Sunday 12 April 2009

12 April - Historical Events and Special Celebrations



Flower of the Month

Sweet Pea



Gemstone of the Month: Diamond



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!



Easter Sunday!



Today is a happy and special day indeed for all followers of the Christian faith. In fact it is the most important day in the Christian calendar. It is the day when the resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated.



The celebration of Easter however is a movable feast and the actual timing of the festival was decided at the council of Nicea in 325AD. It was decided that Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. Consequently Easter Sunday can arrive as early as March 22nd or as late as April 25th.


The celebration of Easter had a pre-Christian origin which was the festival in honour of Eostre, the Teutonic dawn goddess, also known as the spring goddess and goddess of fertility. Rabbits and eggs are obvious links to fertility and these still form an important part of today’s Easter celebrations.


There are many traditions and practices associated with the celebration of Easter, not least rabbits, eggs and bells.



Rabbits are prolific breeders, reaching sexual maturity early and enjoying it frequently! They have large litters several times each year, hence the expression “breeding like bunnies”.




Eggs were forbidden to Catholics during the fasting of lent which is why so many appear on Easter Sunday!


Church Bells were silenced on Good Friday out of respect for the death of Jesus and rang again on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection. The church bells were supposed to have gone to Rome and flown back on Easter morning loaded with eggs. In France and Belgium the eggs are dropped from the sky and land in gardens to be found by gleeful children on Easter morning. Hunting for chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday is certainly one way to get the kids up early for church!


There are few events worthy of note that have happened on this day in times past.

Today is a happy day for Brits everywhere because it was on this day in 1606 that the Union Jack was adopted as the flag for Great Britain. Referring to his beloved country, at a meeting in Europe, who was it who said, “And when I say Great I ****** well mean Great!” Answers to Nomanda, please.



Flying high in a different way today in 1905 were the Swiss brothers, Dufaux, who on this day tested their first helicopter. Of course good old Leonardo Da Vinci had the idea a few centuries previously but couldn’t get it off the ground!



Grinding out their skills in another way today in 1930 were the international cricketers of the West Indies and England who decided to call the fourth test match a draw after 9 days play. In fact one of the participants, Wilfred Rhodes, was so impressed with the performance that he decided that today would be a good time to hang up his boots at the age of 52. Good decision, Willy, as Mr Bradman was on his way from Australia later in the year to show the English team a thing or two!



Taking a new look at things today in 1961, Yuri Gagarin, was the first man to orbit the earth in Vorstok 1. “Look, there’s my house, down there!




Our first birthday greetings today go to our Belgium readers starting with an unusual one. It was on this day in 1928 that saw the birth of Brooklyn Supreme, a Belgian stallion. He is reputed to have been the world’s heaviest horse weighing in at an impressive 1,450 kilograms. I believe that is when he was fully grown! Reminds me of the “Geordie” alphabet, Hay’s for Horses.



Our other famous Belgian birthday boy today is Raymond Ceulemans (1937) the prolific 3 cushion billiard player and winner of countless titles. He was knighted for his achievements by the King of Belgium. For those who don’t know the game of 3 cushion billiards, don’t bother finding out, it’s very difficult, and there aren’t even any pockets in the table!



Our last birthday celebrity is Alex Briley (1951) the vocalist of the Village People and whether you prefer “In the Navy” or “YMCA” Nomanda has both for your further enjoyment!




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!!


Digg this

No comments: