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!!

13 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!



Appalled by the eating habits of one of his regular dining guests, it was in this day in 1637 that Cardinal Richelieu of France invented the table knife. Up to this time table knives had the normal pointed end; the sort one would associate with a hunting knife. This gentleman diner had the unsavoury habit of using the pointed end to clean his teeth of food debris at the table. To prevent a recurrence of this delightful habit the crafty old Cardinal had all his table knives ground down to the rounded end with which we are familiar today. Of course the Cardinal is much better known for his pursuit of the “Three Musketeers”.



Just 150 years later it was on this day in 1787 that Captain Arthur Phillip set sail with his convoy of 11 ships full of criminals to Botany Bay in Australia. The voyage took almost 8 months and despite the recommendations of Captain Cook’s advisor, Sir Joseph Banks, for the site to set up the penal colony, Phillips decided that it wasn’t suitable and eventually landed at Sydney Cove. The English government had ignored Phillips request that the convicts should have farming, building and crafts experience. Instead they were mostly petty thieves from the streets of London with limited skills. The early days of the settlement were chaotic and difficult but despite the odds they survived, earned pardons, and founded the great country we know today.



It was approximately another 150 years later on this day in 1917 that the first apparition of Mary appeared to three shepherd children at Fatima in Portugal. Mary appeared to these children 6 more times on the 13th of each of the succeeding months. What Mary is supposed to have said to these children and asked them to do is well documented and makes a very interesting read. The reluctance of the Vatican to publish the “Third Secret” for over 60 years after the publication of the first “Two Secrets” begs many questions.



Perhaps it is appropriate that the next item of interest, the release of their movie “Let it Be” by the Beatles occurred on this day in 1970.




All “Trekkie” fans out there will be disappointed to learn that it was on this day in 2004 that “Star Trek Enterprise” broadcast its final show. No need to be too worried, though, as the cable channels seem to think they can run repeats for ever, and they probably will!



Birthday celebrities today start with Arthur Seymour Sullivan, the English composer best known for his operatic collaboration with W S Gilbert. Here’s an opportunity for a feed in to one of Nomanda’s favourites from the Pirates of Penzance, “A Policeman’s lot is not a Happy One”.



A proliferation of musical talent was born on this day in 1950 including Danny Kirwan (Fleetwood Mac), John “Jocko” Marcellino, Peter Gabriel (Genesis) and the one and only Stevie Wonder. All still going strong! Cheers one and all!





Our final birthday wishes today go to Darius Rucker (1956), the lead vocalist of “Hootie and the Blowfish” and snogged by “Monica” from “Friends”!




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!!

12 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!



In an age where virtually everything the inventor does ends up being patented I was amazed to discover that it was on this day back in 1792 that the first patent was taken out for the self flushing toilet. This particular piece of genius in fact flushed itself “at regular intervals”. Well there’s a relief! To Nomanda’s enquiring mind the questions that sprung to mind were, when, how often and what about if someone was already there?

Further research revealed that in fact this device is still in use today but of course has been modified with modern technology. These days apparently a laser beam detects when the job is finished and does its stuff. One discounted user described of the modern version as “the crappiest invention ever” and Nomanda is inclined to agree!



Moving on to more entertaining subjects it was on this day in 1932 that the character “Goofy”, aka “Diipy Dawg” was introduced by Walt Disney in “Mickey’s Review”.




Entertaining their fans for the first time with quadraphonic sound on this day in 1977 was the group Pink Floyd at their concert in London. I bet it was a real ear basher and here is one of Nomanda’s favourites from Pink Floyd!




Someone else who was probably getting his ears bashed on this day in 1984 was the ex terrorist come President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. Today was the first time he had seen his wife in 22 years and I bet she was highly annoyed at his absence from the family home for such a long time. On a serious note he has been responsible for bringing peace and partnership into the old apartheid divided country and has received accolades for his efforts from all over the world.



Not so important, but to Joe Lucius, I guess it was, because it was on the same day as Nelson was getting his ear bashing that he scored his 13th hole-in-one on the same course on the same hole. The course was the Mohawk Golf Club at Tiffin in Ohio and I can imagine in future games when reaching this hole (15th hole; 150 yards) his playing partners would say “We’ll just put you down for a one on this, should we?”



On this day in 1986 Fred Markham became the first man to pedal a bicycle at 65 mph on a level course and without any wind assistance. If he needed to get around that quickly why didn’t he just buy a car?



Having completed her training on the heights of her native country Belgium (highest point 694 metres), Ingrid Baeyens became the first Belgium woman to climb Mount Everest on this day in 1992. Well done Ingrid! I wonder how many more of your country women will follow in your path!



Our first birthday celebrity today is the screen legend Katherine Hepburn (1907 – 2003). Her career spread over 70 years and she has the distinction of being the actress with the most Oscars (4) in the “Best Actress” category.




Our first birthday boy today is Burt Bacharach (1929) the renowned pianist and popular song composer. He has had 70 Top Hits in the US and 52 top hits in the UK. “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” are amongst Nomanda’s favourites.




Jonah Lomu, the internationally renowned New Zealand rugby player was born on this day in 1975. He stormed onto the international scene in 1995 running through some of the best international tacklers and defenders as if they weren’t there! He is the Rugby World Cup top try scorer with a total of 15 tries to his credit.



Our final birthday greetings go to Amy Wheaton (1978), the child actress appearing in Star Trek. Getting on a bit now of course!





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!!

29 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 one young French woman, Joan of Arc, who on this day in 1429 led the French to victory over the English at Orleans. This was her first victory and happened just 9 days after she arrived on the scene. Why didn’t she get there earlier? The French were in desperate need of success as not much had gone right for them since their crushing defeat at Agincourt in 1415. Enthusiasts check out Shakespeare’s Henry V and his famous speech motivating his troops!




Paying tribute to our Belgian influences it was on this day in 1553 that an unnamed Flemish woman introduced into England the practice of starching linen. I suppose that explains all the floppy fops hitherto!





Stiffening things up a bit more occurred on this day in 1813 when rubber was patented. Now I always thought that rubber came from trees, but what do I know. Great opportunity to hum “High Hopes” ‘cos anyone knows an ant can’t move a rubber tree plant!





Stiffening things up a bit in high finance on this day in 1909 was the then English Chancellor of the Exchequer, David Lloyd, who in an audacious move introduced a new “super tax” of 6 pence in the pound on any luckless British citizens earning over £5,000 pa. In real terms this amounted to 2.5p in the pound as there were a lot more pennies to the pound back then! Happy Days!




In one of those strange co-incidences it was on this day in 1988 that newscaster Diane Sawyer (renowned for her 60 minutes performances) married the lucky Mike Nichols. And on the very same day Burt Reynolds married Loni Anderson. Sadly Burt’s and Loni’s marriage was not to last beyond 1993 and she became “Oni the Loni”!



A great day for democracy and East Germans was celebrated on this day in 1990 when bulldozers, wrecking cranes and bare hands started pulling down the Berlin Wall.




Enjoying a victory of a different kind on this day in 1990 was Stephen Hendry who beat Jimmy White 18 – 12 in the World Snooker Championship to become the youngest player ever to win the title. Well done, Stephen!




Birthday celebrations today go to King Hu (1932 – 1997) the previously totally unknown to Nomanda Chinese film director. He gets a mention because I like his name!






Sharing today as their birthday are Jerry Seinfeld and Kate Mulgrew, both born in 1955. Jerry needs no introduction and Trekkie fans will know Kate as Captain Janeway.





Michelle Pfeiffer was born on this day in 1958 and Phil Tufnell in 1966. Michelle will need no introductions either and for those who don’t know “The Cat” as he was nicknamed by the rest of the English Cricket Team, on account of his sleeping habits in the dressing room, he was a slow left arm bowler and an even slower fielder.




Our final birthday wishes go to Andre Agassi born on this day in 1970. Apart from picking up 8 Grand Slam singles tennis titles (and Steffi Graf along the way) he is less well known for his charitable work which has raised $60 million for children at risk. Good on you Andre!



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 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 has been a happy day in history for pop stars and royalty.


First up today celebrating his regal seat on the throne of England on this day in 1509 was our old friend Henry VIII. Darker days were to come but on this day at least I’m sure he had a good time and celebrated in style!




Another “King”, Elvis Presley, had a happy day today in 1956 as it was on this day that he had had his first number 1 hit record with “Heartbreak Hotel”. If you want to look it up the address is Lonely Street, Anytown. Great hit, but not one of the “King’s” happiest songs.




The “Rolling Stones” and the “Beatles” were on a happier note when on this day in 1967 they met up for the first time. They hadn’t been giving each other the best of press comments up to this point in time but I’d like to think that they kissed and made up on their first meeting. Bill Wyman of the “Rolling Stones” was kissing on this day in 1993 when he married Suzanne Accosta. A great bash on the French Riviera.



Not quite royalty, but as close as you could get to it in the USSR at this time, it was on this day in 1967 that Joseph Stalin’s daughter decided she’d had enough of life in Russia and defected to the USA. No more queuing for bread and welcomed with open arms! “Sorry Dad!”



When it comes to live TV it’s best to be prepared for anything and one person who wasn’t on this day in 1986 was presenter Geraldo Rivera. It was on this day in 1986 that he opened Al Capone’s vault and revealed to the expectant public ………. Absolutely nothing!



Being “beamed up” for the last time on this day in 1997 were the ashes of Gene Roddenberry the creator of the “Star Trek” series. Sad to report that he had to travel coach class on his final mission as apparently there were the ashes of another 24 on the same trip!




Royal birthday greeting today go to Catherine the Great of Russia (1729 – 1796) and a couple of hundred years later our very own Queen Elizabeth II (1926) and still going strong. Happy Birthday, Ma’am!




Sharing this day as their birthdays are Anthony Quinn (1915- 2001) best known for his performance in “Zorba the Greek”, and Charlotte Bronte (1816 – 1855), the eldest of the three Bronte sisters and best known for her classic English novel, “Jane Eyre”.




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!!