24 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!

Today is a very special day for Nomanda as it is the birthday of our best and oldest friend, Peter. We have known each other since the early ‘70’s when we worked together in Wembley. Sadly it was not in the Stadium, but in an office near by. You could however just about see the famous towers from the office window! Those were the days of large Italian lunches and visits to the “Greene Man” after work, having a couple of pints to avoid the traffic jams on the way home! Peter, our very best wishes to you on this special day and your card is in the post complete with fire extinguisher!



It’s difficult to keep Henry VIII out of the limelight for long, after all he did so much, and it was on this day in 1509 that he was crowned King of England having married his brother’s widow, Catherine, just a couple of weeks earlier. The marriage like many others would not last, and on the same day a few years later in 1540 Henry divorced his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. More to follow!


The young painter, Pablo Picasso, was to show the first exhibition of his work on this day in 1901 at a prestigious gallery in Paris. He never looked back and despite his socialist and political persuasions lived a very long, indulgent and comfortable life.



This day seems to have been a good day for the English Cricket Team at Lord’s as in 1968 they managed to get the Australians all out for just 78 runs, and in 1974 did the same thing with the Indian team for just 42 runs. Those were the days!




My friend Peter will be pleased to know that sharing his birthday with him is one of the heavyweight boxing champions of all time, Jack Dempsey (1895 – 1983). He held the World Heavyweight Title from 1919 – 1926 and I’m sure this clip will bring a smile to Peter’s face!



Another boxer, this time at performing at light middle heavyweight, Boris Lagutin, one of the USSR’s most celebrated boxers was born on this day in 1938. His record is 241 wins and just 11 losses throughout his career. He also has a couple of Olympic Gold medals to his name and fame!


Rocking on the stage as opposed to his heels born on this day in 1947 was the inspirational leader of the group that carries part of his name, Mick Fleetwood. The group have been around for ever and are still performing. Let’s have one of their best!



Our final birthday tribute goes to Terrance Wilson (1957), the vocalist of UB40. I’m sure they will join Peter in a glass of “Red Red Wine” to celebrate their special day!




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!!

30 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!

Our friend Henry VIII gets a mention today as it was on this day in 1536 that he married his third wife, Jane Seymour. Not one to let the grass grow, he married Jane just 11 days after the execution of his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Jane was to eventually provide Henry with the son he desired, Edward, born in October 1538. Sadly Jane died just one month after his birth. On his deathbed, Henry requested that he should be buried next to Jane.

Although people have been enjoying ice cream since God was a boy it wasn’t until this day in 1848 that William G Young patented the ice cream freezer. It was a hand cranked machine and the basic method used in still the same today. Well done, William, we love ice cream!

Someone else we love, The Beatles, were happy today in 1964 with two of their records going into the #1 spot. Their 1961 song “Cry for a Shadow” went to the top in Australia (don’t know why it took so long!), and “Love Me Do” went to the top of the charts in the UK.

Flying high after the launch on this day in 1971 was the US Mariner 9, the first satellite to orbit Mars. Now there’s another of those jobs just landed on Mars and we’re still waiting to see the little red men waving at the cameras. Keep watching I’m sure they will soon!

Ted Coombs, best known for his series of computer books “…… for Dummies” decided on this day in 1979 that he’d had enough of writing boring books and set off on his roller skate record breaking trip across the USA. He skated himself into the record books by skating from Los Angeles to New York and then back to Kansas, a distance of 5,193 miles. Brilliant!

Skating on very thin ice today in 1983 were the Surrey cricket team who were all out for only 14 runs against Essex. I’m sure their wives appreciated their early return from the office!

Birthday honours today start with the famous goldsmith and jeweller, Peter Carl Faberge (1846 – 1920), the guy who made those lovely Easter Eggs! He only made 69 eggs and if you’ve got one Nomanda would love to hear from you.

Next up is Clint Walker (1927), the actor who played Cheyenne Bodie in the TV Western series “Cheyenne”. He also starred in “The Dirty Dozen”. I wonder if he ever got lonely.

“Glad All Over” that it’s his birthday today is Lenny Davidson (1942), the lead guitar for the Dave Clark Five. And they don’t get much better that!



Bowling many overs for his country the next birthday tribute goes to Bob Willis (1949) the wickedly quick English fast bowler during the 70’s and early 80’s. He’s now settled down to a commentary job with Sky and often partners his old mate and opening bowler, Sir Ian!




Final birthday wishes go to the actress and model, Jennifer Ellison (1983). She was a wag, but I don’t think she is any more!




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!!

6 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!



In a modest attempt to show that he wasn’t all bad it was in this day in 1536 that our old friend King Henry VIII ordered that a bible should be placed in every church. Where were they before?






No doubt singing “We plough the fields and scatter” it was on this day in 1833 that John Deere made his first steel plough. Motorists have been giving them wide berths intimidated by slow moving meandering tractors ever since. I suppose it depends where you live but have you ever noticed that whenever you’re in a hurry you always get stuck behind a tractor with a plough on the back.



Two patents that were to change the world were both registered on this day in 1851. The first was the “security lock” patented by none other that Linus Yale, whose name has become a generic for all similar locking devices. It was good for Linus that the “passe par tout”, the credit card wasn’t yet on the scene otherwise it would never have taken off. The other great invention of the day was Dr John Gorrie’s “refrigeration machine”. Cold beers for evermore!




In a prosecution that was to prove over zealous, the Dutch writer Maurits Dekker was sentenced to 50 days in prison on this day in 1938. The offence “offending a friendly head of state”, the head of state, Adolf Hitler! Ouch!




Breaking the first four minute mile on this day in 1954 was Roger Bannister who ran the distance in 3:59:4. Although it was dedicated to earlier runners I am reminded of the great film and music of “Chariots of Fire” which is well worth a view. Nomanda loves it!



In another, but maybe more bizarre, athletic achievement it was on this day in 1970 that one Yuichiro Miura of Japan skied down Mount Everest! Unbelievable but true. The only question I have is how much was the ski lifts pass? No,no,no, don’t tell me he carried his skis to the top, that would be really silly!



In what has been called the “Doughnutgate incident” it was on this day in 1988 that New Jersey Devils coach told the referee to “Eat another doughnut, you fat pig.” Sadly Jim was suspended; Nomanda thinks he should have been applauded!




No fat pigs on show at the next event which was on this day in 1994 that HRH Queen Elizabeth II and the French President, Francois Mitterrand, jointly opened the Channel Tunnel connecting England and France. It is a great engineering and money spending achievement that enables the Brits to get their cheaper booze and cigarettes quicker and the French to escape the hands of the French tax man. So, as Del Boy would say, “Everybody’s Happy!”




Birthday celebrities today are Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939) the guy who has been called the “father of psychology” and who though that everything we do is down to sex.




Of course the natural result of sex is babies, and beloved by babies and their mums everywhere, born on this day in 1839 was the inventor of strained baby food, Daniel Gerber. The story goes that his wife gave him the idea when she asked him to prepare their own baby’s food one mealtime. Fortunately he already had a food processing factory down the road so just a few more strainers and mashers and as Del Boy would also say, “Luvvly, Jubbly, job done!”



However our final birthday wishes and homage go to one of the greatest Englishmen of all times, the one and only Tony Blair (1953). At least that’s what Tony thinks! If there ever was an example of what happens to a guy when given a bit of power then have a look at our Tony. I’m sure he and Cherie will celebrate the occasion in style and luxury and if Nomanda knows anything about it, at someone else’s expense!


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!!

2 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!



It seems as though most of the world has been recovering from their day off on 1st May over the years. Have you ever noticed how many people have a “sickie” the day after a public holiday? Very strange!

However, undaunted, King Henry VIII chose this day in 1536 to get his second wife, Anne Boleyn arrested and accused of adultery, incest and treason. Just covering the bases I suppose as being guilty of any one offence would be enough for the death penalty. Henry and Anne had only been married for three years and it obviously wasn’t working out so Henry did what came naturally to him and got rid of her. Anne’s legacy is her daughter, Elizabeth I.




The new bible, the Authorised King James version was published on this day in 1611 and has been going strong ever since;






Also still going strong is the “Loch Ness Monster” who made its grand appearance on the scene on this day in 1933 when it was sighted by Alex Campbell, the Loch Ness water bailiff. Well if anyone knew what it was he saw you would think he would be fairly well qualified. Despite this sighting and numerous photos and investigations, “Nessie”, as the monster is affectionately known by the local tourist trade, has suitably kept a low profile and there is no proof to this day that it exists at all!



Sailing away with another bunch of tourists on this day in 1969 was the new luxury British Liner, Queen Elizabeth II, on her maiden voyage to New York.





In an amazing back to the future exercise of what questions not to ask a search engine I am reliably informed that on this day in 1988 the painting “Search” by Jackson Pollock ( 1912 – 1956) was sold on this day for $4.8. Try it out for yourself and see what happens when you type in the word “search”! If you manage to find any information about this painting, please let me know.



Birthday wishes today are dominated by fashion designers and sportsmen.


First up today is Donatella Versace (1955) the sister of Gianni. Between them and other members of the family they have amassed a small fortune decking out the rich and famous.





Not perhaps so rich, but certainly renowned is his own circle of admirers, born on this day in 1969 was Brian Lara. His cricketing record reads like an abstract from the Guinness Book of Records. Amongst his many achievements are his 400 not out against England at Antigua in 2004 and his amazing first class innings of 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham. OK, I know it was Durham, but nevertheless if you have ever visited the enormous Edgbaston ground you will realise just what a feat of batting this was.



Our final birthday wishes go to none other than the famous English actor, David Beckham. That’s what I thought when I first read it! Apparently the acting aspirations of the footballer are attributed to Giorgio Armani who reckons that when “Becks” signed up to play for the “Los Angeles Galaxy” football team for the modest five year fee of $250 million it was so he could be close to Hollywood and get his foot in the stage door. Now we have all seen some pretty convincing acting on the football field, but seriously I just think he did it for the money!



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!!

21 April - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Gemstone of the Month

Diamond

Flower of the Month: Sweet Pea

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 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!!