28 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 humble tomato gets mention today as it was on this day in 1820 that Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson, having eaten a basket of them in front of a crowd of 2,000 people outside the Salem, New Jersey courthouse a couple of days earlier survived to tell the tale! Up to that time many US citizens believed that the humble fruit was poisonous! Nomanda cannot imagine a world without tomatoes! No ketchup, no
spaghetti bolognese, no pizza topping, what’s left to eat?



One lady who knew her tomatoes and her onions, Queen Victoria, was crowned on this day at Westminster Abbey in 1838. She was to rule over her subjects for 63 years and lead the UK through the Industrial Revolution and preside over the expansion of the British Empire. The “Victorian” era was also a time of prudishness and repression which thankfully has long gone!

Dog lovers of the world wag your tails and clap your paws and celebrate the first dog show that was held on this day at Newcastle on Tyne in 1859. Nomanda has many happy memories of this lovely northern city and many gaps of memory too, as it was where he spent his student days! “Broon ales arl roond”!



One of the most talented and best loved golfers of the ‘70’s, Lee Trevino, was struck by lightning on this day in 1975. Unfased by his experience, despite the fact that in fact he was twice hit by lightning, he is famous for his habit of brandishing a 1 iron in the air whenever the weather was stormy and shouting to the crowd, “See, even God can’t hit a 1 iron!” He’s such a funny man! Here are a couple of his other quotes, “The older I get, the better I used to be!” And, “You can talk to a fade but a hook doesn’t listen!” And finally, “My wife doesn’t’ care what I do when I’m away, as long as I don’t have a good time!” Thanks, Lee!



First up for birthday honours today is the Flemish painter, Peter Paul Rubens (1577 – 1640). One of the most influential and prolific painters of his time he was one of the few who managed to enjoy a life of comfort and luxury from his chosen profession. He also liked his girls XXL!



Next up for birthday honours is John Wesley (1703 – 1791). Although he remained a staunch member of the Anglican Church all his life, his thoughts and teachings led to the foundation of the Methodist Church.

Singing a different tune our next celebrity, Lester Raymond Flatt (1914 – 1978), better known as Earl Scruggs and famous for his Hill Billy song the “Ballad of Jed Clampett”.





Next up and still going strong is the very funny man, Mel Brooks (1926). If you haven’t seen “Blazing Saddles” you haven’t lived!




Tinting their saddles “A Whiter Shade of Pale” two members of the group Procol Harum were born on this day, Bobby Harrison (1943) and Dave Knights (1945).




Our final birthday wishes go to the lovely Belgian model Ingrid Seynhaeve (1973). She was elected Elite “Look of the Year” in 1991 and hasn’t looked back!



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!!

28 April - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Sweet Pea

Gemstone of the Month: Diamond

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 on this day in 1789 that Fletcher Christian led the mutiny on the HMS Bounty. The event has been immortalised in several films and despite the bad press attributed to Captain Bligh no one doubts his nautical skills in successfully returning to England with most of his loyal crew intact.



Another sailing feat of endurance was to take place on this day in 1947 when Thor Heyerdahl set off from Peru with a crew of 10 in their balsa wood boat. The expedition was an attempt to prove that it was possible to cross the Pacific from South America to Polynesia. It was, and they completed the 4,300 mile journey in 101 days. Brilliant!




Moving onto dry land, or in fact, under it, it was on this day in 1935 that the Moscow underground opened with a track totalling 81 kms. A great system but if you can’t read the station names it’s a bit of a challenge for tourists!



Continuing the trains, boats and planes theme it was on this day in 2001 that Dennis Tito became the first space tourist and paid $20 million to fly on a Soyuz mission to the International Space Station. Is it a bird, is it a plane, no it’s a space ship! I hope he thinks it was worth it!




Other interesting events that happened on this day are that in 1901 the first soccer match between Belgium and Holland took place and the Belgium team won 8 – 0. Well played, enjoy, as it was a result not to be repeated!






Bringing a breath of fresh air to the world on this day in 1914 was W H Carrier who patented air conditioning. What a great invention!





Birthday honours today start with Alberto Pirelli (1882) the Italian industrialist who made his own tyres.




The celebrated Scottish thriller and adventure novel author, Alistair MacLean (1922 – 1987) was born on this day. Of his prolific 28 novels most of us will remember the ones made into films including “Where Eagles Dare”, “Ice Station Zebra” and “The Guns of Navarone”. Great stuff!



The outstanding cricket captain, Mike Brearley (1942) was born on this day and had the exceptional record of being captain in 31 of the 39 tests he played in with 17 wins and only 4 losses. Well played, Mike!




The long hitting and charismatic golfer, John Daly (1966) was born on this day and won the Open Championship in 1995.





Our final birthday wishes go to Jessica Alba (1981) best known for her looks and her performance in the series “Dark Angel”.






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!!

10 April - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Sweet Pea

Gemstone of the Month: Diamond

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’s place in history is shared by bangs, flashes and things that go bump in the night!

Bumping off people in the night (and also during the day) was Dick Turpin, the romantically enhanced highwayman of the 18th century. The guy was a scoundrel and a rogue but crafty and clever with it. Despite his numerous dirty deeds on his famous mount, Black Bess, which he stole by the way, the crime that led to his execution on this day in 1739, was horse stealing. I guess it’s thanks to Dick and his ilk, plying their trade of armed robbery, that we have phrases like “daylight robbery” and “highway robbery”, terms now normally reserved when describing banks!



As so much that is invented ends up being patented it’s worthy of mention that it was today in 1790 that the US patent system was formed. Where would we be without it?



One patent that didn’t take long to change hands that was patented on this day in 1849 was the safety pin. It was patented by Walter Hunt, a prolific inventor, but who obviously couldn’t estimate the amount of nappies this small item would keep in place until disposable nappies came along. He sold the rights for a mere $100. Let yourself down there, Walter!




Needing something to keep her pants on in 1877 on this day was the first human cannonball, 14 year old Zazel, whizzing out of her cannon in London travelling with the P T Barnum circus. Way to go, Zazel!





Golfers of the world can celebrate this day as it was on this day in 1924 that tubular steel shafted clubs were approved for tournament play.




Birthday celebrities today are, first up, William Booth (1829), the founder of the Salvation Army. There are few of us who have not had a quiet evening at the pub interrupted by a couple of hymns followed by a rattling tin in which to deposit our hard earned beer money!



Steven Seagal (1951), one of the generation of action heroes, was born on this day and his performances as the cook in “Under Siege” are brilliant.



Less well known, but born on this day in 1977 was Claudia Delphin who represented Chile in the 1997 Miss Universe competition. I can find nothing else about you, so get out and raise your profile a bit, Claudia!



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!!

6 April - Historical Events and Special Celebrations

Flower of the Month

Sweet Pea

Gemstone of the Month: Diamond

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 in 1868 was a happy day in the life of Brigham Young (1801 – 1877). Renowned for being a founder of Salt Lake City, a leader of the Latter Day Saint movement in the USA, and the president of The Church of Latter Day Saints from 1847 – 1887, today was the day he was celebrating his marriage to Ann Eliza Webb in 1868. Ann was to be his last wife of the 27 wives he had bearing him a total of 57 children. I’ve got lots of questions about this guy so how about these two for starters. Where did they all live? Did he remember all their names? With a family like that I’m surprised his name wasn’t Heinz!



In another feat of endurance of a different kind Andy Bowen and Jack Burke decided to call it quits after their boxing match of 111 rounds lasting 7 hours and 19 minutes still hadn’t produced a winner on this day in 1893!



Not one to mess about after seeing the previous match James J Jeffries KO’d Jack Finnegan in the first round of their heavyweight boxing title fight on this day in 1900.




In a series of firsts on this day it was in 1906 that the first animal cartoon was patented. 1912 saw the first electric starter in cars. And in 1925 British Airways showed the first in flight film; my guess is that it was the “Flight of the Bumblebee”!




After the invention of “Teflon” in 1938 by Roy J Plunkett things moved on a bit and the first TV dinner was put on sale by Swanson and Sons on this day in 1954.




Having spent all his time watching the other golfers do it in front of his TV with his dinner perched on his lap, Arnold Palmer decided to get out of his chair on this day in 1958 and went off to win his first Major, The Masters at Augusta.




Finally on a day of many firsts “Post it” notes were invented on this day in 1980. Cry your eyes out paper clip makers!





Birthday celebrities this day start with René Jules Lalique (1860 - 1945) renowned for his Art Nouveau and Art Deco creations in glass and jewellery. His company is still going today and if you can afford a “Lalique” present for your loved one I’m sure it will be well appreciated!



André Previn, the well loved composer, conductor and pianist will be celebrating his birthday today although there appears to be some doubt as to whether he was born in 1929 or 1930. The winner of 4 Oscars in the Best Original Music or Comedy Score category he will always be remembered by me for his performance with Morecombe and Wise!



Paul Daniels (1938) will be up to his party tricks entertaining his birthday guests today. A word of warning, don’t ask Paul to perform a magic trick when you are sharing a sauna with him!




Tony Connor (1947) from the group Hot Chocolate may give you a rendition of “You Sexy Thing” if you get an invite to his birthday bash today!




Our final birthday boy is the funny guy Rory Bremner (1961) who may do a very good impression of himself at his bash!




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!!