14 Facts About Birthdays That Are Better Than Cake
![14 Facts About Birthdays That Are Better Than Cake](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/3/1/806031_320x180.jpg)
It's somebody's birthday today! But what is a birthday, really? Many people think of it as a special day to celebrate the year that has passed, but is that all there is to it? Some people believe that a birthday is actually an important day for determining your future. Everybody loves birthdays, right? Well, not everyone. Some people find them annoying and pointless. But, for the most part, people really enjoy celebrating another year of life. Birthdays are a special time to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the coming year. They are also a time for celebration with friends and family. Whether you love them or not, there are some interesting facts about birthdays that you may not know.
Spoiler: Contrary to popular belief, the tradition of celebrating birthdays is not a longstanding one. In fact, the celebration of birthdays was not popularized until the late 19th century. And before then, people generally viewed a birthday as a somber occasion rather than a joyous one.
Let's explore this holiday more and find out what makes it so special. Happy Birthday to everyone out there celebrating their special day!
![Birthdays break the rules of mathematics. The birthday paradox has found that in a group of only 23 people there's a 50-50 chance of at least two people having the same birthday. In a group of 75 there's a 99.9% chance of at least two people matching. GRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/3/0/806030.jpg)
Source: Better Explained
![According to one study, most serial killers are mutable signs under the zodiac. These signs, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces, all fall at the end of a season (Gemini at the end of spring, Virgo at the end of summer, Sagittarius at the end of fall, and Pisces at the end of winter). According to astrology, mutable signs are known for being adaptable- yet frantic and indecisive. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/2/8/806028.jpg)
Source: Yahoo
![The most common zodiac sign of US Presidents is Aquarius. AQV ARIVS There have been 5 Aquarius presidents- 4 of whom died in office. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/2/9/806029.jpg)
Source: Business Insider
![People born in MA October are more likely to reach 100. Whereas those born March-July are less likely to reach 100. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/2/7/806027.jpg)
Source: Journal of Aging Research
![The ancient Greeks invented the birthday cake. On their birthdays they would bake mooncakes to offer to Artemis, the goddess of the moon. They would put candles on the cakes so they would shine like the moon. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/2/3/806023.jpg)
Source: Reader’s Digest
![HONE A PLANT born PLANS person on February 29th isnd St called a leaplingTA' NEW ORLEANS, LA, SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 2 1916 IT'S LEAP YEAR, BOYS Some countries have specific rules on when leaplings celebrate their birthdays on non-leap years. In New Zealand, they celebrate their official birthday on February 28. But in England and Hong Kong, the birthday is March 1. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/2/6/806026.jpg)
Source: CBC
![Jesus' birthday isn't December 25th- and he wasn't born in 1 AD. Scholars can't pinpoint an actual birthday but he was most likely born between 6 and 4 ВС. The reason we celebrate Christmas on the 25th is because of the pagan winter solstice. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/1/9/806019.jpg)
Source: Live Science
![In the British Commonwealth, The Queen will wish you a happy 100th birthday. She will also do so on your 105th birthday and every birthday after that. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/2/1/806021.jpg)
Source: Buckingham Palace
![In Japan your 3rd, 5th, and 7th birthdays are the most important. These birthdays are celebrated during the festival of Shichi-Go-San which began in the 8th century as a way of celebrating a child's survival into middle childhood. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/1/7/806017.jpg)
Source: Japan Visitor
![Su September 12 AUGUST 23 9th 21 30 Mon 19 JULY 12 26 Mou the 5 13 4 most Mon 10 9 popular 19 26 Thu 19 26 2. 16 6 13 20 27 Tr 1421 28 We 15 22 29 2 9 16 23 3 Thu 1 FI 8 15.22/29Thu 5 birthday in the US. 24 Sa 25 This means most babies are conceived around the holidays. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/2/2/806022.jpg)
Source: Time Magazine
![Professional sports suffers from the birthday effect. 47 89 This phenomena results in a 16 S6 large number of professional athletes having been born in the beginning of the year- because in school they were originally more physically developed than their peers, giving them a head start. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/2/5/806025.jpg)
Source: NCAA
![You're more likely to die on your birthday. A study of over 3 million people found that men were more likely to die the week before their birthday and women the week after. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/2/0/806020.jpg)
![In China everyone is considered 1 when they 150 are born. A year is also added to their age during their first Lunar New Year. CRACKED COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/1/8/806018.jpg)
Source: Discover China
![It's believed the Romans were the first people to celebrate birthdays. Each person had a genius, an assigned birthday spirit, who they made an offering to on their birthday. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/2/4/806024.jpg)
Source: Forbes