Sadie Hawkins Day

In 1288 Scottish parliament legislated that any woman could propose to a man in Leap Year. If refused, the man had to compensate her by one pound. This law was adopted in France, Switzerland and Italy, and the tradition was carried to America, Australia and other countries. These days it is often said that Leap Year Day is the time that women may legitimately propose to men, while some people hold that the whole of a Leap Year is suitable.

American cartoonist Al Capp introduced the concept into his long-running syndicated comic strip L’il Abner. Sadie Hawkins Day (named for ‘the homeliest gal in the hills’), in the hillbilly town of Dogpatch, always featured a race for spinsters, and any bachelor must marry them if caught. Sadie Hawkins Day, which made its debut in the strip of November 15, 1937, is officially November 9, but by association with the Scottish tradition, February 29 is often given that name ...

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Categories: comics, usa, folklore, calendar-customs, usa-folklore