The 29th of February: the one day, every four years, a year women can propose to men

The 29th of February is apparently the one day, every four years, that women are allowed to take charge, and do something crazy and unconventional like proposing to their boyfriends! Yes, that's right! Once in every four years you're allowed to switch traditional gender roles, ladies! Apparently this day is called Sadie Hawkins Day in the States, and according to About.com, Sadie Hawkins was a female character in the Al Capp cartoon strip Li'l Abner. (Whatever that means.) In high school we had a wild and crazy Sadie Hawkins dance in which the girls asked the boys to the dance, but it wasn't until recently that I saw all the misogynistic ridiculousness behind it.

While I had never heard of this ridiculous tradition before, apparently it's a long standing thing. Wikipedia explains that this has been going on for many, many years around the world:

"In 1288 the Scottish parliament under Queen Margaret legislated that any woman could propose in Leap Year; few parliament records of that time exist, and none concern February 29.[1] Another component of this tradition was that if the man rejects the proposal, he should soften the blow by providing a kiss, one pound currency, and a pair of gloves (some later sources say a silk gown). There were similar notions in France and Switzerland"

Because £1, gloves, and a kiss on the cheek totally cure heartache and rejection.

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