Monday 4 May 2009

4 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!



Today was a very special day in the history of our American fans because it was on this day in 1626 that Peter Minuit, the Dutchman, bought Manhattan Island. And what a deal he got! He bought the island from a local group of Indians for the princely sum of $24. Even this wasn’t given in cash but in the form of cloth and buttons to the value of $24. I bet he was laughing all the way to the bank, what a deal! Unfortunately for Peter, the Indians turned out to be not quite as stupid as he thought. The Indians he traded with were the “Carnasee” who in fact lived in Brooklyn and not on the island. The guys who did live on the island, the “Weekquaesgeeks” were singularly unimpressed with the whole deal and fought the Dutch invaders. I can just imagine Peter Minuit explaining to his boss when the troubles broke out that
All these Indians look the same to me.



On a day in history that appears to have not a lot going for it the humble folding umbrella gets a mention as it was on this day in 1715 that a French manufacturer unfurled the first example in Paris. Must admit, Paris is a good place to have one!




Another event of interest to our American readers is that it was on this day in 1893 that the cowboy, Bob Pickett, invented “Bulldogging”. To those who are not familiar with this particular sport, “Bulldogging” is basically wrestling with steers. The steer is released into the ring and is minding its own business when a cowboy on a horse rides in and in an act of extreme bravado (and stupidity) leaps off his horse, grabs the steer by its horns, and brings it to the ground. Bravo!



The next event of interest that took place on this day in 1974 was the release of their Eurovision Song Contest winning song by ABBA. It was called “Waterloo” and the world has not been the same since. To be fair they’ve made a lot of people happy with their music over the years so for those of you who want to sing along with ABBA click here and enjoy “Waterloo”. It takes you back. The rest, as they say, is history!



Birthday celebrities today are Thomas Huxley (1825 – 1895) the “bulldog” defender of Darwin’s theory of evolution and the guy who reckons that birds are descended from dinosaurs. Well they certainly got a lot smaller!





Our other celebrity whose birthday it is today is the lovely Audrey Hepburn (1929 – 1993). Born in Brussels, Belgium, her performances in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “My Fair Lady” are her best known and loved.





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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