So 2012 is a leap year with 366 days instead of the normal 365. But do you know why? The ancient Egyptians figured out that the solar year and the man-made calendar year didn't match up perfectly. It's all caused by the time that it takes the Earth to revolve around the sun - 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds to be exact. (Ever wonder who was manning the stopwatch for that one?) Therefore, the extra hours and change have to be carried over and every 4 years an extra day was added to the calendar to keep it all even. Interestingly, there are a number of other … [Read more...]
What Color Are Your Underwear? Strange New Years Eve Traditions from Around the World
Your family might have an unusual or funny tradition that you enjoy every New Year’s Eve, such as cooking a certain dish or watching a particular movie, or perhaps you like to go to a party with your friends and tie one on until the sun comes up. However, how do your local festivities compare to these strange New Year’s traditions from around the world? Dangerous Danish Customs In Denmark, the thing to do on the stroke of midnight is to climb up on the nearest chair and leap off into the air. It is believed that this will banish bad spirits who are trying to follow you into the … [Read more...]
