Happy Special Day!: Elvis

Showing posts with label Elvis. Show all posts

Wednesday, 1 July 2009

2 July - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Larkspur

Gemstone of the Month: Ruby

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!

Some strange things have happened over the years and this day in 1850 was no exception because it was on this day that Benjamin Lane patented the gas mask with breathing apparatus. Now Nomanda hasn’t had much experience of gas masks but I fail to see the point of a gas mask without “breathing apparatus”! I can just see the red faces of the guys who were testing out the early models! These poor breathless individuals are the ones who really ought to take the honours when they came up with the idea of being able to breath through the masks!

Thumping away on his bible William Booth founded the Salvation Army on this day in 1865. The “General” as he self styled himself was succeeded by lots of other Booth’s and it all has ended up in being a nice little family business!

It was on this day in 1916 that Vladimir Lenin made the statement that “Imperialism is caused by capitalism”. The Tsar Nicholas II obviously didn’t share Lenin’s sentiments as on the same day he began the Russian offensive in Armenia! Amazing!

Something else amazing happened on this day in 1937 when Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan disappeared in their plane over the Pacific Ocean and have never since been found. That is to the world outside of followers of Star Trek who all know that they were discovered by Captain Janeway a few hundred years later on an alien planet. They had been perfectly preserved by their alien captors and went on to stay on the planet and live out the rest of their lives with an American farmer and a WWII Japanese officer!

No such nonsense for the next event which was the recording of “Hound Dog” on this day in 1956 by the King!

More hung dog than hound dog was the look on the faces of the West Indian Cricket team who on this day in 1969 were bowled out by Ireland for just 25 runs. Nomanda always thought that the West Indies could play cricket and that Ireland couldn’t. Just goes to show!

Known to his friends as “Lawn Chair Larry” it was on this day in 1982 that Larry Walters attached 42 helium weather balloons to his lawn chair and flew to a height of 16,000 feet! He was asked to come down when he drifted into commercial air space. I bet he was! Well, Larry, I’ll never sit down on my garden chair again without a thought of you! And when I’m coming in to land I’ll keep a careful lookout for any floating garden furniture because I don’t think the captain will be!

First up for birthday honours today is the French tennis player of the 1920’s Jean Rene Lacoste (1905 – 1996). He was known by his fans as the “Alligator” on court because of his tenacious fighting for every point. The winner of 7 Grand Slam singles titles he made a lot more money from the tennis shirt he introduced with the famous crocodile logo. Now we all know that it’s really an alligator! Worn by sporting posers everywhere!

The next birthday celebrity known more for her shoe collection and disgraceful ostentatious lifestyle, Imelda Marcos was born on this day in 1931. Ejected from her country which she had mercilessly plundered with her husband the former First Lady of the Philippines has recently been acquitted in a 17 year long case involving “dollar salting” to the tune of £430 million. Nomanda just hopes that she will not be so fortunate in the other 869 charges that are still outstanding!

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, 11 May 2009

11 may - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Gemstone of the Month

Emerald

Flower of the Month: Lily of the Valley

If you had a family get together on Mother’s Day yesterday and a bit of a party then when you had a little waltz with your Mum you will be pleased to know that it was on this day in 1812 that the waltz was first introduced into English ballrooms. And they’ve been dancing it ever since! Nomanda isn’t much of a dancer but if I remember the waltz steps correctly it goes one, two, three, one, two, three, forward side together.

If you’re taking photos of your party and have still got an old Polaroid around then celebrate the introduction of this camera that was launched on this day in 1949 in New York City.

I’m sure the smile on Jay Forrester’s face would be worth a picture on this day in 1951 when he returned from the bank having just filed his patent for the computer core memory. Where would the world be without him?

Also smiling on this day in 1956 was Elvis Presley who made his first entry on the UK charts with his single “Heartbreak Hotel”.

The liner “France” was launched on this day in 1960. I am sure the launch was celebrated in traditional French style. The liner has been immortalised in song by the classic ballad singer Michel Sardou. Well worth a listen!

Puffing its way in a different manner were Peter, Paul and Mary who on this day in 1963 launched their hit record “Puff the Magic Dragon”. It was a lovely ballad and Nomanda’s still not sure whether “Puff” was the name of the dragon of whether it was what they were puffing!

One of our all time favourites, “Monty Python” formed on this day in 1969 and their sketches still make me laugh!

In an attempt to keep their elephant herds from decline it was on this day in 1989 that Kenya announced a worldwide ban on ivory. Quite right, too!

Birthday celebrities today start with Salvador Dali (1904 – 1989), the renowned Spanish impressionist painter. Nomanda’s favourite is “Persistence of Memory”, the one with the melting watches.

The hero of the TV series, “Sergeant Bilko” (1912 – 1985) was born on this day. His unscrupulous antics to make a buck kept audiences laughing for many years. He also reminds me of the CEO Nomanda used to work for once upon a time, but I never had the guts to tell Sir Trevor!

Jackie Milburn (1924 – 1988), the hero (“Wor Jackie”) of Newcastle United fans during the 50’s was born on this day. The only person to beat his record of goals scored for the club is another of the “Geordies” favourites, Alan Shearer.

Another sporting hero, John Parrot (1964) was born on this day and his achievements on the green baize have been followed up by doing a very good commentator’s job, along with his old rival, Steve Davis.

Final birthday greetings today go to the French model, Leatitia Casta, who apart from appearing as the face for L'Oreal, Dior and Channel, being on the front page of all the best fashion magazines, was elected by the Mayors of France to be the new model for the bust of “Marianne” the French allegorical symbol of the French Revolution.

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!!

Friday, 1 May 2009

1 May - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Gemstone of the Month

Emerald

Flower of the Month: Lily of the Valley

The first day of May, A happy day throughout most of the world for workers as they get the day off! Frankly I think it’s a total misnomer calling the day Labour Day as of all the days the work forces skive instead of working they definitely don’t work on this one! The origins of the day come from our old colonial friends in Melbourne, Australia. As part of the “8 hour movement” they downed tools and marched to Parliament House on 21st April 1856 and demanded their 8 hour day (lazy sods!). Suffice it to say their protest was successful and inspired the celebration of Labour Day on the 1st May. Good on ‘y lads! Shovel leaners and work place chatterers have been celebrating it ever since.

There’s lots to celebrate today (I guess that since 1856 there’s been lots of time to do things on this day) but the first event pre-dates that. It was on this day in 1707 that England, Scotland and Wales decided to unite and form Great Britain and have all been trying to reverse the process ever since!

Queen Victoria was pretty chuffed on this day in 1840 as it was on this day that the 1st adhesive postage stamp was issued showing the Queen’s head. It was called the “penny black” and if you’ve got any in your stamp collection Nomanda will be happy to pay face value for them.

A couple of years later in 1844 on this day Samuel Morse sent out his first telegraphic message. We are not too sure of the contents but believe it went something like this
… --- . - .-- -.. .-.-.

We do however have a transcript of the conversation conducted between Samuel and the receiver through two old baked bean cans stretched on a bit of string in Samuel’s back garden.

“Did you get that?” “What?”
“The message I just sent you.”
“What message?”
“It went … --- . - .-- -.. .-.-.”
“Oh, that! I thought it was a bird jumping up and down on the string. Do you think this will really work?”

Queen Victoria was having a grand old time as it was on this day in 1851 that the Great Exhibition opened at Hyde Park, London. The 10,000 exhibitors were seen by 6 million visitors and the whole grand thing ended on 15th October. All the proceeds went to Prince Albert whose idea it was in the first place. Don’t you just love royal snouts in the trough! Karl Marx, who was around at the time, thought the whole thing demonstrated the Victorian obsession with “consumerism”. I bet he’s tuning over in his grave today!

On this day in 1912 a statue of Peter Pan was erected in Kensington Gardens. The whole job was commissioned and paid for by J M Barrie, the creator of the famous little boy who never grew up. The children were told that the statue had been put up by the fairies. And in those days a fairy was a fairy, if you know what I mean!

On this day apart from the “Follies Bergere” opening in Paris (1869), the Beverly Hills Hotel opening in Beverly Hills of course (1912), the Empire State Building opening in New York (1931) and Elvis marrying Priscilla (1967) nothing much else happened until ………..

1997 when on this day the crusading Tony Blair led the Labour Party to a landslide victory after 18 tears of Conservative government. Unfortunately the British electorate had been hoodwinked into thinking that Tony’s “New Labour” was something different to old Conservative. Well they were and it wasn’t. Even though Tony’s now gone off to pastures new and even more lucrative, the British population are left with his legacy, and even worse bottom lip sucker, Gordon! Thank goodness it looks as though he won’t make it to No.10 again, but then we’ll have Cameron. What a choice!

Birthday celebrities today start with Ethel Jane Cain (1909 – 1996), the girl with the golden voice who was the first UK speaking clock. It was a 24/24 and 7/7 job and very boring!

Also born on this day (1923 – 1999) was Joseph Heller the novelist of “Catch 22”. Read it, it’s very good.

The King of Calypso, Harry Belafonte was born on this day in 1927 and is still counting his bananas! Good on you, Harry!

Our final birthday wishes go to Julie Benz (1972) the vampire “Darla” from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel”. Well loved by one of our Ozzie readers!

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!!

Tuesday, 21 April 2009

21 April - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Gemstone of the Month

Diamond

Flower of the Month: Sweet Pea

Today has been a happy day in history for pop stars and royalty.

First up today celebrating his regal seat on the throne of England on this day in 1509 was our old friend Henry VIII. Darker days were to come but on this day at least I’m sure he had a good time and celebrated in style!

Another “King”, Elvis Presley, had a happy day today in 1956 as it was on this day that he had had his first number 1 hit record with “Heartbreak Hotel”. If you want to look it up the address is Lonely Street, Anytown. Great hit, but not one of the “King’s” happiest songs.

The “Rolling Stones” and the “Beatles” were on a happier note when on this day in 1967 they met up for the first time. They hadn’t been giving each other the best of press comments up to this point in time but I’d like to think that they kissed and made up on their first meeting. Bill Wyman of the “Rolling Stones” was kissing on this day in 1993 when he married Suzanne Accosta. A great bash on the French Riviera.

Not quite royalty, but as close as you could get to it in the USSR at this time, it was on this day in 1967 that Joseph Stalin’s daughter decided she’d had enough of life in Russia and defected to the USA. No more queuing for bread and welcomed with open arms! “Sorry Dad!”

When it comes to live TV it’s best to be prepared for anything and one person who wasn’t on this day in 1986 was presenter Geraldo Rivera. It was on this day in 1986 that he opened Al Capone’s vault and revealed to the expectant public ………. Absolutely nothing!

Being “beamed up” for the last time on this day in 1997 were the ashes of Gene Roddenberry the creator of the “Star Trek” series. Sad to report that he had to travel coach class on his final mission as apparently there were the ashes of another 24 on the same trip!

Royal birthday greeting today go to Catherine the Great of Russia (1729 – 1796) and a couple of hundred years later our very own Queen Elizabeth II (1926) and still going strong. Happy Birthday, Ma’am!

Sharing this day as their birthdays are Anthony Quinn (1915- 2001) best known for his performance in “Zorba the Greek”, and Charlotte Bronte (1816 – 1855), the eldest of the three Bronte sisters and best known for her classic English novel, “Jane Eyre”.

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!!