4 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!

In a lovely example of “how the devil do you know that?” I am reliably informed that the oldie mouldy French cheese Roquefort was created on this very day in 1070! It gets better. Legend has it that a young shepherd, paying more attention to a pretty girl than to his flock (this I’m prepared to believe), abandoned his lunch of bread and cheese in a cave and set off in pursuit of the pretty girl. When he returned to the same cave a few months later, Voila! (as the French say), there was this mouldy old cheese that we now know as Roquefort. Great story and I have to say even greater cheese. Not a cheese for the delicate palate, but if you like creamy and smelly this is the stuff for you!


Getting the smell of Roquefort and the German Army out of their noses on this day in 1940 were the happy 300,000 troops evacuated from Dunkirk. Nomanda’s brother is the proud owner of one of “the little ships” that made this possible. The troops would be back, but not for another 4 years.



Making his Test Cricket debut on this day in 1964 was the batsman Geoffrey Boycott. He was facing the Australians at Trent Bridge. Renowned for his occupation of the crease he is probably the most boring batsman to watch since the game was invented! I’m sure that when some more adventurous teams saw Boycott coming out with his bat in his hand they just lost the will to live! He is the only batsman I know whose style is described as “right handed slow”!



Giving a lot more fun to their fans on this day in 1965 were the “Rolling Stones” when their song “Satisfaction” was released. That’s much better!




Born and bred and proud of it on this day in 1984 Bruce Springsteen released his record “Born in the USA”. I wonder where the maker’s stamp is. It’s usually on the bottom! Or, as they say in the record business, “the B side”.


Our first birthday celebrity today is the inventor of the “Hovercraft”, Christopher Cockrell (1910 – 1999). It was a long time marinating starting with a fan blower and a couple of tin cans before moving on to the first prototype made from balsa wood. Well they’re a lot bigger and better now, and the English Channel and the Everglades would never be the same again!


Not particularly a record to be proud of but born on this day in 1926 Robert Earl Hughes over grew to become the heaviest human at a gigantic 486kgs. Just think what he’d be if they had a Big Mac around the corner!



Final birthday greetings go to the actress Angelina Jolie (1975), lovely, Lara and living with Brad. Two out of three isn’t bad for anyone!



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!!

27 March - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Gemstone of the Month

Bloodstone

Flower of the Month: Daffodil

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!



The 27th March, over the years, has celebrated a number of happy events. In fact it would appear that it’s a great day for discovering, patenting and inventing things.


It was on this day in 1513 that the Spaniard Juan Ponce de Leon discovered Florida. If he could see it now maybe he would have wished he hadn’t!





Now I know that we take a lot of things for granted in life but I have to admit that I’d never given a serious thought to the invention of the shoe lace. Well apparently on this day in 1790 some unsung hero invented it / them. How did people keep their shoes on before this great invention?



Not to be outdone on this day in 1848 John Parker started using medicated adhesive plaster and a few years later Abraham Gerner patented kerosene in 1855.





We didn’t have long to wait for M L Byrn’s patent of the “covered gimlet screw with a “T” handle” on this day in 1860. We now call this wonderful tool a corkscrew and where would we be without it?




Now people could open their wine bottles it wasn’t long before Andrew Rankin came up with his contribution to the world and patented the urinal on this day in 1866. Despite this being a fantastic invention I think he left out one very important detail with his patent. He didn’t specify a standard height for its fitting. Small men everywhere have since been cursed by tall plumbers!



In a fitting case of crime doesn’t pay it was on this day in 1964 that the “Great Train Robbers” were collectively sentenced to a total of 307 years in prison.




On a lighter note on this day in 1992 the renowned Bruce Springsteen released “Human Touch” and Lucky Town”.





Birthday celebrations today go to Carlo Bonaparte (1746), a Corsican attorney and father of his famous son Napoleon. Now we know where Napoleon’s love of law came from!





Also today in 1868 was the birthday of one of our favourite people, Patty Smith Hill, author and songwriter of “Happy Birthday to you”!





Our next birthday celebrity is the outstanding rugby league player and former coach of the Great Britain rugby league team Ellery Hanley (1961). Have a look at this clip of some of his best moments!



“Licensed to Kill” alongside Timothy Dalton our last birthday guest is the lovely actress Talisa Soto (1967).






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!!

19 January - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Gemstone of the Month

Garnet

Flower of the Month: Carnation

When it is your happy special day and whether you are celebrating a birthday or special anniversary, if you would like a mention on Nomanda’s blog just send us the details. We promise you a very special mention on this blog on your special day!

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!



The world has gone completely mad! The latest news is that the UK banks are about to get another slice of £20 billion to keep them going. Banks as we know them today have been around for hundreds of years doing very nicely borrowing and lending money for nice margins and making billions in profit year after year after year. Carried away by their greed and over confidence they have all made a few stupid investments and the recent realisation of their mistakes has brought them to their knees. Most commercial enterprises live or die by their decisions and prudence, and those who do best carry on and the others go to the wall. Why do banks deserve any better treatment than any other business? OK, I know that there would be many savers who would be hit by their bank’s demise, but savers have a duty to look after their own funds as well.


Nomanda may be persuaded that the latest injection of the British tax payers’ money could do some good in stimulating the economy if he had any confidence that the banks would do what they are supposed to do with the money and lend it out to those who need it. However I’m afraid that all that will happen is that the banks will use it to shore up their balance sheets and be even more careful in lending any of it out.


The British tax payer will be left with debts that will take decades to pay off and little will be achieved! If the government really wanted to stimulate the economy and get cash out to the places it is needed it would have been better to set up its own bank and do the job itself if any capable group of professionals could be found to run the enterprise.



When you put the latest bank bail out alongside the fact that many banks are now stopping many credit card payments in efforts to reduce card fraud the whole thing becomes laughable. The best advice an “expert” could give to anyone who is worried about their credit card being refused was to make sure you carried plenty of cash with you! That’s just what credit cards were supposed to stop in the first place!


On a lighter note it was on this day in 1903 that the new bicycle race the “Tour de France” was first announced and the event has given enjoyment to its fans ever since. It’s amazing how many cyclists jump on their bikes and whiz around Nomanda’s back yard during the “Tour de France” season. And every one of them without exception wears a yellow jersey!


The game you either love or hate, “Scrabble” was first introduced on this day in 1955. Nomanda’s foot is firmly placed in the latter camp!




I am however a fan of Bruce Springsteen so his iconic song “Born in The USA” that peaked at #9 on this day in 1985 will always get a mention!


Our first birthday boy today is Phil Everly (1938). He was the other half of the Everly Brothers with his elder brother Don and I’m delighted to learn that the duo are still going strong at the unlikely combined age of 140 years! They have no problems getting up in the mornings when they “Wake up Little Susie”!


The multi talented Michael Crawford (1942) may startle a few of his guests today especially if he turns up in his “Phantom of the Opera” costume! He is a great comedian and even better singer!




Dolly Parton (1946) would love to go to Michael’s bash as long as it’s not between “9 – 5”, otherwise she’ll be working!



The keyboardist of the group UB40, Michael Virtue (1957), will be enjoying his favourite “Red Red Wine” at his birthday bash!




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!!

10 October - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Calendula

Gemstone of the Month: Opal

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!



When you receive an invitation to a social event and the dress code is “Black Tie” you know that you are going to be in for a fairly formal occasion. Funnily enough, that’s not how it all started, it started as informal attire! The Dinner Jacket with black tie was first worn by James Potter, a rich New Yorker, when he was invited to join the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, to a dinner at his Norfolk hunting house, Sandringham House in the spring of 1886. Not being sure what to wear he asked the King what dress code would be appropriate and the King directed him to Saville Row’s Henry Poole and Co. to get kitted out. The result was the “informal” dinner jacket we know today! When he returned to America Henry wore his new dinner suit to the autumn ball at Tuxedo Park on this day in 1886 and the “Tuxedo” was born!


One of the great musicals of the 1970’s, “Jesus Christ Superstar” premiered in New York on this day in 1971. The title song is great!



The evergreen Bruce Springsteen released his 9th album “Tunnel of Love” on this day in 1987 and here is one of Nomanda’s favourites from that album.



And bringing things right up to date Google bought YouTube for a trifling $1.6 billion on this day in 2006. Nomanda would be lost without them!


Our first birthday celebrity is the evergreen presenter of the TV series “Wish You Were Here” Judith Chalmers (1936). She will no doubt be celebrating her birthday on some sun drenched Exotic Island. After all, she has been to most of them! On the other hand she may go back to Euro Disney; she liked it the first time around!



“Manchild” Neneh Cherry may have her hands full of babies and washing at her birthday bash today!




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!!

23 September - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Gemstone of the Month

Sapphire

Flower of the Month: Aster

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!



Now Nomanda is interested in history and the events of the past that have influenced and shaped our lives. So not unnaturally I was interested in The Time Capsule that was buried at the World Trade Fair in New York on this day in 1938. When I discovered what the capsule contained I became less than impressed! For starters there are instructions on the capsule that it shouldn’t be opened before the year 6939! OK I can see that 5000 years is a nice round number to keep things under one’s hat, so to speak, but there are even instructions to anyone who finds it earlier to resist the temptation of opening it and to leave it be until the appointed time. Included in the contents are a woman’s hat, and a man’s pipe. Well just over 1% of the time before opening has elapsed and women no longer wear hats very much, and smoking had been banned almost everywhere! There are also 1,100 feet of microfilm, together with a reader, that contain most of everything we knew at the time! So there’s no rock and roll, TV’s computers, men on the moon, big bombs, sat nav, mobile ‘phones or any of the stuff we take for granted today! Nomanda says we should open it and update the stuff every few years or the guys who see it in 6939 are going to think that their ancestors were really stupid! Maybe they will be right!


“That’ll be the Day” by Buddy Holly has missed out of the contents of the capsule because it was on this day in 1957 that his record hit the #1 spot.



The guys who open the capsule will also miss out on the BBC Ceefax service that was introduced on this day in 1974. If you had a TV with Ceefax in those days you had really arrived!


Anyway who’s to know that there will be anyone around to open the dammed capsule in 6939? We may have blown ourselves to smithereens well before then! Let’s dig the confounded thing up and put it a museum where it truly belongs!

The Belgium surrealist painter, Paul Delvaux (1897 – 1997) is our first birthday celebrity today. Nomanda was privileged to visit his museum and home whilst he was still alive and he is one of our favourite painters. Check out some of his work;



The short lived Austrian actress, Romy Schneider (1938 – 1982) appeared in nearly 40 films in her career and will be best remembered by most of her fans for her performance in “What’s New Pussycat?”



Check out the birthmark on our final birthday boy, Bruce Springsteen (1949), and I think you’ll find he was “Born in the USA!”



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!!