The history of New York City will show that it was founded by the colonists sometime in the 1530s. The facts will also demonstrate how it has transformed itself and responded to various events that took place in the city.

Early Period

Long before the 1530s however, the land was already settled in by various Indian tribes. There is ample evidence to show that the Native Americans and other peoples had lived there 10,000 years prior to the colonists’ arrival.

Based on available records, the first colonist to set foot on the land was Giovanni di Verrazano. He arrived at the place in 1524 from the harbor. Sensing the potential fertility of the land, Verrazano and other colonists migrated there.

The difficult economic situation is making people ask the right time when to take money out of 401k. The law itself allows you to make withdrawals early (subject to fees). But as to when, that depends on a number of factors.

Paying off Debts

Some people are tempted to take out some of the money and use it to pay credit debt. However this has its drawbacks. You not only have to pay a fee, but since that fund is intended for your retirement, it will affect your future plans as well. A better idea is to momentarily stop making contributions.

Daylight savings time (also known as DST) is a practice in many states in America, which encourages people to save energy by advancing their clocks an hour so that they will have more afternoon time. This practice started in the Second World War when America experienced a great need for saving energy. A law concerning the implementation of daylight savings time was approved at this time. However, several centuries after World War II, the national government decided to amend the law and let the local governments decide whether they need to practice the DST. To avoid confusions, it is important to know when people adjust the clocks.

The leap year only comes after every four years. It is comprised of at least one or more additional days than regular years. It serves the purpose of synchronizing the calendar year with the seasonal or astronomical year. It helps accumulate one whole day in a span of four years to help match with the apparent position of the sun. Here is a look at its different important aspects including the schedule of the next leap year.

The Schedule of the Next Leap Year

When is the next leap year? The next leap year is set to happen in 2012, on the 29th day of February. Instead of the usual 365 days, one whole day is added to make it 366 days. It only happens once every four years, thus making February 29, 2016 the next leap day after 2012. Because this day takes a longer time to repeat compared to regular years, some people consider it special.

Additional Information and Other Highly Interesting Facts About Leap Years

Traditionally, women use this kind of year to propose marriage. This is especially true in English-speaking countries. Meanwhile, setting a wedding date that coincides with such year is bad luck for people living in Greece. For those who were born on leap years, they can be referred to as leapers or leaplings. During regular years, their birthdays are usually celebrated either on the 28th day of February or on the 1st day of March.

Since February 29, 1980, a special humorous periodical is published in France. Called “La Bougie du Sapeur,” its title was derived from the name of a popular combat engineer or sapper. All throughout history, the world has seen numerous special and memorable events that coincided with leap years. For instance, Native Americans and French forces staged a raid on Deerfield, Massachusetts in 1704. This event led to the deaths of a hundred including women and children.

Additionally, numerous other important and memorable events in history transpired during leap years. In 1940, Finland decided to conduct peace negotiations for the Winter War. In 1944, U.S. General Douglas McArthur led Operation Brewer and invaded the Admiralty Islands as part of World War II. In 1960, a killer quake hit Morocco that led to casualties of more than 3,000 people. In 1972, a massive number of South Korean troops were withdrawn from Vietnam.

Moreover, there were famous individuals who were born on leap days. The list includes baseball player Pepper Martin in 1904, Premier of Tasmania James Wilson in 1812 and Pope Paul III in 1468. The same also went for American swimmer Cullen Jones in 1984, Spanish cyclist Ruben Plaza in 1980 and English actress Emma Barton in 1976. All these historic moments add more color and meaning to leap years.

Before you settle down, there are several things you need to evaluate with your partner. Here are some facts that can help determine the right time when to get engaged.

How Well You Know Each Other

It’s too easy to say “I want to live with you forever” in the first weeks of a relationship. But marriage is a long term commitment. When in the beginning stages of a relationship, one displays their “best” and most positive qualities. In the same vein, one may overlook certain “negative” or unfavorable aspects in the courting stage.

Before you make the pledge, be sure that you know the other person well enough. This doesn’t mean you have to wait years. But the time you spend with each other should involve knowing each other’s habits and traits. The right time when to get engaged is when you can accept each other’s virtues and imperfections. This is a vital element in a successful partnership.

Financial Situation

For some, the financial situation is an important component as well. The ideal situation is that you get financially stable before settling down. If you have a secure job, your spouse can settle for household duties. Or both of you could have careers.

What you should realize is that starting married and family life is costly. It is hardly a romantic notion, but it’s a fact. Uncertain economic realities mean you should have a job. You don’t need millions to start a family but a stable job is needed. The financial situation needs to be discussed when assessing the times when to get engaged.

Commitment

Ask yourself this question: are you willing to give up your single status right now? Getting married entails a lot of responsibilities. When you settle down you’ll have to provide for yourself, spouse and offspring.

You can no longer just splurge on luxuries whenever you feel like it. You’ll have to think about your family’s needs first. This also means less time out to hang with your friends and partying.

This isn’t to say marriage and family life isn’t fun. It can be full of love and joy. But at the same time, it requires a total commitment from you. As you ask the question of when to get engaged, the matter of dedication cannot be ignored.

Other Considerations

There are other questions you need to discuss with your partner. This includes consulting with your parents. In some cultures this is of paramount importance. Of course it’ll be your and your partner’s decision. But it’s a sign of respect and courtesy to inform them.

You should also think long term with your partner. Love may be blind, but don’t let that keep the two of you from making plans. By looking ahead, you’ll both have a realistic outlook on life.

In the end, the question of when to get engaged will be answered by you and your partner. Some people make the pledge when they feel like it. But by being practical you’ll be able to look ahead. This will allow you to enjoy a successful and happy married life.