21st Birthday Traditions
Known as the first legal opportunity to do this in the U.S., it's a common rite of passage on the 21st birthday.
What is drinking alcohol legally?
This song by 50 Cent is a staple at birthday parties and encourages you to party like it’s your birthday.
This film follows a young wizard whose 11th birthday begins his magical journey, receiving a letter from Hogwarts.
What is "Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone"?
As of your 21st Birthday in New Jersey, you can legally purchase these two things from a store.
What is alcohol and cannabis?
In this decade, the 21st Amendment ended Prohibition, making alcohol legally accessible again.
What are the 1930s?
This term describes a trip taken to various bars and clubs in one night, often embarked upon to celebrate turning 21.
What is a bar crawl?
A 1981 hit by Altered Images, often used ironically for birthday celebrations in movies and TV shows.
What is "Happy Birthday"?
In this classic, Molly Ringwald's character deals with her entire family forgetting her birthday.
What is "Sixteen Candles"?
This document becomes available to apply for without parental consent once you turn 21.
What is a passport?
In the 1960s, turning 21 often meant being eligible for this government selection process.
What is the draft for military service?
It's the traditional cocktail often purchased for someone celebrating their 21st birthday, made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed or sweetened lime juice.
What is a Cosmopolitan, or "Cosmo"?
This classic tune by Lesley Gore might play when the birthday cake gets ruined, and the title suggests you'd be alone.
What is "It's My Party"?
This movie features a repeating birthday and a time loop that ends at a party, starring Jessica Rothe.
What is "Happy Death Day"?
You can now enter these three establishments without the need for a fake ID.
What are bars, casinos, and night clubs?
During the Roaring Twenties, this was an illicit establishment where one might have celebrated a 21st birthday with alcohol.
What is a speakeasy?
The name of this tradition where friends create a list of 21 tasks to complete on your 21st birthday.
What is a "21 for 21" challenge?
The Beatles have a lesser-known birthday song with this simple title that is perfect for a sing-along.
What is "Birthday"?
This movie stars Zac Efron as an adult who magically turns back into a 17-year-old for a second chance at life.
What is "17 Again"?
At 21, you're legally able to supervise a learner driver under this condition.
What is if you're over 21 and have a full driving license?
This year marked the establishment of 21 as the minimum drinking age across all U.S. states.
What is 1984?
Often associated with the 21st birthday, this type of beer glass holds exactly one pint plus room for the head.
What is an Imperial Pint?
This song by Kool & The Gang invites you to celebrate good times, come on!
What is "Celebration"?
This film features an over-the-hill reporter stuck in a time loop, reliving his birthday over and over again.
What is "Groundhog Day"?
At the age of 21, you can run for this political office, according to the U.S. Constitution.
What is the House of Representatives?
This decade saw the introduction of the first plastic ID cards, making it harder to fake your age.
What are the 1980s?