Since my birthday is coming up, I thought I would give you a little history (compliments of the Grok AI) about birthdays.
“The celebration of birthdays has a rich and varied history, stretching back thousands of years. The earliest known birthday festivities likely originated in ancient Egypt around 3000 BCE, where pharaohs marked their “birth” as gods upon coronation, rather than their actual birth dates. These events were steeped in divine significance, setting a precedent for honoring individuals on specific days. In ancient Greece, birthdays took a more personal turn. Greeks celebrated the birthdays of gods like Artemis, with offerings of cakes adorned with candles symbolizing moonlight. This practice influenced mortal celebrations, where cakes and candles became symbols of good fortune. The Romans expanded this further, hosting lavish birthday feasts for elites, though commoners rarely marked the occasion. The tradition waned in early Christian Europe, as birthdays were seen as pagan and self-indulgent. However, by the 4th century, Christians began celebrating Jesus’ birth (Christmas), reviving interest in personal birthdays. The modern birthday as we know it—cakes, gifts, and parties—emerged in 18th-century Germany with “Kinderfeste,” children’s celebrations featuring candles for each year of life. Industrialization and mass production later made cakes, cards, and gifts widely accessible, cementing birthdays as a global tradition blending ancient reverence with modern festivity. Today, they’re a universal marker of personal milestones.”
Hope you have a good birthday this year.
Rick