So this Sunday will be my birthday. I was thinking about how excited I used to get when my birthday was getting close. As soon as the new year started, it was a birthday countdown, and once April started, I began making party plans and looking for cards and gifts to come in the mail. Now than I'm older, I don't get as excited as I used to. I know my birthday is just another day. Everybody (myself included) just goes about life as usual, but some part of me still hopes my birthday will be the most exciting day of the year.
Even though my birthday is just another day, here are some fun facts about April 20:
*This year it's Easter
*This year, I'll be exactly the same age my mother was when she gave birth to me
*Several world rulers shared my birthday: my mother (who may not have ruled your world, but she ruled mine), Adolph Hitler, Napolean, Edward IV of England, and Marcus Aurelius (Queen Elizabeth II's birthday is April 21, so she almost counts)
*Other somewhat famous people who share my birthday: Don Mattingly, Lionel Hampton, Jessica Lange, Joey Lawrence (Whoa!), AND Olympic silver medalist Townsend Saunders (freestyle wrestler)
*For you history buffs: 1139, 2nd Lateran Council (10th ecumenical council) opens in Rome; 1861, Colonel Robert E Lee resigns from Union army; 1879, 1st mobile home (horse drawn) used in a journey from London & Cyprus; 1902, Marie & Pierre Curie isolate radioactive element radium
*Inordinate amount of Baseball history: 1912, Fenway Park officially opens, Boston Red Sox beat New York Highlanders 7-6 in 11; 1912, Tiger Stadium in Detroit opens, Tigers beat Cleveland Indians 6-5; 1916, 1st National League game at Weeghman Park (Wrigley Field) in Chicago opens, Chicago Cubs beat Cincinnati Reds 7-6; 1920 Phillies manager Gravvy Cravath puts himself in as pinch hitter, his 3-run homer and beats New York Giants 3-0; 1939 Ted Williams' 1st hit (off of Yankee Red Ruffing) a double; 1941, Dodgers start to wear liners in their caps; 1950, Baltimore's Memorial Stadium opens - Orioles of International League; 1988, Baltimore Orioles set worst record to start a season 0-14 (will go 0-21)
With fascinating history like that, maybe it's not just an ordinary day after all!
Posted by christin at April 17, 2003 03:46 PM | TrackBackYour birthday should be special. It is NOT just another day (at least, it shouldn't be). I believe friends should acknowledge each other's birthdays, at any age. I send birthday cards to my friends, and I encourage them to reciprocate, this giving me greetings to look forward to, for my birthday.
Posted by: Matthew at June 14, 2004 12:48 PM