Scott F

Main St. to Westminster Abbey via the North Pole | Answers

*Exile on Main St*. Rolling Stones.
Image Pinterest.

Exile on Main St., a double album was released on 12 May 1972 by…
- Rolling Stones—Exile on Main St. is the Rolling Stones’ tenth studio album, released in 1972. The album, recorded in France and Los Angeles, features a mix of blues, rock and roll, swing, country and gospel influences. It is considered a pivotal hard rock album and is often regarded as the Rolling Stones’ best work.
  
  Norge airship.
  Image Wikipedia

The first verified flight over the North Pole took place on this date in 1926. The flight was made in a…
- Semirigid airship—The Norge, an Italian-built airship, completed the first verified flight to the North Pole on 12 May 1926. The expedition, led by Roald Amundsen and funded by Lincoln Ellsworth, was the first to fly over the polar ice cap between Europe and America.
  Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
  Portrait by Richard Stone
  Image Wikipedia
On 12 May 1937, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were crowned. George had been king since December 1936, following his brother Edward VIII’s abdication. Prior to Edward’s abdication, the new king and queen were known by what titles?
- Duke and Duchess of York—George VI, born Albert, and titled Duke of York, became king after his brother Edward VIII abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson.. He led the UK through World War II, symbolising British determination. He died in 1952, his daughter becoming Queen Elizabeth II. His widowed consort, now styled Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, lived for a further 50 years.
  
  During the Berlin Airlift in 1948, U.S., British, and French planes delivered food and other goods to Berlin, which was blockaded by Soviet forces. In this photo, German children stand on a hillside and watch a U.S. plane fly overhead.
  Image Wikipedia
On this day in 1949, the Soviet Union lifted its blockade of…
- Berlin—The Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin in 1948–49, cutting off all land and water access. The Western Allies responded with the Berlin Airlift, supplying West Berlin by air for nearly a year until the Soviets lifted the blockade.
  
  Florence Nightingale, an angel of mercy. Crimean War: Florence Nightingale with her candle making the night round of the wards at Scutari hospital.
  Coloured mezzotint, c. 1855, by Tomkins after Butterworth.
  Image Wikipedia
Three English people are listed, but one was born while her parents were on an extended honeymoon in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Can you identify which one?
- Florence Nightingale, nurse and social reformer—Florence Nightingale, an English social reformer and statistician, revolutionised modern nursing. During the Crimean War, she led a team of nurses in Scutari, Turkey, improving hospital conditions and reducing mortality rates. Her dedication, known as the “Lady with the Lamp,” earned her international acclaim and led to the establishment of the first scientifically based nursing schools.

*Mission of Mercy: Florence Nightingale receiving the Wounded at Scutari.*
(Jerry Barrett, 1857)
Image National Portrait Gallery, London/Wikipedia https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Nightingale_receiving_the_Wounded_at_Scutari_by_Jerry_BarrettFXD.jpg

Main St. to Westminster Abbey via the North Pole

George VI and Elizabeth, coronation portrait.
Image Wikipedia

Exile on Main Street, a double album, was released on 12 May 1972 by…
- Bob Dylan
- Chicago
- Rolling Stones

The first verified flight over the North Pole took place on this date in 1926. The flight was made in a…
- Fokker bi-plane
- Hot air Balloon
- Semirigid airship
On 12 May 1937, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were crowned. George had been king since December 1936, following his brother Edward VIII’s abdication. Prior to Edward’s abdication, the new king and queen were known by what titles?
- Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh
- Duke and Duchess of Sussex
- Duke and Duchess of York
On this day in 1949, the Soviet Union lifted its blockade of…
- Baghdad
- Baku
- Berlin
Of the three English people listed one was born while their parents were on an extended honeymoon in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Can you identify which one?
- Edward Lear, poet and illustrator
- Florence Nightingale, nurse and social reformer
- Dante Gabriel Rossetti, poet and painter

Legs 11 | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

Statue of Constantine the Great in the Capitoline museums.
Image Wikipedia

Where, on 11 May 330, was dedicated as the “New Rome”? Byzantium—Constantine the Great renamed Byzantium as “New Rome” in 330 CE, later changing it to Constantinople. The city, founded in 657 BCE, was officially renamed Istanbul in the 20th century.

Rhinoceros. Salvador Dali.
Image Wikipedia
Which Spanish artist born today in 1904, at Figueras, Spain, also died there in 1989? Salvador Dali—Salvador Dalí was a Spanish surrealist artist known for his technical skill and striking, bizarre images. He joined the Surrealist group in 1929 and achieved commercial success in the United States in the 1940s. Dalí’s work influenced Surrealism, pop art and contemporary artists.

Entrance to the German death camp Auschwitz I in Poland. The sign “Arbeit macht frei” translates as “Work makes you free”.
Image Wikipedia
Former senior Nazi official Adolf Eichmann was captured by Israeli intelligence agents on 11 May 1960. Near what capital city was he captured? Buenos Aires, Argentina—Otto Adolf Eichmann, a German-Austrian Nazi official, was a key organiser of the Holocaust. He participated in the Wannsee Conference, where the Final Solution was planned, and oversaw the mass deportation of Jews to extermination camps. After the war, he escaped to Argentina but was captured by Mossad in 1960 and tried in Israel, where he was convicted and executed.

Gary Kasparov vs Deep Blue, IBM Computer
Encyclopædia Britannica
On this day in 1997, Garry Kasparov was defeated in the final game of a six-game chess match. Which computer defeated him? Deep Blue—Deep Blue, a chess-playing supercomputer, was the first to defeat a reigning world champion under regular time controls. It first played Garry Kasparov in 1996, losing the match, but won a rematch in 1997.

Gordon Brown.
Image Wikipedia
11 May 2010, saw the resignation of which British prime minister? Gordon Brown—James Gordon Brown, a British politician, served as Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010. Prior to this, he was Chancellor of the Exchequer under Tony Blair, overseeing significant economic reforms and the longest period of economic growth in British history. After leaving office, Brown continued to serve as an MP and later became a UN Special Envoy and WHO Ambassador.

Legs 11

Here are some questions related to today, 11 May.

Where, on 11 May 330, was dedicated as the “New Rome”?
- Avignon
- Byzantium
- Cordoba

Which Spanish artist born today in 1904, at Figueras, Spain, also died there in 1989?
- Salvador Dali
- Francisco Goya
- Pablo Picasso
Former senior Nazi official Adolf Eichmann was captured by Israeli intelligence agents on 11 May 1960. Near what capital city was he captured?
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Brasilia, Brazil
- Santiago, Chile
On this day in 1997, Garry Kasparov was defeated in the final game of a six-game chess match. Which computer defeated him?
- Deep Blue
- Deep Mind
- Deep Thought
11 May 2010, saw the resignation of which British prime minister?
- Gordon Brown
- David Cameron
- Tony Blair

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Miscellany II | Answers

Peanut (*Arachis hypogaea*)
Image Wikipedia

US President Jimmy Carter was a farmer, what type of farming was he involved in?
- Peanut—Jimmy Carter, the first US president born in a hospital, grew up in Plains, Georgia, and later Archery. He attended the US Naval Academy, graduating in 1946, and served in the Navy until 1953, including a stint in the nuclear submarine programme. After his father’s death, Carter returned to Georgia to take over the family peanut business, facing challenges but eventually becoming successful.
  
  Amazon, which has the greatest discharge of any river, discharging into the Atlantic Ocean.
  Image NASA/Wikipedia
What the second-largest river on earth by discharge?
- Ganges—is second at 43,950 m$^3$/s following the Amazon’s 224,000| m$^3$/s. The Yangtze comes fifth with 31,900 m$^3$/s and the Mississippi tenth at 21,300 m$^3$/s.
  
  Tomb of Merlin, Forest of Paimpont (Brocéliande).
  Image Wikipedia
Brittany’s Brocéliande Forest (aka Paimpont Forest) is the site of the tomb of which legendary magical figure?
- Merlin—The forest of Brocéliande, first mentioned in Chrétien de Troyes’s Arthurian romance, is associated with Merlin and Morgan le Fay in later works. Its exact location is debated, with theories placing it in Brittany, specifically near Quintin or in Paimpont forest, with the latter being considered most likely.
  
  Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11, on Lunar Surface wearing an Omega Speedmaster.
  Image Wikipedia
In 1969, the first wrist watch to be worn on the Moon was manufactured by…
- Omega—Buzz Aldrin became the first person to wear a watch on the Moon, wearing the Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph. Although Neil Armstrong was the first to set foot on the Moon, he left his 105.012 Speedmaster inside the Lunar Module Eagle as a backup because the LM’s electronic timer had malfunctioned. Aldrin wore his Speedmaster, making it the first watch ever worn on the Moon.
  
  Marionette, is a puppet worked by strings.
  Image Pinterest.
A person who’s actions are controlled by another could be described as a …
- Quockerwodger—which is best described as follows:
  
  The term quockerwodger, although referring to a wooden toy figure which jerks its limbs about when pulled by a string, has been supplemented with a political meaning. A pseudo-politician, one whose strings of action are pulled by somebody else, is now often termed a quockerwodger.
  — John Camden Hotten. A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words (1859)

Miscellany II

Here are a few questions which have no connections they are simply miscellany.

US President Jimmy Carter was a farmer, what type of farming was he involved in?
- Avocado
- Peanut
- Zucchini
What the second-largest river on earth by discharge?
- Ganges
- Mississippi
- Yangtze
Brittany’s Brocéliande Forest (aka Paimpont Forest) is the site of the tomb of which legendary magical figure?
- Circe
- Merlin
- Witch of Endor
In 1969, the first wrist watch to be worn on the Moon was manufactured by…
- Bulova
- Omega
- Rolex
A person who’s actions are controlled by another could be described as a …
- Quaalude
- Quillaja
- Quockerwodger

Ancient Greek Terracotta dolls.
National Archaeological Museum in Athens/Wikipedia

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Miscellany | Answers

Here are the answers to the questions posted earlier today. The answers are shown in bold below.

Bikini Atoll is in which island group?
- Marshall Islands—Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands was used by the United States for atomic bomb testing from 1946 to 1958, contaminating the atoll and forcing the relocation of its 166 native inhabitants. Despite cleanup efforts, radiation levels remain too high for resettlement, though tourism is permitted.
  
  Bluetooth logo
  Image Wikipedia
Which king is credited with the unification of Denmark?
- Harald Bluetooth—ruled Denmark from c. 958 to c. 986, during which time he unified the various tribes, introduced Christianity and consolidated his power. His rule in Norway was brief, likely lasting only a few years in the 970s. The Bluetooth wireless specification would unite devices and so was named after Harald, who united the tribes of Denmark. The Bluetooth logo incorporates his initials, H and B, in Younger Futhark bind runes.
The word “Pundit” comes from which language where it means “learned man”?
- Sanskrit—A pundit is an expert who offers authoritative opinions on a particular subject area, typically through the mass media. The term originates from the Sanskrit word “pandit,” meaning “learned man,” and has historical roots in India, referring to scholars and advisors to the king.
  
  One of Princess Anne’s Reliant Scimitar GTE’s— she had eight apparently!
  Classicyorkshire.co.uk
A Scimitar GTE sports car was given to Princess Anne by her parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as a 20th birthday present in 1970. Which British car manufacturer launched this model in 1968?
- Reliant—a British company commonly known for their three-wheeled Robin produced this sports car from 1964 to 1986, during which time it evolved from a coupe to a sports estate and convertible. It featured a fibreglass body on a steel chassis and Ford engines. The Reliant Scimitar SE5, a sports estate hatchback, was designed in under a year and featured a new chassis, suspension, and fuel system. It was powered by a 3.0-litre Ford Essex engine and could reach over 120 mph. The SE5 was a success, with 4,311 units produced, and Princess Anne received one as a birthday present and reportedly owned eight or nine in total.
  
  Pipe-weed.
  Image lots.fandom.com
Two of these are real plants and one fictional, what is the fictional one?
- Pipe-weed—is a fictional strain of tobacco from JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth, with varieties such as Longbottom Leaf, Old Toby, Southern Star and Southlinch. In contrast, Polecat weed, also known as Symplocarpus foetidus or skunk cabbage, is a real low-growing plant found in eastern North American wetlands, characterised by its bruised leaves that emit a skunk-like odour. Additionally, Colic weed encompasses species like Aletris, Corydalis flavula and Dicentra.

Merry and Pippin smoking pipe-weed.
Image Pinterest

Miscellany

Here are some questions with no link to anything other than general miscellany.

Bikini Atoll is in which island group?
- Marshall Islands
- Solomon Islands
- Wallis and Futuna Islands
Which king is credited with the unification of Denmark?
- Harald Greycloak
- Harald Bluetooth
- Sweyn Forkbeard
The word “Pundit” comes from which language where it means “learned man”?
- Mesopotamian
- Egyptian
- Sanskrit
A Scimitar GTE sports car was given to Princess Anne by her parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as a 20th birthday present in 1970. Which British car manufacturer had launched this model in 1968 ?
- Jaguar
- Lotus
- Reliant
Two of these are real plants and one fictional, what is the fictional one?
- Pipe-weed
- Colic weed
- Polecat weed

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

A year in the day | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

Almost a month after Paul McCartney’s announcement that he had left the band, The Beatles released their last original studio album, Let It Be on 8 May…
- 1970—the Beatles’ final studio album, Let It Be, was released in 1970 after the band’s disbandment. The album, originally titled Get Back, was recorded in 1969 and included the iconic title track and popular songs like Across the Universe and I’ve Got a Feeling.
  
  Alex Van Halen.
  Image Wikipedia
Drummer Alex Van Halen was born today in…
- 1953—Alex Van Halen, drummer and co-founder of Van Halen, is known for his technical prowess and speed And widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time. Van Halen, the band, formed in 1972 andsigned with Warner Brothers Records in 1977.
  
  Smallpox Immunization, Niger, Africa.
  Image: CDC/ Dr. J. D. Millar/Wikipedia
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it had eradicated smallpox, the announcement was made on 8 May…
- 1980—The global eradication of smallpox was certified, based on intense verification activities, by a commission of eminent scientists on 9 December 1979 and subsequently endorsed by the World Health Assembly on 8 May 1980. The first two sentences of their resolution read:
  
  “Having considered the development and results of the global program on smallpox eradication initiated by WHO in 1958 and intensified since 1967 … Declares solemnly that the world and its peoples have won freedom from smallpox, which was a most devastating disease sweeping in epidemic form through many countries since earliest time, leaving death, blindness and disfigurement in its wake and which only a decade ago was rampant in Africa, Asia and South America.”
  
  Jaws, first edition cover.
  Image Wikipedia
Peter Benchley, American author and screenwriter, was born on 8 May…
- 1940—Peter Bradford Benchley was an American author best known for his novel Jaws. Later in life, he became an advocate for marine conservation, expressing regret for his writing about sharks.
  
  John S. Pemberton.
  Image Wikipedia
Pharmacist John S. Pemberton sold a carbonated beverage for the first time as a patent medicine, naming it Coca-Cola, on 8 May…
- 1886—Confederate Colonel John Pemberton, wounded in the Civil War and addicted to morphine, created Pemberton’s French Wine Coca nerve tonic in 1885. After prohibition legislation in Atlanta, he developed Coca-Cola, a non-alcoholic version, in 1886, marketing it as a cure for various ailments including morphine addiction.

“*Drink Coca-Cola 5¢*“, an 1890s advertising poster.
Image Wikipedia

A year in the day

Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, 8 May. All the answers are a year.

Almost a month after Paul McCartney’s announcement that he had left the band, The Beatles released their last original studio album, Let It Be on 8 May…
- 1969
- 1970
- 1971
Drummer Alex Van Halen was born on 8 May…
- 1949
- 1951
- 1953
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it had eradicated smallpox, the announcement was made on 8 May…
- 1960
- 1970—
- 1980
American author and screenwriter Peter Benchley was born on 8 May…
- 1940—
- 1950
- 1960
Pharmacist John S. Pemberton sold a carbonated beverage for the first time as a patent medicine, naming it Coca-Cola, on 8 May…
- 1886
- 1899
- 1912

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.