When did the idea of leap years begin

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII adopted the Gregorian calendar, which we now use, and specified that all years that can be divided by four are leap years, with the exception of century years, which would have to be divisible by 400 to be considered leap years — so while 2000 was a leap year, 2100 and 2200 will not be.

Imagine if a Pope was to proclaim a new calandar for the world which because of his office has the right to do.You thought protests of COVID was bad!!!!



enjoy the extra day and don't forget to leap......

[clarencebunsen]

Gregory's calendar was not without controversy. In order to get the equinoxes back into their "correct" dates 1582 was shortened by 10 days which most of the Protestant world did not accept. The British Empire did not adopt the new calendar until after 1600 (I have forgotten the date) so the change was 11 days and it was met with riots. Russia did not adopt it until after the Russian Revolution. I think the Russian Orthodox Church still uses the Julian calendar. The Muslim countries still do not accept officially accept any Caesar's or Gregory's nonsense. They have a lunar calendar based on the sighting of the vernal "new" moon in Mecca.

The cultures which still use a lunar calendar usually also use the "common" calendar for business with the rest of the world.

The scientists who actually run today's "universal" time recognize that Gregory's adjustments are not perfect and tack on a few leap seconds when needed. Most of us never notice when our digital watch gets out of sync with CNN by 5 seconds.

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

I konw the Greek and Russian Orthodox use the Julian calandar