27 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!

It was in an area surrounded by islands and infested with mosquitoes that Peter the Great decided to found St Petersburg on this day in 1703. Despite its unattractive environment it was to become the capital of Russia. It has undergone a few name changes over the years; it was renamed Petrograd in 1914, became Leningrad in 1924, and returned to its original name of St Petersburg in 1991.

Dipping their oars in the Thames for the first time on this day in 1829 were the boat crews of Oxford and Cambridge. The event has been held annually since 1856 with the exception of the two world wars and is fiercely contested. Considering the number of races over the years the overall results are very close with Cambridge winning 79 times and Oxford 74. There was a remarkable dead heat in 1877 which I’m sure wouldn’t happen now with today’s technology!

Another sporting activity, this time cricket, sharpened up its act on this day in 1864 when over arm bowling was made legal. It’s difficult to believe that prior to this time all bowling had been underarm, it wasn’t. Prior to this change “round-arm” bowling was permitted, and practised by the great W G Grace to the end of his career.

In a spirit of true democracy it was on this day in 1900 that the first Government to be elected by proportional representation was voted for in Belgium. Sadly, although the idea has merit, it never seems to work out in practice with too many minorities squabbling over how important their place in the government should be. Belgium’s inability to choose a government for over 6 months after their recent elections proves the point. It also goes to show that a country can be run remarkably well without a government! Now there’s a thought to put panic into the hearts of the trough guzzlers!

Have you ever thought about how you would wrap, repair and stick things together without the wonder that is sello tape /scotch tape? Well of course someone has to invent them and it was on this day in 1930 that Richard Drew did just that. He also invented masking tape for his no doubt grateful bosses at 3M. Nomanda can’t do a paint job without it!

Hopefully not held together with sticky tape it was on this day in 1936 that RMS Queen Mary set off from Southampton to New York on her maiden voyage. She was retired from service in 1967 and now has a permanent berth at Long Beach, California where she serves as a museum ship and hotel. And jolly nice I bet it is too!

In a nice co-incidence having celebrated the founding of St Petersburg on this day, it was also on this day in 1964 that the James Bond film “From Russia With Love” premiered in the US. It is considered by many, including Sean Connery, to be the best James Bond film made and Nomanda isn’t going to disagree with James!

Another fantasy world, this time of the Mickey Mouse variety, Walt Disney World began construction on this day in 1969. Sadly Walt Disney did not live to see the completion of his project. Today it is the most visited and largest recreational resort in the world boasting 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 23 themed hotels together with all the associated shops, services and even golf courses. Just the place for a quiet relaxing break!

In an untypical act of generosity it was on this day in 1985 that Great Britain agreed to return Hong Kong back to China from whom they’d nicked it in the first place! Concerns that it would flounder under Chinese rule have proved unfounded and the colony has continued to flourish taking advantage of its unique position, links and status.

First up for birthday honours today is Rear Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort the man who knew a thing or two about wind. All I can say is don’t eat a strong curry with anything more than a gentle force 6!

Not allowing the wind to get up her skirts, Amelia Jenks Bloomer, (1818 – 1894) was born on this day. Despite the fact that she was an ardent suffragette for women’s rights in America she will probably always be better known for her knickers!

Two acting heroes from the Hammer Horror Studios, Vincent Price (1911 – 1993) and Christopher Lee (1922) were both born on this day. Now there’s a pair to put the wind up most of us! Watch out Amelia!

Another person to put the wind up most people when she’s in full voice, Cilla Black (1943) was born on this day. The popular singing girl from Liverpool has had a spectacular singing and TV presenter career. Her rendition of “You’re My World” is a must! We love you really, Cilla!

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!!

26 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!

William 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, Nicholas 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!!

11 March - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Gemstone of the Month

Bloodstone

Flower of the Month: Daffodil

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 another happy and special day for some of our selected celebrations, as well as a case of “Whoops!”, “Sorry!”, and “I promise I’ll not do that again!”


Marriages are always very special days, and according to the greatest of all English poets and playwrights, none other than the great bard William Shakespeare himself, today was the day in 1302 when Romeo and Juliet were married. Regrettably, the in-laws are still feuding!




In a not too happy case of history repeating itself it was on this day in 1917 that British troops were to occupy Baghdad. Last time I checked they are still there!



Just one year after the British troops were occupying Baghdad in 1917 Moscow became the new capital of revolutionary Russia, on this day in 1918 and as far as I know it still is.




In a serious case of “Whoops” an American B-47 accidentally dropped a nuclear bomb on South Carolina on this day in 1953. It all turned out OK in the end for the lucky inhabitants of the area as thanks to the “6 safety catches” it didn’t explode. Are you kidding me!? I thought safety catches were tiny little things on guns and stuff that prevented them from firing accidentally. All I can say is thank God there were 6 of them!


The era of Glasnost was about to dawn on the world as Mikhail S Gorbachev was elected Soviet leader on this day in 1985. The world would never be the same again!





Otis Redding received a posthumous gold record for his song “Dock of the Bay” on this day in 1968. It’s a great song so let’s hear it one more time!




The screenplay writer of the series “Star Trek” Gene Roddenberry was “beamed up” for the last time when his ashes were launched into space on this day in 1997. In actual fact it wasn’t to be his last time as apparently there are plans to “beam up” some more of his ashes in 2012! Way to go, Gene!



And on the same day that Gene’s ashes were being beamed up the British Institution forgave Paul McCartney for his previous misdemeanours and he was elevated to the peerage and knighted “Sir Paul” by Queen Elizabeth II.




Today’s birthday boy is Henry Tate (1819), that well known sugar producer and philanthropist. He was so well thought of and generous that he even had a Gallery in London named after him!




Our final birthday wishes go to the American singer Cheryl Lynn (1957). She’s a big lady so her classic song “Got to be Real” takes on a whole new dimension!




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!!

8 March - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Daffodil

Gemstone of the Month: Bloodstone

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!



I guess if you were on the wrong end of the Russian Revolution then maybe 8th March, 1917 in Petrograd was not the place to be if up to that point in time, you had been enjoying a wealthy, noble or royal life.


So, what’s changed in Russia nearly 100 years after the revolution? I have a recent memory of a guy in his early 40’s smiling to himself as he strolled across Red Square dressed in a leather jacket and jeans. He’d just been overwhelmingly elected the next president of Russia taking around 70% of the vote and guess who was smiling alongside him as they made their way no doubt to the best restaurant in town to celebrate? Surprise, surprise, the guy strolling with him was none other that the recently retired president of Russia who was celebrating with his mates his new appointment to the position of Prime Minister of Russia. “Happy Days are here again!”



Nomanda likes to play a game of golf and so far has not joined that elite group of golfers who have scored a hole-in-one. The fact that 6 year old Tommy Moore scored a hole-in-one on this day in 1968 makes me think that I should give up trying!




Paul McCartney will not have happy memories of 8th March 1973 when he was fined for growing cannabis. On second thought maybe he was happy, flying high!




One place where they were definitely flying high just one year later on 8th March 1974 was at the Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris which was opened on that day. Great man Charles de Gaulle, fought most of WWII from the comfort of his English residence (no doubt paid for by the British tax payer), and returned back to France victorious after the Allies had done the business for him. The grateful French elected him President for his efforts!



Our first birthday celebrity today in Ralph Ellis (1942) from the group the Swinging Blue Jeans and I hope he’ll have a great “Hippy Hippy Shake” at his birthday bash!




The singer Cheryl Baker (1964) from the group Bucks Fizz is our next birthday guest. I wonder if they’ll make their mind up whether they’ll be drinking the bubbly stuff with orange juice or whether they’ll stick to spritzers!



Another Cheryl, this one Cheryl James (1964) likes a more savoury taste with her group Salt-N-Pepa! Here is one of Nomanda’s 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!!