World's oldest person celebrates birthday at 117

Britain’s Ethel Caterham, was born in the United Kingdom on August 21, 1909, has celebrated her 117th birthday on 21/0/2006.

She has lived through two World Wars and more than a century of extraordinary global change, and is the first verified British person to reach the age of 117.

She was named by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living person last year, after Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas died at the age of 116. Guinness also recognizes Caterham as the world's oldest living woman.

"Wishing Ethel Caterham the happiest of birthdays, from Guinness World Records!" the organization said in a statement to ABC News. "Holding the GWR title for both the oldest person living and oldest woman living, is certainly something to celebrate! We hope she has a wonderful day with loved ones."