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When uttered by a man, the words “will you marry me” serve to signal a tradition that is both widely accepted and ages old. Having the same spoken by a woman however — except in a leap year like 2016, when an old Irish tradition of having the woman ask is known to emerge — are still surprisingly rare. Legend has it that “The Ladies’ Privilege,” as it was known then, originated in the fifth century, with an Irish nun later known as St. Brigid. Through her intervention it was decided that on Feb. 29, women would be given the...

November 6, 2010 is Sadie Hawkins Day Did you know that Sadie Hawkins Day originated from the classic hillbilly comic strip Li'l Abner in 1937? In the original story, Sadie's father was worried that she would never be married so he created a footrace for Sadie to venture out to meet the town's eligible bachelors.

Be careful out there today,men! It's Sadie Hawkins Day!

Like the Summer Olympics, the soccer World Cup and the presidential election, Friday's date - Feb. 29 - occurs just once every four years. And for at least one unsuspecting guy living in New York City, it's going to be a helluva day to remember. His girlfriend - let's call her Miss X - is taking advantage of an ancient leap year custom by bucking tradition and asking him to marry her.

ORANGO ISLAND, Guinea-Bissau (Feb. 1) - He was 14 when the girl entered his grass-covered hut and placed a plate in front of him containing an ancient recipe. Like all men on this African isle, Carvadju Jose Nananghe knew exactly what it meant. Refusing was not an option. His heart pounding, he lifted the steaming fish to his lips, agreeing in one bite to marry the girl. "I had no feelings for her," said Nananghe, now 65. "Then when I ate this meal, it was like lightning. I wanted only her." In this archipelago of 50 islands of pale blue...

ORANGO ISLAND, Guinea-Bissau (AP) -- He was 14 when the girl entered his grass-covered hut and placed a plate in front of him containing an ancient recipe. Like all men on this African isle, Carvadju Jose Nananghe knew exactly what it meant. Refusing was not an option. His heart pounding, he lifted the steaming fish to his lips, agreeing in one bite to marry the girl. "I had no feelings for her," said Nananghe, now 65. "Then when I ate this meal, it was like lightning. I wanted only her." In this archipelago of 50 islands of pale blue water...