February 29: Why it only happens once every leap year

For thousands of years, leap year has been accepted as that random extra day on the calendar that occurs mostly every four years. But some may wonder who, or what, put it there?

The leap year goes back to Julius Caesar enforcing the day during the ancient Roman Empire. A year is not exactly 365 days long, it’s more like 365.24 days.

When the Julian calendar was created in 46 BC, the leap year was made to accommodate the extra time earth takes to revolve around the sun.

This decision kept the summer and winter solstices along with spring and fall equinoxes as close to the same day as possible every year.

If there weren’t leap years, the days would shift around on the calendar. Leap years don't always fall on the fourth year either.

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