Why is leap year important? Well, it matters a whole lot to this Delaware superhero

Andre Lamar, Delaware News Journal
·3 min read
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An intriguing contender for the title of “Most Famous Leap Year Baby” has roots in Delaware, and they’re set to be honored on Thursday, Feb. 29.

While famous leap babies including Ja Rule, Tony Robbins, and Mark Foster may come to mind — none of them is from the First State (as far as we know). 

This mysterious man claiming the spotlight is none other than Clark Kent, better known as Superman.

And now it makes more sense why he can leap tall buildings in a single bound.

So let's break down why leap year exists, how we know that Superman is a Leap Baby, his ties to Delaware, and more.

What is leap day?

Leap day falls on Feb. 29. February is the shortest month of the year, spanning 28 days. However, about once every four years, the month gets an extra day added to its calendar. That’s called “leap day.”

Are you a Leap Baby? Calling all Leaplings: If you are born on Feb. 29, we want to help you celebrate

Why is leap year important?

The reason there are leap years and leap days is because of the Earth's orbit.

The number of days it takes the Earth to complete a full revolution around the Sun isn't a whole number. The 365 days we experience is 365.2422 days, National Geographic reports.

Getting rid of 0.2422 days adds up.

Leap Days make a year last 366 days instead of 365.
Leap Days make a year last 366 days instead of 365.

The fraction allows the seasons to correctly line up each year. If it was forgotten, the months during which we normally experience each season would shift, according to National Geographic. This would impact other aspects of life, such as the growing and harvesting of crops.

This is why leap years exist. When added, four 0.2422 days roughly equal one full day. Feb. 29 is added to the calendar of most years that are divisible by four, including 2024. (We do not have a leap year EVERY four years; the next time we will skip one is 2100, according to Smithsonian.)

Is Superman a leap year baby?

Steve Givens of Rehoboth Beach is a Superman fan who isn't ashamed to have this Man of Steel blanket, a big tribute to a character with ties to Delaware that was born on a Leap Year.
Steve Givens of Rehoboth Beach is a Superman fan who isn't ashamed to have this Man of Steel blanket, a big tribute to a character with ties to Delaware that was born on a Leap Year.

Clark Kent is an alien originally from the planet Krypton who is also a Leap Baby. One of the earliest signs of Superman being born on a leap day is a 1976 calendar that recognizes Feb. 29 as the superhero's birthday, according to a report by CBR (formerly Comic Book Resources).

How is Superman from Delaware?

It's common knowledge the Man of Steel is from Metropolis. But he's also from the First State, according to a map published by Mayfair Games in 1990 that’s part of The Atlas of the DC Universe, a supplemental piece for a DC role-playing game (RPG).  

That game map featured Batman’s home of Gotham City in South Jersey, while Superman’s home of Metropolis was located in an unspecified area of Kent County, Delaware.

Joe Murray, owner of Captain Blue Hen Comics in Newark, previously told Delaware Online/The News Journal that many people aren’t aware of Superman’s ties to the state.

“I don't think that it's public knowledge. That is a very deep dive, nerd thing to know,” said Murray, who added he doesn’t think Metropolis being set in the Small Wonder is canon in current DC books.

Leap year facts

  • People born on a leap day are called "Leaplings."

  • Many people born on a leap day celebrate their birthdays on Feb. 28 or March 1 during a typical 365-day year, even though documents will reflect it is on Feb. 29.

  • Celebrity Leaplings include "Dawn of the Dead" actor Ken Foree, rapper Ja Rule, motivational speaker Tony Robins and Foster the People singer Mark Foster.

  • The next leap years will be in 2028, 2032 and 2036.

USA Today Olivia Munson contributed to this report.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters. 

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Why is leap year important and what does it have to do with Superman?