Leap Day 2016

Most of us know that 2016 is, among other things, a Leap Year! But how did we come to add an extra day to our calendar? Leap Day occurs most years that are divisible by 4. It takes earth 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes, and 16 seconds to travel around the sun. This adds an average of six extra hours each year. Every four years, an extra day accumulates and an extra day is needed to keep the calendar aligned with the sun. Not adding the extra day would move the seasons back over time. But aside from keep our calendar and season’s in check, many other events of note have occurred on Leap Day’s in history. Did you know that Christopher Columbus used his knowledge of a lunar eclipse on Leap Day in 1504 to convince Native Americans to provide him with supplies? Or that on Leap Day in 1944, The Admiralty Islands were invaded in ‘Operation Brewer’, led by American General Douglas MacArthur? There is a popular tradition known as Bachelor’s Day in some countries allowing a woman to propose marriage to a man on Leap Day. If the man refuses, he then is obliged to give the woman money or buy her a dress. In upper-class societies in Europe, if the man refuses marriage, he then must purchase 12 pairs of gloves for the woman, suggesting that the gloves are to hide the woman’s embarrassment of not having an engagement ring. For such a small chunk of the calendar, Leap Day has certainly had its share of eventful activity. We at Spencer Air Conditioning and Heating hope that Leap Day with your home’s air conditioning unit is an uneventful one. However, should you need us, we’re always available to help by calling 972-446-COOL (2665) or visiting us online at spencerairconditioning.com.