Here are five questions related to today, November 6th.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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?
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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?
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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?
Here are the answers to the questions I asked earlier.
The Rumble in the Jungle. Muhammad Ali (standing) and George Foreman (on canvas). Image USA Today
One
On October 30, 1974, the legendary boxing event The Rumble in the Jungle took place. In which city and country did this event take place? Who were the two boxers involved? And which fighter emerged victorious, reclaiming the world heavyweight title that day?
Answer: Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo); Muhammad Ali and George Foreman; and Muhammad Ali (recovered title)
This fight took place in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). It drew a massive crowd of 60,000 and was one of the most-watched televised events at the time. Ali emerged victorious by knockout in the eighth round.
Orson Welles at the press conference after The War of the Worlds broadcast, 1938. Image Wikipedia
Two
The 1938 broadcast of a radio drama adaptation caused panic among listeners who thought it was real. What was the title of this drama and who wrote the original novel?
Answer: The War of the Worlds; (written by) H.G. Wells
The broadcast presented H.G. Wells’s story in a live news style format and reportedly caused panic by convincing some listeners that Martians were invading.
Three
In 1817, who became president of the newly formed Third Republic of Venezuela?
Answer: Simón Bolívar
Bolívar played a crucial role in Latin American independence, significantly shaping Venezuela’s early republican era.
Comparison of Nuclear Explosions. Image World of Engineering via Reddit
Four
In 1961, the Tsar Bomba test — the largest nuclear weapon ever detonated — was detonated in what archipelago and by which country?
Answer: Novaya Zemlya (archipelago); Soviet Union (USSR)
The Tsar Bomba, or AN602, was the most powerful nuclear weapon ever created and tested, designed by Soviet physicists under Andrei Sakharov’s oversight. The bomb’s yield was around 50 megatonnes, and the test took place over the Novaya Zemlya archipelago.
Five
In 1905, to quell revolutionary pressure in Russia, a significant concession was made: the establishment of an elected parliament, the Duma, and the guarantee of civil liberties. Who made this concession?
Answer: Tsar Nicholas II
This was part of the aftermath of the 1905 Russian Revolution and marked the beginning of attempts at constitutional government in Russia, with Tsar Nicholas II issuing the October Manifesto in 1905, promising civil rights and an elected parliament, the Duma, after being pressured by Sergei Witte and Grand Duke Nicholas.
Here are five questions related to today, October 30th.
Orson Welles, 1937. See question 2. Image Wikipedia
One
On October 30, 1974, the legendary boxing event The Rumble in the Jungle took place. In which city and country did this event take place? Who were the two boxers involved? And which fighter emerged victorious, reclaiming the world heavyweight title that day?
Two
The 1938 broadcast of a radio drama adaptation by Orson Welles caused panic among listeners who thought it was real. What was the title of this drama and who wrote the original novel?
Three
In 1817, who became president of the newly formed Third Republic of Venezuela?
In 1961, the Tsar Bomba test — the largest nuclear weapon ever detonated — was detonated in what archipelago and by which country?
Five
In 1905, to quell revolutionary pressure in Russia, a significant concession was made: the establishment of an elected parliament, the Duma, and the guarantee of civil liberties. Who made this concession?
Five questions which are all related to today, October 28th.
Unveiling of the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World by Edward Moran. Oil on canvas. The J. Clarence Davies Collection, Museum of the City of New York via Wikipedia
One
On October 28, 1922, a march on Rome resulted in the rise to power of whom?
Two
On October 28, the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated in New York Harbor. In what decade did this occur, and which US President dedicated the statue?
Three
A vote in the British House of Commons on this day in 1971 approved plans for the UK’s membership of what regional organisation had been created by the Treaty of Rome in 1957?
Four
At the 2023 Rugby World Cup final held at the Stade de France, South Africa defeated … (team), and became the first nation to win the Webb Ellis Cup … times. What team fills the first blank space, and what number is missing from the second blank?
Five
On October 28, 1919, legislation was passed in the United States that enforced the 18th Amendment and ushered in the era of Prohibition. What was the name of that act?
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
One
Which country, independent since late 1951, was raised from colonial status to part of Italy proper in 1938 by decree of Italy’s Fascist Grand Council?
Answer: Libya
Italian colonisation of Libya began in the 1920s, with significant investment in infrastructure and immigration. After World War II, Libya gained independence in 1951, becoming a kingdom under King Idris I.
Daily Reenactment at the O.K. Corral. Image Wikipedia
Two
Where did the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral take place in 1881?
Answer: Tombstone, Arizona
The gunfight at the O.K. Corral, a brief but deadly shootout between lawmen (Wyatt Earp, his brothers and Doc Holiday) and outlaws (Billy Claiborne, brothers Ike and Billy Clanton, and brothers Tom and Frank McLaury) in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, on 26 October 1881, has become an iconic event of the American Old West. The conflict, fuelled by a long-standing feud and a city ordinance prohibiting weapons, resulted in the deaths of three men and injuries to three others. The incident, largely unknown until Wyatt Earp’s death, gained widespread attention through books and films, solidifying its place in popular culture.
Three
On this day in 1955, which European country declared a law of perpetual neutrality?
Answer: Austria
Since 1955, Austria has been a permanently neutral country—a status declared after the end of post-war Allied occupation. The Austrian State Treaty restored the nation’s sovereignty on the condition that it would not join any military alliances or permit foreign bases on its soil. This neutrality, enshrined in the constitution, has shaped Austria’s identity as a bridge between East and West during the Cold War and beyond.
Erie Canal, aqueduct over the Mohawk River at Rexford. Image Wikipedia
Four
When was the Erie Canal, a major US transport route, inaugurated?
Answer: 1825
The canal connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, fuelling trade and the growth of New York City.
Five
How many terms did François Mitterrand, who was born today in 1916, serve as President of France?
Answer: Two
François Mitterrand, a French politician, served as President of France from 1981 to 1995, marking the longest tenure in the country’s history under the Fifth Republic. Initially aligned with the Catholic nationalist right, he shifted to the left, becoming the first left-wing president. His presidency was marked by significant reforms, such as the abolition of the death penalty and the promotion of French culture, but also faced controversies like the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. Mitterrand’s tenure spanned pivotal events like the fall of the Berlin Wall and the foundation of the European Union.
These questions all relate to today’s date, October 26th.
François Mitterand, 1983. See question 5. Image Wikipedia
One
Which country, independent since late 1951, was raised from colonial status to part of Italy proper in 1938 by decree of Italy’s Fascist Grand Council?
Two
Where did the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral take place in 1881?
Three
On this day in 1955, which European country declared a law of perpetual neutrality?
Four
When was the Erie Canal, a major US transport route, inaugurated?
Five
How many terms did François Mitterrand, who was born today in 1916, serve as President of France?
Here are the answers to the wrapping in my earlier post.
John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) and Nikita Khrushchev (1894–1971) in Vienna, Austria in May 1961. Image Wikipedia
One
President John F. Kennedy’s televised announcement on 22 October 1962 brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. What confrontation was it about?
Answer: Cuban Missile Crisis
President Kennedy, following advice from Dwight D. Eisenhower, announces that American reconnaissance aircraft have identified Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba and that he has ordered a naval ‘quarantine’ of the Communist country.
Two
Tsar Peter I proclaimed the Russian Empire. In which century was this?
Answer: 18th (1721)
> The title was transformed from the previous title of tsar and grand prince of all Russia. The old title tsar (or tsaritsa) continued to be popularly used to refer to the emperor (or empress) until the monarchy was abolished in 1917. — Wikipedia
Three
On 22 October 1964, a French writer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, though it was subsequently declined. Who was the author?
Answer: Jean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Sartre declined the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature, citing his refusal to accept official honours and his belief that the prize favoured Westerners and Eastern rebels. The Swedish Academy acknowledged his decision but maintained the validity of the award.
Emperor Naruhito, official portrait 2019. Image Wikipedia
Four
Naruhito was officially enthroned as Japan’s 126th emperor on 22 October 2019. Earlier that year, he had ascended the Imperial Throne following the abdication of whom?
Answer: Emperor Akihito
Five
Who became the first President of the Republic of Texas on 22 October 1836?
Quizology.Online 
