Happy birthday, Bruce Springsteen! The Boss turns 74 and gets his day in New Jersey

Happy Bruce Springsteen Day!

Yup, it's official. Springsteen's birthday is Sept. 23 — he’s 74 — and it's Bruce Springsteen Day in the state of New Jersey.

Gov. Phil Murphy proclaimed it so at the April 15 inaugural American Music Honors event, presented by the Bruce Springsteen Archives at the Pollak Theatre on the campus of Monmouth University in West Long Branch.

“There's been 14 administrations in New Jersey since Springsteen started performing,” Murphy said. “I can't believe it's taken this long.”

Springsteen fans around the world have celebrated the date for years.

More: 'My Hometown': Tour the Jersey Shore spots that Bruce Springsteen made famous

“Bruce Springsteen is one of the most recognizable, iconic and influential musicians — and New Jerseyans — of all time,” said Murphy in a statement. “It is important that we recognize Bruce for all he has done and will continue to do, from giving us the gift of his music to lending his time to the causes close to his heart.”

There is already a Clarence Clemons Day in New Jersey. That takes place on Jan. 11, the late Big Man’s birthday.

Springsteen fans will be celebrating Springsteen Day, and his birthday, around the world. The Spring-Nuts fan club plans to have fun and send the Boss a group birthday message on social media.

Springsteen and the E Street Band are taking a break as the Boss is being treated for symptoms of peptic ulcer disease. The rest of the E Street Band's shows in September have been postponed.

More: Bruce Springsteen fans hope he gets well after peptic ulcer treatment and rest

More: Killers cover Bruce Springsteen at Sea Hear Now festival in Asbury Park

“Wishing Bruce a happy and healthy birthday,' said Spring-Nuts founder Howie Chaz via email. “We hope he’s taking his time in his recovery and we're looking forward to celebrating with him and the band when they return to the stage! Happy birthday Bruce! The Spring-Nuts luv ya!”

Springsteen was born Sept. 23, 1949, at the former Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch. He's the first born of Adele and Douglas Springsteen of Freehold. They would have two more children, Virginia and Pamela.

Looking for a way to celebrate the Boss' birthday? Check out our “My Hometown: Tour the Jersey Shore spots that Bruce Springsteen made famous” map. Take some time and immerse yourself in the local environment, from nightclubs to beaches to hot dog eateries, and get a feel of what makes the music Springsteen and the E Street Band so special.

Here are some recent stories we've written about Bruce:

More: Bruce Springsteen in new video seeks to keep Kenyan hospital going for 'generations'

More: 9/11 remembrance: Bruce Springsteen and 'The Rising' — How the Boss helped heal America

More: Springsteen Archives 'Wild, Innocent' symposium to feature 'original E Street' members

More: Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band at MetLife: 6 magical moments you might have missed

More: Bruce Springsteen pays tribute to Robbie Robertson, rocks no-surprise setlist in Chicago

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Happy birthday, Bruce Springsteen! The Boss turns 74