Blood in the Water—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

Following the violent blow delivered by [Soviet Union’s] Valentin Prokopov, Hungarian Ervin Zador bleeds profusely from above his eyebrow.
Image Bettmann / Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

One

The violent Blood in the Water Olympic water polo match between Hungary and the Soviet Union erupted in the aftermath of the Soviet Union suppressing a Hungarian uprising. During which Olympics—year and host city—did this match take place?

Answer: 1956 Melbourne Olympics

The match became a powerful symbol of Cold War tensions. Hungary went on to win the gold medal, and player Ervin Zádor’s bloodied face was widely photographed, capturing global attention.

Two

On November 6, 2012, a US president was re-elected for a second term. Who were his defeated opponents in both the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections?

Answer: John McCain (2008) and Mitt Romney (2012)

Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, was the first African American to hold the office. He served two terms, from 2009 to 2017, during which he implemented significant domestic and foreign policies, including healthcare reform, economic stimulus and the end of the Iraq War. Obama left office with high approval ratings and remains politically active.

Three

A composer died on November 6, 1893. One of his symphonies, Symphony No. 6 in B minor, which premiered just nine days earlier, became known as his Pathétique. Who was the composer?

Answer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

The Pathétique is often interpreted as an emotional farewell, blending passion and tragedy in what became Tchaikovsky’s final completed work.

Four

Switzerland officially abolished the death penalty on 6 November. Which decade was this?

Answer: 1990s (1992)

Though executions had already ceased decades earlier, the 1992 constitutional amendment made abolition permanent, aligning Switzerland with wider European human rights standards.

Luner Orbiter 2.
Image NASA via Wikipedia

Five

On 6 November 1966, NASA’s Lunar Orbiter 2 was launched with a primary mission objective of photographing specifically what on the Moon’s surface?

Answer: Potential landing sites on the Moon

The Lunar Orbiter 2 spacecraft was designed primarily to photograph smooth areas of the lunar surface for selection and verification of safe landing sites for the Surveyor and Apollo missions.

— NASA

Lunar Orbiter 2 transmitted over 800 high-resolution images, including the first detailed close-ups of the Moon’s surface. These images were crucial in selecting the Apollo 11 landing site.

Blood in the Water

Here are five questions related to today, November 6th.

One

Two

On November 6, 2012, a US president was re-elected for a second term. Who were his defeated opponents in both the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections?

Three

A composer died on November 6, 1893. One of his symphonies, Symphony No. 6 in B minor, which premiered just nine days earlier, became known as his Pathétique. Who was the composer?

Four

Switzerland officially abolished the death penalty on 6 November. Which decade was this?

Five

On 6 November 1966, NASA’s Lunar Orbiter 2 was launched with a primary mission objective of photographing specifically what on the Moon’s surface?

Good luck! I’ll post the answer later today.

Remember, remember, the fifth of November—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

King James VI of Scotland and James I of England.
Image Wikipedia

One

What event is commemorated in the United Kingdom on November 5th, when effigies of Guy Fawkes are traditionally burned on bonfires? Also, in what year did it occur?

Answer: The Gunpowder Plot of 1605

The failed plot was an attempt by Catholic conspirators to blow up the English Parliament and assassinate King James VI (of Scotland) & I (of England). ‘Remember, remember, the fifth of November’ became a famous rhyme, see below, recording the event.

Two

Which spacecraft, launched on 5 November 2013, was India’s first interplanetary mission?

Answer: The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan)

Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Mangalyaan made India the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit and the first country in the world to do so successfully on its maiden attempt — all on a remarkably low budget.

Flag of Antigua and Barbuda.
Image Wikipedia

Three

On 5 November 1981, a small Caribbean nation achieved independence from the United Kingdom. Its capital is St. John’s. Can you name the country?

Answer: Antigua and Barbuda

The twin-island nation remains a member of the Commonwealth, recognizing the British monarch as its head of state, but governs itself independently.

Four

November 5th is a central date in the storyline of what 2005 film which opens with the line, ‘Remember, remember the fifth of November’?

Answer: V for Vendetta

The film, based on a graphic novel, turned the Guy Fawkes mask into a global symbol of resistance — later adopted by protest movements such as Anonymous and Occupy Wall Street.

Five

On November 5th, Google introduced its first Android-based mobile operating system, signalling the start of a new era in smartphones. In what year did this occur?

Answer: 2007

The Android OS announcement reshaped the mobile landscape — today, Android powers over 70% of the world’s smartphones.

Remember, remember, the 5th of November

Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys
God save the King!

The undercroft beneath the House of Lords.
Image Wikipedia

Remember, remember, the fifth of November

Today’s five questions all relate to the date, November 5th.

One

What event is commemorated in the United Kingdom on November 5th, when effigies of Guy Fawkes are traditionally burned on bonfires? Also, in what year did it occur?

Two

Which spacecraft, launched on 5 November 2013, was India’s first interplanetary mission?

Three

On 5 November 1981, a small Caribbean nation achieved independence from the United Kingdom. Its capital is St. John’s. Can you name the country?

Four

November 5th is a central date in the storyline of what 2005 film which opens with the line, ‘Remember, remember the fifth of November’?

Five

On November 5th, Google introduced its first Android-based mobile operating system, signalling the start of a new era in smartphones. In what year did this occur?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Feeling Sleepy—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions in my earlier post.

Antique bottles of Chloroform.
Image Wikipedia

One

Which Scottish physician successfully demonstrated the anaesthetic properties of chloroform in 1847?

Answer: Sir James Young Simpson

Sir James Young Simpson first successfully demonstrated chloroform as a general anaesthetic on November 4, 1847. This revolutionised surgery and childbirth.

Two

In which century did the Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II against Spanish rule in the Viceroyalty of Peru begin?

Answer: 18th century (1780)

The rebellion was one of the largest indigenous uprisings in Spanish American history and inspired later movements for independence.

Jane Goodall with Prof and Pax. Photograph by Michael Nichols / National Geographic via Wikipedia

Three

Which primatologist first observed chimpanzees making and using tools in Tanzania in 1960?

Answer: Jane Goodall

This pioneering observation at the Kasakela Chimpanzee Community challenged the belief that tool use was unique to humans.

Four

In 1956, which country did Soviet troops invade to suppress a revolution that began on 23 October?

Answer: Hungary

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was a significant Cold War event, resulting in thousands of casualties and a mass exodus of refugees.

Five

UNESCO’s constitution entered into force on 4 November 1946, officially establishing the organisation. What does the acronym UNESCO stand for?

Answer: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

UNESCO promotes international collaboration in education, science and culture. Its activities focus on supporting national efforts to eliminate illiteracy and extend free education.

Feeling Sleepy

Here are five questions that are related to today, November 4th.

One

Which Scottish physician successfully demonstrated the anaesthetic properties of chloroform in 1847?

Two

In which century did the Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II against Spanish rule in the Viceroyalty of Peru begin?

Three

Which primatologist first observed chimpanzees making and using tools in Tanzania in 1960?

Four

In 1956, which country did Soviet troops invade to suppress a revolution that began on 23 October?

Five

UNESCO’s constitution entered into force on 4 November 1946, officially establishing the organisation. What does the acronym UNESCO stand for?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Capital Gain—Answers

Here are the answers to my earlier post.

National Mall, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument,
Washington D.C.
Image Wikipedia

One

What decade saw the first time that residents of Washington, D.C. could vote in a U.S. presidential election

Answer: 1960s (1964)

Twenty-Third Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1961, granted D.C. three electoral votes—the same number as the least-populous state. Before this, its residents had no say in electing the president or vice-president.

Two

Today Henry VIII of England became the first Supreme Head of the Church of England. In which century was this?

Answer: 16th century (1534)

The Act of Supremacy officially severed England’s ties with the Roman Catholic Church and papal authority, paving the way for the English Reformation. Henry’s motivations were both political and personal; he desired an annulment from Catherine of Aragon.

Laika in a mock cockpit.
Image Wikipedia

Three

A dog named Laika went into space on this day in 1957. Which of these craft carried her: Soyuz 1, Sputnik 2 or Salyut 3?

Answer: Sputnik 2

Laika, a stray from Moscow’s streets, became a global icon of the Space Race. Sadly, she died within hours due to overheating, although the Soviets initially claimed she survived for several days.

⸻

Four

On this date, the Caribbean island nation of Dominica was first sighted by Europeans. Four hundred and eighty-five years later, it gained independence from a European country. What does the island’s name mean and from which country did it achieve independence?

Answer: United Kingdom; and Sunday

On 3 November 1493, Christopher Columbus sighted Dominica and named it Dies Dominica, meaning ‘the Lord’s Day’. Four hundred and eighty-five years later, on 3 November 1978, Dominica achieved independence after being a British colony and briefly a French one.

⸻

Five

On this day in 1911, a racing driver and engineer, born in 1878, co-founded the American motor car manufacturer Chevrolet, who was he and in what country was he born?

Answer: Louis Chevrolet; Switzerland

Louis Chevrolet’s name lives on in one of America’s most famous car brands, but he sold his stake early and never profited from its later success. Ironically, he died while working for a rival carmaker.

Capital Gain

Here are five questions which are all related to today’s date, November 3rd.

One

What decade saw the first time that residents of Washington, D.C. could vote in a U.S. presidential election

Two

Today Henry VIII of England became the first Supreme Head of the Church of England. In which century was this?

Three

A dog named Laika went into space on this day in 1957. Which of these craft carried her: Soyuz 1, Sputnik 2 or Salyut 3?

⸻

Four

⸻

Five

On this day in 1911, a racing driver and engineer, born in 1878, co-founded the American motor car manufacturer Chevrolet, who was he and in what country was he born?

University Blues

Here are the answers to the questions about universities which were posed earlier.

Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, Fez, Morocco.
Image Wikipedia

One

The world’s oldest continuously operating university is the University of al-Qarawiyyin. In what city and country is it located?

Answer: Fez, Morocco.

Founded by Fatima al-Fihri, a woman who used her inheritance to establish a centre for education and religion, Al-Qarawiyyin began as a madrasa. It later became a leading spiritual and educational hub in the Muslim world. UNESCO and the Guinness World Records both recognise it as the oldest continuously operating higher education institution globally.

Two

The second-oldest university in the United States is what, and who is it named after?

Answer: College of William & Mary; (named after England’s) King William III and Queen Mary II

Founded in 1693 in Williamsburg, Virginia, William & Mary was established by royal charter from King William III and Queen Mary II of England. It educated several key figures in early US history including Thomas Jefferson James Monroe and John Tyler all of whom became presidents. Notably it was also the first US college to implement an honour code and establish a Greek-letter fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1776.

Three

What’s the third book (2009) in the series featuring a fictional professor of religious iconology and symbology? Who is this professor? The character first appeared in a book published in 2000.

Answer: The Lost Symbol; Robert Langdon

Dan Brown’s book series centres on Robert Langdon, a fictional Harvard professor of Religious Iconology and Symbology. This latter subject is a fictional field studying historic symbols distinct from the real discipline of semiotics.

Four

In the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral, Charles (Hugh Grant), Tom (James Fleet), and Scarlett (Charlotte Coleman) have known each other since university. What university?

Answer: Cambridge University

Charles, Tom and Scarlett are shown to have attended Cambridge University in Four Weddings and a Funeral and their friendship began there.

Five

What are the five ancient universities of Britain and Ireland which were founded in the 15th and 16th centuries and are NOT located in England?

Answer: University of St Andrews (founded 1413), University of Glasgow (1451), University of Aberdeen (1495), University of Edinburgh (1583) and University of Dublin (Trinity College Dublin) (1592)

Although located in Ireland, Trinity College is historically linked with the British ancient universities. The other two ancient universities of Britain are Oxford (1096) and Cambridge (1209).

University Blues

Today’s questions are all about university.

Coat of Arms, Unseen University,
Motto: Nunc id Vides, Nunc ne Vides (“Now you see it, Now you don’t.”).
Terry Pratchett’s *Discworld*.
Image Wikipedia

One

The world’s oldest continuously operating university is the University of al-Qarawiyyin. In what city and country is it located?

Two

The second-oldest university in the United States is what, and who is it named after?

Three

What’s the third book (2009) in the series featuring a fictional professor of religious iconology and symbology? Who is this professor? The character first appeared in a book published in 2000.

Four

In the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral, Charles (Hugh Grant), Tom (James Fleet), and Scarlett (Charlotte Coleman) have known each other since university. What university?

Five

What are five of the ancient universities of Britain and Ireland which were founded in the 15th and 16th centuries and are NOT located in England?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.