Owner: Happy Special Day! URL:http://happyspecialday.blogspot.com Join Date: Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:42:37 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Special Days and Holidays to remember and celebrate. Who or what is being celebrated today. Interesting facts and information about events that took place today in history. Ideas and suggestions for gifts. Site statistics:Click here
Happy Special 4th April Day! 2008-04-04 02:23:00 Gemstone of the MonthDiamondFlower of the Month: SweetpeaUpcoming Special
Days6 April
- Daffodil Sunday19 April - Primrose Day22 April - Earth Day23 April - Administrative Assistants'Day (Secretaries' Day)23 April - Saint George's Day25 April - Arbor DayToday is a happy day for lovers of hot chocolate (who doesn’t?), and for those of us who should sometimes think a bit more before we speak or do something we may later regret.First up today is Sir Francis Drake who was knighted today in 1581 on the completion of his circumnavigation of the world; Loved and admired by the Brits, he was hated by the Spanish, who he plundered mercilessly, and not too loved by the slaves he traded. So, a pirateer and slave trader, not such an all round good egg after all!Wishing they hadn’t bothered the Dec Read more:Happy
Happy Special 3rd April Day! 2008-04-03 06:33:00 Flower of the MonthSweetpeaGemstone of the Month: DiamondUpcoming Special
Days6 April
- Daffodil Sunday19 April - Primrose Day22 April - Earth Day23 April - Administrative Assistants' Day (Secretaries' Day)23 April - Saint George's Day25 April - Arbor DayIf yesterday was a day of “if at first you don’t succeed” then full marks today must go to Miriam Hargrave of England who celebrated this day in 1970 by passing her driving test at the 40th attempt. Well done Miriam!Another lady not so happy today in 1913 was Emmeline Pankhurst who on this day was sentenced to 3 year’s imprisonment for her activities in the Women’s Suffragette Movement. She was another of history’s great tryers and, paying due respect to the responsibilities that WWI demanded by suspending the Suffragette activ Read more:Happy
Happy Special 2nd April Day! 2008-04-02 02:56:00 Gemstone of the MonthDiamondFlower of the Month: SweetpeaUpcoming Special
Days6 April
- Daffodil Sunday19 April - Primrose Day22 April - Earth Day23 April - Administrative Assistants' Day (Secretaries' Day)23 April - Saint George's Day25 April - Arbor DayToday’s place in history should be called the “if at first you don’t succeed day” as for one country at least, the USSR, they tried and tried again until they got it right!Not deterred by the 8,500 kilometre “miss” by Luna 4 (1963) on its journey to the moon, or even disturbed by the Zond 1 (1964) on its trip to Venus of which nothing has been heard of since, they eventually managed to get Luna 10 to be the first spacecraft to orbit the moon in 1966! All these events happened on this very same day on each successive year.Had th Read more:Happy
Happy Special 1st April Day! - April Fool's Day 2008-04-01 08:39:00 Flower of the MonthSweetpeaGemstone of the Month: DiamondUpcoming Special
Days in April
1 April- April Fool
s's Day6 April - Daffodil Sunday19 April - Primrose Day22 April - Earth Day23 April - Administrative Assistants' Day (Secretaries' Day)23 April - Saint George's Day25 April - Arbor DayApril 1st! This is the happiest day of the year for all practical jokers and pranksters. Despite the fact that no-one seems to know where this tradition originated (there are however a few dull and boring theories that don’t get Nomanda’s vote) people all over the world with a sense of humour and fun enjoy teasing each other on this particular day. Tell me, what’s the best April fool joke played on you?There have been however a few strange events and inventions that have occurred over the years on t Read more:Happy
Happy Special 31st March Day! 2008-03-31 07:20:00 Flower of the MonthJonquilGemstone of the Month: BloodstoneToday is a great day in history for those people interested in combat, commemorations and pretty girls. I guess that will keep most of us happy!On this day in 1889 Mr Eiffel opened up his 300 metre monument in the centre of Paris to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the French revolution. It had been a landmark tourist attraction ever since. Is that where the name tourist came from?A few days later in 1896 on this day one Whitcomb Johnson patented the zip. I guess it did away with all those buttons but depending on where the zip is used it should sometimes come with a health warning!World War II figures on this day as it was in 1933 that Hitler was handed over the German Republic and just six years later in 1939 Britain and F Read more:Happy
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Happy Special 30th March Day!! 2008-03-30 09:16:00 Flower of the MonthJonquilGemstone of the Month: BloodstoneThis 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 Boudouin IV (aka Boudouin with the beard!) became the Earl of Flanders.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 Cramer 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 rather the first or the last time they would do this Read more:Happy
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Happy Special 28 March Day!! 2008-03-28 05:58:00 Flower of the MonthJonquilGemstone of the Month: BloodstoneThe 28th March
does not seem to have been a “busy” day throughout much of history, but if it’s your special day …….ENJOY!A few events worthy of note are that it was on this day in 1794 that the Louvre opened to the Parisian public. In true French tradition this monumental museum was officially opened in August 1793 but apparently they’d managed to keep the public out until today!In another case of historical “déjà vu” it was on this day in 1959 that China dissolved the Tibetan government just 11 days after the Tibetan uprising protesting against Chinese rule. so nothing much changed there then.On a happier note today in 1964 celebrated the first broadcast from the “pirate ship” Radio Caroline.Continuing the po Read more:Happy
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Happy Special 27 March Day!! 2008-03-27 04:50:00 Flower of the MonthJonquilGemstone of the Month: BloodstoneThe 27th March
, over the years, has celebrated a number of happy events. In fact it would appear that it’s a great day for discovering, patenting and inventing things.It was on this day in 1513 that the Spaniard Juan Ponce de Leon discovered Florida. If he could see it now maybe he would have wished he hadn’t!Now I know that we take a lot of things for granted in life but I have to admit that I’d never given a thought to the invention of the shoe lace. Well apparently on this day in 1790 some unsung hero invented it / them. How did people keep their shoes on up to this great invention?Not to be outdone on this day in 1848 John Parker started using medicated adhesive plaster and a few years later Abraham Gerner patented kerose Read more:Happy
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Happy Special 26 March Day!! 2008-03-26 05:50:00 Flower of the MonthJonquilGemstone of the Month: BloodstoneMaybe, it’s just me, but I have to say that today back over the years has celebrated a few bizarre events.Not in that category in 1780 was the launch of the first British Sunday newspaper, “The British Gazette and Sunday Monitor”. I wonder if loads of bits of paper dropped out when you picked it up.The first bizarre event was that on this day in 1886, according to the history books, the first cremation in England took place. The Brits had been burning people at the stake for hundreds of years and if that’s not cremation I don’t know what is!In a bizarre cricket match between England and South Africa on this day in 1889 the South Africans scored 47 runs in their first innings and just 43 in the second innings. The man of t Read more:Happy
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Happy Special 25th March Day! 2008-03-25 05:07:00 Flower of the MonthJonquilGemstone of the Month: BloodstoneOK so it’s back to work for most of us today, but “Don’t worry, be Happy
”.As bank holidays are popular with the companies responsible for carrying out railway maintenance, their directors may be happy to learn that today in 1807 celebrated the first railway passenger service in England. My guess is that it ran on time, didn’t get diverted and that those very first passengers were delighted with their first experience of rail travel. Times change!Another first on this day in 1954 was that RCA manufactured the first colour TV set. It had a 12” screen and sold for $1;000. Now Nomanda is not one to boast or challenge the record books but let me tell you that I sat down in front of our 14” colour TV set in June 1953 along Read more:March
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Happy Special 24th March Day!! 2008-03-24 04:44:00 Flower of the MonthJonquilGemstone of the MonthBloodstoneEaster Monday!A happy day celebrated throughout the world because it’s a holiday day! Hurrah!Just over 100 years ago today (1906) the “Census of the British Empire” showed that England ruled 20% of the world. Now look at it. Shows that it doesn’t pay to be complacent!On another political theme it was today in 1924 that Greece became a republic. And all this time I thought they’d invented the republic over 2000 years ago.Later on, in 1944, on this day the original “Great Escape” occurred when 76 allied officers went AWOL from Stalag Luft 3. An event immortalised in film by the sadly no longer with us, Steve McQueen. Strangely enough it’s Steve’s birthday today as well (1930).In service mode "the King" joined the Amer Read more:Happy
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Happy Easter Eggs, Bunnies and Bells! 2008-03-23 06:32:00 Flower of the MonthJonquilGemstone of the Month: BloodstoneToday is a happy and special day indeed for all followers of the Christian faith. In fact it is the most important day in the Christian calendar. It is the day when the resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated.The celebration of Easter
however is a movable feast and the actual timing of the festival was decided at the council of Nicea in 325AD. It was decided that Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. Consequently Easter Sunday can arrive as early as March 22nd or as late as April 25th.The celebration of Easter had a pre-Christian origin which was the festival in honour of Eostre, the Teutonic dawn goddess, also known as the spring goddess and goddess of fertility Read more:Bunnies
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Saturday 22 March 2008 2008-03-22 10:20:00 Flower of the MonthJonquilGemstone of the Month: BloodstoneUpcoming Special DaysIn the UK: 23 March
- Easter In the US: 23 March – EasterA happy day today for all those lovers of fizzy drinks! Is there anyone who doesn’t like a fizzy drink? Well it was on this day in 1733 that the unsung hero John Priestly invented carbonated water. Hurrah!For people who like sport today in 1888 was the day the English Football League was established, and around 50 years later the first Masters Golf Championship was played at Augusta in 1934. And, I would like to bet that there wasn’t a hooligan or a “In the hole” joker in sight. Happy days!Just 20 years later on this day in 1954 the first shopping mall was opened in Southfield, Michigan. Happy days for shoppers everywhere.In another historical Read more:Saturday
Friday 21 March 2008 2008-03-21 09:43:00 Flower of the MonthJonquil Gemstone of the Month: BloodstoneUpcoming Special DaysIn the UK: 23 March
- EasterIn the US: 23 March – EasterA special day indeed for lovers of France and all things French. Nomanda is one of those! It was on this day in 1804 that the French civil code of Napoleon was adopted, commonly referred to as the “Napoleonic Code”. Its influence has been significant throughout most of “Continental Europe”. Less auspiciously on this day in 1843 the ill informed and no doubt well meaning Preacher William Miller of Mass. predicted that the world would end on this day. Well, happily for Nomanda and everyone else, he got it wrong and probably felt very silly when he woke up the next day! Do you sometimes wish you hadn’t said something? Today’s birthday Read more:Friday
Thursday 20 March 2008 2008-03-20 08:45:00 Flower of the MonthJonquilGemstone of the Month: BloodstoneUpcoming Special Days In the UK: 23 March
- Easter In the US: 23 March – EasterCelebrating his release from the Tower of London on this day in 1616 was none other that Sir Walter Raleigh. Happy day indeed! It was a double celebration because this was the second time he’s got out of the Tower. On the previous occasion (1592) he had been imprisoned (along with this wife) by Elizabeth 1st on account of her learning of his marriage to one of her ladies in waiting whilst all the time he was leading her Highness up the garden path, so to speak. This time it was Elizabeth’s successor, James VI of Scotland, who relented and the thankful Raleigh set of to find “El Dorado” and bring the King back some gold. Not blessed with a lot Read more:Thursday
Wednesday 19 March 2008 2008-03-19 06:45:00 Flower of the MonthJonquilGemstone of the Month: BloodstoneUpcoming Special Days In the UK: 23 March
- Easter In the US: 23 March – EasterA happy day indeed today for the city of Boston, Mass. when it was officially incorporated as a city today in 1822. Boston is one of our all time favourite places to visit and we look forward to going there again soon.Not such a happy day for City Bank New York today in 1831 when it became the first victim of a bank robbery. The robbers got away with 245,000$ which I guess was quite a big haul in those days. Shirley Bassey’s “Big Spender” was to bereleased some time later!In another case of “oh no, not again” the Australian Cricket team beat England in the very first test match today in 1877.Lovers of shoes will be happy to learn that today Read more:Wednesday
Tuesday 18 March 2008 2008-03-18 05:56:00 Flower of the MonthJonquilGemstone of the Month: BloodstoneUpcoming Special DaysIn the UK: 23 March
- EasterIn the US: 23 March – EasterFlower of the Month: JonquilToday was not a happy day for the Roman Catholic Church in Rome back in 1532 when it received the news that the English Parliament had decided to ban further payments to it by the English Church. Of course the question is what took them so long to stop sending the money as Henry VIII had severed links with the Roman church over two years ago. I guess the civil service was just as efficient back then as it is today!One influential Indian gentleman, Ghandi, didn’t have too much to celebrate today in 1922 when he was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment for “disobedience”. He was however a patient man and of course his time wo Read more:Tuesday
Monday 17 March - Saint Patrick's Day 2008-03-17 08:30:00 Upcoming Special DaysIn the UK: 23 March
- EasterIn the US: 23 March – EasterSaintPatrick
is the Patron Saint of Ireland. Today his festival is celebrated all over the world. Groups of happy Irish and “locals” will be out to enjoy this festival. Whether as a result of persecution from the Brits or just indulging their natural desires to travel the Irish have established communities all over the world taking their customs and celebrations with them. There is hardly a town or city in the world that hasn’t got an Irish pub somewhere in town celebrating all things Irish. Here you will find traditional Irish stouts and beers as well as traditional Irish food. Today the Irish population as well as lovers of all things Irish will be seen sporting the shamrock, a small clover like plan Read more:Monday
Sunday 16 March 2008 2008-03-17 07:27:00 Upcoming Special Days In the UK: 17 March
- St Patrick’s Day 23 March - Easter In the US: 17 March - St Patrick’s Day 23 March – EasterNot such a happy day for the dealers on the New York Stock Exchange today in 1830 when they recorded their slowest day ever. Only 31 shares were traded this day which I suppose is a bit special! What they needed was a boost.And a boost is what happened next on 16th March 1926 when Robert Goddard launched the first liquid fuelled rocket. It didn’t go very far, only 56 metres in fact but it was the first step! It certainly puts Neil Armstrong’s famous quotation into perspective when walking on the moon 69 years later on 21st September 1995 he said “One small step for man, one giant step for mankind.”The State of Mississippi s Read more:Sunday
Saturday 15 March 2008 2008-03-15 06:45:00 Upcoming Special Days In the UK: 17 March
- St Patrick’s Day 23 March - Easter In the US: 17 March - St Patrick’s Day 23 March – EasterHappy days were here again for all those who don’t like walking up lots of stairs as on this day in 1892 Jesse W Reno patented the very first escalator. Phew, that’s better!Going one step better for lovers of great cars and aero engines today is a day to celebrate the founding in 1906 of one of the best known companies in the world, Rolls Royce. The two companies, British Rolls and Royce and Johnson merged to become Rolls Royce. And I think they got it right. Can you imagine the company being called Rolls Johnson, or Rolls Royce and Johnson, no I don’t think so? It doesn’t ring any bells.Talking of bells it was on this day Read more:Saturday
Friday 14 March 2008 2008-03-14 06:09:00 Upcoming Special DaysIn the UK: 17 March
- St Patrick’s Day 23 March - Easter In the US: 17 March - St Patrick’s Day 23 March – EasterToday is a happy day celebrated by the premiere in London (1885) of one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic comic opera “The Mikado” or as it is also known “The town of Titipu”. Now that’s a funny name! All Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operas are full of unforgettable songs and the two that tickle my fancy from the “Mikado” are:“If you want to know who we are?” This is the opening song sung by Nanki Poo and chorus (the smutty jokes continue), and (by the way do you know who they are?)“Three little maids from school are we” sung by Yum Yum, Peep Bo and Pitti Sing.It’s really very funny!On a more serious not Read more:Friday
Thursday 13 March 2008 2008-03-13 05:42:00 Upcoming Special Days In the UK: 17 March
- St Patrick’s Day 23 March - Easter In the US: 17 March - St Patrick’s Day 23 March – EasterAgain not a day historically that had much going on.Never mind, if it’s your special happy day we’re all very pleased for you!The only things worthy of mention for the 13th March going back over the years are that today in 1764 was the birthday of Charles Earl Gray. Probably now better known for the blend of tea that carries his name, Earl Grey, was a Whig politician and was the Prime Minister of England from 1830-1834. As I said, better known for his tea!The other event worthy of note is that one classic singer and songwriter, Neil Sedaka, was born this day in 1939. His “Breaking up is Hard to do” is probably best remembered Read more:Thursday
Tuesday 11 March 2008 2008-03-11 07:22:00 Upcoming Special DaysIn the UK: 17 March
- St Patrick’s Day 23 March - EasterIn the US: 17 March - St Patrick’s Day 23 March – EasterToday is another happy and special day for some of our selected celebrations, as well as a case of “Whoops!”, “Sorry!”, and “I promise I’ll not do that again!”Marriages are always very special days, and according to the greatest of all English poets and playwrights, none other than William Shakespeare himself, today was the day in 1302 when Romeo and Juliet were married. Regrettably, the in-laws are still feuding!In a not too happy case of history repeating itself it was on this day in 1917 that British troops were to occupy Baghdad. Last time I checked they are still there!On the same day as the British troops were occupyi Read more:Tuesday
Happy Special 6th April Day! 2008-04-06 03:27:00 Flower of the MonthSweetpeaGemstone of the Month: DiamondUpcoming Special
Days19 April
- Primrose Day22 April - Earth Day23 April - Administrative Assistants' Day (Secretaries' Day)23 April - Saint George's Day25 April - Arbor DayToday is Daffodil Sunday so go out and make your loved one happy and buy her a bunch of daffodils.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 but how about these two for Read more:Happy
Happy Special 5th April Day! 2008-04-05 08:08:00 Flower of the MonthSweetpeaGemstone of the Month: DiamondUpcoming Special
Days6 April
- Daffodil Sunday19 April - Primrose Day22 April - Earth Day23 April - Administrative Assistants' Day (Secretaries' Day)23 April - Saint George's Day25 April - Arbor DayToday was happy day indeed for the Indian Princess, Pocahontas, daughter of the Indian chief, Wahahsunacock, (I’ve checked the spelling and it is correct!) who on this day in 1614 married the Virginian colonist and tobacco producer, John Rolfe. She was baptised after her wedding and took the name Rebecca Rolfe. I prefer her Indian name.I know from my days of living in England that today is the last day of the English tax year and one person anxious to get his accounts in order was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle because it was on this day over th Read more:Happy
Happy Special 8th April Day 2008-04-08 05:00:00 Flower of the MonthSweetpeaGemstone of the Month: DiamondUpcoming Special
Days19 April
- Primrose Day22 April - Earth Day23 April - Administrative Assistants' Day (Secretaries' Day)23 April - Saint George's Day25 April - Arbor DayToday’s history of firsts starts with the patenting of the Fire Escape in 1766. However strong hearts were required to use this device which comprised a wicker basket on a chain and pulley. I guess when your **** is on fire anything is better than nothing!John D Lynde’s patent is still with us today as it was in this day in 1862 that he patented his aerosol dispenser. Where would we be without those?However Nomanda’s first prize goes to the first sale of milk in glass bottles on this day in 1879. Subsequently this invention was to be immortalised by the come Read more:Happy
Happy Special 7th April Day! 2008-04-07 05:40:00 Gemstone of the MonthDiamondFlower of the Month: SweetpeaUpcoming Special
Days19 April
- Primrose Day22 April - Earth Day23 April - Administrative Assistants' Day (Secretaries' Day)23 April - Saint George's Day25 April - Arbor Day“Hello, Good Evening and Welcome” is the trademark introduction phrase by one of our birthday boys today, David Frost (1939). His satirical show of the 1960’s (TW3) brightened up many people’s lives and we wish him a very Happy
Birthday today!Another person spreading a little light in the darkness today in 1827 was John Walker who sold his first wooden match to local solicitor Mr Hixon. Sadly although he was to invent the match in Stockton-on-Tees, worthy of mention because that’s where Nomanda was also born, he made little money from his invention and i
Happy Special 9th April Day! 2008-04-09 06:02:00 Gemstone of the MonthDiamondFlower of the Month: SweetpeaUpcoming Special
Days19 April
- Primrose Day22 April - Earth Day23 April - Administrative Assistants' Day (Secretaries' Day)23 April - Saint George's Day25 April - Arbor DayToday 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 whi Read more:Happy
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