Sunday 17 May 2009

17 May - Historical Events and Special Celebrations



Gemstone of the Month

Emerald



Flower of the Month: Lily of the Valley



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!




As usual patents crop up regularly when looking at our history and it was on this day in 1845 that the humble rubber band was patented by the Englishman Stephen Perry. Great Stuff!




Of much more interest and fun is the next patent on this day in 1846 of the saxophone by the Belgium Antoine Joseph Sax. Who said there weren’t any famous Belgians?




In a famously good deal it was on this day in 1884 that Alaska became a US territory. The price paid was $7.2 million which worked out at around $0.02 cents per acre. I wonder what it’s worth today!



In a poor choice of words it was on this day in 1916 that British Summer Time was first introduced in the UK. First of all the timing is nowhere near “summer” and even if it was, what summer? The other thing Nomanda has never understood is why the UK (and for some unfathomable reason, Portugal) wants to be out of time with the rest of Europe. There is currently a bill going through Parliament proposing a three year experiment to put British clocks on the same time as the rest of Europe and Nomanda hopes it is passed.



The British summer didn’t daunt Stevie Wonder who on this day in 1973 released his hit “You are the Sunshine of my Love”.






Rain, wind and showers are the standard diet of UK weather forecasters. They would have been in good company on this day in 1975 when NBC paid $5 million for the rights to show “Gone with the Wind” for just one time. I can imagine the conversation between the accountants and sales team;

Where did that $5 million go?



Another feat of physical nonsense was to take place on this day in 1980 when the previously unsung Kumar Anandan balanced on one foot for 33 hours. For all I know maybe he just had one foot!




Les Anderson was leaping up and down in joy on his feet on this day in 1985 when he caught a record breaking 97lb 4 oz salmon. For the benefit of our angler readers Nomanda can tell you it was caught at Soldotna in Alaska on the Kenai River. So book your tickets, get your tackle ready and see if you can do better! Best of luck!



Whilst Les was tucking into his fish, I bet it took some time to consume, the group “Spitting Image” were chuckling all the way to the bank when their “Chicken Song” hit #1 in the UK pop charts. Nomanda like the chorus best!




On this day in 1989 not only did our favourite painter’s “Portrait of Dr Gachet” sell for $825 million, but some unknown carless person was handing over $16,000 to a very happy cab driver on the completion of the longest cab ride ever of some 14,000 miles. I wonder if he ever rang home to tell his wife he would be late for supper.



In a singularly unexciting day for celebrity birthdays two musicians share this day as their birthday. Jordan Knight (1970) of New Kids On The Block and Andrea Corr (1974) the Irish lady who got the rest of her siblings to join in and called her group the family name! Great music, though, here’s one of our favourites!



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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