On This Day: October 20th—Answers

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

Sydney Opera House.
Image Wikipedia

One

On 20 October 1973, which Australian landmark officially opened to the public?  
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House, which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose citation is

Inaugurated in 1973, the Sydney Opera House is a great architectural work of the 20th century that brings together multiple strands of creativity and innovation in both architectural form and structural design. A great urban sculpture set in a remarkable waterscape, at the tip of a peninsula projecting into Sydney Harbour, the building has had an enduring influence on architecture. The Sydney Opera House comprises three groups of interlocking vaulted ‘shells’ which roof two main performance halls and a restaurant. These shell-structures are set upon a vast platform and are surrounded by terrace areas that function as pedestrian concourses. In 1957, when the project of the Sydney Opera House was awarded by an international jury to Danish architect Jørn Utzon, it marked a radically new approach to construction.
— UNESCO World Heritage Convention

Two

The Battle of Valdivia, part of the Chilean War of Independence, took place in which decade?  
1820s
This battle saw Chilean forces secure the southern stronghold from Spanish royalists, aiding in the country’s independence.

The Traveling Wilburys—top: 1. Jeff Lynne, 2. Tom Petty;
bottom: 3. Roy Orbison, 4. Bob Dylan, 5. George Harrison

Three

Which iconic rock musician gave his final live performance with his band, the Traveling Wilburys, on this day in 1990?  
Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison, part of the supergroup with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty, passed away later that year.

Muammar Gaddafi.
Image Wikipedia

Four

On 20 October 2011, which long-time Libyan leader was captured and killed during the civil conflict?  
Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Gaddafi had ruled Libya for 42 years before being overthrown during the Arab Spring uprisings. His death, which ended one of Africa’s longest dictatorships, lead to years of instability in Libya.

Five

Which U.S. President signed the Louisiana Purchase Treaty on 20 October 1803?  
Thomas Jefferson
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States, adding roughly 828,000 square miles of territory.

On This Day: October 20th

Some trivia about today, October 20th.


Flag of the United States (1795–1818).
Image Wikipedia

One

On 20 October 1973, which Australian landmark officially opened to the public?  
Sydney Opera House

Two

The Battle of Valdivia, part of the Chilean War of Independence, took place in which decade?  
1820s

Three

Which iconic rock musician gave his final live performance with his band, the Traveling Wilburys, on this day in 1990?

Four

On 20 October 2011, which long-time Libyan leader was captured and killed during the civil conflict?

Five

Which U.S. President signed the Louisiana Purchase Treaty on 20 October 1803?  
Thomas Jefferson

Good luck! I’ll Post the answers later.

The World of Imagination is Boundless—Answers

Houyhnhnms driving a herd of Yahoos.
Image Metropolitan Museum of Art/Wikipedia

One

Jonathan Swift, author and clergyman, died on this date in 1745.  The Wikipedia quote below describes a fictional race from his most famous work but what descriptive word is missing, and what’s the title of the work which has also been removed?

Houyhnhnms are a fictional race of intelligent … described in the last part of … by Jonathan Swift.
— Wikipedia

Answers: Horses and Gulliver’s Travels

Gulliver’s Travels, a 1726 prose satire by Jonathan Swift, satirises human nature and the “travellers’ tales” genre. It popularised the fictional island of Lilliput and is considered a classic of English literature. Houyhnhnms, rational equine beings, contrast with the savage Yahoos, representing the worst of humanity. Gulliver prefers the Houyhnhnms’ company despite their biological differences.

Two

The Unseen University is located in what fictional city, and as a result of a transformation, the university’s librarian became what?

Answers: Ankh-Morpork and an orang-utan

This is from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series of novels. Ankh-Morpork, a fictional city, draws inspiration from real-world cities like Tallinn, Prague, London, Seattle and New York City. Pratchett aimed for consistency between the city’s descriptions and its map to enhance visualisation. The Unseen University, a school of wizardry in the Discworld series, is situated in Ankh-Morpork and staffed by inept wizards.

Three

Mos Eisley is a city in which science fiction franchise, and on which planet is it situated?

Answers: Star Wars and Tatooine

Tatooine, a fictional desert planet in the Star Wars universe, is where Luke and Anakin Skywalker reside. Known for its iconic binary sunset, Mos Eisley, the planet’s largest city, is a bustling spaceport with a thriving criminal underworld. Chalmun’s Cantina, a popular saloon frequented by diverse alien species, is located there.

Four

In a trilogy published in the early 1950s, a series of short stories explores the decline of a galactic empire, drawing parallels to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The story centres on Hari Seldon, a mathematician and psychologist, who develops psychohistory, a new science. What is the title of the trilogy and its author?

Answers: The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov

Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, inspired by Gibbon’s The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, explores the concept of psychohistory, a method for predicting societal behaviour. The series follows the Foundation, established by Hari Seldon on Terminus, as it navigates challenges and strives to shorten the impending age of barbarism following the Galactic Empire’s collapse. The original trilogy, comprising Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation, was published between 1951 and 1953.

Five

Arthur Dent, a human, embarks on a journey with Ford Prefect, an alien, after Earth’s destruction. He discovers Earth was a supercomputer designed to uncover the ‘Ultimate Question of Life the Universe and Everything’ and his mind holds the answer. What is the six-word title of this work, and in what medium was it first published?

Answers: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy; Radio series

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a comedy science fiction franchise created by Douglas Adams, follows Arthur Dent’s adventures after Earth’s destruction. The franchise includes radio, novels, comics, TV, film and a 40th-anniversary celebration.

The World of Imagination is Boundless

The world of reality has its limits;
the world of imagination is boundless.
— Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Today the first question is related to today’s date, October 19th, setting a theme for the remainder. There are two answers required for each question.

Jonathan Swift.
Image Wikipedia

One

Jonathan Swift, author and clergyman, died on this date in 1745.  The Wikipedia quote below describes a fictional race from his most famous work but what descriptive word is missing, and what’s the title of the work which has also been removed?

Houyhnhnms are a fictional race of intelligent … described in the last part of … by Jonathan Swift.
— Wikipedia

Two

The Unseen University is located in what fictional city, and as a result of a transformation, the university’s librarian became what?

Three

Mos Eisley is a city in which science fiction franchise, and on which planet is it situated?

Four

In a trilogy published in the early 1950s, a series of short stories explores the decline of a galactic empire, drawing parallels to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The story centres on Hari Seldon, a mathematician and psychologist, who develops psychohistory, a new science. What is the title of the trilogy and its author?

Five

Arthur Dent, a human, embarks on a journey with Ford Prefect, an alien, after Earth’s destruction. He discovers Earth was a supercomputer designed to uncover the ‘Ultimate Question of Life the Universe and Everything’ and his mind holds the answer. What is the six-word title of this work, and in what medium was it first published?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Grand Slam—Answers

Martina Navratilova, 2011.
Image Wikipedia

One

In 1956, Martina Navratilova, who went on to dominate women’s tennis, was born? In what city was she born and how many Grand Slam singles titles did she win?

Answer: 18 (Grand Slam singles titles)

Martina Navratilova, a Czech-American former tennis player, dominated women’s tennis in the 1980s. She holds numerous records, including nine Wimbledon singles titles and a career Grand Slam in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Navratilova became a US citizen in 1981 and later reacquired Czech citizenship in 2008.

Two

In 1939, the man who would later be accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy — and who himself would be fatally shot two days afterward — was born in New ….
What was his name and his place of birth?

Answer: Lee Harvey Oswald and New Orleans

Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, assassinated President John F. Kennedy on 22 November 1963 and was himself killed by Jack Ruby two days later. The Warren Commission concluded Oswald, who had a troubled past and at one time defected to the Soviet Union, acted alone, a finding supported by multiple investigations, though many Americans remain sceptical.

Three

The BBC, a national broadcasting service, was founded in London on this day. Which decade saw this happen?

Answer: 1920s

The British Broadcasting Corporation—established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company—is headquartered in London and is the oldest and largest broadcaster in the UK. Funded primarily by a television licence fee, it provides radio, TV, and online services, including the BBC World Service.

Four

On this day in 1867, following the US’s approval of the purchase of Alaska from Russia, the American flag was unfurled over the capital for the first time. Where was that capital and how far apart are Alaska and Russia at their closest point, measured in miles?

Answer: Sitka and 2.4 miles or 3.8 km

The Alaska Purchase, negotiated by William H. Seward in 1867, was finalised on October 18th with a flag-raising ceremony at Fort Sitka, now celebrated as Alaska Day.

Anything between 2 and 3 miles or 3 and 4 km is acceptable.

The Diomede Islands, Little Diomede (Alaska, U.S.) and Big Diomede (Chukotka, Russia), are located in the Bering Strait, between Alaska and Siberia.

  • The distance between the islands is about 2.4 miles (3.8 kilometres).
  • The International Date Line runs between them, making Big Diomede almost one day ahead of Little Diomede; consequently, they are sometimes called ‘Tomorrow Island’ (Big Diomede) and ‘Yesterday Island’ (Little Diomede).

Five

The Whale, first published in London on this day in 1851, was written by whom?

Answer: Herman Melville

The British edition of The Whale was published on October 18th with only 500 copies printed, a small print run due to slow sales of previous books. The American editions—titled Moby Dick or The Whale was released on November 14th.

Grand Slam

Here are some questions all related to today’s date, October 18th.

Martina Navratilova, 1980.
Image Wikipedia

One

In 1956, Martina Navratilova, who went on to dominate women’s tennis, was born. In what city was she born, and how many Grand Slam singles titles did she win?

Two

In 1939, the man who would later be accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy — and who himself would be fatally shot two days afterward — was born in New ….
What was his name and his place of birth?

Three

The BBC, a national broadcasting service, was founded in London on this day. Which decade saw this happen?

Four

On this day in 1867, following the US’s approval of the purchase of Alaska from Russia, the American flag was unfurled over the capital for the first time. Where was that capital and how far apart are Alaska and Russia at their closest point, measured in miles?

Five

The Whale, first published in London on this day in 1851, was written by whom?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

The Silver Screen—Answers

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

Bullitt.
Image carbuzz.com

One

The iconic car chase in Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen, was filmed in which city?  Secondly, McQueen was driving a Ford Mustang but what make and model was the other car in the chase?

Answer: San FRAncisco and Dodge Charger

The iconic car chase scene in Bullitt, filmed in San Francisco, featured Steve McQueen driving a Ford Mustang through the city’s hilly streets. The 10-minute scene, filmed over three weeks, showcased modified Mustangs and Chargers, with McQueen performing close-up scenes and stunt drivers handling the high-speed stunts. Bullitt was released on this date in 1968.

The Misfits starring Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift.
Image The Movie Database

Two

Born today in 1920, Montgomery Clift portrayed Perce Howland in the 1961 film The Misfits. Who were his co-stars who played Gaylord Langland and Roslyn Taber.

Answer: Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe

Clark Gable played Gaylord Langland and Marilyn Monroe as Roslyn Taber. Montgomery Clift, an American actor, was known for his emotional depth and vulnerability in roles.

Rita Hayworth. 1945.
Image Wikipedia

Three

1918 American actress Rita Hayworth whose portrayal of seductresses helped earn her the nickname “The Love Goddess,” was born.

— Encyclopædia Britannica

Born as Margarita Carmen Cansino in New York City this day in 1918, what actress’s name is missing from the above quote?

Answer: Rita Hayworth

Rita Hayworth, an American actress and dancer, was a prominent figure in the Golden Age of Hollywood, starring in 61 films over 37 years. Known for her role in Gilda, she was a top pin-up girl during World War II and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

Question 4. George Wendt as Norm Peterson.
Image Cheers Fandom

Four

Three-in-one?

  • Who is the actor in the photograph?
  • He was a regular in which television series from 1982 to 1993?
  • What is his character’s name in that series?

Answer: George Wendt; Cheers and Norm Peterson

Hilary Norman ‘Norm’ Peterson, a semi-unemployed accountant, is a regular at the bar. His character, originally named George, was rewritten after George Wendt’s audition.

George Wendt was born on this date in 1948 and passed away in May 2025.

James Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Five

On this day in 1939, a classic film premiered. James Stewart stars as the title character, who launches a filibuster in the US Senate to combat corruption. What is the film?

Answer: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

The American classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, starring James Stewart, had its world premiere; although it angered the political establishment, the drama won wide acclaim from the public and film industry.

The Silver Screen

Bullitt.
Image carbuzz.com

One

The iconic car chase in Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen, was filmed in which city?  Secondly, McQueen was driving a Ford Mustang but what make and model was the other car in the chase?

Two

Born today in 1920, Montgomery Clift portrayed Perce Howland in the 1961 film The Misfits. Who were his co-stars who played Gaylord Langland and Roslyn Taber.

Three

1918 American actress …, whose portrayal of seductresses helped earn her the nickname “The Love Goddess,” was born.

— Encyclopædia Britannica

Born as Margarita Carmen Cansino in New York City this day in 1918, what actress’s name is missing from the above quote?

Four

Question 4.

Three-in-one?

  • Who is the actor in the photograph?
  • He was a regular in which television series from 1982 to 1993?
  • What is his character’s name in that series?

Five

On this day in 1939, a classic film premiered. James Stewart stars as the title character, who launches a filibuster in the US Senate to combat corruption. What is the film?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Unsinkable—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

One

In the film Titanic what were Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet’s fictional characters full names?

Answer: Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater

Titanic film poster.
Image Original Vintage

Two

Name the independent countries in Africa that have names beginning with ‘M’?

Answer: Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco and Mozambique

Three

What type of animal was Flipper, the star of the sixties American television series?

Answer: Bottlenose dolphin

Bottlenose dolphins.
Image American Oceans

Four

There’s only been one instance of a father and daughter performing a number one song in America. Can you name the song and the performers?

Answer: Somethin’ Stupid Frank and Nancy Sinatra

This 1967 hit, which was billed as being by ‘Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra’, was the first and only instance of a father-daughter number-one song in America. Nancy Sinatra has said, ‘Some people call (it) the Incest Song, which I think is, well, very sweet!’

Five

Name any US presidents and British prime ministers with the same surname?

Answer: Woodrow Wilson and Harold Wilson

Woodrow Wilson, was the 28th President of the United States and was in office from 1913 to 1921.
Harold Wilson, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and was in office from 1964 to 1970 and 1974 to 1976.

Unsinkable

Today’s questions are random with no connection between them.

RMS Titanic.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

One

In the film Titanic what were Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet’s fictional characters full names?

Two

Name the independent countries in Africa that have names beginning with ‘M’?

Three

What type of animal was Flipper, the star of the sixties American television series?

Four

There’s only been one instance of a father and daughter performing a number one song in America. Can you name the song and the performers?

Five

Name any US presidents and British prime ministers with the same surname?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.