Saturday, February 25, 2012

BISSEXTILE

The day which is added every fourth year to the month of February in order to make the year agree with the course of the sun, commonly known as the "Leap Day", is actually formally known as the BISSEXTILE.

By Ancient English Law, statute 21 Henry II, the 28th and 29th days of February counted together as one single day for all legal purposes, and this law was still good and on the books in many states of the US, including Indiana and Pennsylvania, until very recently.

It should be noted that England was still on the Julian Calendar until 1750; and that many countries, such as Greece and Russia, were still on the Julian Calender until well into the 20th Century, so that while they were adding the Leap Day, they were in no way following Gregorian Calendar time.  In addition, the year would start either on March 1 or September 1, depending.  Time and Calendars are a very artificial concept indeed.

So celebrate your BISSEXTILE-IALITY on Leap Day this year.

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