daily humor

Jul

2023

MUNDAE

Today is Independence Day in Vanuatu. This is the National Day of Vanuatu and marks the end of colonial rule by Britain and France on this day in 1980.

Vanuatu is an archipelago of 82 islands (65 are inhabited) and is located about 1,750 kilometres (1,000 miles) east of Australia. Despite their remote location, the islands were permanently inhabited as early as 500BC and were part of the Tongan Empire in the 14th century.

European colonial contact began in 1606 when the islands were visited and claimed by Spain which established a short-lived settlement before they were forgotten again. The islands were rediscovered in 1768 and were given the name ‘New Hebrides’ by Captain James Cook on his visit in 1774.

The French established the first permanent settlements in the 1850s, with the British claiming parts of the archipelago. In 1906, the two European powers agreed on a unique framework arrangement called a condominium to share the rule of the New Hebrides. To this day, the three official languages of Vanuatu are Bislama, English and French.

The archipelago gained independence on July 30th 1980 as the Republic of Vanuatu (the name comes from two local words meaning ‘home’ and ‘stand’) and joined the Commonwealth. The Vanuatu national anthem is “Yumi, yumi, yumi,” (We, we, we).

Today is the birthday, in 1947, of Karl Green, guitarist with English beat rock band, Herman’s Hermits who scored the 1964 UK No.1 single ‘I’m Into Something Good’ (cover of Earl-Jean’s) and the 1965 US No.1 single ‘Mrs Brown You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1MV-Jy_Bog

Jul

2023

FRY-DAY…it’s hot here.

Today is Independence Day in Peru. This holiday is always celebrated on July 28th and marks Peru’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1821.

Peru was first colonized by the Spanish in the 15th century. Despite the wars of independence being fought across Latin America in the early 19th century, Peru remained loyal to the Spanish crown. There had been some insurrection but this had been quashed by the government.

The Viceroy of Peru then initiated a military campaign against Chile and their fight for independence. Despite some early success, the tide turned against the Viceroy and the Royalist forces. Argentina and Chile then signed a treaty to pursue the ‘liberation’ of Peru. On entering Lima, the Argentinian commander, Jose San Martin declared the independence of Peru on July 28th 1821.

SIGNZZZZZZZZZZ

In case you’re wondering about a birthday gift…

Happy Birthday! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjF1bG5LUcs

Jul

2023

WEDNESDAY…meh

Today is Independence Day in the Maldives. This holiday celebrates the day in 1965 when the Maldives gained independence from Britain.

On December 16th 1887, the Maldives became a protectorate of the British Empire. The Sultan of the Maldives agreed to give up the islands’ sovereignty in matters of foreign policy. In return, the British would provide military protection and not interfere in the internal affairs of the islands, though they still needed to be consulted on key changes such as the appointment of a new Sultan. On July 26th 1965, an agreement was signed by the Maldives’ Prime Minister and the British Ambassador which ended the British responsibility for the defense and external affairs of the Maldives.

The Maldives is the lowest country in the world. Its ground level on average is 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) above sea level, and its highest point on the islands is 2.3 meters (7 feet 7 inches) above sea level. It is also the smallest country in Asia.

Fun idea! Bring your husband shopping with you!!!

a bush

Today is the birthday, in 1943, of Mick Jagger, singer, songwriter with The Rolling Stones, (1969 UK & US No.1 single ‘Honky Tonk Women’, and over 35 UK & US Top 40 singles and albums). Solo (1985 UK No.1 single with David Bowie ‘Dancing In The Street’). 1985 UK No. 6 solo album ‘She’s The Boss.’ In 2003 he was knighted for his services to popular music and in early 2009 he joined the electric supergroup SuperHeavy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poXvMBhjSWk

Jul

2023

TUESDAY – Monday is done!

Today is Guanacaste Day in Costa Rica. Also known as ‘Annexation of Nicoya Day’ (La Anexión del Partido de Nicoya), this day marks the annexation of Guanacaste in 1824 when the province became part of Costa Rica.

Spanish rule in the central Americas ended in 1812 following the Mexican War of Independence. In 1824, Costa Rica was part of the Federal Republic of Central America, along with other states such as El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

The region of Guanacaste was part of Nicaragua and bordered by the northern part of Costa Rica. In the three major cities in Guanacaste, there had been open meetings discussing a switch from Nicaragua to Costa Rica. A referendum was called to decide on what to do. In the referendum, Nicoya and Santa Cruz voted yes to joining Costa Rica, while Liberia voted to stay with Nicaragua. The overall result was in favor of the annexation by Costa Rica. The Central American Federal Republic duly passed the law and signed it on July 25th 1824, allowing Guanacaste Province to become part of Costa Rican territory.

The Cerberus Heatwave…It’s a fitting reference to classical Roman/Greek mythology. Cerberus is the three-headed dog who guards the gates of Hell (well, technically, the gates of Hades). Cerberus doesn’t guard the gates against people trying to get in, of course, but against people trying to get out.

Today is the birthday, in 1944, of Tom Dawes from American rock and roll band Cyrkle who had the 1966 US No.2 single ‘Red Rubber Ball’. They were signed by Brian Epstein and supported The Beatles on their 1966 US tour. He died on 13 October 2007. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emx6dU7suvg

Jul

2023

Oh, MONDAY…

Today is National Remembrance Day in Papua New Guinea. This day commemorates those Papua New Guineans who have died in military service.

While isolated for most of its history by its remote location and difficult terrain, Japanese soldiers invaded PNG in 1942 with the aim of building a base for the invasion of Australia. On July 23rd 1942, a number of soldiers from the PNG infantry battalion supported Allied forces in attacking a forward party of Japanese troops at Awala in the Kokoda region. This was a historic landmark in the country’s history as it was the first time, PNG soldiers had engaged in battle on native soil. As such the date has become a focal point for this memorial day intended to remember the members of the PNG armed forces who have died on duty in the first world war, the second world war, and subsequent peacekeeping and law and order engagements within PNG and abroad.