Please school an unknowing person in the "Transit of Venus". Is this the same occurance that happens when Venus' orbit carries it close to the earth, or the Moon and Venus appear almost within touching distance of each other?

If so, he claims that it is a once in a lifetime event, if so, I say it is not for as a child I remember that same thing happening in the 50's, the radio carried it as a celestial event and even played songs about it, "Venus" by Frankie Avalon was one. Not to seem too quaint about it, but I really would like to know. If it is not, then I will learn something new and not be ashamed to admit it.