These questions all relate to today’s date, February 26th.
Napoleon’s Return from Elba 1815 by Charles de Steuben. Image Wikimedia Commons
One
On this day in 1815, Napoleon escaping from captivity ushered in the Hundred Days. From where had he escaped?
Answer: Elba.
The Hundred Days in French history refers to the period between Napoleon’s return to Paris on 20 March 1815 and Louis XVIII’s return on 8 July 1815. This period marked Napoleon’s return from exile, his subsequent defeat at Waterloo, and his permanent exile, which led to the restoration of the French monarchy. After escaping from Elba, Napoleon regained power but faced opposition from the Fourth Coalition, resulting in his final defeat at Waterloo and second abdication.
Two
Who, born in Arkansas in 1932, often sang railroad songs such as Orange Blossom Special; Hey, Porter and Rock Island Line?
Answer: Johnny Cash.
Johnny Cash, the ‘Man in Black’, was an American singer-songwriter known for his deep voice, rebellious spirit, and songs about sorrow, redemption and prison life. He sold over 90 million records and was inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll and Gospel Music Halls of Fame.
Three
On this day in 1914, less than two years since Titanic sank, her sister ship was launched in Belfast. What was the name of the sister ship?
Answer: Britannic
HMHS (His Majesties Hospital Ship) Britannic, the largest hospital ship of its time, was the third and final vessel of the White Star Line’s Olympic class. Launched just before World War I, it operated between the UK and the Dardanelles until it sank in 1916 after hitting a mine, resulting in 30 fatalities. The wreck, the largest intact passenger ship on the seabed, was located by Jacques Cousteau in 1975.
Four
Born in Besançon, eastern France, in 1802, this novelist, poet and dramatist was one of France’s foremost Romantic writers. His characters include Oliver Cromwell, Archdeacon Claude Frollo and Bishop Muriel. Who is he?
Answer: Victor Hugo.
The characters mentioned in the question are in order from his works Oliver Cromwell, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Les Misérables. Victor Hugo (1802–1885) was a French Romantic author, poet, and playwright. He was a prominent political figure, advocating for republicanism and social causes. Hugo’s legacy includes his influence on music and his role as a national hero
Five
The first non-stop circumnavigation of the globe began on this day in what decade?
Answer: 1940s
In 1949, the Lucky Lady II, a Boeing B-50 Superfortress, became the first aircraft to circumnavigate the globe nonstop. The 94-hour and one minute journey, assisted by in-flight refuelling, showcased the potential of aerial refuelling for long-range missions. The crew received the Distinguished Flying Cross and prestigious aviation awards for their achievement.
These questions all relate to today’s date, February 26th.
Napoleon’s Return from … 1815 by Charles de Steuben. Image Wikimedia Commons
One
On this day in 1815, Napoleon escaping from captivity ushered in the Hundred Days. From where had he escaped?
Two
Who, born in Arkansas in 1932, often sang railroad songs such as Orange Blossom Special; Hey, Porter and Rock Island Line?
Three
On this day in 1914, less than two years since Titanic sank, her sister ship was launched in Belfast. What was the name of the sister ship?
Four
Born in Besançon, eastern France, in 1802, this novelist, poet and dramatist was one of France’s foremost Romantic writers. His characters include Oliver Cromwell, Archdeacon Claude Frollo and Bishop Muriel. Who is he?
Five
The first non-stop circumnavigation of the globe began on this day in what decade?
The painter of the above self-portrait was born in Limoges, France, on 25 February 1841. He became an early Impressionist but later adopted a more traditional style. Who is he?
Answer: Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was a French artist and leading Impressionist painter. He later developed a more disciplined technique, focusing on portraits and figure paintings, particularly of women.
Two
This author, best known by a pen name but also using another — Joseph Kell, was born John Burgess Wilson on this day in 1917 in an inner-city suburb of Manchester, England. After wartime service, he left the British army in 1946 with the rank of sergeant-major. His most famous work, a dystopian satire published in 1962, was adapted into a controversial film in 1971. What is his best-known pen name?
Answer: Anthony Burgess.
Anthony Burgess (1917-1993) was an English novelist, critic, and man of letters renowned for his fictional explorations of modern dilemmas. He wrote over 50 books, including novels, literary criticism, biographies, and musical compositions. Burgess’s works often combined linguistic ingenuity, witty erudition, and sharp social satire. He is best known for his dystopian satire A Clockwork Orange and was also a versatile linguist and literary critic, writing numerous novels, librettos and screenplays.
Three
In 1986, after claiming victory in a fraudulent election which led to a military coup and revolution, President Ferdinand Marcos fled his country. Of what country was Marcos president, and which opposition leader replaced him as president?
Answers: Philippines; Corazon Aquino.
Ferdinand Marcos fled the Philippines on 25 February 1986, seeking refuge in Hawaii with his family and a vast fortune, in part consisting of 22 crates of cash valued at $717 million, 300 crates of assorted jewellery, $4 million worth of unset precious gems, 65 Seiko and Cartier watches, a 12 by 4 ft box full of pearls, a 3 ft solid gold statue covered in diamonds and other precious stones, $200,000 in gold bullion, nearly $1 million in Philippine pesos, and deposit slips to banks in the United States, Switzerland, and the Cayman Islands worth $124 million. While enjoying a lavish lifestyle, Filipinos back home grappled with the economic consequences of his rule. Amongst other things, Imelda Marcos, the ousted First Lady, was found to have a collection of 2,700 pairs of shoes. The revolution that ousted Marcos was fuelled by widespread discontent, with protests erupting not only in Manila but also in the provinces and islands. Source: Wikipedia.
Four
Born in 1943, this musician was a prominent figure in the music world during the swinging sixties. He was originally part of a band where he wrote hits like Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. His sitar teacher was singer Norah Jones’ father. He later enjoyed a successful solo career. Who was he and who taught him to play the sitar?
Answers: George Harrison; Ravi Shankar.
George Harrison, lead guitarist of the Beatles, was known for his significant contributions to the band’s musical direction and his successful solo career. He incorporated non-Western musical influences, particularly Indian classical music, into the Beatles’ sound and later established himself as a solo artist with hits like My Sweet Lord. Harrison was also a prolific music and film producer, co-founding HandMade Films and producing acts for Apple Records. He produced the Monty Python’s troupe’s comedy film The Life of Brian (1979).
Five
In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated the English monarch from the Roman Catholic Church. Who was this monarch?
Answer: Elizabeth I.
Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, ruled England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603. Her reign, marked by religious tolerance and cautious foreign policy, saw the establishment of the Church of England and the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Despite numerous courtships, Elizabeth remained unmarried, earning her the moniker ‘Virgin Queen’.
The painter of the above self-portrait was born in Limoges, France, on 25 February 1841. He became an early Impressionist but later adopted a more traditional style. Who is he?
Two
This author, best known by a pen name but also using another — Joseph Kell, was born John Burgess Wilson on this day in 1917 in an inner-city suburb of Manchester, England. After wartime service, he left the British army in 1946 with the rank of sergeant-major. His most famous work, a dystopian satire published in 1962, was adapted into a controversial film in 1971. What is his best-known pen name?
Three
In 1986, after claiming victory in a fraudulent election which led to a military coup and revolution, President Ferdinand Marcos fled his country. Of what country was Marcos president, and which opposition leader replaced him as president?
Four
Born in 1943, this musician was a prominent figure in the music world during the swinging sixties. He was originally part of a band where he wrote hits like Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. His sitar teacher was singer Norah Jones’ father. He later enjoyed a successful solo career. Who was he and who taught him to play the sitar?
Five
In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated the English monarch from the Roman Catholic Church. Who was this monarch?
These questions all relate to today, February 24th.
Photograph of President Johnson, by Mathew Brady, circa 1870. Image Wikimedia Commons
One
Born in North Carolina in 1808, Andrew Johnson became the seventeenth president of the United States. Already notable as the first president to take office after an assassination and the first to be impeached, he achieved another unique milestone in 1875 — one no other president has matched. What was it?
Answer: He was elected to the US Senate.
Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States, assumed office after Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. His lenient Reconstruction policies led to his impeachment by the Radical Republicans in Congress, though he was acquitted. A self-taught man who rose from poverty, Johnson was a skilled orator and a staunch advocate for states’ rights and the Constitution. Following his presidency, he was elected in 1875 to the Senate, representing Tennessee, although he served only a short time before his death later that year. To date, he is the only president to have entered the Senate after his presidential term.
Two
On this day, two earthquakes struck with a maximum Mercalli intensities of VIII (Severe) and IX (Violent). The 1981 Gulf of Corinth earthquake affected the central region of a country while the 2004 Al Hoceima earthquake impacted the northern areas of another. Which two countries were affected?
Answers: Greece and Morocco.
In early 1981, the eastern part of the Gulf of Corinth in Greece experienced three earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 6 Ms over 11 days and maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), causing widespread damage in the Corinth–Athens area. Nearly 8,000 houses were destroyed, and 20–22 people lost their lives. On 24 February 2004, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco’s Al Hoceïma Province at 03:27 CET, with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). The epicentre was located about 13 km south-southwest of Al Hoceima. The earthquake resulted in 631 deaths, 926 injuries, and the destruction of over 2,500 homes, primarily in villages within the Rif Mountains.
Three
In men’s singles tennis, what Australian defeated Pete Sampras to win the 2001 U.S. Open, his first Grand Slam title, and ten months later overcame David Nalbandian on the All-England Club’s grass courts to win the 2002 Wimbledon tournament?
Answer: Lleyton Hewitt.
Lleyton Hewitt, born in 1981 in Adelaide, Australia, is a retired professional tennis player known for his court speed and determination. He won the U.S. Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002, becoming the youngest man to finish a year at number one in the ATP rankings. Despite injuries, he returned to compete in doubles events after retiring in 2016.
Four
Born in 1955, this future billionaire acquired a controlling interest in Pixar in 1986. He played a key role in transforming it into a major animation studio, ultimately leading to the creation of the first fully computer-animated feature film Toy Story in 1995. Later, he sold the company to Disney in 2006. Who is this future billionaire?
Answer: Steve Jobs.
Steve Jobs, a charismatic pioneer of the personal computer era, co-founded Apple Inc. in 1976 and oversaw the launch of revolutionary products like the iPod and iPhone. Despite battling pancreatic cancer, he remained a visionary leader until his death in 2011.
Five
In which modern country was Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain, and Archduke of Austria, born in 1500?
Answer: Belgium
Born in Prinsenhof, Ghent, Flanders (now Belgium), Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain, and Archduke of Austria, inherited a vast empire spanning Europe and the Americas at a young age. Throughout his reign, he faced significant challenges, including defending against Protestantism, Ottoman and French pressure, and papal hostility. Despite his efforts, he eventually conceded the Peace of Augsburg and abdicated in favour of his son and brother.
These questions all relate to today, February 24th.
Photograph of President Johnson, by Mathew Brady, circa 1870. Image Wikimedia Commons
One
Born in North Carolina in 1808, Andrew Johnson became the seventeenth president of the United States. Already notable as the first president to take office after an assassination and the first to be impeached, he achieved another unique milestone in 1875 — one no other president has matched. What was it?
Two
On this day, two earthquakes struck with a maximum Mercalli intensities of VIII (Severe) and IX (Violent). The 1981 Gulf of Corinth earthquake affected the central region of a country while the 2004 Al Hoceima earthquake impacted the northern areas of another. Which two countries were affected?
Three
In men’s singles tennis, what Australian defeated Pete Sampras to win the 2001 U.S. Open, his first Grand Slam title, and ten months later overcame David Nalbandian on the All-England Club’s grass courts to win the 2002 Wimbledon tournament?
Four
Born in 1955, this future billionaire acquired a controlling interest in Pixar in 1986. He played a key role in transforming it into a major animation studio, ultimately leading to the creation of the first fully computer-animated feature film Toy Story in 1995. Later, he sold the company to Disney in 2006. Who is this future billionaire?
Five
In which modern country was Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain, and Archduke of Austria, born in 1500?
Which famous photograph featuring US Marine Ira Hayes shows him and fellow servicemen raising the American flag during a pivotal World War II battle?
Answer: Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima
The photograph, taken by Joe Rosenthal during the Battle of Iwo Jima atop Mount Suribachi on 23 February 1945, became one of the most reproduced images in history and later inspired the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. Among the six men in the iconic Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima photograph was Ira Hamilton Hayes, a US Marine and Gila River Indian Community member who fought in WWII’s Bougainville and Iwo Jima campaigns. Hayes later struggled with PTSD and alcoholism and died in 1955, being commemorated in art, film, and song, The Ballad of Ira Hayes. The lyrics are copied at the end of the post.
Two
Goodbye, Norma Jeane Though I never knew you at all You had the grace to hold yourself While those around you crawled They crawled out of the woodwork And they whispered into your brain They set you on the treadmill And they made you change your name
Goodbye England’s rose May you ever grow in our hearts You were the grace that placed itself Where lives were torn apart You called out to our country And you whispered to those in pain Now you belong to heaven And the stars spell out your name
This song has two versions, and the first verse of each is shown above. The first was written in 1973, and it was adapted 24 years later; both were written about different people. There are several questions…
What’s the song title in each case?
Who were the songwriters?
Who is the subject of each respective version?
Answers
Candle in the Wind and Candle in the Wind 1997
Elton John and Bernie Taupin
Marilyn Monroe and Diana, princess of Wales
Candle in the Wind is a song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, originally in honour of Marilyn Monroe. A rewritten version, Candle in the Wind 1997, was performed as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales at her funeral. Adapted from Elton John’s 1973 song, Candle in the Wind 1997 became the best-selling single in UK and US chart history and won a Grammy Award.
Three
This 20th-century singer-songwriter wrote about the 1959 plane crash referred to as ‘The Day the Music Died’. He also wrote a song about a 19th-century artist whose opening line references a painting often mistaken for the song’s title. There are four questions…
Who is the singer-songwriter?
What are the titles of the two songs?
Who were the three rock and roll musicians who died in the crash?
Finally, who was the artist?
Answers
Don McLean
American Pie and Vincent
Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper
Vincent van Gogh
American Pie by Don McLean, released in 1971, was a number-one hit in the US and several other countries. Known for its length and cryptic lyrics, the song reflects on the musicians deaths, the cultural changes and loss of innocence experienced by McLean’s generation. In 2017, the original recording was selected for preservation in the US National Recording Registry. McLean also wrote Vincent as a tribute to Vincent van Gogh, which topped the UK Singles Chart in 1972 and was ranked No. 94 by Billboard for that year.
Four
Lori Lieberman co-wrote this song with lyrics about Don McLean after watching him in performance. Arguably the best known version is Roberta Flack’s 1973 cover which became a number-one hit in the US, Australia and Canada, and a top ten hit in the UK. What is the song?
Answer: Killing Me Softly with His Song.
Killing Me Softly with His Song, composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel, was inspired by a Don McLean performance. Roberta Flack’s 1973 version topped charts worldwide, winning Grammy Awards. The Fugees’ 1996 cover also achieved global success, winning a Grammy and topping the Billboard Hot 100.
Five
Je t’aime… moi non plus was written in 1967 by Serge Gainsbourg. The best known version of it was Gainsbourg’s 1969 duet with Jane Birkin which topped the UK charts. Who, often referred to as ‘B.B.’, had Gainsbourg originally written the song for?
Answer: Brigitte Bardot.
Je t’aime… moi non plus (meaning ‘I love you… me neither’) is a 1967 song written by Serge Gainsbourg for Brigitte Bardot. In 1969, Gainsbourg recorded a popular duet version with British actress Jane Birkin. While this version topped the charts in Birkin’s native United Kingdom, becoming the first foreign-language song to achieve this feat and reaching number two in Ireland, it faced censorship in several countries due to its explicit sexual content. In 1976, Gainsbourg directed Birkin in an erotic film of the same name.
The Ballad Of Ira Hayes By Peter La Farge
Ira Hayes, Ira Hayes
[CHORUS:] Call him drunken Ira Hayes He won’t answer anymore Not the whiskey drinkin’ Indian Nor the Marine that went to war
Gather round me people there’s a story I would tell About a brave young Indian you should remember well From the land of the Pima Indian A proud and noble band Who farmed the Phoenix valley in Arizona land
Down the ditches for a thousand years The water grew Ira’s peoples’ crops ‘Till the white man stole the water rights And the sparklin’ water stopped
Now Ira’s folks were hungry And their land grew crops of weeds When war came, Ira volunteered And forgot the white man’s greed
[CHORUS:] Call him drunken Ira Hayes He won’t answer anymore Not the whiskey drinkin’ Indian Nor the Marine that went to war
There they battled up Iwo Jima’s hill, Two hundred and fifty men But only twenty-seven lived to walk back down again
And when the fight was over And when Old Glory raised Among the men who held it high Was the Indian, Ira Hayes
[CHORUS:] Call him drunken Ira Hayes He won’t answer anymore Not the whiskey drinkin’ Indian Nor the Marine that went to war
Ira returned a hero Celebrated through the land He was wined and speeched and honored; Everybody shook his hand
But he was just a Pima Indian No water, no crops, no chance At home nobody cared what Ira’d done And when did the Indians dance
[CHORUS:] Call him drunken Ira Hayes He won’t answer anymore Not the whiskey drinkin’ Indian Nor the Marine that went to war
Then Ira started drinkin’ hard; Jail was often his home They’d let him raise the flag and lower it like you’d throw a dog a bone!
He died drunk one mornin’ Alone in the land he fought to save Two inches of water in a lonely ditch Was a grave for Ira Hayes
[CHORUS:] Call him drunken Ira Hayes He won’t answer anymore Not the whiskey drinkin’ Indian Nor the Marine that went to war
Yeah, call him drunken Ira Hayes But his land is just as dry And his ghost is lyin’ thirsty In the ditch where Ira died
Which famous photograph featuring US Marine Ira Hayes shows him and fellow servicemen raising the American flag during a pivotal World War II battle?
Two
Goodbye, Norma Jeane Though I never knew you at all You had the grace to hold yourself While those around you crawled They crawled out of the woodwork And they whispered into your brain They set you on the treadmill And they made you change your name
AZ Lyrics
Goodbye England’s rose May you ever grow in our hearts You were the grace that placed itself Where lives were torn apart You called out to our country And you whispered to those in pain Now you belong to heaven And the stars spell out your name
AZ Lyrics
This song has two versions, and the first verse of each is shown above. The first was written in 1973, and it was adapted 24 years later; both were written about different people. There are several questions…
What’s the song title in each case?
Who were the songwriters?
Who is the subject of each respective version?
Three
This 20th-century singer-songwriter wrote about the 1959 plane crash referred to as ‘The Day the Music Died’. He also wrote a song about a 19th-century artist whose opening line references a painting often mistaken for the song’s title. There are four questions…
Who is the singer-songwriter?
What are the titles of the two songs?
Who were the three rock and roll musicians who died in the crash?
Finally, who was the artist?
Four
Lori Lieberman co-wrote this song with lyrics about Don McLean after watching him in performance. Arguably the best known version is Roberta Flack’s 1973 cover which became a number-one hit in the US, Australia and Canada, and a top ten hit in the UK. What is the song?
Five
Je t’aime… moi non plus was written in 1967 by Serge Gainsbourg. The best known version of it was Gainsbourg’s 1969 duet with Jane Birkin which topped the UK charts. Who, often referred to as ‘B.B.’, had Gainsbourg originally written the song for?
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
Todays questions are all related to the date, February 22nd.
Dolly the Sheep. The taxidermy mount of Dolly on exhibit at the National Museum of Scotland, 2009. Image Wikimedia Commons
One
On this day in 1997, the world was introduced to Dolly the sheep. Cloned at a Scottish institute sharing a name with a nearby chapel featured in a Dan Brown novel and film, both the institute and chapel’s names originate from that of a village with multiple spellings. What is it?
Answer: Roslin (Institute) or Rosslyn (Chapel) or Roslyn.
Dolly the Sheep was cloned at the Roslin Institute, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell. The nearby Rosslyn Chapel, founded in 1446 by Sir William St. Clair, is a remarkable example of ornate Gothic architecture. The chapel, known as a ‘Bible in stone’, features intricate carvings and sculptures, including the Apprentice Pillar, which is the subject of much speculation. Despite its association with the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail, the chapel’s true significance lies in its historical and architectural value. It featured in Dan Brown’s novel and film The Da Vinci Code.
Two
George Washington, the first president of the United States, was born on 22 February 1732 in Westmoreland, Virginia. This Virginian county was named after the British County of Westmorland, but on what island was this latter county found?
Answer: Great Britain.
Westmorland, a former county in North West England, is situated on the island of Great Britain. It encompassed part of the Lake District and the southern Vale of Eden. In 1974 it was incorporated into Cumbria and now forms part of the larger Westmorland and Furness unitary authority area.
Three
Exactly 200 years after the birth of George Washington, a United States politician was born into a political dynasty on this day. Who was he?
Answer: Ted Kennedy (in full Edward Moore Kennedy).
Edward Moore Kennedy, a prominent American politician and member of the Democratic Party, served as a United States Senator from Massachusetts from 1962 until his death in 2009. Known for his oratorical skills and liberal views, Kennedy championed numerous significant pieces of legislation, including the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Despite his political achievements, his career was marred by the Chappaquiddick incident in 1969.
Four
In 1942, three members of an anti-Nazi group were executed by beheading in Munich. Over the following months, others were also executed and many more imprisoned for alleged connections to the group. The group’s two-word name was that of a colour and a flower; what was this name?
Answer: White Rose.
The White Rose was a non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany, led by students and a professor. They conducted a leaflet and graffiti campaign against the Nazi regime, denouncing its crimes and calling for resistance. Their activities ended with further arrests and executions in 1943.
Five
On this date, NASCAR held the first Daytona 500. In what year was this, and which driver won the race?
Answers: 1959; Lee Petty.
The 1959 Daytona 500, the second race of the NASCAR Grand National Series season, was the inaugural race at the newly built Daytona International Speedway. The track, built by NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr., is a 2.5-mile superspeedway and is considered the most prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar.
Todays questions are all related to the date, February 22nd.
Dolly the Sheep. The taxidermy mount of Dolly on exhibit at the National Museum of Scotland, 2009. Image Wikimedia Commons
One
On this day in 1997, the world was introduced to Dolly the sheep. Cloned at a Scottish institute sharing a name with a nearby chapel featured in a Dan Brown novel and film, both the institute and chapel’s names originate from that of a village with multiple spellings. What is it?
Two
George Washington, the first president of the United States, was born on 22 February 1732 in Westmoreland, Virginia. This Virginian county was named after the British County of Westmorland, but on what island was this latter county found?
Three
Exactly 200 years after the birth of George Washington, a United States politician was born into a political dynasty on this day. Who was he?
Four
In 1942, three members of an anti-Nazi group were executed by beheading in Munich. Over the following months, others were also executed and many more imprisoned for alleged connections to the group. The group’s two-word name was that of a colour and a flower; what was this name?
Five
On this date, NASCAR held the first Daytona 500. In what year was this, and which driver won the race?
Quizology.Online 
