How to Calculate Leap Year and Why it Exists in the First Place

9. A Bit of Good Luck

The tradition of February 29th is considered to be good luck in Ireland and the United Kingdom. The Irish myth suggests that on February 29th, Saint Brigid of Kildare proposed to Saint Patrick. She did so on this date after persuading him that women could propose to their men once every four years.

This tradition was also popular in England, and in 1582 a British play popularized the idea of “Bachelor’s Day.” This play suggested that on this day, women should dress and act and behave like men, in particular by asking men to marry them. This idea would make its way to the U.S. and become Sadie Hawkins Day.