U.S. President Barack Obama is observing his 49th birthday with a busy schedule that includes meetings with senators, a speech to a labor group and a trip to his hometown, Chicago.
The president has no official observance of his birthday on his Wednesday schedule, but he is expected to have a private celebratory dinner at his Chicago home.
The Democratic Party's National Committee is giving the president's supporters in the United States an opportunity to send Mr. Obama electronic birthday greetings through its website. The site displays a letter from first lady Michelle Obama, urging supporters to click a link and virtually "sign" a card for the president with a birthday wish.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party's website is offering readers the chance to send greetings to the president that mock his policies and other prominent Democrats.
The president will be spending his birthday without Mrs. Obama who is in Spain on a private trip.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.