Title: Celebrating Leap Day Birthdays: A Special Occasion for a Select Few
Every four years, a unique group of individuals around the world get to celebrate their birthdays on February 29, also known as Leap Day. This rare occurrence creates a special bond among those born on this day, known as “leaplings,” who face a variety of interesting challenges and experiences.
One such leapling, the reporter of this story, shares her own personal connection to Leap Day, being born on February 29 and sharing the special day with her grandfather, who was also a leap day baby. The calendar’s addition of an extra day every four years to account for Earth’s imperfect rotation has created a birthday conundrum for an estimated 5 million people worldwide, with the chances of being born on Feb. 29 being 1 in 1,461.
Leap day babies, or leaplings, find creative ways to celebrate their unique birthdays. Some head to the “Leap Year Capital of the World” in Anthony, Texas, and Anthony, N.M., while others organize cruises specifically for leap day babies. The issue of when to celebrate in non-leap years presents a dilemma for some, with some choosing to celebrate on both February 28 and March 1.
Despite facing administrative challenges like inaccurate birth certificates and issues with driver’s licenses, leap day babies embrace the uniqueness of their birthdays. Famous leap day babies include Ja Rule, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain, and even Superman.
Astrologers suggest that leap day babies fall under the sign of Pisces, known for being intuitive and creative souls. Celebrating on February 29 may even make a person feel younger than their peers, experiencing a form of “reverse aging” until the next leap year in 2028.
In the end, leap day birthdays are a fun and special occasion for those who get to celebrate them, creating a unique connection among a select group of individuals who share this rare birthdate.
