Somhlolo Day is a public holiday in eSwatini (Swaziland) observed on September 6th. If Somhlolo Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the following Monday becomes a holiday. Also known as Independence Day or Sobhuza Day, this is the National Day of eSwatini and commemorates the day that Swaziland gained independence from Britain in 1968.
eSwatini is the smallest landlocked country in the Southern Hemisphere and the second smallest country in continental Africa. In the middle of the nineteenth century under the leadership of King Sobhuza I (Ngwane IV), Swaziland was twice the size it is today.
Caught between the British and the Boers, the Pretoria Convention of 1881 guaranteed Swaziland’s ‘independence’ but this freedom came at a price as the convention also defined its borders, with Swaziland losing large parts of its territory. After the Boer administration collapsed at the end of the Anglo-Boer War in 1903, the British took control of Swaziland as a protectorate.
On September 6th 1968, Swaziland was granted formal independence within the Commonwealth. This national holiday is named after King Sobhuza I (Ngwane IV), who was king between 1805 and 1839, and who was nicknamed ‘Somhlolo’ (The Wonder) and is considered the founder of Swaziland.
SIGNZ
Today is the birthday, in 1948, of Claydes Smith, Kool & The Gang, who had the 1981 US No.1 & UK No.7 single ‘Celebration’, 1984 UK No.2 single ‘Joanna’, plus over 15 other Top 40 hits. He died in Maplewood, New Jersey, on June 20, 2006, aged 57. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M
Today is Jeûne genevois, a public holiday in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland. Meaning Genevan Fast, it is observed on the Thursday after the first Sunday of September. This holiday is related to the Federal Fast, a Swiss government-arranged multi-denominational holiday celebrated by all Christian Churches and the Jewish community.
In 1831, the Federal Fast was fixed in all cantons in Switzerland on 8 September, before moving to the third Sunday in September. Geneva has instead kept to its own date.
Fasting days had been a tradition in Switzerland since the late medieval period. Despite not being seen as part of the reformed Protestant faith, they continued to be observed in parts of Switzerland.
In October 1567, there was a Geneva-wide fast to show support to the Protestants who were being persecuted in Lyon, France. This fast is recognised as the first Jeûne genevois.
In 1869 as a result of the Federal Fast across Switzerland, Jeûne genevois was no longer an official holiday, though it continued to be observed by many Genevans. In 1966, it was reinstated as a holiday. While the religious fasting element is no longer widely observed, banks, most businesses and shops will be closed on Jeûne genevois.
In the sixteenth century, the only food that was allowed to be eaten on Jeûne genevois was plum pie. It remains a treat to be enjoyed on this holiday to this day.
Bada Bing!!
I want to lose weight but I don’t want to get caught up in one of those “eat right and exercise” scams.
Walmart is opening dental offices in some of its stores. They will have an express lane for people with 10 teeth or less.
Woke up this morning and found out that someone had put vegetables in the beer crisper.
You’d be amazed how often I’m wrong when people ask me, “Guess what?”
Accidentally went shopping on an empty stomach and am now the proud owner of aisle 5.
Old age is when it takes longer to get over a good time than to have it.
I joined a dating site for people my age. It’s called Carbon Dating.
Another site I found is called Shingles Only.
When I go for walks I worry about tripping and falling, so I wear a helmet. But I also worry about looking ridiculous, so I carry a skateboard.
It’s tough getting older. I went into an antique store and they wouldn’t let me leave.
I went to the doctor because I thought I had arthritis. I don’t, I have early onset rigor mortis.
Yesterday the guy that was supposed to fix my doorbell didn’t show up. Or did he…
A Missionary group visited a Cannibal Tribe in New Guinea. It was their first taste of Religion.
If it’s so great outside, why do bugs try to get in my house?
If I could only use one word to describe myself, it would probably be: “not good at following directions”.
A man going on a honeymoon cruise stopped to buy seasick pills and condoms. The druggist said, “If it makes you sick, why do you do it?”
If you suck at playing the trumpet that’s probably why.
Five out of six scientists have proven that Russian roulette is harmless.
The best part of Kamala’s tax on wealth is if you don’t have $100 million, it won’t affect you. (If you are reading this, that includes you and everyone you’ve ever known)
“I was hoping to find a driverless taxi.” “Would you feel better if I told you I didn’t have a drivers license?
Today is the birthday, in 1946, of Freddie Mercury (Farrokh Bulsara) British singer, songwriter, record producer with Queen. Regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave vocal range. Born in Zanzibar to Parsi-Indian parents, Mercury attended English boarding schools in India from the age of eight and returned to Zanzibar after secondary school. In 1964, his family fled the Zanzibar Revolution, moving to Middlesex, England. Having previously studied and written music, he formed Queen in 1970 with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. Queen had had the 1975 UK No.1 single ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, plus over 40 other UK Top 40 singles. And the 1980 US No.1 single ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’. As a solo artist he scored the 1987 UK No. 4 single ‘The Great Pretender’. Mercury died of bronchio-pneumonia on November 24th 1991 aged 45, just one day after he publicly announced he was HIV positive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO6D_BAuYCI
Today is Qaumee Dhuvas (meaning ‘National Day’ in Dhivehi, the local language) in the Maldives, a public holiday and the National Day of the Maldives. This day celebrates the victory of Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam over the Portuguese occupation in 1573.
In 1558, the Portuguese established a garrison which they administered from Goa. They killed the Sultan Ali VI of the Maldives and effectively instigated colonial rule. In 1573, Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam along with his two brothers and companions led a local revolt when the Portuguese attempted to impose Christianity on the Muslim population. The attacks drove the Portuguese out of Maldives and ended fifteen years of colonial rule.
Muhammad Thakurufaanu ruled as Sultan until his death from natural causes on 26 August 1585. He is revered as the national hero of the Maldives and 1st of Rabee ul Awwal each Islamic year is marked as the National Day of the Maldives.
The Maldives is the smallest country in Asia. Including the sea, the territory spans roughly 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 sq mi), with a land area of 298 square kilometres (115 sq mi). The Maldives is also the lowest country in the world, More than 80 per cent of the country’s land is composed of coral islands which rise less than one meter above sea level.
Good advice…
It’s time to rise up and protest!
…and the cat ladies are pissed!
Today is the birthday, in 1981, of Beyoncé, American singer, songwriter, dancer and actress. With Destiny’s Child she had the 2000 US No.1 single with ‘Say My Name’ and the 2001 US & UK No.1 single and album ‘Survivor’. Beyonce scored the 2003 US & UK No.1 single ‘Crazy In Love’ from the world-wide No.1 album Dangerously In Love. Throughout her career, she has sold an estimated 100 million records as a solo artist and a further 60 million records with the group Destiny’s Child. She has won 22 Grammy Awards and is the most nominated woman in the award’s history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQgd6MccwZc
Today is Foundation Day in San Marino. It commemorates the foundation of San Marino on this day in 301 AD by Saint Marinus.
During the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284 – 306 AD), the imperial view of Christianity became less benign and Christians were increasingly being persecuted and killed for their faith.
In this atmosphere, Marinus, a stonemason, fled from Dalmatia (in modern-day Croatia) to escape from religious persecution for his Christian beliefs. He arrived at Monte Titano, where he founded and built a chapel and a monastery.
Over the years, the monastery and the area around it grew until a sizable population had been established, safe high in the mountains from the persecution of Diocletian. When the mountain people were discovered, the landowner Felicissima bequeathed it to the community in perpetuity.
The first mention of a church named after Saint Marinus dates to the year 530. Today the old church has been replaced on the site by the Basilica of San Marino, which was built in the 19th century.
I hope you celebrated Labor Day!
Today is the birthday, in 1945, of George Biondo, from Steppenwolf who had the 1969 US No.2 hit single ‘Born To Be Wild’. Steppenwolf sold over 25 million records worldwide, released eight gold albums and scored 12 Billboard Hot 100 singles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egMWlD3fLJ8
Today is Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı), a national holiday in Turkey. Victory Day commemorates the victory in the Battle of Dumlupınar which was the decisive battle in the Turkish War of Independence in 1922.
Türkiye was occupied by Allied forces after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the First World War (1914-1918). This led to the start of the Turkish War of Independence in 1919, with the Turkish forces led by General Mustafa Kemal.
By 1922, through adroit diplomatic maneuvering, the Allies were split with French and Italian sympathies lying with the Turks rather than the Greeks who were the occupying army at the time.
Greek forces were routed during the battle and the remains of the Greek army fled being pursued by the Turks. The Greeks suffered more than 100,000 casualties out of an army of about 250,000. By September 18, the last Greek soldiers were forced out of Anatolia and, on October 11 an armistice was signed by Turkey, Italy, France and Britain which Greece was forced to accede to.
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