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Why We Have Leap Year

It's a timekeeping fix by Julius Caesar and Pope Gregory XIII

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 29, 2008 2:35 PM CST

(Newser) – It's leap day, and scientist Chris Turner uses his extra time to muse in the New York Times on its origins. Julius Caesar came up with a plan—pinning the calendar to the Earth's circling of the sun—in 46 BC as a way to synchronize months with the seasons. But one circuit takes 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes, creating the need for an extra day every 4 years.

By 45 BC, having suffered just one confusing year of temporary corrective months, Caesar had done the trick. Almost. His Julian calendar proved 11 minutes per year too long; by the 16th century, it was was running 10 days ahead. Enter Pope Gregory XIII. In 1582, he got the discrepancy down to 30 seconds a year, creating the calendar we still follow.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Anothony and Susan Mathews stand for pictures after getting married at Gretna Green February 29, 2008 in Gretna, Scotland. Wedding planners in the Scottish Border town said they were far busier than usual... (Getty Images)

In an age when time is measured according to oscillations of vaporized cesium-133 atoms, some ask why do we still need a leap year? (Shutterstock.com)

The current "Leap Year" system is just the latest in a long string of historical catch-ups to compensate for imperfect calendars. (Shutterstock.com)

Two bottlenose dolphins, named Tutti and Frutti, leap through suspended rings during a media preview of their act for "The Wonderful World of Dolphins," at suburban Pasig city east of Manila, Philippines.... (Associated Press)

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Why We Have Leap Year