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Show Curiosa Americana V V V By Elmo Scott Watson Where Were You Feb. 30? THAT Isn't a trick question for there actually was a February BO, 1936. February 30 comes in leap years only and under these conditions: Eastbound ships in the Pacific oceun which are crossing the ISO degree line on February 29 of a leap year enter the ofiicial date for the next day as February 30. If they approached the line on any other day in the year, they would enter the next day as the duplicate of the date just passed. Thus there would be two January 1 dates, two July 4, etc. However, there has grown up a custom in ship navigation eastbound across the time meridian of signalizing signal-izing the day after February 29 in leap years as February 30, thus bringing the next day in as March 1. So if you should happen to be on a ship at such a time in that part of the Pacific you could write a letter back home to the folks, date It "February 30" and you'd be correct. Of course, if you wanted to have a unique birthday you'd have to ar-tange ar-tange to be born out there in the Pacific. But it would have to be on board ship, too. For the time meridian me-ridian Jogs and meanders to avoid Islands and touches no land surface. sur-face. You'd have to arrange with your parents to he on a ship traveling travel-ing eastward near the 180 degree meridian in the Pacific ocean on the last day of February In a leap ' W year. W Maybe it Isn't worth the trouble, fter all! |