11 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!



One happy chappie on this day in 1814 was Napoleon Bonaparte despite the fact that he had been persuaded to abdicate by the Allies. He was looking on the bright side because, although he was being sent off in exile to Elba, he was allowed to take with him 1,000 men, his “household staff” and was even given the title ”Emperor of Elba”.
Not a bad deal for someone who has just had his bottom spanked! Anyway it wasn’t going to last as he got fed up with life on Elba and left 9 months later to start the 100 day campaign.




Celebrating this day in 1900 was the US Navy who had just launched their first submarine. I wonder if it was a yellow one.





Beyond my brain power but he was up for it at the time, Albert Einstein chose this day in 1906 to baffle the world with his Theory of Relativity. I still don’t get it!




In a stroke of imagination that was to be copied by tax raisers the world over ever since, the state of Iowa introduced the first tax on cigarettes on this day in 1921. Cough your hearts out, smokers!




One of Europe’s best loved and longest ruling monarchs, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, took to the throne on this day in 1951. His marriage to Grace Kelly guaranteed him a place in the memories of Americans who otherwise would probably have never heard of him!





The well loved golfer, Jack Nicklaus, liked this day as he won consecutive Maters titles on this day in 1965 (271 strokes) and 1966 (288 strokes). Seve Ballesteros was to go on and win his Master’s title on this day in 1983 (280 strokes). Good day for golfers, then!




For those golfers who have played on what can only be described as “Mickey Mouse” courses, don’t get too upset, as it was on this day in 1992 that Euro Disney opened just outside of Paris. Why they choose to build it there has always been a mystery to me unless the management really thought their visitors enjoyed walking around in the rain. Cue for Ginger!




Today’s birthday greetings go to Adriano Olivetti (1901 – 1960). He deserves a special mention as without his inventive skills and manufacturing capacity Nomanda may not be here at all!





The Smurf song singer (bit of a mouthful that!), Pierre Cartner gets our birthday wishes today (1935). And our birthday girl today is Lisa Stansfield (1965). We’ll go “All Around the World” to wish you Happy Birthday, Lisa!




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!!

18 September - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Aster

Gemstone of the Month: Sapphire

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!



Most of us have a fairly cynical attitude towards politicians so it will come as no surprise that on this day way back in 1789 that the US Congress agreed to raise a loan to pay their salaries! As if they don’t take enough from us in taxes, they just go out and organise a loan to keep themselves in the custom which we have allowed them to enjoy. We only have ourselves to blame!


Of course on this day in 1830 it was still early days in the locomotive industry but I would like to bet that the horse that beat the first US produced locomotive had a big smile on his face at the end of the race!


The West was Wild before the trains came along and changed all that so let’s have a special tribute to the series “Wagon Train” that premiered on this day in 1957. The theme tune for “Wagon Train” was rubbish, but the song for another Western TV series of the time, “Rawhide” is just great!


Now Nomanda likes chocolates, especially Belgian chocolates, but the 500 lb Hershey Kiss chocolate that went on display in Times Square on this day in 1990 would take my breath away. I like them but I don’t think I could eat a whole one!



Two of Nomanda’s favourite golfers, Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros, were elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame on this day in 1997. Different characters and styles they were both a delight to watch when at their peak.


The former teen idol, Frankie Avalon (1940) is getting on a bit for his teeny fans now but at his best he was great! Let’s hear “Venus”, one of his best!





Another popular singer, Kim Wilde (1960) will be happy to give us one of her party pieces for her birthday today!



The record breaking American road cyclist, Lance Armstrong (1971) will be sprinting along the road for his birthday bash today. He won the prestigious “Tour de France” an incredible seven consecutive years running from 1999 to 2005. He retired shortly afterwards and we wish him 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!!

Happy Special 22nd July Day!

Gemstone of the Month

Ruby

Flower of the Month: Larkspur

Aviation is one of Nomanda’s favourite subjects so it will come as no surprise that a couple of aviation achievements get a mention today. It was on this day in 1933 that Wiley Post completed the first round the world solo flight. The flight took him just 7 days and followed a route from New York - Berlin - USSR - Alaska - Canada - New York. He stopped a few times en route but the first leg from New York to Berlin was non stop. Quite a nice trip!

Celebrating Post’s achievement 50 years later the Australian entrepreneur and aviator Dick Smith set off to become the first person to complete a round the world solo flight in a helicopter. Having bought himself a spanking new Bell Jet Ranger 206B he set off from Fort Worth, Texas on 5th August 1982. By 19th August he’d made it to Balmoral Castle in Scotland where he had tea and crumpets with Prince Charles. Very nice too! He then went on to London and began his next stage from London to Sydney where he arrived on 3rd October. The next stage was a bit tricky as he was not allowed to land in the USSR to refuel so he arranged to hop onto a ship to do the job arriving safe and sound back in the USA on 22nd July 1983. Great trip and achievement but it took him nearly a year compared to Wiley’s 7 days! Well done, Wiley!

It’s just been Open Championship season so two of the notable winners who won on this day deserve a mention. Our favourite “escape artist” Seve Ballesteros shot a 276 to win at St Andrews in 1984 and Nick Faldo went a few shots better shooting 270 on the same course to win in 1990.

Our birthday celebrities start with Amy Vanderbilt (1908 – 1974) who is still regarded as the leading authority on etiquette and for those of you who aren’t sure what to do it makes a very interesting and revealing read! You will be surprised at just how much stuff there is to know!

Jimmy Hill (1928) the guy with the razor chin and the guy who has held just about every job in football will be having a couple of beers with his mates today!



Our final birthday wishes go to the popular actor and celebrity of the ‘60’s, Terence Stamp (1939). He shared a flat with Michael Caine in the ‘60’s and still found time to date Bridget Bardot, Jean Shrimpton and Julie Christie. Great taste in women, Terence!



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!!