Iowa World Record – 5 Generations Born on the Same Exact Day

One of the best things about living in Iowa is its predictability. It is a state known for endless stretches of cornfields, quiet country roads, and down-to-earth locals who appreciate the simple things in life. It’s the kind of place where everyday life is comfortably run-of-the-mill, and you generally don't expect to stumble across too many unfamiliar surprises.

But tucked away in the southwestern corner of the state, the small town of Silver City is hiding something truly extraordinary. In fact, it is a phenomenon that hasn't happened anywhere else on the entire planet. Ever.

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The Iowa Family That Set a World Record

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Harlow family has achieved the impossible. Five consecutive generations of the exact same family were all born on the exact same day.

Every year on September 14th, the family cake needs a lot of candles. This unbelievable streak started with grandfather Wilbur, followed by his daughter Addie, her son Fred Harlow, Fred's daughter Emma Bell, and finally, Emma Bell's son Arthur. All five generations arrived into the world on September 14th, officially earning them the world title for the most generations born on the same day.

When you crunch the numbers on this Silver City miracle, the sheer craziness of the record comes into focus. The statistical odds of five consecutive generations sharing a single birth date are roughly one in 17.7 billion.

To put that in perspective, you are far more likely to win the lottery, get struck by lightning, and find a pearl in an oyster than you are to see this happen in your own family tree. It turns out that right in the middle of America's most wonderfully ordinary state, an absolutely extraordinary piece of history was born, five times over.

To read more about the Harlow family and their story, check out the article (and interview) with KMTV News here.

Story Sources: KMTV NEWS