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 Warrington 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 celebrated her 40th birthday with an 'I am 10 party' and a 1980s theme
Susan Forbes lives in Appleton and grew up in Leigh attending Lowton High School.
Today, she will be 48 or 12 in leap years.
She 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, aged eight, and her friends at Gilded Hollins Primary School in Lowton with some of her birthday cards (from the Leigh Reporter)
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.”
Leanne Jones and her mum Ange
Leanne Jones lives in Orford and was born on February 29, 1988 so today she will be turning 36 or nine in leap years.
Each year, she celebrates her birthday on February 28 and as a child, Leanne, who went to St Augustine’s Primary School and Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, would always have big birthday parties with lots of cake.
Leanne Jones was in the paper when she was born in 1988
Leanne said: “This year, with it being a leap year, I’m hoping to celebrate with a few nights out – lots of cocktails and some meals with family and friends and, of course, plenty of cake as always.
“I’ve always liked having my birthday on February 29.
“It’s fun to be a bit different and is always a good talking point.”
Jade Sutcliffe is 32 / eight today
Jade Sutcliffe lives in Dallam and grew up in Bewsey on Folly Lane attending Bewsey Lodge Primary School and Sir Thomas Boteler High School.
This week, she will be 32 or rather eight as she was born on February 29, 1992.
Jade said: “I always celebrate my birthday on February 28 but when I was a child and it was a leap year I always had fantastic parties with two cakes!
“I still get cards with my leap year birthday age even now.
“I love that I was born on February 29 because it’s unique and definitely a conversation starter.
“This year, I’m planning to go karting with my son.”
Barbara Williams had 10th birthday celebrations when she turn 40
Barbara Williams is 12 today – or should that be 48?
Barbara, who lives in Latchford and went to Cobbs Nursery and Infant School, Broomfield Juniors and Bridgewater High School, celebrates on March 1 each year that isn’t a leap year.
She said: “My parents always gave me a special birthday party each year for my real birthday.
“On my first birthday, I was off nursery ill and I remember all the children at nursery coming to my house to sing Happy Birthday and give me a card.
“This wouldn’t happen nowadays but it is my very first memory.
“This year, I will be celebrating with family.
“I’ve enjoyed being a leapling as people always remember your birthday.
“I met up with someone from school last year and they remembered that I was a leap year baby!
“It definitely makes birthdays a bit more special.
“On my 40th birthday, I had a big party in work – 80s themed but with Happy 10th Birthday banners and ten candles on the cake!”
Leonard Cameron was born 68 years ago but is 17 today
Leonard Cameron was born in Longford on February 29, 1956 – 68 years ago but today is his 17th birthday.
Leonard said: “I celebrate my birthday every year on the last day of February and this year I will be 17.
“I moved to Bewsey 20 years ago and went to school at Long Lane Primary School and the Orford Secondary Modern.
“When I was growing up everyone used to remind me that I only had a birthday every four years and would always use it as an excuse when they forgot to give me a birthday card!
James Gleeson turns 16 today but is just four in leap years.
He was the second baby born on February 29 in 2008 and arrived at 12.45am.
He went to St Alban's Primary School is currently in Year 11 at St Gregory’s Catholic High School.
Mum Mary said: “When he was little, James liked nothing more than a themed party at home.
“For his second birthday, he had a superhero party and was Super Ted, when he was three he was Kwazii from the Octonauts and for his fourth birthday he was Humpty Dumpty at a nursery rhyme party.
“He usually celebrates on February 28 as it’s in the right month.
“This year, he is milking it with it being a real birthday and is having several celebrations with friends and family - meals out, bowling and a pizza party.”
Quentin Dupuis also turns 16 today – four in actual birthdays celebrated.
He lives in Appleton and goes to Bridgewater High School.
He usually celebrates his birthday on February 28 each year and when it’s a leap year he welcomes his family over from France to join the party.
Quentin said: “I was in the Warrington Guardian in 2008 when I was born.
“A small tradition from my mum - when I was young she would come in at midnight to wish me a happy birthday but I was usually asleep.
“I also remember having my family outside school with a banner to celebrate my 12th birthday.
“I banned them from doing it again!
“We have family coming over from France for my birthday this time and we will celebrate together after school.
“I love having my birthday on February 29 and I having definitely embraced its uniqueness.”
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