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LEAP years are such a well-integrated part of our calendar system it’s easy to accept them without giving them a second thought.

But have you ever stopped to wonder why on earth they exist?

Everybody knows that leap years fall every four years and that women are encouraged to propose on leap day – this year February 29 falls on a Monday.

 
But regardless of what you think of this tradition, it turns out that leap years are actually pretty important and play a key role in keeping our seasons and calendars on schedule.