Music

21
Aug
2023

MUN-DAY

Today is San Martin’s Day – a public holiday in Argentina. This national holiday in Argentina commemorates the death of José de San Martín. San Martin is regarded as the most important Argentinian founding father, who liberated not only a part of Argentina but also helped liberate Chile and Peru along with O’Higgins and Bolívar.

He is regarded as a national hero in Argentina, Chile and Peru. San Martin’s exploits earned him a series of honorific names. In Argentina he is remembered as the “Padre de la Patria”, (Father of our Country). In Peru, he is known as, “Fundador de la Libertad del Peru”, (founder of the freedom of Peru), “Protector de Peru” (protector of Peru) and “Fundador de la República” y “Generalísimo de las Armas” ( founder of the Republic and supreme commander of weapons). In Chile, he is called simply “Captain General”.

Today is the birthday, in 1944, of Jackie DeShannon singer, (1969 US No.4 single ‘Put A Little Love In Your Heart’). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMj7UcjPZ0U

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Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
18
Aug
2023

and again it’s FRIDAY – two days in a row!!!

Today is Hawaiian Statehood Day. Also known as Admission Day, it commemorates the admission of the state to the Union in 1959.

From as early as 1849, there had been several attempts to make Hawaii a part of the United States.

Hawaii was annexed by the American in 1898, becoming the Territory of Hawaii.

In the 1940s, ballots during elections showed an increasing majority in favor of statehood and in 1959, the U.S. Congress approved a statehood bill, the Hawaii Admission Act. This was followed by a referendum in which Hawaiian residents voted 94% in support of statehood.

On August 21st 1959 (which was the third Friday in August in that year), President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation making Hawaii the 50th state.

compliance attempt

Introverts…

Today is the birthday, in 1953, of Marvin Isley from American group The Isley Brothers who first came to prominence in 1959 with their fourth single, ‘Shout’, and then the 1962 hit ‘Twist and Shout. The Isley Brothers also scored the hits ‘This Old Heart Of Mine’, ‘Summer Breeze’ and ‘Harvest for the World’. Sixteen of their albums charted in the Top 40. Marvin Isley died from complications of diabetes on June 6, 2010. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEjLFpU2pJ4

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Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
17
Aug
2023

FRI-FRI-FRIDAY!!!!!

Today is Independence Day for Indonesia. It marks Indonesia’s declaration of independence from the Netherlands in 1945 – immediately after the end of World War II. Indonesia had been a Dutch colony for over 300 years when a group of revolutionaries declared independence on 17 August 1945.

It took Indonesians four years of diplomacy and armed struggle before their independence was formally granted by Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.

Indonesia is an archipelago of over 17,000 islands ( more than 2/3 are uninhabited). It is the world’s fourth most populous country. More than half of Indonesia’s population live on Java, making it the world’s most populous island.

Marco Polo was the first European to visit Indonesia in 1292.

According to his autobiography….

Today is the birthday, in 1953, of Kevin Rowland, singer, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, (1982 UK No.1 & 1983 US No.1 single ‘Come On Eileen’). Solo 1986 UK No.13 single ‘Because Of You’). This song and video may be in a category of its own. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BODDyZRF6A

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Posted by Tom in eighties music, Humor, Music
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.

New Products

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