Whence February 30?
Just this morning I was wondering why February has only 28 days. I mean, why not add two more and borrow a couple from the months that have 31 days? Every four years you could have a February 31 and not mess people up too much, since we’re all used to the 31-day month thing.
Well, wouldn’t you know but an article from Slate provides the answer. And boy, is it more complicated than I ever cared to know! Read the long, convoluted answer here. I always wondered if it was because February is such a gloomy, depressing month (at least for folks in the Northern hemisphere) that there’s a measureable psychological boost in ending it sooner.
So there’s a lesson for you: never ask “why” in matters of historical precedent. Just go with the flow.
