1966 is a leap year or not. Why the year was called a leap year and why an extra day is needed every four years

2018 will be a non-leap year, because an additional 366 day, February 29, is added only once every four years. The previous leap year was 2016, which means the next one will only be in 2020.

All leap years are listed in the table below:

How many days in 2018

The question is how many days will be in 2018 365 or 366 many people are interested. Working hours, calculation of interest on loans and deposits, payroll and much more depend on the number of days in a year. Since the year is not a leap year, then the duration of 2018 will be 365 days.

In addition, whether 2018 is a leap year or not, people who are inclined to believe in superstitions and folk signs are interested. After all, folk wisdom claims that a leap year brings tragedies, illnesses, big and small troubles.

So, for example:

February 29, the so-called Kasyanov day, is the worst day for the birth of a baby. Not only is a person born on this unlucky day predicted the same unfortunate fate, but he can also celebrate his birthday only once every four years!
It is considered extremely bad luck to get married on a leap year. People say that such a family will not live together for a long time. the imminent disintegration of the family, betrayal and misfortune, up to the death of the spouses.
If the child was born in a leap year, it is necessary to carry out the rite of baptism as soon as possible. In this case, godparents must be blood relatives.

2018 is the year of the widow or widower

Another popular belief states that the year following the leap year will be the year of the widow, and the year of the widow is followed by the year of the widower. Since the leap year was 2016, then 2018 is the year of the widower. That is, according to superstitions, in couples that will play a wedding during 2018, the man will remain a widower.

Modern astrologers and psychics categorically deny such signs and strongly advise young people to set a wedding date for 2018. After all, according to the Chinese horoscope, the coming year will be the year of the Dog, and this zodiac animal is a symbol of home comfort and tranquility.

Another "consolation" for people prone to superstition: there are no statistics that could confirm the facts about the years of a widow or widower. The Orthodox Church also opposes such prejudices - the main guarantee of a strong family is mutual love and respect.

How to find out what year is a leap year

Determining a leap year or not is quite simple. You can, for example, remember which last year was a leap year and count periods of four years, because it is with such a frequency that a “leap year” occurs - for every fourth year.

Also, if you don't remember when the leap year was, there is a simple rule by which you can calculate how many days in a year are 365 or 366:

If the year you are interested in can be divided by 4 without a remainder, then the year is a leap year and it has 366 days. All other years have a duration of 365 days and are not leap years.

As with every rule, there is an exception here: years with zeros at the end are leap years only if they are a multiple of 400. That is, 2000 was a leap year, but 1900, 1800, 1700 were not.

sharky:
03/25/2013 at 16:04

and why is 1900 not a leap year? A leap year occurs every 4 years, i.e. Divisible by 4, it's a leap year. And no more divisions by 100 or 400.

Asking questions is normal, but before you say something, study the materiel. The earth revolves around the sun in 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes 46 seconds. As you can see, the rest is not exactly 6 hours, but 11 minutes 14 seconds less. This means that by making a leap year we add extra time. Somewhere in 128 years, extra days accumulate. Therefore, every 128 years in one of the 4-year cycles, a leap year is not necessary to get rid of these extra days. But to simplify, a leap year is not made every 100th year. Is the idea clear? Fine. But how then to proceed, because an extra day is added every 128 years, and we cut it every 100 years? Yes, we cut off more than it should be, and this must be returned sometime.

If the first paragraph is clear and still interesting, then read on, but it will be more difficult.

So, in 100 years, 100/128=25/32 days of excess time accumulate (this is 18 hours 45 minutes). We do not make a leap year, that is, we subtract one day: we get 25/32-32/32 = -7/32 days (this is 5 hours and 15 minutes), that is, we subtract the excess. After four cycles of 100 years each (after 400 years) we will subtract an extra 4*(-7/32)=-28/32 days (this is minus 21 hours). On the 400th year, we make a leap year, that is, we add a day (24 hours): -28/32+32/32=4/32=1/8 (this is 3 hours).
We make every 4 years a leap year, but at the same time every 100 years is not a leap year and at the same time every 400 years is a leap year, but still every 400 years an extra 3 hours are added. After 8 cycles of 400 years, that is, after 3200 years, an extra 24 hours will accumulate, that is, one day. Then one more obligatory condition is added: every 3200th year should not be a leap year. 3200 years can be rounded up to 4000, but then again you have to play with added or truncated days.
3200 years have not passed, so this condition, if it is made so, is not yet spoken of. But 400 years have already passed since the approval of the Gregorian calendar.
Years divisible by 400 are always leap years (for now), other years divisible by 100 are not leap years, other years divisible by 4 are leap years.

My calculation shows that in the current state, an error of one day accumulates over 3200 years, but this is what Wikipedia writes about this:
“An error of one day compared to the year of the equinoxes in the Gregorian calendar will accumulate in about 10,000 years (in the Julian - in about 128 years). A frequently encountered estimate, leading to a value of the order of 3000 years, is obtained if we do not take into account that the number of days in a tropical year changes with time and, in addition, the ratio between the lengths of the seasons changes. From the same Wikipedia, the formula for the length of the year in days with fractions paints a good picture:

365,2425=365+0,25-0,01+0,0025=265+1/4-1/100+1/400

The year 1900 was not a leap year, but 2000 was, and special, because such a leap year happens once every 400 years.

We all know that a regular year has 365 days, but there is also a leap year that has 366 days. It happens once every four calendar years, and the month of February in such a year includes one more day. But why such a year is called a leap year, few people think, and today we will tell you about the origin of this name.

Origin of the name "Leap Year"

As is the case with many other names known today, the origin of the "Leap Year" originates in Latin. Such a year has long been called "Bis Sextus". The translation from Latin of this name means "Second Sixth".

It is worth noting that such a calculation of time was introduced by the Romans, and in the Roman calendar BC, the days were not considered in the same representation in which it happens today. The Romans used to calculate days in terms of the number of days left until the next month. The Romans inserted an extra day between February 23 and 24. February 24 itself was called "sektus", which meant "the sixth day before the beginning of March." In a leap year, when an extra day was inserted between February 23 and 24, February 24 came twice, which was called "bis sectus", as we have already noted - the "Second Sixth" day.

It is easy to understand that "Bis sektus" in the Slavic sense can be easily converted into "leap", because these names are consonant. However, in the modern Gregorian calendar, as you know, an additional day is inserted not between February 23 and 24, but after February 28. So, once every four years, we have the opportunity to observe on wall calendars, calendars in our computers and smartphones, the day of February 29th.

Why do we need a leap year

Having figured out why the leap year is so called, it is also necessary to conduct a short digression about why such a year exists at all, why it was introduced.

We all know that an ordinary year consists of 365 days, we are used to it, and we do not doubt this statement for a second. However, in reality it is not entirely true, since each year is equal to 365.4 days, that is, 365 days and 6 hours. Of course, such a calculation of time is very inconvenient, and it certainly leads to certain shifts in the perception of the flow of time by people. That is why scientists astronomers decided to calculate each multiple of four years in the amount of 366 days (using 4 passages of 6 hours from other years), and all the rest - exactly 365 days each.

2016 is a leap year with 366 days instead of the usual 365. Leap year has been proposed to keep the calendars in sync. Did you know that not every 4th year is a leap year? Why is a leap year considered unlucky, and what signs are associated with it? Here are a few facts you may not have known about the leap year.

1. A leap year is a year with 366 days instead of 365 as usual. An extra day in a leap year is added in February - February 29 (leap day).

The extra day in a leap year is necessary because it takes just over 365 days to complete one revolution around the Sun, or rather 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds.

Humans once followed a calendar of 355 days with an extra month of 22 days every two years. But in 45 B.C. Julius Caesar, together with the astronomer Sosigenes, decided to simplify the situation, and the Julian 365-day calendar was developed with an extra day every 4 years to compensate for the extra hours.

This day was added in February as it was once the last month in the Roman calendar.

2. This system was supplemented by Pope Gregory XIII (who introduced the Gregorian calendar) who coined the term "leap year" and declared that a year that is a multiple of 4 and a multiple of 400 but not a multiple of 100 is a leap year.

So according to the Gregorian calendar, 2000 was a leap year, but 1700, 1800 and 1900 were not.

What are leap years in the 20th and 21st centuries?

1904, 1908, 1912, 1916, 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024, 2028, 2032, 2036, 2040, 2044, 2048, 2052, 2056, 2060, 2064, 2068, 2072, 2076, 2080, 2084, 2088, 2092, 2096

February 29 is a leap day

3. February 29 is considered the only day when a woman can propose marriage to a man. The tradition began in 5th century Ireland when Saint Brigid complained to Saint Patrick that women had to wait too long for a proposal from worshipers.

Then he gave women one day in a leap year - the last day in the shortest month, so that the fair sex could propose to a man.

According to legend, Brigitte immediately knelt down and proposed to Patrick, but he refused, kissing her on the cheek, and offered her a silk dress to soften the refusal.

4. According to another version, this tradition appeared in Scotland, when Queen Margaret, at the age of 5, announced in 1288 that a woman can propose to any man she likes on February 29th.

She also made it a rule that those who refused had to pay a fine in the form of a kiss, a silk dress, a pair of gloves, or money. To warn fans in advance, a woman was supposed to wear trousers or a red petticoat on the day of the proposal.

In Denmark, a man who refuses a woman's marriage proposal must provide her with 12 pairs of gloves, and in Finland, fabric for a skirt.

5. One in five couples in Greece avoid getting married on a leap year, as it is believed to bring bad luck.

In Italy, it is believed that in a leap year a woman becomes unpredictable, and at this time there is no need to plan important events. So, according to the Italian proverb "Anno bisesto, anno funesto". (“Leap year is a doomed year”).

6. The chances of being born on February 29 are 1 in 1461. Around the world, about 5 million people were born on a leap day.

7. For many centuries, astrologers believed that children born on a leap day have unusual talents, a unique personality, and even special powers. Among the famous people born on February 29, one can name the poet Lord Byron, the composer Gioachino Rossini, the actress Irina Kupchenko.

8. In Hong Kong, the official birthday for those born on February 29th is March 1st in normal years, while in New Zealand it is February 28th. If you time it right, then traveling from one country to another, you can celebrate the longest birthday in the world.

9. The city of Anthony in Texas, USA is the self-proclaimed "leap year capital of the world." A festival is held here every year, where those who wish from all over the world, born on February 29, gather.

10. The record for the largest number of generations born on a leap day belongs to the Keogh family.

Peter Anthony Keogh was born February 29, 1940 in Ireland, his son Peter Eric was born February 29, 1964 in the UK, and his granddaughter Bethany Wealth was born February 29, 1996.

11. Karin Henriksen from Norway holds the world record for having the most children on a leap day.

Her daughter Heidi was born on February 29, 1960, her son Olav on February 29, 1964, and her son Lief-Martin on February 29, 1968.

12. In the traditional Chinese, Jewish and ancient Indian calendar, not a leap day is added to the year, but a whole month. It is called the "intercalary month". It is believed that children born in a leap month are more difficult to raise. In addition, it is considered unlucky to start serious business in a leap year.

Since ancient times, a leap year has always been considered difficult and bad for many undertakings. In folk beliefs, the leap year is associated with Saint Kasyan, who was considered evil, envious, stingy, unmerciful and brought misfortune to people.

According to legend, Kasyan was a bright angel to whom God entrusted all plans and intentions. But then he went over to the side of the Devil, telling him that God intends to overthrow all satanic power from heaven.

For betrayal, God punished Kasyan, ordering him to be beaten on the forehead with a hammer for three years, and in the fourth year he was released to the ground, where he committed unkind deeds.

There are many signs associated with a leap year:

First, you can't start anything on a leap year. This applies to important matters, business, major purchases, investments and construction.

A leap year is considered extremely unlucky for marriage. Since ancient times, it was believed that a wedding played on a leap year would lead to an unhappy marriage, divorce, infidelity, widowhood, or the marriage itself would be short-lived.
Such a superstition may be due to the fact that in a leap year, girls could woo any young man they liked who could not refuse an offer. Often such marriages were forced, and therefore family life was not set.
However, it is worth treating these signs wisely and understanding that everything depends on the spouses themselves and on how they build relationships. If you still planned a wedding, there are several ways to mitigate the "consequences":
Brides are advised to wear a long wedding dress that covers the knees to make the marriage last.
The wedding dress and other wedding accessories are not recommended to give to anyone.
The ring should be worn on the hand, not the glove, as wearing the ring on the glove will cause the spouses to take the marriage lightly
To protect the family from troubles and misfortunes, a coin was placed in the shoes of the bride and groom.
The bride must keep the spoon from which the groom ate, and on the 3rd, 7th and 40th day after the wedding, the wife had to give her husband to eat from this spoon.

What can not be done in a leap year?

In a leap year, they do not carol at Christmas time, as it is believed that you can lose your happiness. Also, according to a sign, a caroler who dresses in an animal or a monster can take on the personality of evil spirits.
Pregnant women should not cut their hair before giving birth, as the child may be born unhealthy.
In a leap year, you should not start building a bathhouse, which can lead to ailments.
In a leap year, it is not recommended to tell others about your plans and intentions, as luck may turn away.
It is not recommended to sell or exchange animals and you should not drown kittens, as this will lead to poverty.
You can not pick mushrooms, as it is believed that they all become poisonous.
In a leap year, there is no need to celebrate the appearance of the first tooth in a child. According to the sign, if you invite guests, your teeth will be bad.
You can not change jobs or apartments. According to you, the new place will turn out to be bleak and restless.
If a child was born in a leap year, he should be baptized as soon as possible, and godparents should be chosen among blood relatives.
Elderly people should not buy things for the funeral in advance, as this can hasten death.
You can’t get divorced, because in the future you won’t be able to find your happiness.

A leap year gives rise to many superstitions and rumors, which boil down mainly to the fact that this year is unlucky and rich in negative events. Let's see if this is the case.

Leap year: a bit of history

The word "leap" is of Latin origin, translated as "second sixth". According to the Julian calendar, the year lasted 365.25 days, while every year the day shifted by 6 hours. Such an error could confuse the ancient men, so that this did not happen, it was decided that every fourth year would consist of 366 days, and February would become a day longer. This year is called a leap year.

In Rus', there were many legends about the appearance of leap years, each of which was considered unlucky.

Legends about the appearance of a leap year in Rus'

February 29 is also called in honor of St. Kasyan Kasyanov Day. Being a bright angel, he was tempted by the tricks of evil spirits and went over to the side of the devil. However, later he repented and prayed to the Lord for mercy. Having mercy on the traitor, God assigned an angel to him. He put Kasyan in chains and, at the behest from above, beat him on the forehead with an iron hammer for 3 years, and let him go on the fourth.

According to another legend, Kasyanov's day is the day of his name day. However, the saint each time got dead drunk for three years and came to his senses only in the fourth year. Therefore, he is supposed to celebrate his day so rarely.

There is a third legend: walking along the road, Saint Kasyan and Nicholas the Wonderworker met a peasant. He asked for help, as his wagon got stuck in the mud. To which Kasyan replied that he was afraid to stain the robe, and Nikolai helped. The saints came to paradise, God noticed that Nicholas's robe was dirty and asked what was the matter. The Miracle Worker told him what had happened. Then God noticed that Kasyan's robe was clean, and asked if they weren't walking together? Kasyan replied that he was afraid to get his clothes dirty. God understood that the saint was cunning and made it so that his name day comes every 4 years. And the birthday of Nikolai for his kindness - twice a year.

Leap years were notorious in Rus': we will not continue the list of legends for a long time, here is one example: honest people tried to complete all their affairs before February 29th. Many did not dare to leave the house, the sun on this day was called the "Eye of Kasyan", they were afraid to fall under the sun, so that Kasyan would not jinx them and send illness and suffering.

Leap year superstitions

As in ancient times, in the modern world there are often signs and superstitions that do not characterize leap years in the best way (the list is given below):

We need to postpone marriage in a leap year. Such a marriage will not be lasting, the young will quarrel, and the newly created family will incur troubles and misfortunes.
You need to wait with the sale, purchase, exchange of real estate or building a house. The deals made this year will not be profitable and will inevitably lead to the ruin of the parties. The new home won't last long.
Any undertakings are dangerous - job change, moving, starting a business. The sign is understandable: the presence of the 29th day in one of the winter months can characterize the whole year as not being what it should be. Therefore, it is easier for a person who is unsure of his own abilities to refuse something new than to make efforts to start and develop a business.
You can not get pregnant and give birth, as the birth will be difficult, the baby may be born unhealthy. Or his life will be hard and joyless.
A leap year "mows down" people, that is, it takes them away. It is generally accepted that mortality increases every fourth year, although this superstition is not statistically confirmed.
You can’t pick mushrooms, eat them or sell them to people, so as not to raise bad things from the earth.
It is believed that leap years entail natural disasters and disasters: fires, floods, drought.

What are leap years? List of leap years in the 20th century

In the past century, as well as in the 21st century, leap years have been terrifying for superstitious people. A list of them is given below:

1900s: -00; -04; -08; -12, and so on, every fourth year.
The year 2000 was also a leap year.

Leap years: 21st century list

To this day, many fearfully wait for a leap year, psychologically setting themselves up for trouble and explaining misfortune by the presence of an extra day in February.

Leap years, list since 2000: -04; -08; -12; -16, and then - every fourth year.

Instead of a conclusion

According to statistics, only a small number of all the troubles and disasters occur in leap years. The superstitions that exist to this day can be explained by the fact that people who closely follow the troubles and misfortunes that happened in leap years, attached exaggerated significance to what was happening solely because of the unflattering glory of the latter.

People who believe too much in leap year superstitions would like to wish to pay more attention to positive changes and events. And then, perhaps, a list of good signs rehabilitating leap years will appear.