Q: What is a leap year, and how often do they occur?
A: A leap year is a year that has 366 days instead of the regular 365 days. Leap years occur every four years.
Q: Why do we need to add an extra day every four years in a leap year?
A: Adding an extra day every four years aligns our calendar to the solar calendar, which is based on the time it takes for the sun to be in the exact same position in the sky. Without the extra day, there would be a difference of one day between our calendar and the solar calendar over time.
Q: How can we calculate leap years?
A: To determine if a year is a leap year, follow these steps:
- The year must be divisible by 4.
- If the year is divisible by 100, it must also be divisible by 400.
Q: Can you provide a list of some significant events that occurred during leap years?
A: Certainly! Here are some events from leap years since 1900:
- 2020: Global coronavirus pandemic, US wildfires, floods, etc.
- 2012: Queen Elizabeth II's 60th coronation anniversary, discovery of the Higgs boson, etc.
- 2000: Start of the new millennium, George W. Bush's election as US president, etc.
- 1992: Bosnian War begins, the United States conducts its last nuclear test, etc.
- 1960: 17 African countries declare independence, launch of the first navigation system satellite, etc.
- 1956: The Suez Crisis in Egypt, first broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest, etc.
Q: Can you provide a list of all the leap years since 1900?
A: Sure! The leap years since 1900 are as follows:
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
