If you know more than a few people with September birthdays, you’re not imagining things—September 9 is the most common birthday in the United States. With so many birthday candles being blown out today, it’s the perfect time to look back at where some of our birthday traditions came from.
The Ancient Origins of Birthdays
The idea of celebrating a “birthday” goes back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians were among the first to mark these occasions—not for everyday people, but for their pharaohs. When a pharaoh was crowned, Egyptians believed he transformed into a god, making the coronation a kind of divine “birth.” Feasts, food, and festivities followed, setting the stage for celebrations we’d recognize today.
The Greeks and Romans carried on the tradition. Romans, in particular, may have been the first to celebrate not only rulers but also the birthdays of ordinary citizens with cakes made of flour, nuts, yeast, and honey.
Candles, Wishes, and the “Light of Life”
So where did the tradition of birthday candles begin? Some historians trace it to Ancient Greece, where people honored Artemis, goddess of the moon, by bringing glowing cakes adorned with candles to her temple. The lit candles were thought to resemble the moon’s glow, while the rising smoke carried wishes and prayers to the heavens.
Others credit 18th-century Germany, where Count Ludwig Von Zinzindorf threw an extravagant candle-covered birthday bash in 1746. Around the same time, German children celebrated Kinderfest with cakes lit by a single candle symbolizing the “light of life.”
The Rise of the Birthday Cake
By the 18th century, birthday cakes started looking more like what we see today—with multiple layers, icing, and decorations—but they were mostly reserved for the wealthy. Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, cakes became more accessible, allowing people of all classes to celebrate with frosted confections.
A Song for the Celebration
No birthday is complete without singing “Happy Birthday to You,” the most recognized song in the English language. Its melody comes from a simple tune called “Good Morning to All,” written in 1893 by American sisters Patty and Mildred Hill for their kindergarten students. The familiar lyrics first appeared in print in 1912, and over the years, the song has become a universal anthem of celebration.
Fun fact: for decades, Warner Chappell Music claimed copyright over the song and collected licensing fees, until a court ruling in 2015 declared it invalid. Today, the song is officially in the public domain.
One Last Thing Before You Blow Out the Candles…
A 2017 study from Clemson University found that blowing out birthday candles increases bacteria on a cake’s surface by about 14 times. The good news? Researchers say it’s not a big health concern—so go ahead and make that wish!
So if today is your birthday—congratulations! You share your special day with more Americans than on any other date. Light those candles, sing the song, and enjoy a piece of cake steeped in thousands of years of history. 🎂✨