Happy Special Day!: China

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Tuesday, 2 June 2009

2 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!

Celebrating her reign of 55 years today will be HR Queen Elizabeth II who on this day in 1953 was crowned Queen of England at her coronation ceremony held at Westminster Abbey. The TV was a relatively new, small and expensive item in 1953 but that didn’t stop half the population of the UK going out and buying one so they could see the whole “show” on the telly! Street parties and the singing of the National Anthem was everywhere. With lungs bursting with enthusiasm most of the younger children thought they were sending the Queen flowers called “Victorias”, "Happy” and “Glorias”. But who cared, we had a new Queen! God bless her!

Not lucky enough to live in a democracy, Chinese students were protesting for one in Tiananmen Square on this day in 1989. This time the students were protected by 100,000 civilians who stood between the students and the assembled 10,000 soldiers. Sadly they would not be protected for long as we shall see in a couple of day’s time.

Our first birthday celebrity today is Thomas Hardy (1840 – 1928). Although he saw himself as more of a poet than an author, ironically his novels have proved to be the most popular. The fictional county of Wessex brought to life in his book “Far from the Madding Crowd” was sensitively made into a film starring Julie Christie with Terence Stamp and Peter Finch. It is a classic and if you’ve not seen it, you should!

Our next celebrity is Edward Elgar (1857 – 1934) who’s “Pomp and Circumstance” marches have become an integral part of “The Proms”. His “Land of Hope and Glory” must be his best known work.

Drumming to a different beat, the “Wembley Whammer”, Charlie Watts (1941), drummer of “The Rolling Stones” will be having a glass or two today at his birthday celebrations. I bet that will be a great party! I wonder if he will entertain his guests with his drumming impresario of "Monkey Man".

Another musician who knows how to party, Tony Hadley (1960), the vocalist of the “Spandau Ballet” will also be downing a couple today!

Here's one of Nomanda's "Gold" favorites!

A couple of Australian twins, the Waugh brothers (1965), will be having a coolie in some cricketing bar today. They were the scourge of the English cricket team in the early 2,000’s. Thank goodness they now both retired from the international scene to give someone else a chance!

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!!

Thursday, 16 April 2009

16 April - Historical E vents and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Sweet Pea

Gemstone of the Month: Diamond

The 16th April has not been fertile ground for amusing or interesting events over the years as you will agree when you see the offerings that follow. However, be not discouraged because when it comes to celebrity birthdays then there are some interesting pickings!

The US Post Office issued their first book of postage stamps on this day in 1900. Not a great event I agree, except for those people who previously had to queue up and buy them one at a time, I guess!

Lenin chose this day in 1917 to get his passport stamped and returned to Russia and started the Bolshevik Revolution. There were lots of people wished he hadn’t bothered, but he did and the rest’s history as they say!

Honing her shooting skills on this day in 1922 the famous Annie Oakley sets a new record by shooting 100 clay targets in a row. Good shooting, Annie!

And it was on this day in 1956 that the first solar powered radios went on sale. They were not a great success and Nomanda has never even seen one!

The superpower, China, was celebrating its diplomatic skills on this day in 1972 when it sent 2 giant pandas to the US. Giant pandas are soft and cute, but I wouldn’t want to live next door to one!

Our birthday greetings today start with Wilbur Wright (of Wilbur and Orville fame) who was born on this day in 1867.

The 1920’s were to provide some of the 20th century’s notables on this day starting with Spike Milligan (1918 – 2002). A great writer, performer and comedian and loved by many for his contributions to the “Goon Show”. Once referring to himself as Spike Milligna, a typing mistake, he has amused his fans with his numerous witty remarks, one of my favourite being. “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, and the earth brought forth grass and the Rastafarians smoked it.”

Another great of the 1920’s born on this day (1921 – 2004) was Peter Ustinov, best known for his performances in “Quo Vadis”, Spartacus”, Death on the Nile” and “Logan’s Run”.

One of the 1950’s “Angry Young Men”, Kingsley Amis was born on this day 1922 – 1995). His first book “Lucky Jim” was an instant success and his friendship with Philip Larkin and John Osborne got him his pass into the “Angries” club.

More melodious than angry, Henry Mancini (1924 – 1994) was born on this day. Amongst his numerous musical film soundtracks my favourite is “The Pink Panther” theme tune.

Singing in a different key, Bobby Vinton was born on this day in 1935. “Roses are Red” and “Blue on Blue” are 2 of his most memorable songs.

Peroxide blond bee-hived mascara loving Dusty Springfield was born on this day (1939 – 1999). Having declared her sexual proclivities in 1970, to the disappointment of her male fans, a couple of her hits may take on a new meaning, “I just don’t know what to do with myself” and “Son of a Preacher Man”. Nevertheless, great songs, Dusty!

Our final birthday wishes go to “little” Jimmy Osmond born on this day in 1963. He has the reputation of, at the age of just 9 years old, to have been the youngest person to have had a number one hit single in the UK. The song was “Long Haired Lover from Liverpool” and I just wonder if he understood a word of it!

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!!

Monday, 13 April 2009

13 April - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Gemstone of the Month

Diamond

Flower of the Month: Sweet Pea

It’s obviously Masters Season in Augusta so it’s not surprising that some of the world’s top golfers have celebrated this day by donning the green jacket. Trying the jacket out for size today in 1970 was Billy Casper, in 1975 it was Jack Nicklaus’ turn, Seve Ballesteros put it on in 1980, Jack got a new one in 1986 and in 1997 the redoubtable Tiger Woods got his hands on one.

Our sheep shearing shelebrity is New Zealander Colin Bosher, who on this day in 1964 sheared an amazing 565 sheep in a single day. I guess he was a golfing fanatic and wanted to get home early to watch the end of the Masters!

Going back a few years it was on this day in 1912 that the Royal Flying Corps was formed, later renamed the RAF. I still get a thrill watching the Red Arrows going through their paces. Nearly as fast as Colin!

Pan Am was feeling flush on this day in 1966 when they placed an order for 25 Boeing 747’s worth $525 million. I guess the CEO of Boeing was feeling pretty happy today as well.

In a masterly stroke of understatement it was on this day in 1970 that the crew of Apollo 13 announced to Mission Control in Houston, “Houston, we’ve got a problem!” You bet they had. The oxygen tank had exploded and they were forced to transfer to the Lunar Module. Despite the difficulties and hardships endured by the crew they successfully returned to Earth and the mission was described as a “Successful Failure”!

We all know that luck plays a significant part in life and if you were lucky enough to have joined “Grease” playing at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York you would have celebrated this day in 1980 as the last of 3,388 performances. Here’s one of our favourites from the show! On the other hand if you had joined the cast of “Reggae” playing down the road at the Biltmore Theatre, then on the same day you would be closing down after just 21 performances! Life’s a bitch!

It was a special day today for Harold Washington in 1980 who celebrated this day as being the first black man to be elected mayor of Chicago. I wonder if his name helped!

Finally, as if they didn’t have enough land already China celebrated this day in 1987 by receiving an agreement from Portugal that they would return Macau back to them in 1999.

Today’s birthday wishes go to Alfred Mosher Butts (1899 – 1993), the inventor of the game “Scrabble”. He lived to a ripe old age and probably bored the pants off his fellow residents in their retirement home before he went off to play his final game!

Another celebrity good with words, the Irishman Samuel Beckett, was born on this day (1906 – 1989). His play “Waiting for Godot” is one of his best known works and has been described as a masterpiece of nothing that keeps the audience transfixed. Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969 he is less well known for his work with the French Resistance during WWII preferring “France at war to Ireland in peace”.

Renowned for his performances as an upper class Englishman, Edward Fox was born on this day in 1937. He is one of Nomanda’s favourites and his masterly performances in “The Day of the Jackal”, “Force 10 from Navarone” and the TV series “Edward and Mrs Simpson” are simply wonderful.

The celebrated world chess champion Garry Kasparov was born on this day in 1963 and Jet Travolta shares her birthday with him in 1992. Shows it pays to have a high flying Daddie!

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!!

Saturday, 28 March 2009

28 March - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Daffodil

Gemstone of the Month: Bloodstone

The 28th March does not seem to have been a “busy” day throughout much of history, but if it’s your special day …….ENJOY!

A few events worthy of note are that it was n this day in 1794 that the Louvre opened to the Parisian public. In true French tradition this monumental museum was officially opened in August 1793 but apparently they’d managed to keep the public out until today!

In another case of historical “déjà vu” it was on this day in 1959 that the China dissolved the Tibetan government just 11 days after the Tibetan uprising protesting against Chinese rule. So nothing much changed there then.

On a happier note today in 1964 celebrated the first broadcast from the “pirate ship” Radio Caroline.

Continuing the pop theme it was today in 1974 that the rock group “The Raspberries” broke up producing probably the world’s first raspberry smoothie!

Celebrating his birthday today is Welshman Neil Kinnock (1942), leader of the British Labour Party, vice president of the European Commission, and no lover of tall plumbers (see yesterday’s blog!)

Milan Williams (1948 – 2006) the keyboard player for the Commodores is our first birthday celebrity today. One of their best known songs is Lionel Ritchie’s “Three Times a Lady”.

Another rock star born on this day in 1969 was Salt best known for “Salt n Pepa and Shake your Thang”.

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!!

Monday, 27 October 2008

27 October- Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Gemstone of the Month

Opal

Flower of the Month: Calendula

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!

It’s nice to start the week on a light soft musical note so join Nomanda in listening to “Spanish Harlem” recorded on this day in 1960 by Ben E King. He’s now 70 years old and still drifting! Aaaaaaah!

A few years later on this day in 1982 China announced that its population had reached 1 billion give or take a few. One supporter of the Chinese was the Monty Python cast. They liked them so much they even made a special song for them, “I like Chinese”.

Nobody likes villains, except perhaps other villains, but sometimes you have to admire their flair and occasionally taste. It was on this day in 1985 that armed robbers entered the Marmottan Museum, Paris and made off with a total of 9 paintings including 5 Monet’s and 2 Renoir’s. Naughty, but great taste! All the paintings were eventually discovered some from as far away as Japan!

It’s nice when you know you’re on your way to a winner and that’s just what happened on this day in 1988 when the film ET was released for home video. 14 million copies had already been pre-sold. Nice work if you can get it!

Someone having a few technical problems with her home VCR unit admitted on this day in 1992 that she had covered the clock on the unit with black tape to avoid having to watch it blinking. What a great idea, Nomanda wishes he’d thought of that! The woman in question was Tipper Gore, the one and only wife of Al, the future Vice President of the US serving under President Clinton! It’s nice to note that our good friend Georgey Baby doesn’t have it all his own way!

The founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company and the guy who revolutionised the world of the seamstress, Isaac Merrit Singer, (1811 – 1875) is our first birthday celebrity today.

The lady who seemed to know pretty well everything there was to know about behaving properly Emily Post (1872 – 1960) is our next birthday celebrity. Her book somewhat clumsily entitled “Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home” was read by generations of would be perfect people. She married the society banker Edward Main Post when she was just 19 but didn’t know how to keep him as he ran off with a stripper! What it’ll be all Vicars and Tarts, next!

The proud Welshman with the sonorous voice, Dylan Thomas (1914 – 1953) is our next guy for birthday honours. If you haven’ heard “Under Milk Wood” then here’s your chance! “Bible black” just wonderful!

One of the funniest guys of our generation, John Cleese (1939) will have a great birthday bash at his party today. Choose from “Monty Python”, “Fawlty Towers” or the “Life of Brian”, they’re all classics. A great diplomat, see how he deals with his German guests at his world famed hotel!

Our final birthday tribute goes to the singer Simon Le Bon who despite his pretentious sounding name is a quite a nice guy really. There’ll be lots of grub at his birthday bash as he gets “Hungry Like the Wolf”.

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!!