26 August - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Gladiolus

Gemstone of the Month: Agate

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 favourite escape artist, Harry Houdini, was doing what he did best on this day in 1907 at San Francisco’s Aquatic Park. He was tied in chains, submerged in a tank of water and 57 seconds later surfaced unharmed. It’s all a matter of how long you can hold your breath and of course the ability to get out of a bundle of chains!



George Orwell’s anti Stalinist “Animal Farm” was published on this day in 1946. The farm animals get rid of the human owners and draw up their own set of rules / commandments of social behaviour. It all starts off very nicely until inevitably some of the animals start to take over the running of the place. In the end the original 7 Commandments are abridged for the last time, simply reading, "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others." It’s a classic and if you haven’t read it you should. It’s quite revealing and entertaining!


The pop culture of the ‘60’s underwent an interesting turn of events on this day in 1967 when the Beatles, Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithful met the transcendental meditation guru of the time, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The fact that they met him at Bangor, Wales just takes the edge off it for me! Many other celebrities including the Beatles went on to further study in India but that fell apart allegedly due to inappropriate sexual advances by the “guru”! Whatever next!


Making inappropriate sexual advances to your students has always been considered taboo in most centres of learning, although our good friend “Ross” seems to have got away with it on occasions! The academics of the University of Texas were placing themselves in a difficult position on this day in 1973 when they started their first degree courses in “Belly Dancing”! I know that over time the world has got more complicated. When Nomanda went to University there was only a choice of about a dozen subjects to study! Crack that lot and you know everything! But “Belly Dancing” I ask you! I guess it’s a more practical than academic type of course.


Andrew Symonds will be celebrating this day as it is the anniversary of his record 20 sixes in a match when playing for Gloucestershire against Glamorgan on this day in 1995. He got 16 in the first innings and topped it up with another 4 in the second innings. He’s doing quite nicely for himself having just signed up in February 2008 for the Deccan Chargers for $1.35 million!



Nancy Martinez (1960) will be putting on one of her pretty frocks for her birthday party today.



Another musician, Shirley Manson (1966) will be celebrating her birthday in style today. Don’t “Call Me”, Shirley, I’ll call you!




The child actor, Macaulay Culkin (1980) has become of age to enjoy a couple of beers at his birthday bash today. “Home Alone” and “Richie Rich” are probably his best known films.





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 August - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Gladiolus

Gemstone of the Month: Agate

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 difficult to believe that in a world where virtually everything you could possibly want is available on-line that it was just over 100 years ago that the first mail order catalogue was issued on this day in 1872. There are still hundreds of catalogues out there and there’s still a market for them, but I wonder for how much longer.

This day over the years seems to have been a good day for the music and record business with Elvis’ “Hound Dog” reaching #1 on this day in 1956. Peter Paul and Mary released their record “If I Had a Hammer” on this day in 1962, and the Rolling Stones released “We Love You” on this day in 1967. Altogether not bad!

It was not to prove to be Mick Jagger’s best day as a couple of years later on this day in 1969 he was accidentally shot whilst filming “Ned Kelly”. That’s what happens when you mix with the wrong company, I guess! Altogether not good!


And on the day after his birthday anniversary “Crockett’s Tavern” opened in Fort Wilderness on this day in 1986. Cheers, Davy!


Perfumes and make up account for our two first birthday celebrities today as the designer and perfume manufacturer Coco Channel (1883 - 1971) was born on this day as was the make up manufacturer Max Factor (1877 - 1938). They both founded companies that are known all over the world and both companies are still going strong!


The academy award winning Robert Redford (1937) is our next birthday boy. In a career spanning over 40 years it’s difficult to pick out a favourite film, but if I’m pressed, I’ll go for “ the Sting”!


The idol of teenagers in his time, Frankie Avalon (1940) may be a bit past it now but if you want to see what turned those teenies on decades ago have a listen to “Venus” complete with the screaming!



Our final birthday wishes go to the lovely French actress Carole Bouquet (1957) who helped our hero James out in “For Your Eyes Only”!



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!!

Happy Special 26th July Day!

Gemstone of the Month

Ruby

Flower of the Month: Larkspur

Apparently no matter how much cash you have it seems to be easier to spend more than you’ve got than to save a bit for a rainy day. If you happen to live in a country where it rains nearly every day then the chances of keeping your head above water are even more remote. So it was on this day in 1656 (it seems that time is no respecter of financial problems) that the famous painter Rembrandt just managed to avoid bankruptcy by selling off his art collection, his antiques collection and his house!

In an exercise of complete and utter futility and stupidity L L Zamenhof chose this day in 1887 to publish his first book on Esperanto. It is such a noble idea that a new language can be “designed” that everyone can speak it and therefore communicates better! Complete crap! Nomanda agrees that good communications are essential and believes that solutions will always be found to achieve necessary ends. It has been and the current solution is that the English language has become the international language of use between foreigners. That may change to Mandarin in a few years time but for the moment it’s English so let’s stick with it! Nomanda’s cat will be pleased to provide any sand needed for supporters of Esperanto to stick their heads in!

Life can be frustrating and unfair as the great man Winston Churchill was to discover on this day in 1945 when the grateful British electorate, having just had their bottoms saved from the prospect of a life under Hitler, decided to boot the old boy out of office and voted in Clement Atlee. Well the record shows that Atlee was a good Prime Minister nationalising most of Britain’s heavy industry, introducing the National Health Service and Old Age Pensions, and giving away most of the British colonies. Things would stay very much the same until good old Maggie came onto the scene!

One of the 20th century’s most celebrated novelists and playwrights George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950) enjoys our first birthday spot today. A few words would not do justice to GBS’s importance in literature so I will let the great man do the talking himself with a selection of his quotations.

“Democracy is a device that ensures we will be governed by no better than we deserve.”

“England and America are two countries separated by a common language.”

“If all economists were laid end to end they would not reach a conclusion.”


Mick Jagger (1943) despite his protests will be getting plenty of satisfaction at his birthday bash today!




Appealing for something to treat her halitosis Terri Nunn (1961) will be “Taking her breath away” today!



Finally two lovely ladies, Sandra Bullock (1964) and Kate Beckinsale (1972) will be sharing a glass of the good stuff with their friends today. Cheers!




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!!

Happy Special 24th July Day!

Gemstone of the Month

Ruby

Flower of the Month: Larkspur

As all taxpayers know governments can be imaginative when conjuring up new ways to raise taxes. However in 1696 William III and his tax advisors take first prize for imagination when they introduced the “window tax”. I guess it was designed to fall on the better off tax paying members of the population as it only came in on houses with more than 6 windows. The tax was 2 shillings for houses with 7 – 9 windows and a massive 4 shillings for houses with 10 – 19 windows. Of course as soon as a tax is introduced there are a bunch of accountants and lawyers trying to find a way to avoid paying it! They had the great idea of “blocking in” the excess windows to fall below the levy minimum! There are still houses to be seen today in the UK where these blocked up windows have not been re-opened! However panic not and put your bricks and mortar away as the tax was abolished on this day in 1851 ……… to be replaced by the “House Duty” tax. There’s no escape! Daylight robbery if you ask me!

Nomanda’s blog is a celebration of Happy Special Days and it is with great joy that we announce the anniversary of the first greetings telegram sent on this day in 1935. Of course things have moved on a bit since then and if you want to send your special someone a greetings message what better way than sending them a copy of this blog!

Bob Dylan, one of the leading lights of the ‘60’s released his song “Like a Rolling Stone” on this day in 1965 and it still sounds just as good today! I wonder if it was this song that influenced Mick Jagger and his mates in the choice of their group’s name.



Rolling along on his way to his record breaking 7th consecutive win of the Tour de France on this day in 2005 was the incredible Lance Armstrong. It was to be his last race and he ended his career on top! Well done, Lance!


First up for birthday honours is the celebrated French author Alexandre Dumas (1802 – 1870). The popularity of his historical novels such as “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo” have made him one of the most widely read French authors outside of France. Great books for boys of all ages!


Living a life of ripping yarns the aviator Amelia Earhart (1898 – 1937) was born on this day. She was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and her plane went missing over the Pacific on 2nd July 1937 during her attempt to fly around the world. The mystery surrounding her disappearance is still unsolved.


Sir Trevor Chinn (1935) will be celebrating his birthday today. He was appointed MD of Lex Plc at the tender age of just 33 having worked his way through all the departments and positions of his father’s business. That relationship may have helped his rapid rise through the ranks! A remarkable motivator of his troops, Nomanda who once worked for this great man, wishes him the greatest of choices for his birthday bash so he can make the best decision on how he wants to spend it!

I wonder if Jim McCarty (1943) will be asked to play at Sir Trevor’s bash. If so, he may give a rendition of “Hoochie Coochie Man”!



Two fine looking women share their birthday today. Lynda Carter (1951) the indomitable “Wonder Woman” and Jennifer Lopez (1970) the current version! Let’s have a song from Jennifer!



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!!

Happy Special 10th July Day!

Gemstone of the Month

Ruby

Flower of the Month: Larkspur

Upcoming Special Days


14 July - Emmeline Pankhurst Day

15 July - St. Swithin’s Day


I am sorry to have to tell our readers that Nomanda has had a cold over the last few days and despite all treatment and medication it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I manfully tried to fight it the first couple of days by closeting myself up in a darkened room and staying in bed for 48 hours. I only got up to eat tiny amounts of food and drink and to watch a bit of TV in the evenings. Nothing happened! I then went to the doctor who prescribed a whole range of medication for virtually every orifice in my body. Still no improvement! I’m beginning to worry that I may never shake it off! For those of you who have never experienced a “man cold” and are not feeling the slightest sympathy go and have a look at this and see just how serious they are. You can send me your best wishes for a speedy recovery via the comments link at the end of the blog! They will help a lot!

If you’d like to send Nomanda a bunch of flowers to cheer him up how about a nice bunch of white and red roses! It was on this day in 1460 that the white rose of York defeated the red rose of Lancaster at the battle of Northampton. There were a lot more battles to be fought before it would all be over. The “score” after this battle was 3 – 1 to the House of York but there were another 13 battles to follow. No doubt some scribe was marking the card.

Of course if you make a mistake with a pencil you can always rub it out and correct it. That is unless you are using an indelible pencil in which case you’re stuck with your mistake! It was on this day in 1866 that Edson P Clark from Northampton, Massachusetts patented his indelible pencil for use in marking laundry etc. Full marks for Northampton then!

You know the country is going to the dogs when the government starts reducing the precious metal content in coins so they are worth that much less. When they start reducing the size of paper money you can bet that you’re heading for deep doggie poo! Seeing the indelible writing on the wall it was on this day in 1929 that the US started issuing smaller sized paper currency. Well they weren’t far wrong as a couple of years later the worst depression to hit the US occurred! You have been warned!

Rubber lips Mick Jagger wasn’t having things all his own way on this day in 1965 when their first #1 “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” went to the top.


Bobbie Gentry wasn’t having such a great time as well on this day in 1967 when she recorded her “Ode to Billy Joe”. Thinking about it not such a good day for Billy Joe either, him going and jumping off the Tallahatchie Bridge an’ all!

If he had been around to enjoy it Samuel Morse would have loved this day in 1982 when his painting “Gallery of the Louvre” sold for $3,250,000. And I thought he could only do dot dot dot dash dash dash! A multi talented guy. Nomanda is always impressed with paintings that have other paintings in them but this one takes the biscuit!

The French Impressionist painter, Camille Pissarro (1830 – 1903) would have been quite impressed with Morse’s effort. If you haven’t seen any of Pissarro’s work it is well worth a look!


Two well known top class tennis players share their birthdays today. Arthur Ashe (1943 – 1993) won the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Title in 1975 and Virginia Wade (1945) won the Ladies’ Singles Title in 1977. She is the last Briton to win at Wimbledon and with the exception of the lovely Laura Robson who won the Girl’s Title this year it looks as though we will have to wait some time before we see another British winner. Sorry Andy, but Nomanda doesn’t think you’ve got it yet!

Our final birthday wishes go to Fiona Shaw (1958) who is probably best known for her character of Petunia Dursley in the “Harry Potter” films. She is however regarded as one of the finest classical actresses of her generation and was awarded a CBE in 2001.


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!!