2 July - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Larkspur

Gemstone of the Month: Ruby

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!

Some strange things have happened over the years and this day in 1850 was no exception because it was on this day that Benjamin Lane patented the gas mask with breathing apparatus. Now Nomanda hasn’t had much experience of gas masks but I fail to see the point of a gas mask without “breathing apparatus”! I can just see the red faces of the guys who were testing out the early models! These poor breathless individuals are the ones who really ought to take the honours when they came up with the idea of being able to breath through the masks!



Thumping away on his bible William Booth founded the Salvation Army on this day in 1865. The “General” as he self styled himself was succeeded by lots of other Booth’s and it all has ended up in being a nice little family business!




It was on this day in 1916 that Vladimir Lenin made the statement that “Imperialism is caused by capitalism”. The Tsar Nicholas II obviously didn’t share Lenin’s sentiments as on the same day he began the Russian offensive in Armenia! Amazing!



Something else amazing happened on this day in 1937 when Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan disappeared in their plane over the Pacific Ocean and have never since been found. That is to the world outside of followers of Star Trek who all know that they were discovered by Captain Janeway a few hundred years later on an alien planet. They had been perfectly preserved by their alien captors and went on to stay on the planet and live out the rest of their lives with an American farmer and a WWII Japanese officer!



No such nonsense for the next event which was the recording of “Hound Dog” on this day in 1956 by the King!




More hung dog than hound dog was the look on the faces of the West Indian Cricket team who on this day in 1969 were bowled out by Ireland for just 25 runs. Nomanda always thought that the West Indies could play cricket and that Ireland couldn’t. Just goes to show!



Known to his friends as “Lawn Chair Larry” it was on this day in 1982 that Larry Walters attached 42 helium weather balloons to his lawn chair and flew to a height of 16,000 feet! He was asked to come down when he drifted into commercial air space. I bet he was! Well, Larry, I’ll never sit down on my garden chair again without a thought of you! And when I’m coming in to land I’ll keep a careful lookout for any floating garden furniture because I don’t think the captain will be!



First up for birthday honours today is the French tennis player of the 1920’s Jean Rene Lacoste (1905 – 1996). He was known by his fans as the “Alligator” on court because of his tenacious fighting for every point. The winner of 7 Grand Slam singles titles he made a lot more money from the tennis shirt he introduced with the famous crocodile logo. Now we all know that it’s really an alligator! Worn by sporting posers everywhere!



The next birthday celebrity known more for her shoe collection and disgraceful ostentatious lifestyle, Imelda Marcos was born on this day in 1931. Ejected from her country which she had mercilessly plundered with her husband the former First Lady of the Philippines has recently been acquitted in a 17 year long case involving “dollar salting” to the tune of £430 million. Nomanda just hopes that she will not be so fortunate in the other 869 charges that are still outstanding!



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!!

21 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!




With all the justifiable public outrage at the current exposure of English MP’s expenses claims from the hard pressed taxpayer perhaps we should remind ourselves that it has been going on for ever!



With his nose firmly in the trough it was on this day in 1840 that Captain William Hobson claimed British sovereignty over the whole of New Zealand. With typical colonial disregard for the Maori occupants of the Islands he just went out and declared it! Then, in an amazing stroke of good fortune, he got himself appointed Governor! He was however to get his just reward as he died a couple of years later. To pay us back the “All Blacks” have been beating England on the rugby field, with one notable exception, ever since!



The solo flying pioneers of Charles Lindberg and Amelia Earhart figure next in our review of today in history.

It was on this day in 1927 that Charles Lindbergh landed in Paris to become the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic. Having entered the competition to be the first to cross the Atlantic solo he designed his plane, called the “Spirit of St Louis”, and tanked it up so much that it barely got off the ground. Nevertheless 33 hours after he’d cleared the trees of New York he landed in Le Bourget airfield in Paris to claim the $25,000 prize.



Not to be outdone, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to achieve this feat in 1932 when she took off from Newfoundland and landed in Ireland on this day.



Well done to both of them!


Landing on his bottom with a bump on this day in 1966 was the popular English heavyweight boxer Henry Cooper when Cassius Clay knocked him down in the fifth round of their world title fight. Having been saved by the bell at the end of the round the referee stopped the fight in the next round because of the damage and bleeding to Cooper’s eye. After the end of his boxing career the lovable Henry went on to make a good job of promoting men’s aftershave on the box. Bit of a brute, our Henry! “Splash it all over” was his catchphrase.




Despite the Empire Striking Back, that premiered on this day in 1980, David Bowie took it all in his stride and celebrated it with his #1 single “Let’s Dance” on this day in 1983. Cool Dude!




Our first birthday wishes go to one of Nomanda’s friends, David! Don’t worry, David, we’re not going to disclose just how many you’ve had, but we know that this is a “biggie” and it’s the highest number you’ve had so far and the first number is a 6!




Other celebrities sharing this day with David as their birthday start with Elizabeth Fry (1780 – 1845). This Quaker minister and prison reformer dedicated her life to the poor. She was admired in her work by Queen Victoria who granted her several audiences and sponsored her causes.




Next up for birthday honours is Fats Waller (1904 – 1943) the renowned jazz pianist, and song composer. “Ain’t Misbehavin” is one of his best known works.





Our final birthday wishes go to “Mr T”, the actor from the “A – Team”. He is just as well known for his attitude as for his gold jewellery! He wears nearly as much as our David!



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!!

30 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!


This day in history has been a big and happy day for lots of people going back over the years.


I must mention, because of the Belgian influence in Nomanda, that it was on this day in 988 that Baudouin IV (aka Baudouin with the beard!) became the Earl of Flanders. Other Baudouins would follow him but not all with beards!




It was a happy day today in 1533 for Henry VIII as he celebrated the first of his many divorces, this time from Catherine of Aragon. No doubt she was not so pleased. And co-incidentally (or not!) today was also the day that Thomas Cranmer became the Archbishop of Canterbury. Smart move, Henry!



Moving on to 1814 it was on this day that the British army and their Allies marched into Paris after defeating Napoleon. It wasn’t the first or the last time they would do this and they would have to wait another year before Napoleon met his Waterloo, (another Belgium reference today!)




In 1867 on this day the US got the deal of the century when they bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. I wonder how the cash was spent!.



On this day in 1889 John T Reid opened the first US golf course, Yonkers in New York. The Americans were going to show the world that they took well to the game in the years to come!




In 1932 on this day Amelia Earhart was to be the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. She may have been the first, but certainly not the last because in a previous life, Nomanda has done it hundreds of times, never on her own, though!






It’s a great excuse for a bit of Oh, Oh, Oh it was on this day in 1943 that Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma” premieres in New York!





And in 1987 the painting of the Sunflowers by one of our favourite artists, Vincent Van Gogh, was sold on this day for a record £22.5 million. Coincidentally it was sold on the same day as his birthday in 1853. Nomanda has this painting at home but sadly not the original. A poster copy is the best Nomanda’s budget stretches to!




Andrew Strauss may take some little comfort from his recent 8 wicket defeat in the West Indies by learning that on this day in 1994 the English team were all out for 46 in their game at the Port-of-Spain!




Our first birthday celebrity today is Rolf Harris (1930), the well known Australian singer, entertainer and painter, best known for his own invented instrument the “wobble board”, his song “Sun Arise”, and his fast drawing and painting skills. Not all our Australian friends are so enthusiastic of his talents!



Next up for birthday honours is Warren Beatty (1937) best known for his performance in “Bonny and Clyde”.






Eric Clapton (1945), one of the greatest guitarists of all time is our next birthday boy and here is one of Nomanda’s favourites from him!





Now she’s got a “Fast Car” Tracy Chapman (1964) will be celebrating her birthday in style today!





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 24th July Day!

Gemstone of the Month

Ruby

Flower of the Month: Larkspur

As all taxpayers know governments can be imaginative when conjuring up new ways to raise taxes. However in 1696 William III and his tax advisors take first prize for imagination when they introduced the “window tax”. I guess it was designed to fall on the better off tax paying members of the population as it only came in on houses with more than 6 windows. The tax was 2 shillings for houses with 7 – 9 windows and a massive 4 shillings for houses with 10 – 19 windows. Of course as soon as a tax is introduced there are a bunch of accountants and lawyers trying to find a way to avoid paying it! They had the great idea of “blocking in” the excess windows to fall below the levy minimum! There are still houses to be seen today in the UK where these blocked up windows have not been re-opened! However panic not and put your bricks and mortar away as the tax was abolished on this day in 1851 ……… to be replaced by the “House Duty” tax. There’s no escape! Daylight robbery if you ask me!

Nomanda’s blog is a celebration of Happy Special Days and it is with great joy that we announce the anniversary of the first greetings telegram sent on this day in 1935. Of course things have moved on a bit since then and if you want to send your special someone a greetings message what better way than sending them a copy of this blog!

Bob Dylan, one of the leading lights of the ‘60’s released his song “Like a Rolling Stone” on this day in 1965 and it still sounds just as good today! I wonder if it was this song that influenced Mick Jagger and his mates in the choice of their group’s name.



Rolling along on his way to his record breaking 7th consecutive win of the Tour de France on this day in 2005 was the incredible Lance Armstrong. It was to be his last race and he ended his career on top! Well done, Lance!


First up for birthday honours is the celebrated French author Alexandre Dumas (1802 – 1870). The popularity of his historical novels such as “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo” have made him one of the most widely read French authors outside of France. Great books for boys of all ages!


Living a life of ripping yarns the aviator Amelia Earhart (1898 – 1937) was born on this day. She was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and her plane went missing over the Pacific on 2nd July 1937 during her attempt to fly around the world. The mystery surrounding her disappearance is still unsolved.


Sir Trevor Chinn (1935) will be celebrating his birthday today. He was appointed MD of Lex Plc at the tender age of just 33 having worked his way through all the departments and positions of his father’s business. That relationship may have helped his rapid rise through the ranks! A remarkable motivator of his troops, Nomanda who once worked for this great man, wishes him the greatest of choices for his birthday bash so he can make the best decision on how he wants to spend it!

I wonder if Jim McCarty (1943) will be asked to play at Sir Trevor’s bash. If so, he may give a rendition of “Hoochie Coochie Man”!



Two fine looking women share their birthday today. Lynda Carter (1951) the indomitable “Wonder Woman” and Jennifer Lopez (1970) the current version! Let’s have a song from Jennifer!



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!!