8 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!

The 8th June is World Oceans Day so go out and hug an ocean, talk to the fishes, take a ride on the back of a dolphin, but whatever you do, don’t *** in it!



On a day that seems to have little in the way of fun or amusing historical events taking place the humble vacuum cleaner gets a mention. It was on this day in 1869 that the janitor Ives W McGaffy of Chicago patented the above noisy contraption. He called this first sweeping machine “Whirlwind” and that was about as much as it did, blowing dust from one place to another! It was a hand pumped machine made of wood and canvas. You have to be kidding! Nomanda has no mean experience of the modern model and I never thought I’d be as grateful for an electric motor as I’m feeling right now!



There are some days when it feels as though the whole world is against you so it comes as no surprise that another irritation of modern society should be invented on the same day as the vacuum cleaner. The parking meter was invented on this day in 1936. As all motorists know, the motivation behind the introduction of these grotesque devices that clutter our streets was pure civil greed. The inventor (I’ve omitted his name in an untypical act of generosity) even calculated how much revenue could be raised once they were installed in every city. Need I say more!

Now nearly every home is the proud owner of a vacuum cleaner with a parking meter out front! Thanks, guys!


On a far happier note it was on this day in 1994 that the then President Bill Clinton received an honorary degree from Oxford University; He had studied at the University but obviously didn’t make the cut first time around! In a typically quaint English way one of the academics described Bill Clinton as “An old boy and a young chief”. It was all very nice and English until you discover that the degree was in Civil Law. Aren’t there enough lawyers in the US already?


Another “young chief” clambering his way to the top of the trough was our old friend Tony Blair when on this day in 2001 he led the Labour Party to their second term of office with a nice comfortable overall majority of 167 seats. His old mate Gordon was still with him, and what’s worse, he’s still with us! Having spent most of his time at No.11 trying to persuade Tony Baby to move out of No.10 now he’s got his slippers inside No.10 he’s not going to go quietly despite all the efforts to remove him and the recent local government results to add fuel to the fire burning under his bum!


Our first birthday wishes today go to Nancy Sinatra, the girl with the golden dad, who was born on this day in 1940. She was a precocious child and soon learned to walk in her boots!



Totally eclipsing Nancy, born on this day in 1953 was the singer Bonnie Tyler, the girl with heart problems! Nomanda is pleased to say that she has made a complete recovery and had gone from strength to strength “Faster than the Speed of Light”.



June is the month for tennis with the French Open and Wimbledon both being held this month. It is remarkable just how many tennis stars have been born on this day on June. So, in birth order here they are; Stephane Simian, French (1967), Jamie Morgan, Australian (1971), Elena Brioukhovets, Ukrainian (1971), Lindsay Davenport, American (1976), Yvette Basting Dutch (1977) and last but by no means least, the star of them all, Kim Clijsters Belgian (1983).




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!!