Census records show Sanborn was born on July 20, 1896, in Lake Charles, La., according to the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group, which listed Sanborn as the world’s oldest person.

But French said Sanborn always maintained the Census Bureau had made a mistake and she was really born in 1895. She celebrated what she believed was her 115th birthday on July 20, Agence France-Presse reported.

Either way, with Sanborn’s death, the oldest person in the world is now 114-year-old Besse Cooper of Georgia. Link

Walter Breuning of Great Falls, Montana turned 114 years old today. He’s the oldest man in the world. In this video, Breuning shares his memories of growing up in the 19th Century, experiencing hard economic times, and appreciating the technological wonders of our time.

Link via Geekosystem

Oscar the pig turns 20 years old and is crowned the world’s oldest living pig. O.K., technically the little porker turned 20 in October, but us slow pokes are just getting around to wishing him a very happy belated birthday.
quote:
The attempt for the Guinness record came on a whim. Kimbell’s boyfriend – himself the owner of an 11-year-old potbellied pig named Ziffle – looked up the current record and discovered Oscar was older.
The application process involved a lot of paperwork to prove his age. Kimbell sent in Oscar’s birth records, photos of him growing up with her, and letters from veterinarians and his travels.
She got word of their success in late December.
Kimbell doesn’t have any big plans for her record-holder. She turned down an invitation to Rome for a Guinness TV show because Oscar’s too old to travel. He turned 20 on Oct. 29.

Here’s hoping Oscar has many more years of belly rubs and falling asleep in front of the television: Link

Oldest cop: Manuel Curry, 84
Sadly, Sergeant Major Manuel Curry died earlier this summer. But he did so as America’s oldest active duty police officer, having spent 63 years patrolling New Orleans — no picnic. In fact, Curry gained acclaim for holding his post during Katrina, even as many of his much younger colleagues either abandoned the city or joined in the looting.

Oldest plumber: Pierre John "Buster" Martin, 102
The London centenarian has garnered praise for his work ethic — he refused to take a day off for his 100th birthday and, at 101, attempted to go to work the day after being attacked by a group of thugs. Although rumors have circulated that Buster is really only 96.

Oldest world leader: Robert Mugabe, 85
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe may be the number one argument for a mandatory retirement age: The former-revolutionary hero, and current oldest member of the heads-of-state club, is considered by many to be the world’s worst despot.

Good ol’ Mugabe! It’s good that he’s keepin’ active with all the dictator stuff: Link – Thanks Alex!

Three months ago 90-year-old Penny Cooper made a leap-year proposal to 89-year-old John Dawkins, who she met at a charity event.

The couple, who have a combined aged of 179, tied the knot at a register office in Devon on Tuesday.

Link