February 10, 2020
Did you know that 2020 is a leap year? Every four years, an extra day is added to the calendar making it a leap year. In a leap year, the extra day is added to the month of February making this year’s leap day February 29th. It takes the earth approximately 365.25 days to orbit the sun, which is why one extra day is added every four years.
The practice of adding one extra day started in 46 BC with a decree by Julius Caesar. In 1582 AD, Pope Gregory XIII established February 29 as the official day to add, as well as coined the term “leap year” and created the rules for adding a leap year. In the United States, leap year also happens to coincide with the presidential elections.
Now for a few fun facts. People who are born on February 29th are called leapers or leaplings and astrologers believe that these people have unusual talents, but the chances of being born on a Leap Day are only 1 in 1500. February 29th is symbolized by the frog with the Australian rocket frog being able to leap over two meters. There is even an official leap day cocktail! Invented by bartender Harry Craddock at London’s Savoy Hotel, the recipe includes ⅔ gin, ⅙ Gran Marnier, ⅙ sweet vermouth and a dash of lemon juice.
Looking for a good excuse for a few cocktails? Leap day falls on a Saturday this year, which means an extra day to party at Onyx! Grab your friends and head downtown for a variety of hip hop, top hits, and Latin music. Be sure to join the guest list early to enjoy discounted or complimentary entry with more time to dance the night away.
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