Birthday
Fact-Finding
Whether you want to find out if a famous (or infamous)
person shares their (or your) birthday, or they were born
the same day glue was invented, you'll find too much information
at these places.
Birthstones
A birthstone supposedly brings good luck to the person
born in its month. The stone also has an interesting characteristic.
Take a look at the Birthstones by the
Month chart to find out who gets the diamonds (which
mean innocence).
Got
culture?
Please check with the appropriate embassy if you're really
serious about your gift-giving, but we've got some interesting
tidbits on Global Birthdays.
Birth
Flowers
Did you know that each month also has a special flower
associated with it? Birth Month Flowers
is a table that can help put fun and mystery in giving
flowers as a birthday gift.
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Birthday
Fact-Finding
On This Day
Ever wonder what happened on a particular day, such as historical
events, birthdays, deaths, etc.? Well, On This
Day can tell you! What does it cost? Nothing!
Anagram
Genius Server Rearranging the letters of 'Madonna Louise
Ciccone' gives 'Occasional nude income'?! Find out for FREE
what is hidden within YOUR name (or your birthday celebrant's)!
Today-in-History
Scope Systems has a great archive of historic births, deaths
and events. You can see today's listings, or fill in your
birth date and find out if anything happened more important
than you (we doubt it).
Birthday
Traditions from Around the World Geared more toward
children's birthdays, but still interesting. (We're all
kids at heart anyway, right?)
Birthstones
by the Month
| Month |
Stone |
Characteristic |
| January |
Garnet |
Constancy |
| February |
Amethyst |
Sincerity |
| March |
Aquamarine,
Bloodstone |
Courage |
| April |
Diamond |
Innocence |
| May |
Emerald |
Love |
| June |
Pearl,
Alexandrite, Moonstone |
Health |
| July |
Ruby |
Contentment |
| August |
Peridot,
Sardinyx |
Married
Happiness |
| September |
Sapphire |
Clear
Thinking |
| October |
Opal,
Tourmaline |
Hope |
| November |
Topaz |
Faithfulness |
| December |
Turquoise,
Zircon |
Wealth |
Global
Birthdays
(Please,
if you have special knowledge in these areas and see something
incorrect, let Debby
know. We'd appreciate it.)
- In
England, when you reach 80, 90 or 100 years of age, you
receive a telegram from the Queen.
- In
Japan, usually only the birthdays of 60, 70, 79, 88, and
99 rate gifts. Also, gifts consisting of less than ten
items in a set should be given in odd numbers (tea cups
are sold in sets of five). Avoid the numbers 4 and 9 in
general. White gift wrap is associated with death (so
is four of something).
- Germans
take birthdays seriously, sometimes receiving a half-day
of vacation. Flowers and wine are common gifts among friends.
- In
China, small birthday gifts are given by family and friends.
Age 30 is considered becoming an adult (there's quite
a celebration). For men, age 60 is usually combined with
retirement (for those doing physical labor). Don't give
clocks as gifts (the Mandarin word for clock is similar
to one for death). Avoid wrapping the gift using white,
black or blue colors.
- The
French and Italian celebrate Name Days more so than birthdays.
- In
India, black and white gift wrapping is considered unlucky.
- In
the Islamic world, green is a good color to use for wrapping.
- In
Korea, the two most important birthdays are the 100th
day and the 60th year.
Birth
Month Flowers
| January |
Snowdrop,
Carnation |
| February |
Primrose |
| March |
Violet |
| April |
Sweet
Pea, Daisy |
| May |
Hawthorn,
Lily of the Valley |
| June |
Rose |
| July |
Water
Lily |
| August |
Poppy,
Gladiolus |
| September |
Morning-Glory |
| October |
Calendula |
| November |
Chrysanthemum |
| December |
Holly,
Narcissus, Pointsettia |
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