Leap Day birthdays are a big deal, and Cowboy Chicken is ready to celebrate with a savory birthday gift. The wood-fire rotisserie chicken chain will give all leaplings, or those born on Leap Day, Feb. 29, a free whole chicken to celebrate their special day.
Cowboy Chicken knows that Leap Day birthdays don’t occur every year, and that’s cause for a big celebration when they do. Leap Year only happens every four years to account for the extra time it takes for the Earth to orbit the sun. This makes things problematic for those born on Leap Day to celebrate their birthdays on that actual day. Some technology systems don’t even include Feb. 29 as a choice, causing many leaplings to miss out on birthday loyalty programs.
Fun Leap Year Facts:
- Taking a leap. Roman emperor Julius Caesar originated leap years in 45 B.C., when he reformed the Roman calendar.
- What are the chances? The chances of being born on Feb. 29 are approximately 1 in 1,461 since the date only occurs once every four years.Less than 0.07% of the world’s population has been born on a leap day.
- Keep the party going. Many people born on Leap Day celebrate their birthdays on either Feb. 28 or March 1 in non-leap years.
- Leap Year festival, anyone? Anthony, Texas, and Anthony, New Mexico, both claim to be the “Leap Year Capital of the World” and celebrate Leap Year with a festival. They host a birthday party for leaplings and conduct a Leap Year parade.
- Popping the question. Some cultures have a tradition that encourages women to propose to men on Leap Day. This is linked to an Irish legend about St. Bridget and St. Patrick.
Notable individuals born on Feb. 29:
- Italian composer Gioachino Rossini
- Ja Rule, American rapper and actor
- Jessie T. Usher, American actor
- Mark Foster of Foster the People
- Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
- Cullen Jones, American swimmer and Olympic gold medalist
- Jack Lousma, aeronautical engineer and NASA astronaut
- Dinah Shore, actress, singer and television personality
Leap Day names for babies:
- Julia or Julius – named after Roman emperor Julius Caesar, who introduced leap years.
- Delta – the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet, representing the leap year occurring every four years
- Romana or Roman – after the Roman Empire
- Aurora – Roman goddess of the sunrise, representing the earth’s orbit around the sun (Lamaze.org)
In addition to fresh, wood-fire, whole rotisserie chickens, Cowboy Chicken doles out flavor-packed menu items such as satisfying Cowboy plates, enchiladas, plates of crispy drumsticks, savory Wild West sides, handheld sandwiches and comforting Family Meals, not to mention homemade peach cobbler and refreshing peach tea.
Cowboy Chicken will offer one free whole chicken per person to those whose birthdays fall on Feb. 29. Guests must appear in person at their nearest Cowboy Chicken store and must show identification proving that their birthday is Feb. 29. This offer is available during operating hours on Feb. 29. No purchase is required, and the recipient must show identification verifying birthday. Only one free chicken per person, and this offer may not be combined with other offers.
