Put a ring on it, Ladies! It’s Leap Day!

Every four years, February has an extra day in what is called Leap Year. Today, Feb. 29, is Leap Day.

Following an Irish tradition, Leap Day has become a day when brave women “put a ring on it” and propose to their men.

According to the BBC, the tradition is said to have begun in the fifth century when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick about waiting too long for male suitors to propose. St. Patrick then assigned the last day in the shortest month of leap year as a day women were “allowed” to propose. The tradition is not thought to have become commonplace until the 19th Century.

If a man turned down a woman’s Leap Day proposal, he had to pay her in the form of a kiss, money or even a silk dress, states this Washington Post blog post.

The British publication Daily Mail included a study that found that half of unmarried women would take advantage of the Leap Day tradition and propose to their partners.

Are you going to propose to your boyfriend today? Did you propose to your boyfriend on Leap Day in the past? Tell us your story or just share your thoughts below.