Humor

Nov

2022

Pre-Election MONDAY

Today is Constitution Day in Tonga. Tonga’s Constitution was first enacted by HM King Tupou I on November 4th 1875 establishing Tonga as a modern constitutional monarchy. It is supreme law under which the Government of Tonga operates and defines the balance between the executive, legislature, and judiciary. Some of the most notable laws in the Constitution are the land clauses forbidding the sale of land to foreigners and requiring that land could only be granted to Tongan citizens.

FAILED TEST ANSWERS

Today is the birthday, in 1943, of Joni Mitchell, Canadian singer, songwriter, 1970 UK No.11 single ‘Big Yellow Taxi’, 1974 US No.7 single ‘Help Me’.

Nov

2022

WEDNESDAY in November

The Arrival of Indentured Labourers is a national holiday in the Republic of Mauritius on November 2nd each year. This holiday commemorates the arrival of the first indentured workers to the Indian Ocean island nation on this day in 1834.

The use of slaves on Mauritius was widespread. It began when the French took control of the island and established sugar cane plantations, which needed a large workforce of slaves. By the time the British took control of the island in 1810, slaves accounted for around 80% of the island’s population with most from Madagascar and East Africa.

In February 1835, slavery was abolished in Mauritius. This instantly created a demand for replacement labor on the plantations. The solution was to use indentured workers. Effectively indentured workers would work as slaves, but only for the term of their contract, after which they would be freed. This process started in Mauritius and was expanded to other parts of the British Empire.

Between 1834 and 1920, half-a-million indentured immigrants (laborers and their families) arrived on Mauritius, with 97% of the immigrants coming from India. The first laborers, called coolies, arrived from Calcutta (Kolkata) on November 2nd 1834. A commission to look at the practice of indenture first took place in 1872, though it was 1924 before the practice was abolished.

Today is the birthday, in 1941, of Brian Poole, British singer, the lead singer of 1960s beat band the Tremeloes.

Oct

2022

Last MONDAY in October…finally

Today is Reformation Day, a public holiday in about half of German states and some other countries. Reformation Day commemorates the day in 1517 when a German monk named Martin Luther (1483-1546) strode up to the church in Wittenburg and nailed his 95 ‘theses’ (or propositions) to the church door. Luther chose to do this on October 31st as he knew the church would be full on the next day for All Saints’ Day.

Technically True:

Today is the birthday, in 1950, of American singer, songwriter and guitarist Moon Martin. Originally a rockabilly artist, he wrote the songs ‘Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)’, made famous by the English singer Robert Palmer, and ‘Cadillac Walk’, a hit for American singer Willy DeVille.

Oct

2022

F F F F FRIDAY!

Today is Ochi Day in Greece and Cyprus, a public holiday. The day commemorates Greece’s refusal to yield to Axis demands for surrender in 1940.

At 3am on October 28th 1940, an ultimatum from Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini was handed to former military general and Prime Minister of Greece, Ioannis Metaxas at his home in Kifissia by the Italian Ambassador of Athens, Emanuele Grazzi. The ultimatum required the free passage of the Italian army through the Greek-Albanian border, signalling the Italian occupation of some strategic areas of Greece.

After reading the letter, Metaxas turned to the Italian Ambassador and famously responded “Ochi!” – “No!” in Greek. That “No!” brought Greece into the second world war on the side of the Allies. Indeed, for a period, Greece was Britain’s only ally against Hitler.

Ready for Trick or Treaters…

BOOK DEDICATIONS

On this day in 1967, Diana Ross and the Supremes Greatest Hits started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart. Although original member Florence Ballard is pictured on the cover and sings on all the tracks, by the time the LP was released, she had been fired from the group and replaced by Cindy Birdsong.

Oct

2022

TUESDAY…at least we’re not Monday…

Today is Thanksgiving Day in Grenada. It marks the anniversary of Caribbean and American military intervention on this day in 1983. Banks, businesses and most shops are closed.

Bada Bing!

Why is no one ever the right amount of whelmed?

Me: Here’s half my income. Daycare: Cool. Here’s a new virus every other week.

I’m always surprised when a heavily tattooed couple has a baby and it comes out blank.

A watch store caught fire! Nearby residents have been warned not to inhale secondhand smoke.

That awkward moment when you’re wearing Nike’s and you can’t do it.

Just had my phone incorrectly autocorrect “ducking” to “fucking” which means I’ve won. I’ve finally broken its spirit. How does failure taste demon box?!

The funeral for the man that invented Tupperware was postponed while they tried to find the right lid for his coffin.

I have a “WTF is wrong with people” moment at least four times a day.

Every morning I take my pet cow for a long walk in the local vineyard. Yes…I herd it through the grapevine.