TODAY is February 29 – an extra day in February that only happens once every four years.
2024 is a leap year and there will be 366 days instead of 365 days this year allowing the Gregorian calendar to get back in sync with the seasons as the earth orbits the sun.
What happens when you’re born on February 29?
No doubt, it’s a unique day to be born but when do you celebrate your birthday in non-leap years?
Do you have cake and cards and a party on February 28 each year or wait until March 1?
These Leigh residents were all born on February 29 and have had different experiences of such a special birth date over the years.
Each of them was born in a leap year on the extra day in February meaning they can only celebrate their real birthday once every four years.
Does that mean they age at a quarter of the rate as the rest of us?
What’s it like being born on February 29?
Happy birthday to all the leaplings born on February 29!
Susan Forbes lives in Appleton and grew up in Leigh attending Lowton High School.
On Thursday, she will be 48 or 12 in leap years.
When she was eight - or two in leap years - Susan had her picture in the Leigh Reporter as her school friends at Gilded Hollins Primary School in Lowton gave her special birthday cards on February 29.
Susan, aged eight, and her friends at Gilded Hollins Primary School in Lowton with some of her birthday cards (from the Leigh Reporter)
Susan chooses which day she’ll celebrate her birthday every year depending which day of the week February 28 and March 1 fall.
Susan said: “I never choose a Monday! Who wants to celebrate their birthday on a Monday?
“I typically celebrate on both days as nobody really knows when to wish me a happy birthday.
“I celebrate more when it’s a leap year and always celebrate my leap year age with cards and candles showing the lower age.
“When I was 40, I had a 1980s themed ‘I am 10’ party with kids’ food and a retro Barbie cake.”
Susan loves being a leap year baby or leapling and always uses the fact in icebreaker activities at work, although she admits that most people know now that she was born on February 29.
Susan said: “This year, I think I’ll go old school with my choice of cake and have a film night with my husband and children.”
Tilly Johnson was born on February 29, 2020 so will be celebrating her birthday on the right day for the first time.
Mum Emma said: “I absolutely love how Tilly's birthday is that extra special.
“She wasn't due on this date but when she was born on February 29 even the midwives were saying how special it was.
“We usually celebrate her birthday on March 1 but this year she's having a special princess party!
“She doesn't understand about her birthday being extra special yet - we do tell her but she's too young to understand what we mean.
“I'm sure she will like how unique it is when she's older."
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