

Richard A. Lipski / For The Washington Post

Leapers Unite!

No, they’re not one-quarter their age. But Leap Day babies only get to celebrate on their true birthday every four years. Among Leap Day babies is rapper and actor Ja Rule.

Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images

Lobbyists are ‘Leapers,’ too

Another Feb. 29 baby? Former congressman Bart Stupak. The Michigan Democrat is now a partner in the legislative and government affairs group of Venable in Washington.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

A true ‘Leaper’

Former U.S. soccer great and ESPN commentator Taylor Twellman is celebrating his eighth — okay, 32nd — birthday on Wednesday.

Chitose Suzuki / AP

She ‘leaped’ to sing

Singer and entertainer Dinah Shore also was a "Leaper."

/ AP

Do ‘Leapers’ get any special deals?

Yes, there are all sorts of gimmicks, including a dozen free cupcakes (to those with valid ID showing your birthday) at Sprinkles cupcakes in Georgetown, according to the Georgetown Dish.

James M. Thresher / For The Washington Post

Get a free cookie if you buy a $5 footlong at Subway, or a free <a data-xslt='_blank' href=''>McCafe shake</a> at the Union Station McDonald’s if you order an Extra Value Meal.

What about the rest of us?

Get a free cookie if you buy a $5 footlong at Subway, or a free McCafe shake at the Union Station McDonald’s if you order an Extra Value Meal.

Richard Termine

If you’re working on a fixed annual or monthly wage, like many in Australia, you’re essentially <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/leap-year-means-a-day-without-pay/story-e6freuy9-1226283409907'>working for free</a> on Feb. 29. Look at this way — it’s still a day or two shorter than a regular month!

Those poor Australians

If you’re working on a fixed annual or monthly wage, like many in Australia, you’re essentially working for free on Feb. 29. Look at this way — it’s still a day or two shorter than a regular month!

Chris Pizzello / AP

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

A police forensics officer investigates a crime scene where one man was killed in Woolwich, southeast London May 22, 2013. British Prime Minister David Cameron has called a meeting of his government's emergency Cobra security committee after the killing of a man in south London, his office said on Wednesday. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Terrorism cited in London cleaver attack

Two assailants hacked to death a man reported to be a British soldier on a busy East London street Wednesday afternoon before delivering an apparent...

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Statues on display on the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in The Great Pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 21, 2013 in London, England. The Chelsea Flower Show run by the RHS celebrates its 100th birthday this year. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Photos of the day

Chelsea Flower Show, face transplant in Poland, Oklahoma residents cope with tornado aftermath and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD - MAY 20: The Herndon Monument Climb is the traditional culmination of plebe year at the United States Naval Academy. The plebes climb to the top of the lard-covered 21 foot high monument and remove the 'dixie cup' hat at the top replacing it with an upperclassman's hat. After completing this, the freshmen are called 'fourth class midshipmen.' This class completed the task in 1 hour 32 minutes and 43 seconds. The hat was placed by Patrick Lien from Orlando. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

The Herndon Climb

The Herndon Monument climb is the traditional culmination of plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Lea Bessinger salvages a picture of Jesus as she and her son Josh Bessinger sort through the rubble of the elder Bessinger's tornado-ravaged home Tuesday, May 21, 2013, in Moore, Okla. A huge tornado roared through the Oklahoma City suburb Monday, flattening an entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tornado near Oklahoma City causes more damage

Rescue workers are searching for survivors after a twister carved a long path of destruction in a suburb of Oklahoma City. It was part of the...

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 21: Ken Marino, Erica Oyama, Ben Stiller, Chris Harrison, and Mike Rosenstein aceept the Webby Award for 'Burning Love' at the 17th Annual Webby Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on May 21, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for The Webby Awards)

Eye on entertainment

Ben Stiller, Jerry Seinfeld, Emma Stone, 2 Chainz, Tyrese Gibson, Susan Boyle and more.

This combination of Associated Press photos shows left, a neighborhood in Moore, Okla., in ruins on Tuesday, May 4, 1999, after a tornado flattened many houses and buildings in central Oklahoma, and right, flattened houses in Moore on Monday, May 20, 2013. Monday's powerful tornado in suburban Oklahoma City loosely followed the path of a killer twister that slammed the region in May 1999. (AP Photo)

Okla. tornado loosely followed path of 1999 twister

Monday’s powerful tornado in suburban Oklahoma City loosely followed the path of a killer twister that slammed the area in May 1999.

A Burrowing owl tries to perch on a protective rope in a public park in Cooper City, Fla. Monday, May 20, 2013 as rain falls. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

Animal views

Fun and fascinating creatures around the world.

A man walks on sulphur and mineral salt formations near Dallol in the Danakil Depression, northern Ethiopia April 22, 2013. The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is one of the hottest and harshest environments on earth, with an average annual temperature of 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34.4 Celsius). For centuries, merchants have travelled there with caravans of camels to collect salt from the surface of the vast desert basin. The mineral is extracted and shaped into slabs, then loaded onto the animals before being transported back across the desert so that it can be sold around the country. Picture taken April 22, 2013. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola (ETHIOPIA - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 2 OF 30 FOR PACKAGE 'ETHIOPIA'S ANCIENT SALT TRAIL'
SEARCH 'DANAKIL DEPRESSION' FOR ALL

Ethiopia’s salt trail

For centuries, merchants have traveled to Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression with caravans of camels to collect salt from the surface of the vast desert basin. The mineral is extracted...

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.