There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge. (Bertrand Russell)
Author: Quizologist
As a retired trivia writer, editor and quiz compiler, I wholeheartedly agree with Bertrand Russell’s quote: “There’s much pleasure to be gained in useless knowledge.” Trivia of all sorts has always fascinated me, and for many years, I’ve written and compiled trivia for various media, including traditional TV and radio quiz shows, newspapers and magazines, apps, and other digital platforms.
If Sucre is described as the constitutional and judicial capital, where is the seat of government?
Answer: La Paz
Bolivia has two official capitals: Sucre, the constitutional capital and seat of the judiciary, and La Paz, the seat of government, executive and legislature.
Two
name: Yamoussoukro (legislative capital), Abidjan (administrative and economic capital); note – the US Embassy is in Abidjan — CIA’s The World Factbook
This quote is from the CIA’s The World Factbook. Which nation does it refer to?
Answer: Côte d’Ivoire
Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d’Ivoire and officially the Republic of the Ivory Coast, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital city of Yamoussoukro is located in the centre of the country, while its largest city and economic centre is the port city of Abidjan. — Wikipedia
Three
Mbabane and Lobamba are the two capitals of which nation?
Answer: Eswatini
Eswatini has two capitals: Mbabane, the administrative capital and seat of government, and Lobamba, the royal and legislative capital.
Four
South Africa is unique in having three separate capital cities: one for the executive and administrative branch, one for the legislative branch, and one for the judicial branch. Can you name these three capitals?
Answer: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein
Pretoria is the executive and administrative capital while Cape Town serves as the legislative capital and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital.
Five
If Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte serves as the legislative capital of a nation, which city functions as the economic, executive and judicial capital? Secondly, what is the name of the country?
Answer: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital of Sri Lanka. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is located adjacent to the urban area of Sri Lanka’s de facto economic, executive, and judicial capital, Colombo. — Wikipedia
If Sucre is described as the constitutional and judicial capital, where is the seat of government?
Two
name: Yamoussoukro (legislative capital), Abidjan (administrative and economic capital); note – the US Embassy is in Abidjan — CIA’s The World Factbook
This quote is from the CIA’s The World Factbook. Which nation does it refer to?
Three
Mbabane and Lobamba are the two capitals of which nation?
Four
South Africa is unique in having three separate capital cities: one for the executive and administrative branch, one for the legislative branch, and one for the judicial branch. Can you name these three capitals?
Five
If Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte serves as the legislative capital of a nation, which city functions as the economic, executive and judicial capital? Secondly, what is the name of the country?
Who was the first astronaut to drive a Lunar Rover on the Moon’s surface?
Answer: David Scott
Between July 30 and August 2, 1971, David Scott, commander of Apollo 15, drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV-1) for 3 hours and 2 minutes. These journeys covered A total of 17.25 miles (27.76 km) across the lunar surface. Apollo 15(LRV-1) 17.25 miles (27.76 km) 3 h 02 min 7.75 miles (12.47 km) 3.1 miles (5.0 km)
Two
What, in Roman numerals, is the sum of LXXXIV and DCCLIX?
Answer: DCCCXLIII
LXXXIV =
L = 50
XXX = 30
IV = 4 → 50 + 30 + 4 = 84
DCCLIX =
D = 500
CC = 200
L = 50
IX = 9 → 500 + 200 + 50 + 9 = 759
84 + 759 = 843
Convert 843 to Roman numerals:
800 = DCCC
40 = XL
3 = III
→ 843 = DCCCXLIII
Three
John F. Kennedy had a dog called Dunker. What breed was it?
Answer: Dachshund
The Dachshund is a small, long-bodied dog breed originally developed in Germany to hunt badgers. The name literally means ‘badger dog’—Dachs = badger, Hund = dog. They’re often called ‘sausage dogs’ because of their shape.
Four
Which character in a work by Alexandre Dumas was possibly inspired by the vengeful shoemaker Pierre Picaud of Nîmes?
Answer: Edmond Dantes, The Count of Monte Cristo
Pierre Picaud, a shoemaker from Nîmes, is believed to have inspired Edmond Dantès, the protagonist of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Picaud’s story is strikingly similar to that of Dantès. In the early 19th century, Picaud was wrongfully imprisoned due to the betrayal of his friends and his fiancée. During his imprisonment in the Château d’If, he met an old man who shared with him knowledge of treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. Upon his release, Picaud used this treasure to exact revenge on those who had wronged him, much like Edmond Dantès does in Dumas’ novel. This story of Picaud’s life—his unjust imprisonment, subsequent escape, and thirst for vengeance—closely mirrors the narrative of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Five
Please list the US states whose names start with the letter ‘M’?
Answer: Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri and Montana
Bart Mancuso (Scott Glenn), commander USS Dallas, The Hunt for Red October. Image Jack Ryan Fandom
One
American novelist Tom Clancy died today in 2013. The film adaptation (1990) of his novel The Hunt for Red October (1984) featured who in the role of Jack Ryan and what was the name of the American Los Angeles-class attack submarine skippered by Commander Bart Mancuso?
Answer: Alec Baldwin and USS Dallas
The Hunt for Red October chronicles the efforts of CIA analyst Jack Ryan to prove that Soviet submarine Captain Marko Ramius is not attempting to attack the US but is instead defecting to the United States with the Soviet Union’s cutting-edge ballistic missile submarine, the Red October. The story, adapted from Tom Clancy’s novel of the same name, portrays a dangerous geopolitical game of cat and mouse as both the Soviet and American navies attempt to locate the advanced, stealthy submarine, fearing a nuclear confrontation if Ramius’ intentions are misunderstood.
Two
On this date, who became the first queen to rule England in her own right?
Answer: Mary I
Mary I, England’s first queen ruling in her own right, earned the nickname Bloody Mary for her persecution of Protestants to restore Roman Catholicism. Daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, became Queen of England and Ireland in 1553. Her attempts to restore Catholicism, including the Marian persecutions, were largely unsuccessful and her reign ended with her death in 1558.
Three
Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 by the US Congress. Two questions: in what US state is Yosemite National Park located, and what other US National Park in that state straddles the Nevada border?
Answer: California and Death Valley National Park
Yosemite National Park is located in California. Nevada boasts two national parks: Great Basin National Park and Death Valley National Park. Death Valley extends across both California and Nevada.
The ‘Thrilla in Manila‘ was a 1975 prizefight between which two prizefighters?
Answer: Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier
Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier in the 14th round of their third boxing match, the ‘Thrilla in Manila’, on 1 October 1975. The fight, considered one of the greatest in boxing history, was watched by an estimated 1 billion viewers.
Paddy O’Neil (Richard Harris), Patriot Games. Image Jack Ryan Fandom
Five
Which Irish actor, born in 1930, played Paddy O’Neil in Patriot Games (1992) and Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator (2000)?
Answer: Richard Harris
Irish actor and singer Richard Harris, known for his roles in films like This Sporting Life, The Field, and Gladiator, received numerous accolades including a Cannes Film Festival Award and a Grammy Award. He also gained acclaim for his role as Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. He also topped the music charts with MacArthur Park reaching number one in Australia, Canda and Jamaica; and top-ten entries in the UK, US and Ireland.
American novelist Tom Clancy died today in 2013. The film adaptation (1990) of his novel The Hunt for Red October (1984) featured who in the role of Jack Ryan and what was the name of the American Los Angeles-class attack submarine skippered by Commander Bart Mancuso?
Two
On this date, who became the first queen to rule England in her own right?
Three
Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 by the US Congress. Two questions: in what US state is Yosemite National Park located, and what other US National Park in that state straddles the Nevada border?
Four
The ‘Thrilla in Manila‘ was a 1975 prizefight between which two prizefighters?
Five
Which Irish actor, born in 1930, played Paddy O’Neil in Patriot Games (1992) and Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator (2000)?
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961. Image Wikipedia
One
In the 1961 comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn stars as Holly Golightly. Born on this date in 1924, who wrote the novella that inspired the film?
Answer: Truman Capote
Truman Capote’s 1958 novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s is set in 1940s New York City’s Upper East Side. It follows a writer’s recollections of his neighbour Holly Golightly and her life in Manhattan. While based on the novella, the film’s screenplay deviates from the book’s original storyline.
Two
In an attempt to appease Adolf Hitler, Great Britain and France agreed to Hitler’s demand for the annexation of the Sudetenland, a region in what former country?
Answer: Czechoslovakia
The Munich Agreement, signed on September 30, 1938, was a settlement reached by Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy that allowed for the German annexation of the Sudetenland, a region in western Czechoslovakia. This agreement was part of the policy of appeasement, where European powers aimed to prevent war by conceding to some of Adolf Hitler’s territorial demands. The Czechoslovak government was not consulted during the negotiations and was forced to accept the terms. The agreement is often criticized for emboldening Hitler, as it failed to prevent further aggression, leading to the occupation of the rest of Czechoslovakia and eventually World War II.
…professional tennis player who became the youngest person in the “open” era to win a Grand Slam singles title and the youngest to be ranked world number one. In her relatively short, injury-plagued career, she won five Grand Slam singles titles—the Australian Open (1997, 1998, 1999), Wimbledon (1997), and the United States Open (1997).
This quote refers to a tennis player born in 1980 in Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). Who is she?
Answer: Martina Hingis
Martina Hingis, who was named after Martina Navratilova, was introduced to sports by her tennis-playing parents and excelled in skiing and tennis from a young age. After moving to Switzerland, she became the youngest Grand Slam junior titleholder at 12. Hingis turned professional at 14, becoming the youngest player to win a Grand Slam match and the youngest Wimbledon doubles champion. The WTA later restricted participation for young players.
Following World War II, Germany was divided into four zones controlled by the British, French, Americans and Russians. Berlin, completely encircled by the Russian zone, was also partitioned. Image Wikipedia
Four
Today in 1949, an airlift delivering 2,323,738 tons of food, fuel, machinery, and other supplies was officially ended. To what city was this relief supplied?
Answer: West Berlin
The Berlin Blockade (1948-49) was a Soviet attempt to force the Western Allies out of West Berlin by severing all land and water routes. In retaliation, the US and Britain launched the Berlin Airlift to deliver supplies to the city by air. This airlift symbolised the Allies’ unwavering commitment to resisting Soviet expansion. successfully supplying the city for 15 months. The operation, involving over 250,000 flights, underscored the ideological divide between East and West and solidified West Berlin’s alignment with the US and Britain.
Five
An opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart premiered in Austria on this day in 1791. According to Encyclopædia Britannica, ‘It is an allegory of the quest for wisdom and enlightenment presented through Freemasonry symbols’. What is the opera?
The Magic Flute
Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute, is an allegory of the quest for wisdom and enlightenment, rich with Masonic symbolism. The libretto, believed to draw from various sources including medieval romance and Freemasonry, was written by Emanuel Schikaneder, a close friend of Mozart.
See question 4 above. ‘A U.S. Air Force Douglas C-54 Skymaster making a “Little Vittles” candy drop (note the parachutes below the tail of the C-54) on approach to a Berlin airfield. Aircrews dropped candy to children during the Berlin Airlift.’ Image Wikipedia
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961. Image Wikipedia
One
In the 1961 comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn stars as Holly Golightly. Born on this date in 1924, who wrote the novella that inspired the film?
Two
In an attempt to appease Adolf Hitler, Great Britain and France agreed to Hitler’s demand for the annexation of the Sudetenland, a region in what former country?
Three
…professional tennis player who became the youngest person in the “open” era to win a Grand Slam singles title and the youngest to be ranked world number one. In her relatively short, injury-plagued career, she won five Grand Slam singles titles—the Australian Open (1997, 1998, 1999), Wimbledon (1997), and the United States Open (1997).
This quote refers to a tennis player born in 1980 in Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). Who is she?
Four
Today in 1949, an airlift delivering 2,323,738 tons of food, fuel, machinery, and other supplies was officially ended. To what city was this relief supplied?
Five
An opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart premiered in Austria on this day in 1791. According to Encyclopædia Britannica, ‘It is an allegory of the quest for wisdom and enlightenment presented through Freemasonry symbols’. What is the opera?
The Raising of Lazarus and the Adoration of the Shepherds Regional Museum of Messina, Sicily, Italy Image Wikipedia
One
Which Italian artist born this day in 1571, painted the works above which are displayed in Sicily?
Answer: Caravaggio
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, (known mononymously as Caravaggio) an Italian painter from the late 16th and early 17th centuries, gained fame for his realistic religious works.
Two
In 1829 the Metropolitan Police was founded, by what name (two words the first contains eight letters) is the force, especially the Criminal Investigation Department, colloquially known?
Answer: Scotland Yard
Through the efforts of Robert Peel, England’s first professional police force, London’s Metropolitan Police (often called Scotland Yard), was founded; it became a model for future police departments in various other countries, including the United States.
Born in Rome in 1901, who became an associate director of Manhattan Project in 1944?
Answer: Enrico Fermi
Enrico Fermi, an Italian-born American scientist, was a pivotal figure in the nuclear age. He developed mathematical statistics for subatomic phenomena, explored neutron-induced nuclear transformations, and directed the first controlled nuclear fission chain reaction, earning the 1938 Nobel Prize for Physics. Fermi is best known for creating the first artificial nuclear reactor, Chicago Pile-1, and for his contributions to the Manhattan Project. His work spanned statistical mechanics, quantum theory, and nuclear and particle physics.
Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia. Image Wikipedia
Four
Who was the first woman to hold the office of Prime Minister of Australia?
Answer: Julia Gillard
Julia Gillard, born in Wales, served as Australia’s 27th prime minister. She was the first and, as of September 2025, the only woman to hold the position.
Five
Following the Challenger disaster in January 1986 and the suspension of NASA’s space shuttle programme, it resumed on this day. In which year and with which shuttle did this happen?
Answer: 1988 and Discovery
On January 28, 1986, the Challenger shuttle exploded shortly after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts including schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe. A presidential commission discovered a joint seal in a solid rocket booster had failed due to mechanical design flaws exacerbated by cold weather. Hot gases leaking from the joint ignited the shuttle’s external tank fuel leading to the devastating explosion. As a result, the shuttle fleet was grounded for necessary design corrections and administrative changes. On 29 September 1988, Discovery was the first shuttle to resume flights. Endeavour, a replacement orbiter, finally flew its first mission in 1992.
Here are five questions related to today, September 29th.
The Raising of Lazarus and the Adoration of the Shepherds Regional Museum of Messina, Sicily, Italy. Image Wikipedia
One
Which Italian artist born this day in 1571, painted the works above which are displayed in Sicily?
Two
In 1829 the Metropolitan Police was founded, by what name (two words the first contains eight letters) is the force, especially the Criminal Investigation Department, colloquially known?
Three
Born in Rome in 1901, who became an associate director of Manhattan Project in 1944?
Four
Who was the first woman to hold the office of Prime Minister of Australia?
Five
Following the Challenger disaster in January 1986 and the suspension of NASA’s space shuttle programme, it resumed on this day. In which year and with which shuttle did this happen?
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