Birthdays and George Washington

George Washington was the first person to celebrate their birthday. Washington first celebrated his birthday on February 22nd, 1740 at the age of 8. His friends dismissed him as a crackpot; most of them didn't even know when their birthdays were. On his 12th birthday George Washington chopped down the famous cherry tree. Ironically enough, he asked for leniency from his parents and the authorities because it was his special day. While his parents cut him some slack, the authorities weren't interested, they had never celebrated their birthdays either.

George Washington, a man ahead of his time.