Tom

16
Aug
2023

WENNNSSDA

Today is Restoration Day in the Dominican Republic. Known in Spanish as ‘el día de la Restauración Dominicana’, this holiday commemorates the start of the Dominican Restoration War on this day in 1863.

In 1844, the Dominican Republic had regained independence from Haiti. For political and economic reasons, Pedro Santana, the then President of the Dominican Republic signed a pact with Spain in 1861 to revert the status of the Dominican Republic to that of a colony of Spain.

The move led almost immediately to a failed rebellion and Santana realized his decision to impose Spanish rule had reduced his power, and he resigned in January 1862. On August 16th 1863, 15 men under the leadership of Santiago Rodríguez made a daring raid from the city of Dajabon and raised the Dominican flag on the Capotillo hill. This action, known as the ‘grito de Capotillo’, was the beginning of the Dominican Restoration War which was fought until 1865 between nationalist Dominicans and Spain.

The war ended when a decree of Queen Isabel II of Spain, on March 3rd 1865, repealed the Dominican Republic’s reinstatement to the Spanish Monarchy. The last Spanish troops left on July 15th 1865.

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Today is the birthday, in 1945, of Gary Loizzo, from American rock band American Breed who scored the 1967 US No.5 single ‘Bend Me, Shape Me’, (a hit on the British charts for the British group Amen Corner). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWg0jPV6FiM

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
15
Aug
2023

TUESDAY in the middle of August

Today is Ferragosto – a public holiday in Italy. It is a popular holiday and is celebrated on the Feast of the Assumption which commemorates Mary’s assumption to heaven, where Roman Catholic belief says that at the end of her life on earth Mary was assumed, body and soul, into heaven.

However, the traditions of Ferragosto go further back in time to Ancient Rome and was a holiday long before August 15th gained its Christian religious significance. Ferragosto comes from the Latin ‘feriae Augusti’ (the festivals of the Emperor Augustus), in honor of Octavian Augustus, the first Roman emperor, who also gave his name to the month of August.

It was first introduced in 18 BC as part of the longer Augustali period of rest that marked the end of the harvest as well as to celebrate Augustus’ victory in key battles of the time. August 15th was also the feast day of the goddess Diana, who had no less than 13 days dedicated to her during this period. As the Roman Empire turned to Christianity, this pagan holiday was adopted and converted into a holiday for the Assumption, the day the Virgin Mary was received in heaven.

Today, Ferragosto is the most important day of summer in Italy. It celebrates the middle of the Italian summer and marks the unofficial start of Italy’s summer holiday season. Italy effectively shuts down until the start of September as schools and businesses close for the summer break and many people take a trip to the countryside, lakes or the coast to escape from the stifling heat of the cities.

Today is the birthday, in 1950, of Tommy Aldridge, drums, Whitesnake, (1987 US No.1 & UK No.9 single ‘Here I Go Again’). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyF8RHM1OCg

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Posted by Tom in eighties music
11
Aug
2023

FRIIIIIIIIIIIDAY!!!!!!!!

Today is Mountain Day (Yama no hi), a public holiday in Japan. Mountain Day is intended is to provide “opportunities to get familiar with mountains and appreciate blessings from mountains”.

This is fitting as around 70% of the landmass of Japan is mountainous, and activities such as hiking and skiing are popular. All of Japan’s primary islands has a mountain range running through it. Mount Fuji (3,776 m) is the highest mountain in Japan, one of the nation’s “Three Holy Mountains”, and one of the most recognizable symbols of Japan. Other prominent mountains include Mount Kita, Mount Hotaka, Mount Yari, Mount Tate, Mount Haku, and Mount Kumotori. Some of them are active volcanoes.

Today is the birthday, in 1949, of Eric Carmen, American singer, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist, who with the The Raspberries had the 1972 US No.5 single ‘Go All The Way’ and the 1976 solo US No.2 single, ‘All By Myself’, plus other hits with ‘She Did It’, ‘Hungry Eyes’, and ‘Make Me Lose Control. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ssCL292DQA

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
08
Aug
2023

TUESDAY (the eighth)

Today is Nane Nane (‘eight eight’ in Swahili), a public holiday in Tanzania observed on August 8th each year. Also known as Farmers’ Day, this day marks the contribution of farmers to the national economy.

Like other African countries who rely on farming and agriculture a Farmers’ Day is a day to honor farmers and focus on the contribution of the sector to the country. Nane Nane is an important opportunity to showcase new technologies and developments in farming, improve education and highlight best practice.

Today is the birthday, in 1933, of Joe Tex, US soul singer, (1965 US No.5 single ‘Hold On To What You’ve Got’, 1977 UK No.2 single ‘Ain’t Gonna Bump No More With No Big Fat Woman’). Tex died on 12th August 1982 aged 49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ichhoTcdzaY

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
07
Aug
2023

First MONDAY in August

Today is Kadooment Day in Barbados. It marks the finale of the six-week Crop Over festival and is one of the most colorful and energetic of the Caribbean carnivals.

The Crop Over Festival is the traditional end of the Sugar cane season and has been celebrated for over 200 years. Sugar cane was first introduced to Barbados at the end of the seventeenth century. It made Barbados home to one of the world’s biggest sugar industries. This meant a large workforce was needed and slaves and indentured servants were brought from Africa. It was these workers who also brought the traditional harvest festival of Crop Over from Africa.

On Grand Kadooment, a parade of Masquerade Bands with about 1,500 revelers takes place on the streets cheered on by the throngs of onlookers trying to make themselves heard over beat of the the calypso music. At the end of the parade the bands are judged and while there is a keenly contested Designer of the Year prize, for most the focus is on having fun.

Today is the birthday, in 1928, of Herb Reed, bass singer from American vocal group The Platters who had the 1959 UK & US No.1 single ‘Smoke Gets In Your Eyes’. The Platters were one of the first African-American groups to be accepted as a major chart group and were, for a period of time, the most successful vocal group in the world. Reed died aged 83 on June 4th 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAUJSc6unAg

Posted by Tom in doo-wop, Humor, Music