This is a leap year that mirrors 1996 calendarBengaluru: The year 2024 will be special for all ‘leapers’ — ie, those born on February 29. This being a leap year, those born on February 29 can blow the candle and cut the cake on their birthday itself, instead of doing so on the preceding or subsequent day. KV Narayana, a retired professor of mathematics with a PhD in Number Theory, says 2024 will have the same calendar as the year 1996 — an occurrence every 28 years for a leap year. A leap year comes with 366 days, instead of the usual 365. Leap years occur because the actual length of a year is 365.25 days. Leap years come once in four years, and years that are evenly divisible by four (for example 2024) will have 366 days. This extra day is added to the calendar in February. There is, however, one exception to the leap year rule involving century years, such as the year 1900.Since the length of a year is slightly less than 365.25 days, adding an extra day every four years results in three extra days being added every 400-year cycle. Wondering how? The actual earth days in a year are 365.2425 days. Hence, 365.25-365.2425 = 0.0075.When 0.0075 is multiplied by 400 (years), we get three extra days. This is why one out of four century years is considered a leap year. Mathematicians say a century year is a leap year only if the numeral is divisible by 400. It is in this context that the century years 1700, 1800 and 1900 were not leap years, but the years 1600 and 2000 were. As a leap year’s calendar repeats every 28 years, we’ll see the calendar of 2024 repeat itself in 2052 and 2080. The leap year 2024 begins on a Monday and ends on a Tuesday. 2024 is an even year and each digit is even (2, 0 & 4). And 2024 is the product of two consecutive even numbers (44×46).We also published the following articles recentlyWhen is Hindu New Year 2024?The Hindu New Year, celebrated on the first day of the Shukla Paksha in the Chaitra month, marks the beginning of spring and is known by different names across India. In North India, it begins on the first day of Baisakhi and is celebrated as the spring harvest festival. In Maharashtra, it is called Gudi Padwa, while in South India it is known as Ugadi or Puthandu. Odisha celebrates it as Maha Vishubha Sankranti and Gujarat observes it as Bestu Varas. The New Year brings rituals, prayers, festive activities, and new clothes. Homes are cleaned and decorated, and traditional sweets are shared with loved ones. The Hindu calendar, based on lunar and solar movements, may vary each year, so it’s best to consult authoritative Hindu calendars or local religious authorities for the specific date.Happy New Year 2024: Inspiring New Year wishes, messages and greetings to send to your loved ones in 2024Happy New Year 2024: Inspiring wishes for a fantastic year filled with joy, success, and happiness. May your resolutions lead to new beginnings and may you celebrate with loved ones. Cheers to a year of laughter, love, and unforgettable moments. Embrace the new year with hope, optimism, and an open heart. May it be a chapter of self-discovery, growth, and fulfillment, filled with exciting possibilities and wonderful surprises!New Year 2024: Easy and beautiful New Year card ideas at home for kidsCelebrate new beginnings with personalized New Year greeting cards. Send your loved ones a beautiful card to start the year on a positive note. Showcase your pictures and memories from the last year with custom photo cards. Choose from various designs and templates to find the perfect card. Keep in touch with family and friends while commemorating a milestone with annual custom cards.
