It began when the women of Ireland lost patience while waiting for their men to propose marriage. They begged St. Bridget to do something about it so that they could marry younger, have children earlier in life, and better enjoy their grandchildren. St. Bridget took the request to St. Patrick, who agreed to the women proposing to their lovers every seventh year. It took some tedious negotiation, but St. Bridget finally got him to agree to a wait of only four years. At that time, such proposals could be made at any time during that selected year, and while it may or may not have been a leap year at the beginning, Leap Year eventually became the traditional time for the event. Irish monks took the tradition to Scotland where it was observed only one day of the year. Women could apparently propose to any unmarried man who took their fancy. And the men could refuse by paying a fine of one pound.
As the tradition spread, different cultures interpreted the tradition in various ways. In some cases the eligible period encompassed an entire year, in others, it was restricted to that one extra day that came to be known as Leap Day, Bachelor’s Day or Ladies’ Privilege Day. Leap Year occurs every four years, with the exception of end-of-century years divisible by 400. Thus, while the year 2000 was a Leap Year, the year 1900 was not.
Al Capp introduced Sadie Hawkins in his comic strip “Li’l Abner” on November 15, 1937. According to Capp, Sadie was the unmarriageable daughter of Dogpatch’s oldest settler and her father declared that all eligible bachelors be assembled for her to choose a husband. In the comic strip the event eventually evolved into the Sadie Hawkins’ Day footrace, caught the public’s imagination and was adapted to several local ‘traditions,’ most involving high school dances, football games and alumni events. Usually celebrated during November at the onset of the fad, it became attached to Homecoming Day celebrations and half-time entertainment in stadiums across the country. Schools incorporated Dogpatch characters in homecoming parades, and local merchants saw chances for sales promotions. Somehow, during her hey-day, Sadie also became an aspect of the celebration of Leap Day on February 29th. Al Capp’s conversion of the old Irish-Scottish tradition has bounced happily back to its native lands and continues to be celebrated there in its modern guise.
I recall, as an elementary school student, walking with my classmates from the school to the downtown area to watch the annual parade of floats and high school students dressed as Dogpatch characters. Store windows featured whimsical scenes of Dogpatch weddings involving Sadie and her hapless captive, brightly lettered slogans of support for the local team, cleverly clad and posed manikins, and welcoming messages for returning alumni. The parade, led by an honor guard from the American Legion, the mayor in an open car and the high school marching band included floats assembled by classes and organizations. Little changed about the parade over the years. There were always Daisy Mae’s in their cut-offs and polka-dot blouses, hillbillies wearing burlap bags and tattered hats with jagged brims – often armed with BB guns, a prop I’m sure would not be allowed today. Characters such as Mammy and Pappy Yokum and Marryin’ Sam were in abundance.
As a high school student, I helped with the class float every year and joined the parade dressed as a Dogpatch character. Going to school in my ragged burlap bag or other costume was fraught with apprehension that it might be the wrong day, until I saw classmates similarly costumed. There was always a footrace at half-time during the homecoming game and Marryin’ Sam symbolically joined the happy brides with their willingly captured actual boyfriends. Sadie Hawkins may have had something to do with the fact that six couples out of my 94 classmates actually married withing a few years.
For any gals planning to take advantage of the opportunity to be the one to propose today – I’d advise that you don’t ask that question if you aren’t already sure of the answer.