29 February: What makes the leap day 'extra' special | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 23, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025
29 February: What makes the leap day 'extra' special

Features

Rummana Ferdous Fagun
29 February, 2024, 01:00 pm
Last modified: 01 March, 2024, 02:10 pm

Related News

  • Greenpeace joins protests against gala Bezos wedding in Venice
  • Demi Lovato ties the knot with Jordan Lutes
  • 4 ex-members of Hasina's Cabinet seen together at London wedding of AL leader's son
  • One killed over loud music at wedding party in Natore
  • Singer Anuv Jain ties the knot with Hridi Narang

29 February: What makes the leap day 'extra' special

People often associate sentiments with this unique date as it only comes every four years

Rummana Ferdous Fagun
29 February, 2024, 01:00 pm
Last modified: 01 March, 2024, 02:10 pm
Photo: Collected
Photo: Collected

The year 2024 is a leap year.  It basically means we get a "bonus" day in February.

Though it may be just another day for some, there is much fascination surrounding it as it comes every four years only.

In some cultures, Leap Day is considered a lucky day for marriage proposals, weddings and other significant events.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

And so, it ensures the day doesn't go without celebrations.

The celebrity couple Mumtaheena Chowdhury Toya and Sayed Zaman Shawon got married on 29 February 2020 and will be celebrating their first wedding anniversary this year.

Shortly after their wedding, Toya had shared with TBS, "My family is very concerned about fixing dates. This is just a result of that concern. Our anniversary will be celebrated once every four years and everyone will be very hyped and excited about the anniversary because of this."

Mumtahina Toya and Sayeed Zaman Shawon got married on 29 February 2020. Photo: Noor-A-Alam
Mumtahina Toya and Sayeed Zaman Shawon got married on 29 February 2020. Photo: Noor-A-Alam

Some even consider it more practical to get married in a leap year as they would be able to plan something grand every four years rather than celebrating every year.

Though marriages are planned, birthdays are more often than not spontaneous. Those born on 29 February are called "leaplings" or "leap year babies."

For the majority of the time, leaplings choose to celebrate their birthdays on either 28 February or 1 March in non-leap years, not to miss out on the festivities associated with their special day.

However, when a leap year rolls around like this year, leaplings can finally celebrate their birthday on the actual date of 29 February.

One such example is renowned actor Mamunur Rashid, whose birthday is on 29 February. This year, a three-day long programme will be organised at Shilpakala Academy, Channel I and Bangladesh Women's Association to celebrate his birthday.

Mamunur Rashid in Duronto TV's 2020 Victory Day show 'Muktijuddher Kotha' answer questions about liberation war. Photo: Courtesy
Mamunur Rashid in Duronto TV's 2020 Victory Day show 'Muktijuddher Kotha' answer questions about liberation war. Photo: Courtesy

Mamunur Rashid said, "This is only an endeavour to spend some quality time with everyone. My prayers and love to all those who are organising the celebrations."

How leap year came to be

To understand why 29 February is important, we need to talk about time and calendars. Our calendar, called the Gregorian calendar, has 365 days in a year. But the Earth takes about 365.25 days to orbit the Sun.

So, every four years, we add an extra day to our calendar to catch up with the Earth's orbit. This extra day is 29 February which is often called leap day, and the year it happens in is called a leap year.

The idea of leap years dates back to ancient civilisations as the Egyptians, Romans, and others were found altering their calendars slightly to account for the extra time in Earth's orbit.

Ancient traditions and superstitions

With the ancient origin came ancient traditions like "Bachelor's Day," also known as Ladies' Privilege, which traces back to fifth-century Ireland, where legend says Saint Bridget petitioned Saint Patrick for women's right to propose.

Initially proposed as a once-in-seven-years opportunity, it later settled to every four years due to Bridget's persistence.

This tradition spread to Scotland, Finland, and parts of the UK by the 1800s, eventually reaching the United States. However, in the early 20th century, societal mockery tainted the celebration, portraying women who proposed as aggressive and domineering.

Despite this, Bachelor's Day remains a symbol of defiance against gender norms.

Leap year brings with it an array of superstitions and beliefs from diverse cultures.

In Greek tradition, marrying during a leap year, especially on leap day itself, is seen as a risky choice, potentially leading to divorce. This belief originates from ancient lore, where the leap year was deemed an unstable period for commitments.

In Scotland, it is believed that those who are born on leap day will live a life of suffering.

Leap year, in general, is also considered a doomed year for farmers, as the saying goes: "Leap year was never a good sheep year."

As for Germany, another saying goes, "Schaltjahr gleich Kaltjahr" which means leap year will be a cold year.

Top News

leap day / Wedding / birthday

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Photo: CA Press Wing
    Stronger stance needed on maintaining law and order: Political parties to CA
  • Volunteers collect and gather parts of the wrecked plane from the Milestone School and College grounds on Tuesday, a day after the devastating aircraft crash. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    Grief, angst and anger: The unbearable toll of Milestone crash
  • Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Secretariat protest: 75 injured in police-protester clash over edu adviser's resignation for delaying HSC rescheduling

MOST VIEWED

  • Screengrab/Video collected from Facebook
    CCTV footage shows how Air Force jet nosedived after technical malfunction
  • ISPR clarifies crashed plane was battle aircraft, not training jet
    ISPR clarifies crashed plane was battle aircraft, not training jet
  • The jet plane charred after crash on 21 July at the Milestone school premises. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    Milestone plane crash: Death toll rises to 31 as nine more succumb to injuries
  • Students and police clash at Milestone School and College on 22 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Protesting Milestone students clash with police, besiege law and education advisers
  • Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Secretariat protest: 75 injured in police-protester clash over edu adviser's resignation for delaying HSC rescheduling
  • Aerial view of the Milestone school premises where the crash took place on 21 July. Photo: Olid Ebna Shah/ TBS
    ‘Why here?’: Concerns expressed over airbase inside city

Related News

  • Greenpeace joins protests against gala Bezos wedding in Venice
  • Demi Lovato ties the knot with Jordan Lutes
  • 4 ex-members of Hasina's Cabinet seen together at London wedding of AL leader's son
  • One killed over loud music at wedding party in Natore
  • Singer Anuv Jain ties the knot with Hridi Narang

Features

Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

12h | Panorama
Photo: TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

7h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

1d | Panorama
Despite all the adversities, girls from the hill districts are consistently pushing the boundaries to earn repute and make the nation proud. Photos: TBS

Ghagra: Where dreams rise from dust for Bangladesh women's football

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

What information did the director of the NBPSI give about the admitted patients?

What information did the director of the NBPSI give about the admitted patients?

5h | TBS Today
What is discussed at the Chief Advisor's meeting?

What is discussed at the Chief Advisor's meeting?

5h | TBS Today
Two advisors and press secretary were blocked at Milestone for 8 hours

Two advisors and press secretary were blocked at Milestone for 8 hours

5h | TBS Today
Chief advisor's meeting with 4 parties; what was discussed?

Chief advisor's meeting with 4 parties; what was discussed?

6h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net