Today's the day, ladies! 

Will you be getting down on one knee this leap year?

 

Leap into action: ladies here's your chance to propose to your man

Girls! Today's the today when you can get down on one knee and pop the question to your fella - but the big question is, are you brave enough?

 

Research shows that 9% of marriages in England are a result of women proposing to their men - so why not take the plunge!

 

If Monica can propose to Chandler in Friends, and Miranda to Steve in Sex and the City, there's no reason why you can't break the mould too. 

 

Tradition

 

The tradition of women proposing on this one day every four years is said to have started in Ireland as far back as the 5th century, when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick about women waiting for a marriage proposal.

 

The story has it that St. Bridget's moaning (yes, apparently some women do that) forced him to name February 29th as the one day when women could drop down on one knee.

 

But the legend doesn't stop there.

 

In old English law, the 29th is believed to have had no legal status, which led people to believe that traditions also had no status - so women took the opportunity to propose to their men.

 

And in 13th-century Scotland, law was passed that allowed women to propose - with anyone who declined the offer being imposed with a fine!

 

So therein lies the origins of 'Girl Power'!

 

Mel Turner-Wright