Ravi Shankar, an Indian musician and composer born in Varanasi, India on 7 April 1920, fathered a daughter in 1979. This daughter, a singer-songwriter and composer, is described by Wikipedia as blending jazz with country, blues, folk and pop. His younger daughter, Anoushka Shankar, born in 1981, is a sitarist and composer, and both daughters have won Grammy Awards. Who is the elder of his daughters?
Two
What item of missing equipment did Spanish authorities find for the U.S. military in 1966?
Three
In 1939, the Albanian king went into exile after Albania became a protectorate of another nation. Who was the king? Which country declared the protectorate, and who was the prime minister of that country at the time?
Four
On this day, Attila the Hun captured Metz, France, setting fire to the town and killing most of the townspeople. In what century did this occur?
Five
Actor Russell Crowe was born this day in 1964. For what film did he win his Academy Award, and what was his character’s name in the film?
The Declaration of Arbroath. The ‘Tyninghame’ copy National Library of Scotland Image Wikimedia Commons
The first question concerns a national declaration and is linked to today’s date, April 6th. The other questions aren’t date-related but continue the declaration theme with some slightly more modern examples.
One
On this day in 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath was signed. It declared and asserted the independence of which nation?
Answer: Scotland.
The Declaration of Arbroath, written in 1320 by Scottish barons and addressed to Pope John XXII, asserted Scotland’s independence and right to self-defence against English subjugation. Believed to have been written by Bernard of Kilwinning, it was sealed by fifty-one magnates and nobles and remained largely unknown until the late 17th century when it was printed and translated into English. The Declaration strengthened Robert the Bruce’s position, and although he secured independence through the Treaty of Northampton in 1328, his successor faced the same struggle.
Two
In 1918, Estonia declared independence after the collapse of one empire and before a second invasion. Which empires were they?
Answer: Russian Empire and German Empire.
Following the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917, Estonia declared independence on 24 February 1918, forming the Estonian Provisional Government. German occupation followed, but they relinquished power to the Estonian government on 19 November 1918 after their surrender at the end of the First World War.
Three
A 1965 Declaration of Independence, which was the first unilateral break from the United Kingdom by one of its colonies since the United States in 1776, was made by what colony? Secondly, what is that former colony now known as?
Answer: Rhodesia; Zimbabwe.
Rhodesia’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965, a move by the white minority government to break away from British rule, was deemed illegal by the UK, Commonwealth, and UN. This led to international isolation and economic sanctions, with Rhodesia receiving support from South Africa and Portugal. The conflict escalated into the Rhodesian Bush War, ultimately leading to the country’s reconstitution as Zimbabwe in 1980.
Four
In 1822 and in 1877, Greece and Romania both declared their independence from the same empire. What was that empire?
Answer: Ottoman Empire.
Greek merchants, inspired by the Modern Greek Enlightenment, promoted Greek nationalism, leading to the Greek War of Independence with the Ottomans. With assistance from France, Russian Empire and the United Kingdom, the Greeks gained control of Central Greece, resulting in the recognition of the Greek state in 1830. Meanwhile, Romania achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78) by signing a treaty with Russia and joining the Russian Army in the fight against the Ottomans.
Five
In 1918, Czechoslovakia declared independence form what empire?
Answer: Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The Czechoslovak Declaration of Independence published on 18 October 1918, declared the independence of the Czechoslovak Nation from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This empire had encompassed the Czech and Slovak lands for nearly four centuries and its downfall followed World War I.
The Declaration of Arbroath. The ‘Tyninghame’ copy Image Wikimedia Commons
The first question concerns a national declaration and is linked to today’s date, April 6th. The other questions aren’t date-related but continue the declaration theme with some slightly more modern examples.
One
On this day in 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath was signed. It declared and asserted the independence of which nation?
Two
In 1918, Estonia declared independence after the collapse of one empire and before a second invasion. Which empires were they?
Three
A 1965 Declaration of Independence, which was the first unilateral break from the United Kingdom by one of its colonies since the United States in 1776, was made by what colony? Secondly, what is that former colony now known as?
Four
In 1822 and in 1877, Greece and Romania both declared their independence from the same empire. What was that empire?
Five
In 1918, Czechoslovakia declared independence form what empire?
See question three. Aerial view of the New York City metropolitan area. Image Wikimedia Commons
The first question concerns an island and is linked to today’s date, April 5th. The other questions aren’t date-related but continue the island theme including a wee bonus at the end.
One
On 5 April 1946, Soviet military forces ended their year-long occupation of what island in the Baltic Sea?
Answer: Bornholm, Denmark.
On 9 May 1945, Soviet forces captured Bornholm after German commander Gerhard von Kamptz refused to surrender, preferring the Western Allies. Soviet air raids destroyed over 800 houses and killed 10 civilians. The Soviet Union occupied Bornholm for 11 months post-World War II, despite its location east of the agreed East-West dividing line. Initially seen as a bargaining chip for Soviet influence in Denmark, the occupation aimed to secure Western goodwill and focus resources on the war with Japan and Eastern Europe’s reconstruction. The Soviets withdrew on 5 April 1946, reinforcing Denmark’s alignment with the west.
Not date related anymore but continuing the island theme.
Two
Of what island nation is Antananarivo the capital city?
Answer: Madagascar.
Madagascar, the fourth largest island, is situated off the southeastern coast of Africa. Although close to Africa, its population, language, and culture are more akin to Indonesia, while its unique wildlife and vegetation differ significantly from the continent. As an island nation in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is celebrated for its unique biodiversity due to its long isolation. It gained independence from France in 1960 but has since faced political instability, transitioning through four republics. Despite economic growth, Madagascar remains a least-developed country with notable income disparities and a low quality of life for many.
New York City’s Five Boroughs: 1. Manhattan; 2. Brooklyn; 3. Queens; 4. The Bronx and 5. Staten Island. JFK and La Guardia Airports are shown (brown) in lower and upper Queens. Image Wikimedia Commons
Three
Brooklyn and Queens, two of New York’s five boroughs, are mainly located on what island?
Answer: Long Island.
Brooklyn and Queens are both at the western end of Long Island. The Bronx is the only borough mostly on the mainland. The remaining boroughs are Manhattan, chiefly on Manhattan Island, and Staten Island.
Four
What two distinct islands are home to the Althing and the Tynwald, the oldest legislatures in the world?
Answers: Iceland; Isle of Man.
Guinness World Records describe the Althing and the Tynwald thus…
The oldest recorded legislative body is the Icelandic Althing, founded in AD930. This body, which originally comprised 39 local chieftains at Thingvellir, was abolished in 1800 but restored by Denmark to a consultative status in 1843 and a legislative status in 1874. It is often cited as the oldest existing parliament. However, the legislative assembly with the oldest continuous history is the Isle of Man Tynwald, which may have its origins in the late ninth century and hence possibly pre-date the Althing. — Guinness World Records
Easter Island, a special territory of Chile in the eastern Pacific Ocean, is renowned for its nearly 1,000 moai statues created by the early Rapa Nui people. Originally called Rapa Nui, the island has a mixed population predominantly of Polynesian descent. In 1995, UNESCO named Easter Island a World Heritage Site, with much of the island protected within Rapa Nui National Park.
Islands in the Stream
Today’s post title managed to top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 as well as several other national charts in 1983-84. What performer(s) achieved this success, and who wrote the song?
Answer: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton; (songwriters were) Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb.
Islands in the Stream, a Bee Gees song recorded by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Country and Adult Contemporary charts. It was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.
See question three. Aerial view of the New York City metropolitan area. Image Wikimedia Commons
The first question concerns an island and is linked to today’s date, April 5th. The other questions aren’t date-related but continue the island theme including a wee bonus at the end.
One
On 5 April 1946, Soviet military forces ended their year-long occupation of what island in the Baltic Sea?
Not date related anymore but continuing the island theme.
Two
Of what island nation is Antananarivo the capital city?
Three
Brooklyn and Queens, two of New York’s five boroughs, are mainly located on what island?
Four
What two distinct islands are home to the Althing and the Tynwald, the oldest legislatures in the world?
Image Encyclopædia Britannica
Five
On what island are these sculptures located?
Islands in the Stream
Today’s post title managed to top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 as well as several other national charts in 1983-84. What performer(s) achieved this success, and who wrote the song?
Established in 1949, the organisation represented by this flag originally had twelve members including the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Canada. Name the organisation and four of the remaining eight founding members?
Answer: (any four from) Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal.
In 1949, the original twelve members of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Two
The following quote is from the Encyclopædia Britannica article on the film Ben-Hur, which in 1960 became the first film to win eleven Oscars. A number has been removed from the quote. What, to the nearest thousand, is that number?
The famed chariot race is considered among cinema’s most-impressive action sequences, not least because it featured up to —— extras.
Answer: 15,000.
On this day in 1960, Ben-Hur won eleven Oscars at the 32nd Academy Awards. The referenced quote in its entirety is…
The famed chariot race is considered among cinema’s most-impressive action sequences, not least because it featured up to 15,000 extras. — Encyclopædia Britannica
Three
In 1925, the Schutzstaffel was founded by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party in Germany. What is it better known as?
Answer: SS.
The Schutzstaffel, ‘protection squad’, originally a small bodyguard unit of the Nazi Party, evolved into a formidable organisation under Heinrich Himmler. By 1939, it had grown to around 250,000 men, controlling police forces and expanding its role to become a state within a state. As a powerful paramilitary group in Nazi Germany, The SS was responsible for security, mass surveillance, and state terrorism, playing a central role in the Holocaust and committing numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity. It was declared a criminal organisation at the Nuremberg trials.
Four
Born in Perth, Australia, in 1979, this actor was posthumously awarded the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 81st Academy Awards?
Answer: Heath Ledger.
At the 81st Academy Awards Heath Ledger won the Oscar for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his part as The Joker in The Dark Knight (2008). In January 2008, Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.
Five
When William Henry Harrison died who succeeded him as the President of the United States?
Answer: John Tyler.
Harrison died a month after his inauguration. At 67 he was the oldest man to be elected president (at that time); the last to be born under British rule and the first to die in office. He was succeeded by his vice president John Tyler who became known as ‘His Accidency’ — which gave me a title for this post.
These questions all concern today’s date, April 4th.
Image Wikimedia Commons
One
Established in 1949, the organisation represented by this flag originally had twelve members including the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Canada. Name the organisation and four of the remaining eight founding members?
Two
The following quote is from the Encyclopædia Britannica article on the film Ben-Hur, which in 1960 became the first film to win eleven Oscars. A number has been removed from the quote. What, to the nearest thousand, is that number?
The famed chariot race is considered among cinema’s most-impressive action sequences, not least because it featured up to — extras.
Three
In 1925, the Schutzstaffel was founded by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party in Germany. What is it better known as?
Four
Born in Perth, Australia, in 1979, this actor was posthumously awarded the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 81st Academy Awards?
Five
When William Henry Harrison died who succeeded him as the President of the United States?
Here are five questions that are related to today’s date, April 3rd. There is also a bonus question at the end.
One
The United States Pony Express, inaugurated in 1860, commenced its first run from one city to another. Can you name both cities in the order of travel of this first run?
Answer: St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California.
The Pony Express was a mail delivery system that operated between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, from April 1860 to October 1861. Utilising horse-and-rider relays, the service significantly reduced mail delivery time from 24 days to about 10 days. Despite its efficiency, the Pony Express was a costly venture and ceased operations with the completion of the transcontinental telegraph system.
Two
On this day the first flight over Mount Everest took place. In what decade did this occur?
Answer: 1930s.
In April 1933, two Westland aircraft piloted by Lord Clydesdale and David McIntyre, with observers Stewart Blacker and Sidney Bonnett, became the first to fly over Mount Everest. The expedition, funded by Lucy, Lady Houston, aimed to promote British aviation and gather information for a planned summit attempt. Despite challenges with oxygen supply and weather conditions, the team successfully completed the flight, capturing valuable photographs of the terrain.
Three
The first public handheld mobile (cellular) phone call was made on this day. In what year did this occur and what telecommunications company made the call?
Answer: 1973; Motorola.
Motorola’s Martin Cooper made the first handheld mobile phone call in 1973. The prototype, nicknamed ‘the Brick’, weighed 2 kilograms and offered 30 minutes of talk time.
Four
In 2007, a conventional-train world record was set by a TGV train. In what country was this record set, and to the nearest 5 mph (5 km/h) what was the record-setting speed achieved?
Answer: France; 355 mph (575 km/h).
In 2007, a French TGV train on the LGV Est high-speed line set a new world speed record, achieving 357.2 mph (574.8 km/h) or 159.6 m/s. This was part of Operation V150, a series of high-speed trials that culminated in the record-breaking speed on 3 April 2007. The top speed was reached near the village of Le Chemin, between the Meuse and Champagne-Ardenne TGV stations, where the most favourable profile exists, 12 minutes and 40 seconds after leaving Prény from a standstill, covering 71 km.
Five
Sir Robert Walpole is regarded as the first prime minister of Great Britain. In what decade did he assume this office?
Answer: 1720s.
The office of prime minister in Britain emerged in the 18th century, with Sir Robert Walpole recognised as the first de facto prime minister, serving from 1721 to 1742. Walpole’s financial expertise, peaceful foreign policy, and adept management of Parliament established his authority and set the foundation for the modern Cabinet system. However, he faced criticism for bribery and corruption and resigned following a failed war with Spain.
Ride ‘Em Cowboy
Today’s title alludes to the riders employed by the Pony Express but it was also the title of a 1942 comedy. What duo starred in it?
Answer: Abbott and Costello.
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello star as peanut vendors at a rodeo show who are forced to flee their boss, they hide on a train, and become cowboys on a dude ranch despite lacking experience whatever.
Here are five questions that are related to today’s date, April 3rd. There is also a bonus question at the end.
One
The United States Pony Express, inaugurated in 1860, commenced its first run from one city to another. Can you name both cities in the order of travel of this first run?
Two
On this day the first flight over Mount Everest took place. In what decade did this occur?
Three
The first public handheld mobile (cellular) phone call was made on this day. In what year did this occur and what telecommunications company made the call?
Four
In 2007, a conventional-train world record was set by a TGV train. In what country was this record set, and to the nearest 5 mph (5 km/h) what was the record-setting speed achieved?
Five
Sir Robert Walpole is regarded as the first prime minister of Great Britain. In what decade did he assume this office?
Ride ‘Em Cowboy
Today’s title alludes to the riders employed by the Pony Express but it was also the title of a 1942 comedy. What duo starred in it?
Ludwig van Beethoven with the manuscript of the Missa solemnis, 1820. Image Wikimedia Commons
On 2 April 1800, Ludwig van Beethoven led the premiere of his First Symphony, Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21 in Vienna, so today’s questions are all about music.
One
When Hans von Bulow referred to three composers as ‘The three Bs’, one was Ludwig van Beethoven, but who were the other two?
Answer: Johann Sebastian Bach and Johannes Brahms.
’The Three Bs’ refers to the primacy of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms in classical music. The term originated from an expression by Peter Cornelius in 1854, who included Berlioz as the third B before Hans von Bülow substituted Brahms for Berlioz.
Two
What is the name of the priest in Eleanor Rigby ?
Answer: Father McKenzie
Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles, from their 1966 album Revolver, is a song about loneliness featuring a double string quartet arrangement. Paul McCartney, who came up with the melody and most of the lyrics has variously stated the name came from an old lady he knew; the actress Eleanor Bron; and a Bristol store, Rigby & Evens Ltd. The song topped singles charts in several countries.
Three
Who composed the opera Aida, and where was it set?
Answer: Giuseppe Verdi; Ancient Egypt.
Aida is a tragic opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi, set in ancient Egypt. Commissioned by Cairo’s Khedivial Opera House, it premiered there on 24 December 1871. The opera was met with great acclaim and quickly became a staple in the operatic canon, receiving performances worldwide.
Four
‘But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die’, are lyrics from what song, and who wrote it?
Answer: Folsom Prison Blues; Johnny Cash
Folsom Prison Blues is a song by Johnny Cash, written in 1953 and released as a single in 1955. The song, inspired by the movie Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison, combines elements of train and prison songs, and became one of Cash’s signature songs. A live version recorded at Folsom State Prison in 1968 became a number-one hit and won a Grammy Award.
Five
First performed in 1934, A Boy was Born is a choral composition by which English composer?
Answer: Benjamin Britten.
A Boy Was Born, Op. 3, is a choral composition by Benjamin Britten, subtitled Choral variations for men’s, women’s and boys’ voices, unaccompanied. Composed between 1932 and 1933, it was first performed in 1934 and revised in 1955. The work, a musical theme and six variations, sets ten different texts related to Christmas.
Quizology.Online 