1. Missouri became a state in 1821, but it wasn't until 1844 that Leap Year Day, or February 29, was officially recognized in the state. Prior to that, it was simply ignored.

2. The first recorded leap year baby in Missouri was born in 1848. His name was William E. Wence, and he went on to become a successful businessman in St. Louis.

3. In 1960, Missouri's own U.S. Senator Stuart Symington proposed legislation to officially recognize February 29 as "Leap Year Day" throughout the United States. The bill never passed, but it did spark a national conversation about the holiday.

4. In 1988, a group of women in St. Louis decided to take advantage of Leap Year Day by proposing to their boyfriends. The event was dubbed "Sadie Hawkins Day" after the classic comic strip character who was known for taking charge and making the first move.

5. On February 29, 1996, two young lovers from Kansas City eloped in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their unusual wedding date made headlines across the country, and inspired numerous journalists and bloggers to write about the quirks and superstitions surrounding Leap Year Day.