Your view: Ladies may pop the question on hesitant men

I currently work in RBD's archives and came across an interesting article from the 1896 issue of the Orange & Blue (what The Plainsman used to be called) that discusses the Leap Day of a leap year, Feb. 29.

The article urges the boys of the college to "conduct themselves in matters of love and courtship as becomes modest and marriageable girls," since the girls were allowed to propose (marriage!) to them on this day.

It turns out that this is a tradition that supposedly began when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick that women weren't allowed to propose to the men they loved, and the men kept them waiting for too long. The tradition more likely began since Feb. 29 was outside of legal jurisdiction, and therefore was fair game for unusual activity--including a lady proposing to her beau!

So ladies, all things considered, propose to your beau if he's taking too long!

Grace Moss

senior, English