Quizology.Online

“There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge.”

— Bertrand Russell

Category: Pursuit of the Trivial

  • With One Accord — Answers

    Today’s Answers

    Signing the Oslo II Accords.
    U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton signing the Oslo II Accords flanked by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (left) and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat (right) at the White House. September 28, 1995.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Today’s theme centres on the date alone: five unrelated questions linked only by 28 September.

    One

    On this day, The Oslo II Accords, formally known as the Israeli–Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which outlined the extension of Palestinian self-rule to additional population centres beyond Gaza and Jericho were signed at the White House. Who are the three people seated at the table in the above photograph?

    Answers: Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (left), US President Bill Clinton and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat (right).

    This image captures the signing of the Oslo II Accord in September 1995. The accords, which represented a major step in the peace process, were first signed in Taba, Sinai, Egypt, on September 24, 1995, between Israel and the PLO. The highly visible signing on September 28, 1995, in Washington D.C., saw Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat formally execute the agreement, witnessed by US President Bill Clinton, along with representatives from key international guarantors including Russia, Egypt, Jordan, Norway, and the European Union.

    Two

    In tennis, Althea Gibson was the first African American to win a Grand Slam championship in the 1950s. Who became the next non-white woman to do so, and in what decade did she do so?

    Answers: Evonne Goolagong; 1970s.

    Althea Gibson, who was born on this day, won the French Open (1956), Wimbledon (1957 and 1958), and US National (1957 and 1958) (now the U.S. Open). Evonne Goolagong Cawley, an Australian Aboriginal, won the French Open in 1971, the Australian Open (1974, ‘75, ‘76 and ‘77) and Wimbledon (1971 and 1980).

    Three

    The actress Brigitte Bardot, who was born on this day, starred in a 1956 film which…

    … is widely recognised as the vehicle that launched Bardot into the public spotlight and immediately created her “sex kitten” persona.

    — Wikipedia

    What film, and who was the film’s director?

    Answer: And God Created Woman; Roger Vadim.

    After retiring from acting in 1973, Brigitte Bardot dedicated herself to animal rights, establishing her own foundation and receiving accolades from the UN and PETA. However, she has also been a controversial figure due to her far-right political views and has faced multiple fines for inciting racial hatred and making public insults against Muslims in France and residents of Réunion.

    Four

    On what day in 1066 was the Norman ruler William crowned king of England, following his conquest of the country after landing on the south coast on this day in 1066; and what English king was defeated at Hastings?

    Answer: Christmas Day (or 25 December); Harold Godwinson (or Harold II).

    After securing his hold on England by 1075, William I spent much of his remaining years moving between England and Normandy. His final years were marked by family disputes, threats of invasion and the great Domesday survey of 1085–86. When he died in 1087, Normandy passed to his eldest son Robert, while England went to his second son, William Rufus.

    Five

    On this day California was ‘discovered’ by a European who became the first such to stand on the west coast of America. Who was he, and in what decade did he first stand on this coast?

    • Francisco de Orozco
    • Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
    • Hernán Cortés

    Answer: Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. 1540s.

    Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo was a Portuguese maritime explorer who investigated the west coast of North America for the Spanish Empire. He is best known as the first European to explore present-day Alta California, navigating its coast between 1542 and 1543.

  • With One Accord

    Signing the Oslo II Accords at the White House. September 28, 1995.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Today’s theme centres on the date alone: five unrelated questions linked only by 28 September.

    One

    On this day, The Oslo II Accords, formally known as the Israeli–Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which outlined the extension of Palestinian self-rule to additional population centres beyond Gaza and Jericho were signed at the White House. Who are the three people seated at the table in the above photograph?

    Two

    In tennis, Althea Gibson was the first African American to win a Grand Slam championship in the 1950s. Who became the next non-white woman to do so, and in what decade did she do so?

    Three

    The actress Brigitte Bardot, who was born on this day, starred in a 1956 film which…

    … is widely recognised as the vehicle that launched Bardot into the public spotlight and immediately created her “sex kitten” persona.

    — Wikipedia

    What film, and who was the film’s director?

    Four

    On what day in 1066 was the Norman ruler William crowned king of England, following his conquest of the country after landing on the south coast on this day in 1066; and what English king was defeated at Hastings?

    Five

    On this day California was ‘discovered’ by a European who became the first such to stand on the west coast of America. Who was he, and in what decade did he first stand on this coast?

    • Francisco de Orozco
    • Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
    • Hernán Cortés

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Come to Light — Answers

    The Rosetta Stone.
    Image Hans Hillewaert via Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s Answers

    The first question relates to today, 27 September, while the remainder are not date-related but follow on from the first.

    One

    On 27 September 1822, the Rosetta Stone was decoded 23 years after its discovery in a river delta by an army officer. In what river delta was it found; and in what country’s army was the finder an officer?

    Answers: Nile Delta; France.

    The Rosetta Stone, likely originally displayed in a temple during the Hellenistic period, was later used as building material for a fort near Rosetta. It was rediscovered there in July 1799 by French army officer Pierre-François Bouchard.In 1822, Jean-François Champollion successfully decoded the Rosetta Stone by realising its hieroglyphs served different functions, revealing the ancient inscription to be political propaganda praising Ptolemy V.

    Two

    In 2026, in a new major archaeological project woolly rhinoceros bones were found in a cave under a castle. Is that castle in …

    • Coastal South Wales, United Kingdom
    • Inland river valley, central Italy
    • Alpine foothills, eastern Austria

    Answer: Coastal South Wales, United Kingdom.

    Excavations at Wogan Cavern under Pembroke Castle revealed intact sediments and evidence of human and animal visits over 100,000 years, including bones and stone tools. The site has already yielded the remains of mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses, reindeer, wild horses, and a hippopotamus which roamed Wales 120,000 years ago; alongside are stone tools and signs of human habitation spanning several eras.

    Three

    In 2023, archaeologists uncovered the submerged remnants of a Nabataean temple during an underwater survey of the ancient port of Puteoli. In what modern country is the ancient port of Puteoli, and what four-letter word describes the ethnic group of the Nabataean people?

    Answers: Italy; Arab.

    Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli), a Roman trading hub, hosts a submerged Nabataean temple mapped via photogrammetry. The rectangular structure in a Lartidianus contains altars and a Latin inscription to Dushara, confirming Nabataean trade integration.

    Four

    A Maya tomb discovered in 2025 may be 1,700 years old. It was found at the ancient city of Carocal. In what modern country is the site of this tomb?

    Answer: Belize.

    Archaeologists in Belize have unearthed a 1,700-year-old tomb at the ancient Maya city of Caracol, which may be the earliest known royal burial at the site and the resting place of its founding king, Te K’ab Chaak. The discovery could also indicate that ties between the Maya and the metropolis of Teotihuacan began earlier than previously thought, though experts note that further evidence is needed to confirm the identity of the tomb’s occupant.

    Five

    In 2026, archaeologists found a papyrus fragment from Homer’s Iliad inside …

    • A harp’s frame
    • A model wooden horse
    • A mummy’s wrapping

    Answer: A mummy’s wrapping.

    Archaeologists have unearthed a 1,600-year-old Egyptian mummy with a papyrus fragment from Homer’s Iliad tucked inside its wrappings. The ancient Greek text, found on the mummy’s abdomen, contains a passage from the “catalog of ships” in Book II, which lists the Greek leaders who sailed to Troy. Researchers from the Oxyrhynchus Archaeological Mission describe the discovery of a literary text in this context as “truly novel” and are currently studying it further.

  • Come to Light

    The Rosetta Stone.
    Image Hans Hillewaert via Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to today, 27 September, while the remainder are not date-related but follow on from the first.

    One

    On 27 September 1822, the Rosetta Stone was decoded 23 years after its discovery in a river delta by an army officer. In what river delta was it found; and in what country’s army was the finder an officer?

    Two

    In 2026, in a new major archaeological project woolly rhinoceros bones were found in a cave under a castle. Is that castle in …

    • Coastal South Wales, United Kingdom
    • Inland river valley, central Italy
    • Alpine foothills, eastern Austria

    Three

    In 2023, archaeologists uncovered the submerged remnants of a Nabataean temple during an underwater survey of the ancient port of Puteoli. In what modern country is the ancient port of Puteoli, and what four-letter word describes the ethnic group of the Nabataean people?

    Four

    A Maya tomb discovered in 2025 may be 1,700 years old. It was found at the ancient city of Carocal. In what modern country is the site of this tomb?

    Five

    In 2026, archaeologists found a papyrus fragment from Homer’s Iliad inside …

    • A harp’s frame
    • A model wooden horse
    • A mummy’s wrapping

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • The Naming Of Cats Is A Difficult Matter — Answer

    Today’s Answers

    Charlie Parker, 1947.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s first question relates to the date 26 September, but the remainder are not date-related. They do, though, follow on a theme from the first.

    One

    On this day in 1939 Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats was published. Who was this ‘Old Possum’?

    Answer: T.S. Eliot.

    In 1939, T.S. Eliot released a collection of light verse titled Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, with ‘Old Possum’ being Ezra Pound’s affectionate nickname for him. The first edition featured an illustration of the author on the cover. In 1954, composer Alan Rawsthorne arranged six poems for speaker and orchestra in a piece called Practical Cats. Following Eliot’s death, the book became the foundation for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats, which premiered in the West End in 1981 and opened on Broadway the following year.

    Two

    What American singer, born in 1980, has been referred to as the ‘Voice of a Generation’?

    Answer: Christina Aguilera

    Christina María Aguilera, born 18 December 1980, in New York City, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. Known for a four-octave range and reinventions, Rolling Stone ranked her among the greatest singers; her work draws acclaim and controversy.

    Three

    What high-ranking politician from the first couple of decades of the 21st century was given the nickname ‘Mutti’?

    Answer: Angela Merkel.

    Angela Merkel served as Germany’s chancellor from 2005 to 2021, making her the first woman and second longest-serving leader in that role. She was a key figure in European politics, advocating for austerity during the euro-zone debt crisis and maintaining open borders during a major refugee crisis. Her steady leadership navigated Germany through significant global challenges.

    Four

    Eric Clapton joined a band in 1963 which had a name which may have come from Jack Kerouac’s novel On the Road. This name was also the nickname of a legendary jazz saxophonist. What was the band’s name; and who was the sax player?

    Answer: The Yardbirds; Charlie ‘Yardbird’ Parker.

    Formed in London in 1963, the Yardbirds featured Keith Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty and Anthony Topham. Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page played lead guitar before the 1968 split. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
    Charles Parker Jr., nicknamed Bird or Yardbird, was an influential American alto saxophonist, bandleader and composer central to bebop. He introduced revolutionary rhythms and harmonies and became an icon for hipsters and the Beat Generation as an uncompromising artist.

    Five

    In September 2026, there are seven reigning monarchs in Europe who are all descended from the same person. Who was that person, and what nickname was bestowed on them relating to earlier descendant rulers?

    Answers: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom; Grandmother of Europe.

    Seven reigning monarchs descended from Queen Victoria: King Charles III of the United Kingdom; King Frederik X of Denmark; King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands; King Philippe of Belgium; King Felipe VI of Spain; King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden; and King Haakon VIII of Norway.

    The Naming Of Cats Is A Difficult Matter

    The post title is from Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and thought relevant as the questions are about names, not cats’ names but nicknames.

  • The Naming Of Cats Is A Difficult Matter

    Charlie Parker, 1947.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s first question relates to the date 26 September, but the remainder are not date-related. They do, though, follow on a theme from the first.

    One

    On this day in 1939 Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats was published. Who was this ‘Old Possum’?

    Two

    What American singer, born in 1980, has been referred to as the ‘Voice of a Generation’?

    Three

    What high-ranking politician from the first couple of decades of the 21st century was given the nickname ‘Mutti’?

    Four

    Eric Clapton joined a band in 1963 which had a name which may have come from Jack Kerouac’s novel On the Road. This name was also the nickname of a legendary jazz saxophonist. What was the band’s name; and who was the sax player?

    Five

    In September 2026, there are seven reigning monarchs in Europe who are all descended from the same person. Who was that person, and what nickname was bestowed on them relating to earlier descendant rulers?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Catch the Worm — Answers

    Today’s Answers

    Crow with worm.
    Image mikeyskatie flickr

    Today’s questions are not date-related but do all follow a theme, or at least the answers do.

    One

    In the DC universe, a mutant possessing psychic powers who wore a hooded costume and channeled emotions through a mystical source. Known by many aliases such as Mistress of Magic and Daughter of Darkness but named after a dark, intelligent creature. Who is this?

    Answer: Raven.

    Created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, Raven is an empathic sorceress and daughter of Trigon and Arella. A key figure in Teen Titans, she appears in Justice League and media including Teen Titans Go! and Titans.

    Two

    What fictional character links Julianne Moore and Rebecca Breeds with author Thomas Harris?

    Answer: Clarice Starling.

    Clarice Starling, protagonist of Thomas Harris’s novels, was portrayed by Jodie Foster, Julianne Moore, and Rebecca Breeds. Foster’s performance earned an Academy Award and top rankings from the American Film Institute, Rolling Stone, and Entertainment Weekly.

    Three

    Scout and Jem, siblings, are two children at the centre of a 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel; what is their surname?

    Answer: Finch.

    Harper Lee’s 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird, a Pulitzer Prize winner, explores racial injustice and loss of innocence through Atticus Finch. Based on Monroeville observations, it is widely read but challenged. Adaptations include a film and play.

    Four

    Who partners Cormoran Strike in the crime novels written by Robert Galbraith?

    Answer: Robin Ellacott.

    J.K. Rowling, as Robert Galbraith, writes the Cormoran Strike series following Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott; eight novels include The Hallmarked Man; Sleep Tight, Evangeline is being published in 2026. Over 20 million copies sold globally, adapted into BBC One’s Strike.

    Five

    This supervillain is also a clinical psychologist. He first appeared in print in 1941. He has more recently been on the big screen. Both the supervillain name and that of the alias fit with today’s theme. Who are both these names?

    Answers: Scarecrow; Jonathan Crane.

    Scarecrow, created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff, is Dr Jonathan Crane, a psychologist turned criminal in Gotham City. Using a fear toxin, this adversary of Batman pursues sadistic fear experiments and wears a burlap mask.

    Catch the Worm

    The title draws on the phrase ‘the early bird catches the worm’, intended as a clue to use bird(s) as a theme.

  • Catch the Worm

    Image mikeyskatie flickr

    Today’s questions are not date-related but do all follow a theme, or at least the answers do.

    One

    In the DC universe, a mutant possessing psychic powers who wore a hooded costume and channeled emotions through a mystical source. Known by many aliases such as Mistress of Magic and Daughter of Darkness but named after a dark, intelligent creature. Who is this?

    Two

    What fictional character links Julianne Moore and Rebecca Breeds with author Thomas Harris?

    Three

    Scout and Jem, siblings, are two children at the centre of a 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel; what is their surname?

    Four

    Who partners Cormoran Strike in the crime novels written by Robert Galbraith?

    Five

    This supervillain is also a clinical psychologist. He first appeared in print in 1941. He has more recently been on the big screen. Both the supervillain name and that of the alias fit with today’s theme. Who are both these names?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Spider Murphy Played The Tenor Saxophone — Answers

    Today’s Answers

    Konstantin Chernenko, 1984.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to 24 September.

    One

    Who, on this day, became the first player to win a Grand Slam title in tennis; and in what decade did this take place?

    Answers: Don Budge; 1930s.

    The year was 1938. The term ‘Grand Slam’ originally comes from the card game contract bridge, and was first used in tennis by New York Times columnist John Kieran in 1933 when describing Jack Crawford’s attempt to win all four major tournaments in a single calendar year.

    Two

    The Battle of Shiroyama saw the Imperial Japanese Army decisively defeat what revolution; and in what decade did this occur?

    Answers: Satsuma Rebellion; 1870s.

    The Battle of Shiroyama on 24 September 1877, marked the final stand of the Satsuma Rebellion, where Saigō Takamori and a few hundred remaining samurai fought against 30,000 Imperial Japanese Army troops, effectively ending the samurai era in Japan.

    Three

    A single released this day by Elvis Presley became the Billboard Song of the Year in 1957. What song?

    Answer: Jailhouse Rock.

    Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Elvis Presley recorded Jailhouse Rock for the film of the same name. RCA Victor released it in 1957; it topped US charts and gained recognition from the Grammy Hall of Fame and American Film Institute.

    Four

    Born on this day, this General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union succeeded Yuri Andropov and preceded Mikhail Gorbachev. Who was he?

    Answer: Konstantin Chernenko.

    Konstantin Chernenko, a Siberian-born Soviet politician, led the Soviet Union from February 1984 until his death on 10 March 1985. Elected General Secretary and Chairman, his rule relied on an unofficial triumvirate due to poor health and was succeeded by Mikhail Gorbachev.

    Five

    Operation On Wings of Eagles ended on this day after transporting 45,000 Yemenite Jews to Israel. What Biblical book inspired the operation’s name; and by what nickname was it commonly known?

    Answers: Book of Exodus; Operation Magic Carpet.

    Operation On Wings of Eagles, known as Operation Magic Carpet, brought approximately 49,000 Yemenite Jews to Israel between 1948 and 1950. Supported by the United Kingdom and United States, flights from Aden Colony included Alaska Airlines.

    Spider Murphy Played The Tenor Saxophone

    The post title, ‘ Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone’, is the opening line of the second verse of Jailhouse Rock.

  • Spider Murphy Played The Tenor Saxophone

    Konstantin Chernenko, 1984.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to 24 September.

    One

    Who, on this day, became the first player to win a Grand Slam title in tennis; and in what decade did this take place?

    Two

    The Battle of Shiroyama saw the Imperial Japanese Army decisively defeat what revolution; and in what decade did this occur?

    Three

    A single released this day by Elvis Presley became the Billboard Song of the Year in 1957. What song?

    Four

    Born on this day, this General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union succeeded Yuri Andropov and preceded Mikhail Gorbachev. Who was he?

    Five

    Operation On Wings of Eagles ended on this day after transporting 45,000 Yemenite Jews to Israel. What Biblical book inspired the operation’s name; and by what nickname was it commonly known?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.