9 - June - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Gemstone of the Month

Pearl

Flower of the Month: Rose

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 is a memorable day in the history of Australian aviation. Two Australian aviators, Charles Kingford-Smith and Charles Ulm, became the first to fly across the Pacific arriving in Brisbane on this day in 1928. They set off from California, stopped at Hawaii and Fiji (and why not!) and finally arrived in Brisbane. I just hope they didn’t have to go through the severe customs inspection Nomanda experienced when he first arrived in Brisbane!


Taking off into stardom on this day in 1934 was none other than the cartoon character “Donald Duck”. “Donald’s” debut was in the film the “Wise Little Hen” and the poor old duck has had his share of bad luck over the years. His voice is lovely and squeaky and apparently he only wears pants when he’s swimming! Funny thing that for a duck! Ok so he takes them off when he’s not in the water and puts them on when he is! Got it!

Michael Cairney’s team from the UK thought they’d made it on this day in 1979 when they entered the record books with a very respectable toppling of 169,713 dominoes! They’d really upped their act from the pp performance in 1977 when all they could manage was a mere 33,266 dominoes. However time was to prove that domino toppling is the speciality subject of the Dutch who have dominated (like it!) the world stage for the last ten years. “Team Weijers Productions” are the current world champions with a whopping 4,078,381 dominoes toppled in 2006. Nomanda knows a little about the Dutch and my only explanation as to why they should have taken this activity so seriously is that they just don’t get out enough!


On her mission to further topple the culture, standards and economy of the UK it was on this day in 1983 that the UK’s first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, was returned for a second term of office. By this time she had raised VAT by 50%, doubled the numbers of unemployed from 1 million to 2 million and the manufacturing output of the UK had dropped by 30% compared with 1978. Well done, Ma’am! Of course we’ve only got ourselves to blame.


Going full steam ahead was our first birthday celebrity, George Stephenson (1781 – 1848). The pioneer of steam driven locomotives his first train ran from Darlington to Stockton-on-Tees. His legacy is that the original gauge chosen by Stephenson of 4’5.5” (1435mm) is still the world standard gauge.



“Maggie” probably sent the next birthday boy cards and presents because born on this day in 1942 was Charles Saatchi, the advertising magnate. He ran the Conservative Party’s election campaigns with the slogan “Labour Isn’t Working”. Apparently he is a notorious recluse so marrying his third wife; Nigella Lawson in 2003 may be his way of saying sorry!



Final birthday wishes go to the actor Michael J Fox (1961) who is best remembered for his performances in the “Back to the Future” trilogy, and “Family Ties”.





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!!

28 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!

Times were hard in London in the 1700’s so the opening today of the first swimming pool at Goodman’s Fields on this day in 1742 must have been a welcome event. Foot baths and showers before entering had not yet been introduced so my guess is that although it would have been fun it should have probably come with a public health warning! I wonder what the changing rooms were like.

Changing things for women in the US on this day in 1923 was the Attorney General who declared that it was legal for women to wear trousers anywhere. The screen stars Marlene Dietrich and Audrey Hepburn were instrumental in trousers becoming fashionable for women as they enjoyed wearing them at the time. I am reminded of a conversation a friend of mine says he had with his new bride shortly after they were married. His story goes that one day he asked his wife to put his trousers on. She replied “Don’t be silly, they’re too big for me.” To which he replied “And don’t you forget that!” Now I know this couple very well and my guess is that she wears an invisible pair!

Wearing a pair of waterproof trousers was the sailor Francis Chichester who on this day in 1967 arrived in Plymouth following his successful solo circumnavigation of the world. He sailed west to east via the Great Capes following the great “Clipper Route”. In his yacht “Gypsy Moth IV” he made one stop at Sydney, Australia and became the fastest sailor to circumnavigate the world completing his voyage in 9 months and 1 day. Nomanda knows someone about to set off on a voyage to circumnavigate the UK later this year. He has allowed himself 3 months to do the job and will have a crew to help. They are sponsoring two charities and we wish them all a very successful trip!



Setting another more modest record than Sir Francis was Joe Darby who on this day in 1980 did a standing long jump of 12 feet 5 inches. Nomanda couldn’t manage that distance with a long run at it so we’re very impressed!



The 28th May seems to have been a popular day for jumping as it was on this day in 1987 that the artist (that’s his daytime job) Paul Pearman jumped over 21 barrels on a skateboard. I just hope his wheels didn’t fall off when he landed!

David Robillard of the Channel Islands only needed one wheel to get his name in the record books as on this day in 1990 he rode the longest wheelie lasting over 5 hours. I’m lost for words!

When people set off on record breaking attempts, most of which are all clean good fun, even if a few of them are bizarre, I don’t know anyone who would want to be the 4th person to do something for the 3rd time. This did not stop our next intrepid hero, Wallace Berg, who at the age of 42 became the 4th American to climb Mount Everest for the 3rd time on this day in 1997. Maybe his nationality gives a clue! Nevertheless, it’s something that Nomanda hasn’t done, so well done, Wallace!

Our first birthday celebrity today is the Frenchman Joseph Ignace Guillotin (1738 – 1814). He was a physician and a Jesuit and although contrary to popular belief he did not invent the guillotine he was the guy who put up his hand and suggested the use of it for executions. Nice man! He lived to a ripe old age for his time and passed away peacefully unlike some of his peers! I am reminded of the joke about the priest, the robber and the engineer who were to be guillotined and if you want to know it then write to Nomanda!

The “inventor” of Income Tax, William Pitt the Younger (1759 - 1806) was also born on this day. If you want to know more about him check out Tuesday’s blog!

Today marks the centenary anniversary of the birthday of the naval commander and author, Ian Fleming (1908 – 1964). Although he only wrote 12 James Bond novels and 9 short stories the films just keep going on. And very good they are too, but the first ones are the best!

Celebrating her birthday today is the actress Sue Holderness (1949) the unfortunate wife of the car dealer “Boycey” in the series “Only Fools and Horses”. It is so funny!

Our final birthday tribute today goes to the lovely actress and singer Kylie Minogue (1968). Having left her neighbours behind she went on to become a super pop idol and we love her! I’m sure we can get a great song here!

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 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!




A strange event took place on this day in 1780 in New England when from around mid-day near total darkness descended on most of the state. Various explanations have been offered including a combination of forest fires, fog and cloud cover but Nomanda thinks the most likely reason is that someone forgot to pay the electricity bill!



Shoes were the passion of Jan Matzeliger and on this day in 1885 he began the first mass production of shoes following his invention of the shoe lasting machine. Up until this invention all shoes were hand made and one person could knock them out at the rate of around 50 per day. Jan’s invention brought this output up to 700 per person per day and resulted in halving the cost of shoes. So, ladies, now you know who to thank, good old Jan!



Not wearing shoes, but jumping for joy nevertheless were the frogs of Angel’s Camp, California, who all got together for the first “Frog Jumping Jubilee” on this day in 1928. Apparently only 51 frogs turned up for this first event but it has since grown in popularity in the froggie world and these days around 2,000 athletic frogs do their stuff each year. The world record is an impressive 21 feet 5.75 inches set by Rosie the Ribeter in 1986. If you’ve got a good jumper at home take it along because there’s a prize of $5,000 for beating the world record!



Rosie’s leap puts the next Herculean task to shame because it was in this day that the Englishman Dave Gauder managed to pull a jumbo jet a mere 3 inches. Maybe he would have been able to pull it further if they’d taken the brakes off!



Birthday celebrities today start with Nancy Astor (18979 – 1964), the American who became the first woman MP. Renowned as much for her disarming manner as for her charm she often had biting exchanges with Winston Churchill. One of the most celebrated is when she said to Churchill,”If you were my husband I would put arsenic in your coffee”. To which Churchill replied, “If I was your husband, I’d drink it!”



Next up is James Fox (1939) the archetypical English actor. In a career of over 40 yeas he has given many memorable performances. His characters in “A Question of Attribution” (TV) and “Colditz” (2005) are among my favourites.




One of the funniest women on television, Victoria Wood (1953) also celebrates her birthday 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!!

18 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!




Throughout history the English and French seem to be always at each other’s throats and things were no different at the end of the 1700’s. It was on this day in 1756 that England once more declared war on France. This time it was related to squabbling over the colonies. And just after they got over that one, it lasted 7 years; Britain had another go at the French on this day in 1803 and declared war again. Of course the proclamation that Napoleon was going to become the Emperor of France on this day the following year, in 1804, didn’t help matters any!



Thank goodness that Edwin Budding had his thoughts firmly directed towards his latest invention, the lawn mower, and signed on this day in 1830 an agreement to manufacture the beastly things! Mr Budding you have a lot to answer for. Nomanda visited a flea market recently and I’m sure that one of Edwin’s originals was on sale!



There may have been a few grass clippings around at the next event on this day in 1897 when the first Irish Music Festival was held in Dublin. The Irish are great people and they certainly know how to party so I’m sure this one was a belter! They still hold music festivals in Ireland but just as popular are their Beer Festivals held throughout the summer when the whole population of Ireland seems to wobble from one to the other every weekend. Go to one if you get the chance!



Another reported event that happened on this day in 1953 was the aviator Jacqueline Cochran breaking the sound barrier. The research shows that in doing so she was the first woman to achieve this. Now Nomanda cannot fly at that speed but I’m pretty sure that there have been millions of women who have broken the sound barrier before 1953. In fact some of them are my best friends!



We all know that names are very important, and particularly so if you’re involved in the TV / film industry where they really matter. So it comes as no surprise that Gene Rodenberry, sadly now beamed up, had to suggest no less than 16 names before the producers of the “Star Trek” series decided on Captain Kirk. Great opportunity for the “Star Trekkin” song, please!



First up for honours for doing silly feats of physical endurance and doing them on the same day to boot on this day in 1986 is David Goch. Apparently on this day in 1986 he completed swimming 55,682 miles in a 25 yard pool. Now normally Nomanda isn’t sceptical about these things, but I have to ask if the decimal point is in the correct place. If it’s correct, all I can say is very well done and who did you have to count the 3,920,012 lengths you did?



Not to be outdone, and maybe in an attempt to steal David’s limelight, on the same day Chung Kwang Ying did 2,750 atomic hand-stand push-ups! Frankly it just doesn’t cut the mustard compared to David’s swim!



Birthday celebrities today start with Perry Como (1912 – 2001). Perry’s career stretched over 50 years and he is loved both for his easy styled singing voice as well as for the TV shows he presented not least “The Perry Como Christmas Show”.





Our next birthday celebrity is Margot Fonteyn (1919 – 1991). Britain’s best ballerina, she enthralled audiences all over the world, particularly when she danced with her long time dance partner, Rudolf Nureyev.




Nimble on his feet too but on a football field as opposed to a theatre, our next birthday greeting go to one of the heroes of the 1966 World Cup winning team, Nobby Stiles (1942). The hard mid-fiend player is as famous for his toothless smile as for his brilliant defensive play! Cheers, Nobby!



Next up for birthday honours is the Chinese actor, Chow Yun-Fat (1955). Nomanda chose him because I liked his name and it just shows that I don’t get out a lot. Lovers of blood thirsty Chinese films will know him well!




Final birthday greetings go to Toyah Wilcox (1958). She’s calmed down a bit now from her pink punk days and is really quite good! Great promo videos!




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!!

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!!