18 June - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Rose

Gemstone of the Month: Pearl

First of all Nomanda would like to thank all our new readers! We have been getting more and more of you every day and we really appreciate you! If you are enjoying Nomanda’s blog please pass it on to your friends. And if you would like to make a comment or get your own special mention on your own special day just send us the details through the comments section and we’ll make sure we don’t forget you!

Nomanda’s Happy Special Day blog is a celebration of events and anniversaries that have touched our lives. If today is your special day join us in looking at a few other events that have occurred on your day. Enjoy!

It was on this day in 1815 that the great French leader, Napoleon, was to meet his Waterloo. In fact he met Wellington and a just in time superior force, with the allies being strengthened by the Prussians who arrived at the last minute. Don’t you just hate it when that happens! The site of the battle, just outside of Brussels, has an interesting museum with light and sound effects of the battle. Also, for battle weary tourists, there is a nice choice of cafes and restaurants all serving great Belgium food as well as an amazing range of Belgium beers! Nomanda’s been there, done that!



Sticking his large French nose out of his luxury accommodation in London was another great leader of the French, General de Gaulle. He’d scarpered from France a few days earlier and on this day in 1940 he broadcast his motivating message on the BBC encouraging his countrymen to defy the Nazi occupiers! Winston Churchill was not a fan of de Gaulle and neither is Nomanda!



It was a happy day for cattle everywhere on this day in 1981 when a vaccine to prevent foot and mouth disease was announced. Nomanda has been known to get his foot stuck in his mouth on occasions and no matter how much of this stuff I take it just doesn’t do it for me!




Something else that doesn’t do it for Nomanda is Gay this that and the Other! However in a poor attempt to be politically correct join me in celebrating the opening of the Gay Games on this day in New York in 1994. Apparently these games are held every 4 years just like the real thing; only more time is spent tying up shoelaces than any proper athletic activity. The organisers advise me that you don’t have to be gay to compete but I suppose you have to be open to giving it a try! Actually the more I think about it the more I might give it a go. There can be few better incentives to breaking records than being at the front of a race knowing there are a bunch of shirt lifters chasing up behind, if you forgive the expression! I’m through the tape, still running and breathless thinking about it! Just send the medal on to my home address, please!



First up for birthday honours today is Delia Smith (1941). From a modest start in life she has become a household word and has sold over 18 million copies of her famous cookbooks. The “Delia Effect” has made her a favourite of hardware stores everywhere when they sold out of stuff they’d had on the shelves for years the day after Delia used them! However she has found a place in Nomanda’s heart for her motivating half time speech to the fans of Norwich City Football Club in 2005.
"A message for the best football supporters in the world: we need a 12th man here. Where are you? Where are you? Let's be having you! Come on!" Sadly it didn’t work and they lost to Manchester City! Obviously the Queen is a Norwich City supporter as she awarded the indomitable Delia a CBE in her birthday honours list a couple of days ago.



Sometimes people can be very unkind as I discovered when I was researching the next birthday boy, Paul McCartney, who was born on this day in 1942. The one line tribute described Sir Paul as “writes silly love songs.” Well that is just not true as not all of his songs are love songs! We love you really, Paul! I know he’s past his 64th but it would be nice to hear it!



Another lady musician, Alison Moyet, will be celebrating her birthday today (1961) and we’d love a song from you too, please!





Our final birthday wishes go to Darren “Dizzy” Reed (1963) the keyboardist from Guns 'n' Roses. How about a listen to “Sweet Child o' Mine”.





Happy Special Day to one and all!!



If you know someone who is celebrating their birthday, anniversary or a special day today or sometime soon why not send them a nice e-card so they get it as soon as they log on! Even better, why not send this page to your friend!
Don’t know what to get for a present? Think about what your special person enjoys doing and the things they like.


For Girls, I know that flowers and chocolates are a bit cliché but nevertheless they always seem to work! Of course, if your budget stretches that far, jewellery, watches, perfume and fashion items are always appreciated!

For Boys, all boys like toys! It’s just as they get older the toys get more expensive. So gadgets and gimmicky things work. Again, if you have the budget then car accessories, sporting equipment and clothes, and man type jewellery like watches and gold chains will go down very well!

And, if all else fails, you could always send them a gift voucher and they can choose whatever they want!

If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special event today I hope you got lots of cards and presents and that there is someone special in your life who will make this day a very happy and special day for you.



Happy celebrations to you from the Happy Special Day Blog!!