The question of the day on CHFI this morning was what is the one thing women can do on February 29 that they can't do any other time. Guesses were...pick up the tab on a date,ask a man to dance and #3 was ask a man to marry them. #3 was the correct answer.
The tradition started in L'il Abner cartoon comic strip in November 1937. Does anyone remember this comic strip? I used to love it as a child (1950's and '60's) It became an annual event in the comic strip but I have no idea how it became associated with Leap Year, February 29.
Sadie Hawkins was "the homeliest gal in the hills" who grew tired of waiting for the fellows to come a courtin'. Her father, Hekzebiah Hawkins, a prominent resident of Dogpatch, was even more worried about Sadie living at home for the rest of his life, so he decreed the first annual Sadie Hawkins Day, a foot race in which the unmarried gals pursued the town's bachelors, with matrimony the consequence.
I remember annual Sadie Hawkins dances in High School and the thought of such a thing today makes me shiver! We weren't chasing the fellows for matrimony, though. The girls merely were allowed to ask the boys to dance. I am showing my age aren't I. I think attitudes have changed, more than a little!
Happy Sadie Hawkins Day, everyone!
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