Independently Minded — Answers

Here are the answers to today’s questions.

Flag of Djibouti.
Image Wikimedia Commons

All of these questions are connected to today, June 27th.


One

The flag above represents a country that gained independence in 1977. Which country is it, and from which did it gain independence?

Answer: Djibouti; France.

Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa, borders Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. Gaining independence in 1977, it is a multi-ethnic nation with French and Arabic as official languages. Strategically located, it serves as a key refuelling hub and hosts several foreign military bases.


Two

Jack Lemmon won two Academy Awards, the first was awarded in 1956 for Best Supporting Actor and the second in 1974 for Best Actor. What was the film title of each of these?

Answer: Mister Roberts (1955); Save the Tiger (1973).

Jack Lemmon, who died on 27 June 2001, was a Harvard graduate and World War II Navy veteran. He debuted on Broadway in 1953, signed by Columbia Pictures in 1954, and gained stardom with Mister Roberts (1955). Iconic roles in Some Like It Hot (1959) and The Apartment (1960), and comedies with Walter Matthau such as The Odd Couple (1968), defined his career.


Three

The Japanese Yen was first minted towards the end of a decade and adopted as Japan’s official currency two years later. In what two decades did this occur?

Answer: 1860s and 1870s.

The yen, Japan’s monetary unit, was first minted in 1869 and adopted in 1871. Initially divided into sen and rin, these were removed in 1954. Despite WWII devastation, Japan’s economic miracle made the yen a leading international currency. Its symbol is ¥, derived from yuan, the ancient term for Chinese round coins.


Four

Who, in 2007, after serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer for ten years, became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?

Answer: Gordon Brown.

Gordon Brown, born in Glasgow on February 20, 1951, is a British Labour Party politician. He served as chancellor of the Exchequer (1997–2007) and prime minister (2007–10). Brown focused on NHS reform, public-sector changes, poverty reduction, and a broader approach to combating terrorism. He resigned in May 2010.


Five

Flag of Greece.
Image Wikimedia Commons

In 1917 during World War I, the nation represented by this flag declared war on the Central Powers. Which country’s flag is shown and what comprised the Central Powers?

Answer: Greece; German Empire, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria.

The Central Powers, or Central Empires, were a World War I coalition of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria, known as the Quadruple Alliance. Originating in 1879, Italy joined the Triple Alliance but later sided with the Allies (Great Britain, France and U.S.). The Central Powers were defeated by the Allies in 1918 and dissolved.


Comments

Leave a comment