February 29: Difference between revisions
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'''February 29''', also known as a '''leap day''' in the [ | '''February 29''', also known as a '''leap day''' in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregorian_calendar Gregorian calendar], is a date that occurs in most years that are evenly divisible by 4, such as 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. Years that are evenly divisible by 100, but not by 400, do not contain a leap day; thus 1900 did not contain a leap day while 2000 did. Years containing a leap day are called leap years. February 29 is the 60th day of the Gregorian calendar in such a year, with 306 days remaining until the end of the year. | ||
Although most years of the modern calendar have 365 days, a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours. Every four years, during which an extra 24 hours have accumulated, one extra day is added to keep the count coordinated with the sun's apparent position. | Although most years of the modern Gregorian calendar have 365 days, a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours. Every four years, during which an extra 24 hours have accumulated, one extra day is added to keep the count coordinated with the sun's apparent position. | ||
Revision as of 00:58, 4 May 2012
February 29, also known as a leap day in the Gregorian calendar, is a date that occurs in most years that are evenly divisible by 4, such as 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. Years that are evenly divisible by 100, but not by 400, do not contain a leap day; thus 1900 did not contain a leap day while 2000 did. Years containing a leap day are called leap years. February 29 is the 60th day of the Gregorian calendar in such a year, with 306 days remaining until the end of the year.
Although most years of the modern Gregorian calendar have 365 days, a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours. Every four years, during which an extra 24 hours have accumulated, one extra day is added to keep the count coordinated with the sun's apparent position.
Events
- 1504 – Christopher Columbus uses his knowledge of a lunar eclipse that night to convince Native Americans to provide him with supplies.
- 1644 – Abel Tasman's second Pacific voyage began.
Births
- 1904 – Rukmini Devi Arundale, Indian dancer (d. 1986)
Deaths
- 992 – Oswald of Worcester, archbishop of York (b. c.925)
- 1212 – Hōnen, Japanese religious reformer (b. 1133)
Holidays and observances
- Christian Feast Day:
- Oswald of Worcester (in leap year only)
- February 29 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics): Saint John Cassian
- The fourth day of Ayyám-i-Há (Bahá'í Faith)
External links
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