Bilbo Baggins was born today in writing history, September 22. His cousin, Frodo Baggins, was also born on September 22. The birthdays of JRR Tolkien’s most memorable hobbits mark Hobbit Day and the beginning of Tolkien Week. Aspiring writers should use this opportunity to take a closer look at this literary event and practice their writing. Look for inspiration today in writing history.

Today in Writing: September 22: Bilbo Baggins’s Birthday

Bilbo Baggins was born on September 22, Third Age 2890. He is the main protagonist of JRR Tolkien’s 1937, The Hobbit. Through his adventures, Bilbo eventually takes possession of the One Ring, a powerful and dangerous artifact created by Dark Lord Sauron.

Bilbo Baggins Biography

Bilbo Baggins was born in the Shire, Eriador, on September 22, TA 2890 (Shire Reckoning 1421). He was the only son of Bungo Baggins and Belladonna Took. Bilbo would spend much of his life in the Shire until his friend Gandalf recommended his name for an unexpected journey.

An Unexpected Journey

Gandalf recommended Bilbo Baggins to Thorin Oakenshield and a group of dwarves looking to reclaim their home. The party required a burglar, and Bilbo was suggested for the role. After some reluctance, he agreed to help the dwarves on their quest.

The adventure would last for about a year, during which Bilbo and his party experience several adventures. At one point, Bilbo attempts to steal treasure from a group of trolls to prove his skills as a burglar. This ultimately fails, requiring him to be rescued by Gandalf. However, Baggins does manage to get a piece of treasure, an Elven-made short sword he names Sting.

The One Ring

Later on in the events of The Hobbit, Bilbo finds himself left alone in an underground goblin city. While trying to find his way out, he stumbles upon a small ring. Thinking nothing of it, he puts it in his pocket and continues to try to find his way out.

This ring is The One Ring, forged thousands of years ago by the Dark Lord Sauron, known as the Lord of the Rings. The Ring was created to enhance the Dark Lord’s powers and control the Rings of Power, which were given to the rulers of the various races of Middle Earth. 

The One Ring has several effects for ‘normal’ individuals that wear it. Putting the ring on does make the user invisible to mortals. However, it also corrupts whoever is in possession of it. The ring-bearer will become highly possessive of this artifact. 

Possession of the ring does extend the lifetime of the individual. However, in doing so, it also consumes the strength and essence of that person. Gandalf concludes that using The One Ring too often will make the wearer a wraith. Sauron, defeated at the end of the Second Age, calls out to the ring and its bearer, attempting to get the artifact back into his possession. 

5 Bilbo Baggins Quotes

I’m going on an adventure!

Go back? No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!

The road goes ever on and on.

I like visitors, but I usually get to know them before they visit.

I do believe the worst is behind us!

Frodo Baggins Biography

Frodo Baggins was born in the Shire, Eriador, on September 22, TA 2968 (Shire Reckoning 1368). He was the only son of Drogo Baggins and Primula Brandybuck. When he was 12, Frodo’s parents drowned in a boating accident. He would eventually be adopted by his cousin Bilbo.

Frodo’s Quest

The beginning of Tolkien’s novel, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, starts with Bilbo’s 99th birthday. He looks very youthful for his extended age (because he has been in possession of The One Ring since his youth). After the party, Frodo is given Bilbo’s home, Bag End, as well as the ring. Bilbo is the first person to willingly part with Sauron’s Ring, albeit with some difficulty.

Frodo is then called upon to take The One Ring to Mt. Doom so that it can be cast into the fire and destroyed once and for all. A fellowship of adventures volunteers to assist Frodo with his journey, including a handful of his hobbit friends and a group of heroes from the various races in Middle Earth.

5 Frodo Baggins Quotes

I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.

I will take the ring though I do not know the way.

There is no real going back.

I’m glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things.

I feel that as long as the Shire lies behind, safe and comfortable, I shall find wandering more bearable.

Hobbit Day and Tolkien Week

The American Tolkien Society proclaimed the first Hobbit Day and Tolkien Week in 1978. However, there is a discrepancy between when to start the occasion. While Bilbo and Frodo’s birthdays fall on September 22 of the calendar in JRR Tolkien’s universe, it does not match the Gregorian calendar. Per appendixes in Tolkien’s literature, if adequately converted, the date would fall somewhere between September 12 and 14.

Regardless, Hobbit Day has been celebrated since its inception in 1978. Libraries and literature classrooms worldwide celebrate by bringing attention to JRR Tolkien and his classics. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series authored by Tolkien have developed a cult following. Some fans of the author’s novels opt to spend the day walking around barefoot, an homage to celebrate the hobbits’ birthdays. 

Today in Writing: September 22 – Aspiring Writers Daily Writing Exercise

Do any of the stories from Biblo’s adventures inspire you? Are any of the quotes from these hobbits nagging at you? What ideas does Frodo’s journey give you for your next writing exercise? 

Find a topic from Today in Writing: September 22 and freewrite about it for 10 minutes. The Lord of the Rings is nearing a century since it was first published and is still as popular as ever. Tolkien’s universe provides a literal world of topics and subjects to write about. 

Don’t let any opportunity to write go to waste. Aspiring writers: Practice your writing today! Celebrate Today in Writing History September 22.