Date Calculations/Dollanganger

This is a useful tool.

Year
The year is given only a few times, all of them in Petals on the Wind.
 * The book begins in November of 1960.
 * Cathy turns 16 in April 1961.
 * Cathy graduates from high school in January 1963.
 * Cory's death was at the end of October/beginning of November 1960.
 * Cathy references the year they entered the attic as 1957.

These dates are all in keeping with each other.

Birthdays
Birthday months are given frequently. Birthday dates are given almost never.

Flowers in the Attic

 * Chris Sr. dies in April of 1957. At the time his death, Chris Jr. is 14, Cathy (born earilier in April) is newly 12, and Cory and Carrie are 4.
 * Cathy later puts the duration of their time in the attic at 3 years, 4 months, and 16 days. If they leave the attic on November 11, 1960, this puts their entering the attic in on June 25, 1957.
 * The twins are 4 at the time of Chris Sr.'s death in April, and 5 by the time they enter the attic, meaning their fifth birthday on May 5 takes place in Gladstone. They don't leave Gladstone until summer. and on the first night in the attic, Cathy remarks that it's summer.
 * November 10 is their last day in the attic, meaning they escape on November 11, 1960.

Petals on the Wind

 * Begins on the bus in November, 1960.