Google pays tribute to Gioachino Antonio Rossini on his 220th birth anniversary. He is an Italian composer who was born on 29th of February in 1792. He was able to write 39 operas and also some piano and instrumental pieces.
Among his popular masterpieces include Italian comedies entitled Il Barbiere di Siviglia (the Barber of Seville) and the La Cenerentola. Since he was born on a Leap Year when he died on the 13th of November 1868, he was only able to have 19 birthday celebrations. It is because Leap year comes only every 4 years.
The Google Doodle for February 29th 2012 depicts one of Gioachino Rossini’s popular works. The frogs that you see on the doodle is based from one of his opera entitled One Froggy Evening. It is also believed that women can make a marriage proposal to a man during Leap year. Hence you will see a lady frog singing.
In United Kingdom, when a guy declines a marriage proposal from a girl he is made to pay a certain penalty for it. The punishment could be a kiss or purchase a silk gown for the lady and sometimes he is made to pay one pound for it too. In Finland, when a guy refuses a marriage proposal, he needs to buy the lady a fabric which can be used for a skirt. All of these things are done in good spirits and also made to lessen the embarrassment of the lady who made the marriage proposal.
