Written by: Narve Shahukhal - 30014, Grade VI
Posted on: 01 March, 2024
A leap year, also known as a leap day, is a calendar year that contains an additional day compared to a common year. This extra day is inserted into the calendar to keep it synchronised with the astronomical year, ensuring that our calendar aligns with the seasons. A leap year has 366 days, whereas a normal calendar year has 365 days, meaning there is exactly one day more in a leap year.
Earth takes approximately 365.2422 days to orbit the sun, which is why leap years typically occur every four years, although there are exceptions to this rule. Our most recent leap years were in 2020 and 2016, and the next leap year will occur in 2028.
The concept of leap years dates back to Julius Caesar, who introduced the idea in 46 BCE with the Julian calendar, adding a leap day every four years. However, the Julian calendar had a flaw in its measurement, which led to inaccuracies over time.
The first official leap year was recognised in 1582 when Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, which is the same calendar used today. Since then, there have been 109 leap years.
In summary, leap years play a crucial role in keeping our calendar in sync with the natural cycle of the seasons, ensuring that our scheduling and timekeeping remain accurate.
