Thursday 14 May 2009

14 May - Historical Events and special Celebrations



Flower of the Month

Lily of the Valley



Gemstone of the Month: Emerald



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!



Setting out on a reign that was to last 72 years was the young Louis XIV who at the tender age of just four years old became king of France on this day in 1643. However he warmed to the job and created an environment of absolute personal rule throughout his reign. In order to have a place where he could rule away from the hustle and bustle of medieval Paris he decided to remove his court to the Palace of Versailles. Versailles was a quiet village out in the country and had a fairly grand hunting lodge built by his predecessor Louis XIII. However by the time Louis XIV had completed his finishing touches to the hunting lodge and measured up for the curtains, it ended up as one of the biggest palaces in the world. Well worth a visit!




Paris was bustling again when the second modern Olympic Games opened there on this day in 1900. The Paris Olympic Games were to be the first where women were allowed to compete. The sports for these first women competitors included sailing, golf and lawn tennis. Apparently the organisation of the Games was a shambles. Nevertheless the host nation managed a tally of 100 medals far outstripping the medal haul for any other nation. I guess they had games like “boules”, “petanque”, French cricket and billiards to ensure their medal success!



Thirsty work all that running around and being athletic. Protesting that they wanted beer, no doubt after all their exertions, the Labour Movement paraded in New York on this day in 1932. Their simple slogan was “We Want Beer” and they were protesting against the Prohibition Regulations current at the time. Thankfully they were successful!



So a happy end to a peaceful protest that did not need the influence of the next item, “The Peacemaker”. Aptly named by its manufacturer, Colt’s Manufacturing Company, the gun also known as the “Equalizer” and “Colt 45” was standard army issue for many years. An example of this gun was sold on this day in 1987 for the sum of $242,000.



It was a touch of “Stand and Deliver” on this day in 1991 at Rengstorff Park, Mountain View, California when they made the world’s largest burrito! All that standing at the tables and delivering this monster burrito brought a moment of fame to this otherwise unknown town. The statistics are that it weighed in at a staggering 4456 lbs and measured 3578 ft. Having seen the pictures of the event Nomanda thinks it was all a bit of a cheat as all they did was to overlay thousands of “tacos” on top of each other and filled them with stuffing. OK they were all connected and they did roll it out into “one” giant burrito, but really, why bother?!



Birthday celebrities today start with Thomas Gainsborough (1727 – 1788), the English painter renowned for his landscapes and portraits.





One of Nomanda’s favourite comedians, Eric Morecambe (1926 – 1984), was born on this day His duo act with his life long friend, Ernie Wise, on the “Morecambe and Wise Show” is one of the funniest long running comedy series ever. Despite being the brunt of lots of their jokes, Des O’Conner” was also a friend of the pair. Appearing in one of their shows Des O’ Conner asked if he could sing on the show. Eric replied, “Sing on our show? You can’t even sing on your own show!” Great stuff! Here’s one of Nomanda’s favourites of Morecambe and Wise making breakfast together!



Sharing this day as their birthday are Bobby Darin (1936 – 1973), Chay Blyth (1940), the English round the world yachtsman and Derek Leckenby (1946 – 1994). “Mack the Knife” from Bobby Darin and “A Kinda Hush” from Lek are Nomanda’s favourites.





Our final birthday greetings today go the award winning Australian actress Cate Blanchett (1969) whose performance in “Elizabeth” is simply wonderful!



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!!


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