Why 28 days only in feb

But, in order to reach days, one month had to be an even number. February was chosen to be the unlucky month with 28 days. According to Slate, this choice may be due to the fact that Romans honored the dead and performed rites of purification in February. In fact, the word februare means "to purify" in the dialect of the ancient Sabine tribe.

In an attempt to realign the two, the Romans added a day leap month as needed. If Mercedonius was used, it began on February Because the leap month was inconsistent, this too had its obvious flaws.

In 45 B. The Julian Calendar added a little more than 10 days to each year, making each month either 30 or 31 days long, except for February.

To account for the entire Looking for more Never Stop Asking "Why? Catch up on all of the past "Whys" on Pinterest or on the blog! Mask Policy Update: Masks are required indoors for all visitors ages 2 and older.

Currently logged out. Current Members Educators. Today's Hours : 10 am—5 pm. Indoor: 10 am—5 pm Outdoor: Closed for the season. Access Pass. Numa tacked on two months—January and February—after December to account for the new days. In around 45 B. Caesar added 10 days to the calendar year and an extra day in February every four years. But why? Neil deGrasse Tyson explains the science behind the leap year. What causes the phases of the moon? The common incorrect answer is the shadow of the Earth.

The phases of the moon are actually just a result of our perception of the moon's half-illuminated surface. When the moon does pass through Earth's shadow the result is a lunar eclipse.

In those days the start of the new year was March 1st, not January 1st like we have now. Much later, Julius Caesar rearranged the calendar one more time, finally giving it the days we know today and the rest is history! How did the days of the week get their names? Find out! Toggle navigation Menu. Explore Videos Games.

Explore All. Hey February! Why so short? Back then, winter was a nameless, monthless period that no one cared for much. Planters and harvesters used the calendar as a timetable. King Numa Pompilius thought that was stupid. The months were added to the end of the calendar, making February the last month of the year. But no Roman calendar would be complete without some good old-fashioned superstition mixed in!

The Romans believed even numbers were unlucky, so Numa tried to make each month odd. But to reach the quota of , one month had to be even.