Bada Birthday Bing!

Today is my birthday. (No, you may not ask how old I am!) As a small way to commemorate the day, I thought I'd treat us to some random birthday nuggets.

• In Russia, birthday celebrators eat pie instead of cake. Can I just have a slice of both?
• Most common birthday in the United States? October 5. Least common? May 22.
• Birthdays in Ghana are commemorated with a ritual cleansing using a special leaf. (One that has been soaking in water overnight, no less!)
• The song "Happy Birthday to You" was written in 1893 by two sisters and was originally titled "Good Morning, Dear Teacher, Good Morning to You." I'll give you one try to guess their professions!
• During Colonial times, the birthday person received an extra spank not only for "One to grow on" but also for "One to live on, one to eat on, one to be happy on, and one to get married on!"
• In modern times, the Irish tip you over and touch your head to the ground. Thankfully, all of my Irish friends have left the country.
• Nine percent of birthday boys and girls have their special day in August.

"You Say It's Your Birthday?" Antiques and Collecting Magazine 114.8 (Oct 2009): 48-53. EBSCOhost 7 July 2010.