America's Oldest Living Leap Year Baby Turns 25, Kind Of

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Imagine turning 100 but having the calendar tell you you're 25. Sounds sweet right?

Well that's exactly what happened to Daisy Belle Ward. Ward, who was born on Feb. 29, 1916, celebrated her birthday Monday and is considered America's oldest leap year baby.

READ: Businesses To Offer Specials And Deals On Leap Day

To celebrate, the 100-year-old dressed to impress for her birthday party this past weekend. According to CBS News, the bash was complete with an 80-piece marching band and much more.

Ward's birthday only comes around every four years. CBS News consulted with theoretical physicist Michio Kaku to find out why.

"Mother Nature has a sense of humor. She did not make a simple calendar so that when you go around the sun, it's 365 days. That's what we learned in school, right? Oh no," Kaku explained. "Mother Nature made it so that every 365 days plus 5 hours, 49 minutes and a few odd seconds. That means that every year, we have to compensate for one quarter of a day. So after four years, we have to add one more day."

Around the world, leap year traditions vary. According to CBS News in Greece, it's considered bad luck to get married any day of a leap year. But up north there is a British tradition that says Feb. 29 is the only day a woman can propose marriage to a man.

READ: Leap Day Tradition Flips Script At Center City Bar

Ward says her birthday tradition has always been a nice dinner with family and friends. But this year was different. After all, it's not every day you turn 25.