16 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!



Two great American institutions celebrate this day in 1903.

First up is the formation of Ford Motor Company that was incorporated on this day and is now the world’s second largest automotive manufacturer after General Motors has given up first place and Toyota have now jumped to the #1 spot. Haven’t they done well for a sewing machine company prior to WWII!


The next great American name is Pepsi Cola that was trademarked on the same day. Nomanda is considered to be a bit of an expert on colas and frankly prefers the other brand. The rest of us can hardly taste the difference! However whatever brand you fancy, one thing that is for certain is that you never see a slim person behind a diet one!


In another strange co-incidence of two things happening on the same day it was on this day in 1978 that the group Wings released “I’ve Had Enough” (haven’t we all!) and the other ex Beatle, Ringo Starr, released “Bad Boy”. I wonder who he had in mind!




Not as funny as the first one (how often that is the case) “Ghostbusters II” premiered on this day in 1989. Nomanda still loves the opening music track!




Nomanda also is quite partial to a nice bit of salami now and again too but I doubt if the longest salami ever, made by the good people of Flekkefjord in Norway on this day in 1992 would have tempted me to taste it out. Nomanda is more of a quality than quantity person. It came in at an astonishing 68 something feet but of course was dwarfed by the 151 metre job made by their Danish neighbours a few years later in 2003. Why do people do this sort of stuff?



The funny half of the Laurel and Hardy duo, Stan Laurel (1890 – 1965) was born on this day. It must have been a remarkable journey of experience performing in both silent black and white movies all the way to full Technicolour. Gave a lot of people a lot of laughs!




Laughing all the way to the bank our next birthday boy, Jean Peugeot, was born on this day in 1896. Of course the family had quite a good run at the bicycle market before they turned their attention to cars.



Our final birthday wishes go to Gary Roberts of Boomtown Rats fame. Great group and great music!



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!!

27 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 is a very happy day for lovers, lovers of wild animals and high flyers.



It was on this day in 1828 that the Zoological Gardens at Regent’s Park, London was opened. Commonly known as “Regent’s Zoo” it was originally intended to be only used as a place for a collection of animals for scientific study. Happily it was later opened to the public in 1847. Even though some of the larger species like elephants and rhinos have been moved to Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire it still today boasts 704 different species and has 16,807 individuals. Lots of poo to collect there every day!




Talking of poo, it was on this day in 1965 that the hero of young mums all over the world, R C Duncan, patented the disposable nappy (diaper for our American readers) and called it the “Pamper”. So the guy who bought the patent for the safety pin could now see the beginning of the end, so to speak!




It’s difficult to keep the “Beatles” out of the news for long because it was on this day in 1979 that George Harrison released his song “Love Comes to Everyone”. Listening carefully to the words was one of his old mates, Ringo Starr, who on this day in 1981 married the lovely Barbara Bach, the Bond girl from “The Spy Who Loves Me”. So now she can sing “The Beatle Who Loves Me” along with her old man. They are in 7th Heaven!



Not quite getting up to 7th heaven but a high flyer nevertheless the Airbus A380 made its first flight from Toulouse in France on this day in 2005 and made its first commercial flight from Singapore to Sydney a couple of years later in 2007. The statistics of this Super jumbo are staggering. In a normal 3 class configuration it can carry 525 passengers, but if the passengers don’t mind a bit of a squeeze it can carry 853 all economy class. That’s another big heap of potential poo! It has a cruising speed of 900 kph and a range of 15,200 kms. Ok let’s call it 15,000 kms just to be on the safe side! Quite a beast!



Another of our favourites, Michael Fish (1944), the well known BBC weather presenter will be celebrating his birthday today. He had been much maligned by an out of context comment on 15th October 1987, the day of the Great Storm over South East England, when he said, "Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way... well, if you're watching, don't worry, there isn't!". There was and he’s never lived it down!



Our final birthday wishes today go to the lovely Schae Harrison born on this day in 1963 and best known for her portrayal of Darla Forrester in “The Bold and the Beautiful”.




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!!

9 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 was a happy day for Captain James Cook who, on his ship the “Endeavour”, discovered Botany Bay in 1770. The location got its name from the multitude of unique specimens collected by the two botanists on board.





Art lovers everywhere will also celebrate this day that in 1838 marked the opening of the National Gallery in London.




One of the 20th century’s greatest comedians, Bob Hope, celebrated this day in 1950 with his first TV appearance. As well as being a renowned comic Bob Hope was also a keen golfer and the sponsor of the “Bob Hope Classic” in which he played for many years. After a particularly mediocre round an interviewer asked him why he had taken so many putts during his round, to which he replied,”I like putting!”



It was a special day for the Beatles today in 1965 releasing their hit single “Ticket to Ride”. And one year later Carlo Ponti was getting his ticket stamped as he married Sophia Loren in Paris on this day in 1966.



Sadly it was only a few years later on this day that Paul McCartney announced the split up of the Beatles. And finding the going tough on his own Ringo Starr on this day in 1971 released his record “It Don’t Come Easy!”




Another feat of endurance, the longest ping-pong match, began on this day in 1979. It was to last 101 hours and I’d like to bet that the contestants ponged a bit at the end of it!





Two sporting stalwarts of the 1980’s were practising their skills on this day in 1989. Mike Tyson hit a parking attendant who had asked him to move his car. Not very friendly! And in a more professional performance Nick Faldo won the “Masters”. Much more impressive!


In a case of it’s not all over, it was on this day in 2003 that Baghdad fell to US forces. The fall of the city led to widespread looting and they’re still there and it’s still happening.




Birthday boys today start with Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806) the prolific British engineer renowned for the design of the SS Great Britain, the first propeller ocean going ship, the building of the Great Western Railway, and the builder of many bridges, the best known of which is probably the Clifton Suspension Bridge at Bristol.




Carl Perkins (1932 – 1998) was born on this day and his composition “Blue Suede Shoes” is his best known legacy and nobody sings it better than the “King”!





Celebrating his birthday today will be Severiano Ballesteros (1957), the exciting golfer of the ‘70’s and 80’s and the winner of 5 majors. One of the things that made his golf so exciting to watch was the amount of trouble he put himself in followed by his magical escaping skills. A veritable golfing Houdini!


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 7th July Day!

Flower of the Month

Larkspur

Gemstone of the Month: Ruby

Upcoming Special Days


14 July - Emmeline Pankhurst Day

15 July - St. Swithin’s Day


Today is a very special day in Nomanda’s life as it is our wedding anniversary today! Mondays are not the best days to go out and celebrate so we’re giving ourselves a bit of married licence and are celebrating on Saturday instead. Happy Anniversary, Nomanda, Cheers!

I know that one of Nomanda’s soap box specials is the Catholic Church so if you don’t want to hear about this latest bit of convoluted religious nonsense then go straight on to the next paragraph. For those of you who have stayed to find out more it was on this day in 1456 that Joan of Arc was acquitted of the charge of heresy that led to her execution by burning at the stake in 1431! Talk about too little too late, but it doesn’t end there! In 1930, almost exactly 500 years after her execution she was canonized by the Catholic Church and is now one of the church’s most popular saints. I am sure that if she were alive she would have forgiven them all.

The word “respect” seems to be ever so slightly overworked these days, examples varying from kids with knives demanding it, to parents with wild children pleading for it, and politicians just having heard of it and being not too sure what it is! Well, respect is something earned! It doesn’t come from threats, or from pleas that you’re entitled to it, or that everybody should have it. So let’s see if we can all work towards earning the respect we want and celebrate with Otis Redding who recorded his song “Respect” on this day in 1965.

In an attempt to cut our heating costs during the winter Nomanda has gone back to the “old fashioned” way of heating homes, the fire! I have to say not only does it work but it gives a lovely glow on those long winter evenings, too! Unlike the group we keep all our doors closed but the Doors were blasting it out all over on this day in 1967 when their record “Light My Fire” hit #1.


They got to the #1 spot just in time as on the same day the Beatles released “All You Need Is Love” and that soon took over the #1 spot!



Getting the #1 spot in the popular TV series “Dr. Who” John Pertwee (1919 – 1996) was born on this day. The other well loved character he played so well was your local scare crow “Worsel Gummidge”.



Another lovable character, Ringo Starr (1940), the fantastic drummer of the Beatles was born on this day and will no doubt celebrate his birthday in good style!


The only European to win the US Open Championship since the end of WWII, Tony Jacklin (1944) will be celebrating his birthday today. The best European player of his generation he represented Europe in no less than 7 Ryder Cup events. He captained the European Ryder Cup team to victory at “home” in 1985 and in 1987 in the “away” match becoming the first Ryder Cup win for the Europeans in the US since the end of WWII.

Our final birthday wishes go to the talented figure skater Michelle Kwan (1980) who has 9 US figure skating wins to her credit as well as 5 world titles! Great Stuff!



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!!