Birthday is the name given to the date of the anniversary of the day of a person's birth. People in many cultures celebrate this anniversary. Everyone looks forward to his/her birthday for 364 days a year!Birthdays are traditionally marked by celebrations including a birthday party or, in some particular cases, a rite of transition. Birthday parties are a feature of many cultures. The tradition of birthday parties started in Europe a long time ago. It was feared that evil spirits were particularly attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would come to be with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off the evil spirits. This is how birthday parties began. At first it was only kings who were recognized as important enough to have a birthday celebration (maybe this is how the tradition of birthday crowns began?). As time went by, children became included in birthday celebrations. The first children's birthday parties occurred in Germany and were called Kinderfeste.
The earliest birthday parties, as mentioned before, in history were held because people thought that evil spirits would visit them on their birthdays. They stayed close to their family and friends for protection. Later parties became social gatherings where friends and family would bring gifts or flowers to the person having their birthday. Today birthday parties are held just for fun!
