The History of the Birthday Celebration
The Birthday Cake
In the mid 19th. century, the Western culture began including the birthday cake as a symbol for celebrating our birth.
Nowadays, it's common in North America to observe our birthday with a good looking and delicious birthday cake, but the Greek people had been the first ones to use cakes to commemorate birthdays.
Using candles for a birthday cake is of Greek origin as well.
The History of the Birthday Party
It is believed that children's birthday celebrations started in Germany and were known as Kinderfeste.
In today's age, we celebrate birthday parties with cake, ice cream, presents and our family and friends.
In Europe though, thousands of years ago, an individual dreaded their impending birthday, simply because of superstition. People believed terrible spirits could hurt you on this particular day.
Having your loved ones with you on your birthday was supposed to keep the bad spirits away. To scare away evil spirits, which may be hiding throughout the house, they would use noise makers, not unlike those we use today at birthday parties.
As time moved on, birthdays began to be more of a celebration, but were still more commonly celebrated by the wealthy or royalty, not so much by peasants.
The Happy Birthday To You Song and Its Origin
When you hear or partake in this song, you know it's time for cake.
The Guinness Book of World Records states that Happy Birthday is easily the most well-known melody in the English Language.
It's been translated into numerous languages throughout the world, but is often sung in English, even by countries where English isn't their first language.
"Happy Birthday To You" was composed by the Hill sisters in 1893.
Initially, the Hill sisters, who had been school teachers at the time, wrote the song "Good Morning To You" and it was sung in class every morning.
It is unclear who actually wrote the words to Happy Birthday to you.
The version we're familiar with was copyrighted in 1935. The copyright expires in the year 2030.
Technically, it is actually illegal to sing "Happy Birthday To You" in a public forum unless royalties are paid to Warner Chappell who's owned the copyright since 1990.
The song, "Happy Birthday To You" is estimated to be worth $5 million dollars.
Our Nation’s Birthday and What It Really Means
July 4th, 1776 is just about the most important birthday celebration to those who live in the US.
This day represents the rights and freedoms fought for and by the American people.
For many, this is a day to get together with friends and family, go on a picnic, enjoy a fireworks display or take a short vacation.
But, there is more to this holiday that we don't often talk about.
During this July 4th. birthday celebration, we need to make the time to remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice.
Every one of the 56 men that signed the Declaration of Independence would not survive to see what they had helped to accomplish.
The following are just a few examples of what happened to the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The following link will take you to the full list, but as far as I've been able to find out, there is no definitive proof of each of the fates of these men.
- 5 of the signers had been arrested and tortured to death by the British.
- 12 went home to discover their properties ransacked and torched.
- 9 would fight in wartime, later succumbing to their injuries.
That's close to half the men who signed the Declaration of Independence.
These men signed it, knowing they were committing treason and may be put to death should they be caught.
July 4th. ought to be celebrated with loved ones, but make time to remember those that put themselves in jeopardy so that the American people could live in a 'free' country.
