Happy Special Day!: Olympic Games

Showing posts with label Olympic Games. Show all posts

Wednesday, 10 June 2009

10 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!

As you are putting your spoon in the mustard pot and sticking a large dollop of the smooth hot paste on the side of your plate spare a thought for the lady who on this day in 1720 invented the paste that we all take for granted. Her name was Mrs Clements from Durham in England and she discovered that by grinding the seeds down and making a paste, the hot stuff got even hotter! We all relish your discovery, Mrs Clements, and by selling the idea to Coleman’s you have ensured that you will never be forgotten. Nomanda’s father used to say that Coleman’s made their money not from the mustard you ate, but from the amount you left on the plate, and I think he was right!

Things were hotting up a bit in Paris on this day in 1794 when the French Revolutionary Regime began their first trials. It was all pretty straightforward, if you were noble or connected to Royalty in any way your next trip was to Madame Guillotine.

I guess if you have an Empire then it’s not a bad idea to try out new ideas on your colonies before adopting them at home. It was on this day in 1857 that England passed an act putting Canada onto a decimal based currency system. It proved to be successful and just 115 years later it was adopted in the UK! Wouldn't want to rush the job now, would we?

The well meaning Conservative, Harold MacMillan, became Prime Minister on this day in 1957. One of his most remembered quotations is “Most of our people have never had it so good”. In fact if he’d looked a little closer he would have discovered that most of the people had never had it at all! But then that’s politicians for you!

June 10th 1966 was a happy day for the “Mamas and Papas” whose record “Monday, Monday” went gold, and not to be outdone, The “Beatles” released “Paperback Writer” on the same day!

Sprinting his way into the record books on this day in 1981 was the athlete Sebastian Coe when he set the 800 metre record time of 1.41.73 on this day in Florence. After he retired from athletics he went into politics running for the Conservative Party. Changing his stride, having headed up the successful London bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, he then became the Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. He is now well on his way to another record of over spending for the whole affair!

First up today for birthday greetings is Prince Philip (1921) the husband of HRH Elizabeth II. His outspoken comments have earned him many friends! And Nomanda is one his greatest admirers!

Our next celebrity is Judy Garland (1922 – 1969) whose career covered 45 of her short 47 year life. Her performance in the “Wizard of Oz” is one of her best remembered.

Two super models, Elizabeth Hurley and Linda Evangelista, share the same birthday on this day in 1965. Spare a kind birthday thought for these two poor girls who reputedly won’t get out of bed for less than $10,000. Didn’t they do well!

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, 26 May 2009

26 May - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Lily of the Valley

Gemstone of the Month: Emerald

W ill iam Pitt the Younger is generally credited as being the first person to raise revenues through income tax which he introduced to the British public on this day in 1798. It was a graduated tax that went up to a maximum of 10% on all annual incomes over £200. The tax was expected to raise £10 million but in the event just £6 million ended up in the treasury coffers. Could this be the first example of tax evasion, I wonder? I suspect not! Anyway William’s idea was not as revolutionary as he thought as one Chinese Emperor, Wang Mang, had done the job a few years earlier in 10 AD! Strangely enough he fancied the 10% rate as well and levied it on all professional and skilled labour. I guess 10% is a nice round number and makes it easy to calculate for the taxman!

Another person who managed to live off the taxes from his countrymen, Nich olas II of Russia was crowned on this day in 1896. He was to be the last Czar of Russia and despite the fact that he was neither suited nor indeed keen on the job he went about his rule employing total autocracy. He was the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time and would be succeeded by Mr Lenin in 1917.

A motor sporting event that would become a favourite with motor enthusiasts, the Le Mans Grand Prix, was first held on this day in 1923. The 24 hour endurance test would not only be great fun to watch and participate in but would be the catalyst of many car innovations including fuel economy that would filter down into production models in the future.

Bridges seem to have been popular recently and today is no exception as it was on this day in 1937 that San Francisco’s “Golden Gate Bridge” was opened. The huge suspension bridge has become an icon associated with the city and the statistics are: Length 2,727 metres, Width 27 metres and Height 272 metres. All very impressive!

Another record of no great significance was to be made today in 1984. The event was keeping a Frisbee aloft for 16.72 seconds! The record was to be broken to cheers from the control room a few years later when a couple of astronauts with nothing better to do managed to do the same thing in space for 20 seconds. As one wag was to point out later, in an atmosphere with zero gravity they could have done the same thing with a manhole cover. Now that would have been impressive!

Birthday honours today start with “Big John Wayne” (1907 – 1979). The larger than life cowboy legend starred in a few non cowboy action roles, “The Green Berets” being one of the best known.

Another actor renowned for his “dark” roles on screen, Peter Cushing was born on this day (1913- 1994). Although he always denied he was the true “baddie” in the Dracula films his character was usually the guy who turned the beast on! Perhaps he chose to play Dr Who in an attempt to balance things out a bit.

Yet another Oldie but Goldie, Jay Silverheels (1919 – 1980) was born on this day. In case you don’t know who he is he played the character “Tonto” in the “Lone Ranger” series. They don’t come much better than that! High Ho Silver!

The cover face of Max Factor, Revlon, Estée Lauder and L’Oreal, Dayle Haddon, was born on this day in 1949. If you are trying to get rid of your wrinkles and are using an Estee Lauder product, then Dayle’s face is the one you’re trying to get!

Another birthday girl riding high, Sally Ride, was born on this day in 1949. She was to be the first American female astronaut in 1983 on the space shuttle “Challenger”.

Final birthday wishes got to Zola Budd (1966), the star of the women’s track events at the 1988 Olympics and all done barefoot. Eat your heart out, Nike!

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 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, 14 May 2009

14 May - Historical Events and special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Lily of the Valley

Gemstone of the Month: Emerald

Setting out on a reign that was to last 72 years was the young Louis XIV who at the tender age of just four years old became king of France on this day in 1643. However he warmed to the job and created an environment of absolute personal rule throughout his reign. In order to have a place where he could rule away from the hustle and bustle of medieval Paris he decided to remove his court to the Palace of Versailles. Versailles was a quiet village out in the country and had a fairly grand hunting lodge built by his predecessor Louis XIII. However by the time Louis XIV had completed his finishing touches to the hunting lodge and measured up for the curtains, it ended up as one of the biggest palaces in the world. Well worth a visit!

Paris was bustling again when the second modern Olympic Games opened there on this day in 1900. The Paris Olympic Games were to be the first where women were allowed to compete. The sports for these first women competitors included sailing, golf and lawn tennis. Apparently the organisation of the Games was a shambles. Nevertheless the host nation managed a tally of 100 medals far outstripping the medal haul for any other nation. I guess they had games like “boules”, “petanque”, French cricket and billiards to ensure their medal success!

Thirsty work all that running around and being athletic. Protesting that they wanted beer, no doubt after all their exertions, the Labour Movement paraded in New York on this day in 1932. Their simple slogan was “We Want Beer” and they were protesting against the Prohibition Regulations current at the time. Thankfully they were successful!

So a happy end to a peaceful protest that did not need the influence of the next item, “The Peacemaker”. Aptly named by its manufacturer, Colt’s Manufacturing Company, the gun also known as the “Equalizer” and “Colt 45” was standard army issue for many years. An example of this gun was sold on this day in 1987 for the sum of $242,000.

It was a touch of “Stand and Deliver” on this day in 1991 at Rengstorff Park, Mountain View, California when they made the world’s largest burrito! All that standing at the tables and delivering this monster burrito brought a moment of fame to this otherwise unknown town. The statistics are that it weighed in at a staggering 4456 lbs and measured 3578 ft. Having seen the pictures of the event Nomanda thinks it was all a bit of a cheat as all they did was to overlay thousands of “tacos” on top of each other and filled them with stuffing. OK they were all connected and they did roll it out into “one” giant burrito, but really, why bother?!

Birthday celebrities today start with Thomas Gainsborough (1727 – 1788), the English painter renowned for his landscapes and portraits.

One of Nomanda’s favourite comedians, Eric Morecambe (1926 – 1984), was born on this day His duo act with his life long friend, Ernie Wise, on the “Morecambe and Wise Show” is one of the funniest long running comedy series ever. Despite being the brunt of lots of their jokes, Des O’Conner” was also a friend of the pair. Appearing in one of their shows Des O’ Conner asked if he could sing on the show. Eric replied, “Sing on our show? You can’t even sing on your own show!” Great stuff! Here’s one of Nomanda’s favourites of Morecambe and Wise making breakfast together!

Sharing this day as their birthday are Bobby Darin (1936 – 1973), Chay Blyth (1940), the English round the world yachtsman and Derek Leckenby (1946 – 1994). “Mack the Knife” from Bobby Darin and “A Kinda Hush” from Lek are Nomanda’s favourites.

Our final birthday greetings today go the award winning Australian actress Cate Blanchett (1969) whose performance in “Elizabeth” is simply wonderful!

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, 30 April 2009

30 April - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Sweet Pea

Gemstone of the Month: Diamond

George Washington gets pride of place today as it was on this day in 1789 that he was inaugurated as the first president of the United States. There have been many after him but few of his stature.

A couple of more trivial events took place on this day. John Clais patented the first dial weighing scale in 1772 and it took best part of 135 years for the ice cream vendors to get the mix right for the first ice cream cone that was introduced on this day in 1904. I guess ice cream lovers had to manage with just a tub and a spoon up to then.

In a feat of great strength and endurance Ashrita Furman performed 8,341 forward rolls over a distance of 12 miles. This was not to be his last record breaking attempt! Over the last 25 years he has set 187 official Guinness records and still currently holds 81 of them. There again, I don’t know too many people who want to jump up and down the foothills of mount Fuji on a pogo stick! Check out his achievements at his web site.

One of Ashrita’s records, this one doing something with the world’s biggest hula hoop (I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this man!) took place in Australia where the 1988 world exhibition was opened in Brisbane on this day. Nomanda has visited Brisbane recently and didn’t see either the exhibition or the hula hoop! I need to get out more!

The clock wasn’t striking in London on this day in 1997 when Big Ben stopped at 12.11pm for 54 minutes. A national disgrace, if you ask me!

Birthday honours today go first of all to Heinrich Schlappi (1905). Nomanda has never heard of this Swiss gentleman before but he had his moment of fame in 1924 when he won his Winter Olympic gold medal on the 4 man bobsleigh team. So Schlappi and his mates were the fastest down the schlippery schlopes! There are times when I just can’t help myself!

Sheldon Harnick, the lyricist of “Fiddler on the Roof” was born on this day in 1924. His famous song “If I were a Rich Man” is known the world over, mostly by poor people!

One of the most popular singers of the ‘60’s, Bobby Vee, was born on this day in 1943. Some of his famous hits include “The Night has a Thousand Eyes”, “Take Good Care of my Baby” and of course “Rubber Ball”. Great old Oldies! If you like watching blokes driving their motor bikes wearing only their underpants you’ll just love this stuff!

Another popular singer, the “Big Daddy” of the Osmond Brothers, eldest brother Merrill, was born on this day in 1953. Their youthful rendition of “Side by Side” makes Nomanda want to puke!

We shouldn’t forget to include Kirsten Dunst in our birthday wishes (1982). Her performances in “Bring it On” and “Spider Man” have delighted her many fans.

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, 20 April 2009

20 April - Historical Events and Special Celebration

Flower of the Month

Sweet Pea

Gemstone of the Month: Diamond

Not content with spoiling the great British drink of tea in 1773 when the American colonials threw tons of the stuff into Boston harbour, the New England Militiamen chose this day in 1775 to begin the siege of Boston that effectively heralded the start of the American Revolution.

Especially for our Belgian fans it’s worthy of note that the 7th modern Olympic Games opened in one of our favourite cities, Antwerp, on this day in 1920. As far as I know they’ve never been back.

Today in 1976 George Harrison decided to come out of his closet and sang the “Lumberjack” song along with the cast of Monty Python. Good on you, George! Does anyone know the words? Ok I’ll start you off,

I'm a lumberjack, and I'm okay.
I sleep all night. I work all day.

Mounties : He's a lumberjack, and he's okay.
He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I cut down trees. I eat my lunch.
I go to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays I go shoppin'
And have buttered scones for tea.

Mounties: He cuts down trees. He eats his lunch.
He goes to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays he goes shopping
And has buttered scones for tea.

Chorus : I'm (He's) a lumberjack, and I'm (he's) okay.
I (He) sleep(s) all night and I (he) work(s) all day.

I cut down trees. I skip and jump.
I like to press wild flowers.
I put on women's clothing
And hang around in bars.

Mounties : He cuts down trees. He skips and jumps.
He likes to press wild flowers.
He puts on women's clothing
And hangs around in bars?!

Chorus : I'm (He's) a lumberjack, and I'm (he's) okay.
I (He) sleep(s) all night and I (he) work(s) all day.

I cut down trees. I wear high heels,
Suspendies, and a bra.
I wish I'd been a girlie,
Just like my dear Mama (or Papa in later versions)

Mounties : He cuts down trees. He wears high heels,
Suspendies, and a bra?!

Chorus : I'm (He's) a lumberjack, and I'm (he's) okay.
I (He) sleep(s) all night and I (he) work(s) all day.

Yes, I'm (He's) a lumberjack, and I'm (he's) ok-a-y.
I (He) sleep(s) all night and I (he) work(s) all day.

OK. You’ve got the whole song now and can whistle, hum and sing it all day!

Another singer and performer with a reputation for fancy dressing, Madonna, celebrated this day in 1992 when she signed a $60 million deal with Time Warner We love you Madonna and you’re worth every penny.

In a remarkable feat of digestion I am reliably informed that Uranus passed Neptune on this day in 1993! However I’m also informed that it only happens every 171 years so plenty of time to recover from the job, then!

We’re a bit short on birthday honours today but if it’s your birthday or special day we send you our very best wishes!

Sharing this day with you today in 1907 is Alan Reed who is famously renowned for his voice of Fred Flintstone! Zabadabadoo! I bet you didn’t know that.

Also born on this day in 1972 was Carmen Electra. Again probably not that well known but when I tell you that she was one of Prince’s dancing girls and made regular appearances on “Baywatch” you’ll understand why she’s worthy of mention. I believe that “Joey” from Friends never missed an episode of “Baywatch”.

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!!