X-Men #32 (1963)
Written by Roy Thomas
Artwork by Werner Roth
Inks by John Tartaglione, Colors by Artie Simek
Chef’s Note: Nothing really to note here other than it’s my BIRTHDAY today and I’m all by my lonesome because of this pandemic.
So, I guess I’ll go hang out with the original X-Men, despite how awkward and uptight and prickly they are,* because it’s time for CAKE!
The tradition of celebrating a person’s birthday with a birthday cake and lit candles originated in 18th century Germany. In 1746, Count Ludwig von Zinzendorf of Marienborn Germany celebrated his birthday. Andrew Frey, one of the guests, gave a detailed account of the party:
“… the Houses to be illuminated on that day, which was accordingly done. They fetch Waggons full of Boughs, and with them covered the whole inside of the Count’s Hall, which is a hundred feet long, and forty wide … that it looked like an Arbour, and also hung up three brass Chandeliers, each of seven candles. In it also are four Pillars which were hung full of Lights spirally disposed. Wooden Letters above two Feet long were made to form the Name of LUDWIG VON ZINZENDORF, and these being gilded with Gold, were fixed to the Wall amidst a Blaze of Lights. The seats were covered with fine Linen set of with very sightly Ribbons. A Table also was made, representing the initial Letters of the Name of the Person who was the Subject of the Festival; there was a Cake as large as any Oven could be found to bake it, and Holes made in the Cake according to the Years of the Person’s Age, every one having a Candle stuck into it, and one in the Middle; the Outside of the Court was adorned with Festoons and foliage …”
* Seriously, Hank? Shut. Up.