5 interesting facts about leap years who may not know

365.2422 days. That's really what it takes the Earth to orbit the sun.

But under the current Western calendar-introduced in the late sixteenth century it was established that would comprise a 365 days.

And the remaining portion -five hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds each year- is added to form an extra day every four years, as a way to keep our clocks in tune with the earth and its seasons.

That day in question is added to February, which is why this year is 29 days.

And to celebrate the rare occasion, BBC World we share five fun facts about leap years.

1. Guilt is the emperor

The leap year was created by Julius Caesar in the 1st century B.C.

Under the rule of Julius Caesar in the 1st century B.C., astronomers was commissioned the task of improving the old Roman calendar, which had 355 days with an additional month of 22 days every two years.

It was thought that the calendar had been hopelessly out of sync with the seasons and so was created the year of 365 days with an extra day every few years to incorporate the accumulated additional hours.

So she was born on leap year. And in those special years, the month of February, which originally had 29 days have passed 30.

But it notes that when Augustus became the first emperor of the newly established Roman Empire, wanted a month named after him with the same days as July, honoring Julius Caesar.

And in the battle for the extra day in February poor he ended up ceding one day August.

2. An opportunity for women

Leap years have been associated with all sorts of rituals and beliefs, and some are related to marriage.

In Greece, for example, some married couples traditionally avoid a leap year because it was thought to bring bad luck in the future.

But in UK leap years they are known primarily as those in which women can propose marriage to men.

The custom became popular in the nineteenth century, when women who conduct their proposals on postcards were encouraged.

Legend has it that the Irish saint St. Patrick issued a decree giving women the right to propose the matter once every four years.

Others say it was Queen Margaret of Scotland issued a law in 1288 that gave unmarried women the freedom to propose marriage during a leap year, and the man who refused was fined.

Scholars, however, have found no evidence existed that law.

3. A pending revolution

If you receive a salary every month, leap years are bad news for you.

Technically you have to work an extra day without additional pay, as your annual salary remains the same in the years have 366 days.

However, there is a more complex issue behind this, and to analyze the economic impact of a leap year is complicated.

Many statisticians worldwide use adjusted to measure economic variables, such as GDP, so that comparable figures can be Februaries.

So it is considering that February has 28 days a quarter day each year, either leap year or not.

This provoked a high school teacher in Maryland, USA, launched in 2008 the "Revolution for not working on leap day".

The campaign, however, has not materialized to earn an additional vacation day anywhere in the world.

4. Entrepreneurs and leap Benefactors

There have been more modest and small "revolutions" led by those who advocate the carpe diem (seize the moment) and want people to do volunteer work and helping others in the extra day is gained in a leap year.

"Donate your day leap to charity," he urges the easyfundraising.org site and many others like that exist mainly in Europe and the United States.

There are campaigns for people to donate, participate or collect funds for a variety of causes, from cancer research to community activities.

The key, however, recognize them as charity groups, is that employers agree to give their workers 29 free February. And it goes without saying that not everyone is willing.

5. A free birthday party in Texas

But perhaps those who have more problems with leap years are those born on 

These people can only hold a "proper birthday" every four years. Many held on February 28, but is not the same.

"As a child I was quite disconcerting. Now I'm used to and I find it funny," he told the BBC Dimitrios Michalopoulos.

Currently in the world there are 4.1 million people who were born on February 29.

The good news is that all babies leap can have a party in the city of Anthony, Texas, USA, This is the self-proclaimed World Capital leap year and takes a festival of four days during leap years including a huge birthday dinner for those born on February 29.

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