John Lennon was murdered in 1980. What song did Paul McCartney write as a tribute to John Lennon after his death. The song was released on his album, Tug of War (1982).
Two
The first woman to appear on a public stage in England did so on this date, in what decade did this occur?
Three
Mary, Queen of Scots, was born on this day, and six days later she became queen of Scotland. In what decade did this occur?
Four
In 1991, after the Soviet Union’s breakup, which three former Soviet republics formed the Commonwealth of Independent States?
Five
…an emotionally shattering look at the effects of the Vietnam War on the young American men sent to fight in it, the movie later won an Oscar for best picture
This image depicts the flag of the first state to ratify the US Constitution on 7 December 1787. Can you identify the state and its capital?
Answer: Delaware and Dover
Delaware, the second-smallest US state, is located in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic regions. It is bordered by Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the Atlantic Ocean. Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution, earning it the nickname ‘The First State’.
What is the official three-word English name of this country, and what countries does it border?
Answer: Bhutan, and (bordered by) China and India
Bhutan, a landlocked country in South Asia, is a democratic constitutional monarchy with a population of over 727,145. It is known for its diverse wildlife, including the Himalayan takin and golden langur, and its highest peak, Gangkhar Puensum. Bhutan has a rich history, having never been colonised, and is a founding member of several international organisations.
Which two islands are represented by these three-legged flags and in which seas are they found respectively?
Answer: Isle of Man and Sicily; Irish Sea and Mediterranean Sea
The triskelion, an ancient motif of three spirals or triplicate patterns, has roots in European Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts. It became associated with Sicily in the Hellenistic period and later appeared in heraldry, notably on the flags of Sicily and the Isle of Man.
Four
Flag of Northern Territory, Australia. Image Wikipedia
What sub-national state or territory does this flag represent, and what is that state or territory’s capital city?
Answer: Northern Territory (Australia), and Darwin
The Northern Territory (NT) is an Australian internal territory located in the central and central-northern regions. It’s sparsely populated with a population of 260,400. Its economy is primarily driven by mining and petroleum. Darwin, the largest population centre, accounts for approximately 52.6% of the Territory’s population.
What is the official four-word English name of the country represented by this flag, and what is its capital city?
Answer: Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and Georgetown
Guyana, officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern coast of South America. It is the only country in mainland South America with English as its official language and is part of the Commonwealth Caribbean. Guyana’s economy has been transforming since the discovery of crude oil in 2015, with its economy growing by 49% in 2020.
Here are the answers to the questions which were posted earlier.
All of these questions are related to today, December 6th.
One
In 1998, Hugo Chávez was victorious in presidential elections in what country?
Answer: Venezuela
Hugo Chávez was a Venezuelan politician and revolutionary who served as president from 1999 until his death in 2013. He founded the Fifth Republic Movement and later the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, implementing social reforms and nationalising industries as part of the Bolivarian Revolution. While his policies initially improved poverty and social welfare, they also led to economic instability and shortages.
1897 Bersey Electrical Cab, British Motor Museum, Gaydon. Image Wikipedia
Two
In 1897, which capital city became the first in the world to host licensed self-propelled motorised taxicabs?
Answer: London, United Kingdom
The first of these motorised cabs were electric-powered vehicles, nicknamed ‘Hummingbirds’ due to the quiet sound of their electric motors. A fleet of these cabs, designed by Walter C. Bersey, was introduced on 19 August 1897, and officially licensed by 6 December of the same year. However, London had a system for licensed horse-drawn carriages (known as “hackney carriages”) much earlier, with the first official licences issued in 1662. The 1897 date specifically marks the introduction and licensing of motorised, rather than horse-drawn, cabs.
Three
In 1969, the ill-fated Altamont festival, a free one-day rock festival, at the Altamont Speedway, Livermore, California, United States, was put on by an act as a thank-you gesture to their fans? The haphazardly organised festival was put on by what act?
Answer: The Rolling Stones
The Altamont Speedway Free Festival in California was a counterculture rock concert intended as a thank-you to fans by The Rolling Stones. However, the event turned deadly when a security guard, a member of the Hell’s Angels, fatally stabbed Meredith Hunter. Marred by violence and three accidental deaths, the festival is often remembered as a dark ending to the 1960s counterculture.
In 1912, a bust of a queen of Egypt was discovered during excavations at Tell el-Amarna, Egypt. Who was this queen from the 14th century BCE?
Answer: Nefertiti
Nefertiti, queen of Egypt and wife of King Akhenaton, played a prominent role in the cult of the sun god Aton. She bore six daughters, two of whom became queens, and is depicted in early images accompanying her husband and later usurping kingly privileges in religious rituals. The sculpture later went on display in a Berlin museum, and it became a source of controversy as an alleged plundered artefact.
Five
On this day in 1933, a US Federal judge declared a book featuring Stephen Dedalus, Leopold and Molly Bloom not obscene. Can you name the book and its author?
Answer: Ulysses by James Joyce
Ulysses, a modernist novel by James Joyce, parallels Homer’s Odyssey and chronicles the experiences of three Dubliners—Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom and Molly Bloom—on 16 June 1904, representing Telemachus, Odysseus and Penelope. Published in Paris in 1922, the novel is considered a classic of modernist literature, known for its experimental style, rich characterisation, and exploration of themes like antisemitism, human sexuality and Irish nationalism.
All of these questions are related to today, December 6th.
One
In 1998, Hugo Chávez was victorious in presidential elections in what country?
1897 Bersey Electrical Cab.
Two
In 1897, which capital city became the first in the world to host licensed self-propelled motorised taxicabs?
Three
In 1969, the ill-fated Altamont festival, a free one-day rock festival, at the Altamont Speedway, Livermore, California, United States, was put on by an act as a thank-you gesture to their fans? The haphazardly organised festival was put on by what act?
Four
In 1912, a bust of a queen of Egypt was discovered during excavations at Tell el-Amarna, Egypt. Who was this queen from the 14th century BCE?
Five
On this day in 1933, a US Federal judge declared a book featuring Stephen Dedalus, Leopold and Molly Bloom not obscene. Can you name the book and its author?
Here are the answers to the questions from my earlier post.
These questions all relate to today’s date, December 5th.
Walt Disney’s business envelope featured a self-portrait, c. 1921. Image Wikipedia
One
Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, this visionary American producer created a global entertainment empire that truly began with a mouse. What was that mouse originally going to be called? A. Maxwell Mouse B. Meredith Mouse C. Mortimer Mouse
Answer: C. Mortimer Mouse
The mouse was originally called Mortimer Mouse but Lillian Disney, Walt’s wife, suggested Mickey. Disney received a record 59 Oscar nominations and won 22 competitive Academy Awards – still the most for any individual in history.
The post title Steamboat Willie is a nod to Mickey. It is the title of what was Mickey’s third film, which was the first to be distributed and so considered to be his public debut.
Two
Which pope issued the 1484 papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus, condemning witchcraft and empowering inquisitors in Germany? A. Pope Alexander VI B. Pope Julius II C. Pope Innocent VIII
Answer: C. Pope Innocent VIII
The bull later helped legitimise Malleus Maleficarum (1487), one of the most notorious witch-hunting manuals of the era.
Three
Which modern television series featured the Great Smog of London as the central focus of a Season 1 episode, portraying the political and social impact of the 1952 crisis? A. Downton Abbey B. The Crown C. Call the Midwife
Answer: B. The Crown
The Great Smog has also inspired satirical and fictional treatments—including a Goon Show episode in 1954 and the Doctor Who audio drama The Creeping Death, both of which use the choking fog as a dramatic backdrop.
Four
Born in Vienna, which director known for visually striking films such as Metropolis and M became one of the major figures in early cinema? A. F.W. Murnau B. Sergei Eisenstein C. Fritz Lang
Answer: C. Fritz Lang
Lang fled Nazi Germany the same day he was offered a high-ranking propaganda role, later becoming influential in shaping American film noir.
Five
On December 5, 2006, which military commander declared himself acting president of Fiji after leading a coup? A. Sitiveni Rabuka B. Frank Bainimarama C. Epeli Nailatikau
Answer: B. Frank Bainimarama
Bainimarama later served as Fiji’s elected prime minister from 2014 to 2022, overseeing the country’s return to democratic elections.
These questions all relate to today’s date, December 5th.
Walt Disney’s business envelope featured a self-portrait, c. 1921. Image Wikipedia
One
Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, this visionary American producer created a global entertainment empire that truly began with a mouse. What was that mouse originally going to be called? A. Maxwell Mouse B. Meredith Mouse C. Mortimer Mouse
Two
Which pope issued the 1484 papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus, condemning witchcraft and empowering inquisitors in Germany? A. Pope Alexander VI B. Pope Julius II C. Pope Innocent VIII
Three
Which modern television series featured the Great Smog of London as the central focus of a Season 1 episode, portraying the political and social impact of the 1952 crisis? A. Downton Abbey B. The Crown C. Call the Midwife
Four
Born in Vienna, which director known for visually striking films such as Metropolis and M became one of the major figures in early cinema? A. F.W. Murnau B. Sergei Eisenstein C. Fritz Lang
Five
On December 5, 2006, which military commander declared himself acting president of Fiji after leading a coup? A. Sitiveni Rabuka B. Frank Bainimarama C. Epeli Nailatikau
When the Mary Celeste was found drifting and abandoned on 4 December 1872, which everyday object—left untouched—helped show the ship had not been ransacked by pirates? A. The ship’s telegraph terminal B. A basketball C. A sewing machine
Answer: A. The ship’s sewing machine
Its presence in perfect condition suggested the crew left suddenly rather than under attack, since pirates would never have ignored valuable portable items.
Two
After HMS Resolute was abandoned in Arctic ice in 1854, how did the United States symbolically return the vessel to Britain after it was recovered? A. By selling it back to Britain at auction B. By sailing it back and gifting it to Queen Victoria C. By towing it to Canada and scuttling it ceremonially
Answer: B. By sailing it back and gifting it to Queen Victoria
Timbers from the ship were later made into the Resolute desk, used by many U.S. Presidents—an enduring symbol of Anglo-American friendship.
Three
What key items were missing when the abandoned Carroll A. Deering was found aground on Diamond Shoals in 1921? A. The ship’s logbook and navigation equipment B. All cargo and provisions C. The entire foremast
Answer: A. The ship’s logbook and navigation equipment
The loss of these items intensified the mystery, especially because the vessel was otherwise intact in the dangerous waters of the ‘Graveyard of the Atlantic’.
Four
Which country was the ghost yacht Kaz II navigating around when it departed from Airlie Beach before its three-man crew mysteriously disappeared in 2007? A. Australia B. Belize C. Canada
Answer: A. Australia
The yacht which was travelling from Queensland to Perth, Western Australia via the north of Australia was found with food set out and the engine running, sparking comparisons to the Mary Celeste because no sign of struggle or storm damage was present.
Five
SS Baychimo became a ‘wandering ghost’ of the Arctic, remaining adrift and being seen numerous times after being abandoned in 1931. For how many years did sightings continue? A. 18 years B. 28 years C. 38 years
Answer: C. 38 years
Sighted intermittently for almost four decades, the Baychimo was finally lost to history—its last confirmed appearance occurring in 1969 when frozen in ice.
When the Mary Celeste was found drifting and abandoned on 4 December 1872, which everyday object—left untouched—helped show the ship had not been ransacked by pirates? A. The ship’s telegraph terminal B. A basketball C. A sewing machine
Two
After HMS Resolute was abandoned in Arctic ice in 1854, how did the United States symbolically return the vessel to Britain after it was recovered? A. By selling it back to Britain at auction B. By sailing it back and gifting it to Queen Victoria C. By towing it to Canada and scuttling it ceremonially
Three
What key items were missing when the abandoned Carroll A. Deering was found aground on Diamond Shoals in 1921? A. The ship’s logbook and navigation equipment B. All cargo and provisions C. The entire foremast
Four
Which country was the ghost yacht Kaz II navigating around when it departed from Airlie Beach before its three-man crew mysteriously disappeared in 2007? A. Australia B. Belize C. Canada
Five
SS Baychimo became a ‘wandering ghost’ of the Arctic, remaining adrift and being seen numerous times after being abandoned in 1931. For how many years did sightings continue? A. 18 years B. 28 years C. 38 years
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
Today’s questions focus on individuals born, married or deceased on December 3rd.
One
Which heavy metal band, formed in Birmingham in 1968 and known for pioneering the genre, featured Ozzy Osbourne as its original lead vocalist?
Answer: Black Sabbath
Ozzy Osbourne was born this day in 1948. Black Sabbath’s 1970 self-titled debut album is often cited as one of the first true heavy-metal records, in part because its tritone-based title track was considered unusually dark and ominous for its time.
Two
Which pioneering psychoanalyst, daughter of Sigmund Freud, became one of the founders of child psychoanalysis?
Answer: Anna Freud
During World War II, Anna Freud co-founded the Hampstead War Nurseries in London, providing care for bomb-displaced children and shaping her influential theories on child development. She was born in Vienna, Austria, on this day in 1895.
Three
Which Polish-born British novelist wrote Heart of Darkness, the novella that later inspired the 1979 film Apocalypse Now?
Answer: Joseph Conrad
Conrad did not speak fluent English until his twenties, yet became one of the language’s most celebrated stylists. He was born on this day in 1857.
Which Baroque composer, known for works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, married Anna Magdalena Wilcken on 3 December 1721?
Answer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Anna Magdalena herself was an accomplished singer, and Bach compiled two Notebooks for Anna Magdalena Bach, collections of keyboard pieces for her to study and perform.
Five
Which co-founder of the Jesuit order, famed for missionary work in India, Japan and Southeast Asia, died off the coast of China in 1552?
Answer: St. Francis Xavier
Xavier’s extensive travels—over 60,000 miles by ship—made him one of the most widely travelled religious figures of the 16th century.
