Leap Year

How many days does a year have?

Usually, the answer to this question is 365 days.

But in 2020, that is not the case.

The reason is because 2020 is a leap year.

Occurring every four year, a leap year has a total of 366 days.

The extra day falls on February 29, also called leap day.

Leap years are a necessary part of our modern calendar.

In theory, the Earth orbits around the sun once every 365 days.

But in reality, it takes slightly longer.

Because of this, the calendar becomes less exact with each passing year.

It then gets corrected with an extra day every fourth year.

Traditionally, people believed different superstitions about leap years.

Some thought that it was a good year to fall in love.

Others regarded it to be an unlucky time.

In modern times, many cities hold "leap year festivals" on February 29.

There is even an international club for "leap year babies."

They get together to celebrate their very rare birthday.

 

• orbit ˈɔːrbɪt (다른 천체의) 궤도를 돌다 / 궤도  correct kəˈrekt  바로잡다, 정정하다 / 맞는, 정확한 (↔incorrect), (=right)

• superstition |suːpər│stɪʃn 미신