logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
22m 11s

#533 | The Science of Leap Years

Leonardo English
About this episode

 


Leap years help keep our calendars in sync with Earth's orbit, but have you ever wondered why we need them?

 

In this episode, we explore the history of leap years, covering early human calendars, Julius Caesar's reforms, and the adjustments introduced by Pope Gregory XIII.

 
  • Why do we need leap years?
  • Earth's orbit and the solar year explained
  • How the first calendars were created
  • Egyptian and Roman calendar systems
  • The Julian calendar's introduction of leap years
  • Inaccuracies in Caesar's calendar calculations
  • The Gregorian calendar and its leap-year rule
  • Challenges in adopting the Gregorian calendar
  • Alternative calendar systems proposed over time
  • The impossibility of changing Earth's orbit for an exact year

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/science-leap-years

---

You might like:

🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists

5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]

📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership

📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter

---

Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

Up next
Yesterday
#572 | Caligula | Psychopath, Sadist, Emperor
✨ 30 for 30 Challenge - Starts 13th October - https://bit.ly/30FOR30ChallengeRegistration closes at 23:59 on Sunday, 12th October.--In part one of our three-part series on "Tyrants of the Roman Empire," we'll meet Caligula, the notorious Roman emperor known for his cruelty and ex ... Show More
23m 59s
Oct 2
[Bonus] Stoicism, Existentialism, and More: Philosophy for English Learners!
✨ 30 for 30 Challenge - Starts 13th October - https://bit.ly/30FOR30ChallengeRegistration closes at 23:59 on Sunday, 12th October.--Today it's a bonus episode from Thinking in English, with Tom Wilkinson.You can find out more about Thinking in English at https://linktr.ee/thinkin ... Show More
20m 37s
Sep 25
#570 | DOGE | Elon Musk's Quest to Shrink the US Government
✨ 30 for 30 Challenge - Starts 13th October - https://bit.ly/30FOR30ChallengeRegistration closes at 23:59 on Sunday, 12th October.--The Department of Governmental Efficiency, otherwise known as DOGE, was a radical plan to cut government waste and reduce spending. Where did the id ... Show More
29m 34s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
Leap Year, Tailored Microgreens, Teenage Advice
Today, you’ll learn about the reason and the history of leap year, how scientists could tailor microgreens to your own personal dietary needs, and a lesson in getting teens to listen to your advice. Leap Year “Why do we have leap years? And how did they come about?” by Harry Bake ... Show More
11m 53s
Aug 2018
Criss Cross Applesauce (Rebroadcast) - 13 August 2018
How do languages change and grow? Does every language acquire new words in the same way? Martha and Grant focus on how that process happens in English and Spanish. Plus, the stories behind the Spanish word "gringo" and the old instruction to elementary school students to sit "Ind ... Show More
51m 45s
May 2023
On Patrol with The 13th Legion (ft. Andrew from Culips English Podcast)
In episode two, a devoted historian named Bobby decides to travel back to the Roman era to speak with Julius Caesar. Unfortunately, he gets his timing wrong and ends up fighting for his life.--Guest starring Andrew Bates from Culips English Podcast.--Free interactive transcript, ... Show More
16m 58s
May 2025
337. Isaac Newton: The Greatest Scientific Mind of All Time? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Download ELSA for free + get 7 days premium membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get exclusive ELSA discounts: https://elsaspeak.com/inf/promo-code-thinking-in-english/?promocode=THINK85 Patreon - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ In ... Show More
22m 13s
May 2024
61. ☀️ Summer Vocabulary in Spanish
📙 Dive into "La Aventura de Luna" on Amazon! This adventure tale is crafted especially for Spanish beginners, just like you. Ah, the summer! That time of the year to rest and have fun 🏖️ But, how do you talk about your summer plans and activities with your amigos? In this episo ... Show More
8m 51s
Mar 2023
52 | Celui où on parlait des habitudes
Met-on vraiment 21 jours à se débarrasser d'une mauvaise habitude ? Comment distingue-t-on une bonne d’une mauvaise habitude ? Comment les habitudes façonnent notre vie ? Comment se forment-elles ? Pourquoi sont-elles nécessaires à notre quotidien ? Comment trouver l’équilibre en ... Show More
17m 30s
Sep 21
Bonus episode #157 – Universal translator
What if you could speak with anyone, in any language, in real time? In this bonus episode, Andrew explores that idea with a clear, step-by-step look at live translation. He reads a news article and explains the key ideas and terms in easy to understand English, showing how Apple, ... Show More
41m 20s
Feb 2025
Days of the Week, Months of the Year and Seasons in Spanish - LSFB 021
In this lesson, we will learn vocabulary words and phrases for the days of the week, the months and the seasons of the year in Spanish. You can find more at https://learningspanishforbeginners.com/21 
15m 58s
Sep 10
'God's influencer': First millennial saint named
Catholic church names 15-year-old boy the first millennial saint. Learn to talk about this news story in English with Beth and Phil.Learn about this news story with Neil and Beth. Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/engli ... Show More
7m 13s
Apr 2025
933. The Best Expressions in English are from Shakespeare ✍️ Learn English Vocabulary
Hello! In this episode I focus on English expressions and idioms that originated in the works of William Shakespeare and are still used in modern everyday language. Notice the expressions in various contexts, fully understand their meanings and use, explore their origins in Shake ... Show More
1h 29m