Exile on Main St. Rolling Stones. Image Pinterest.
Exile on Main St., a double album was released on 12 May 1972 by…
Rolling Stones—Exile on Main St. is the Rolling Stones’ tenth studio album, released in 1972. The album, recorded in France and Los Angeles, features a mix of blues, rock and roll, swing, country and gospel influences. It is considered a pivotal hard rock album and is often regarded as the Rolling Stones’ best work.
Norge airship. Image Wikipedia
The first verified flight over the North Pole took place on this date in 1926. The flight was made in a…
Semirigid airship—The Norge, an Italian-built airship, completed the first verified flight to the North Pole on 12 May 1926. The expedition, led by Roald Amundsen and funded by Lincoln Ellsworth, was the first to fly over the polar ice cap between Europe and America.
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Portrait by Richard Stone Image Wikipedia
On 12 May 1937, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were crowned. George had been king since December 1936, following his brother Edward VIII’s abdication. Prior to Edward’s abdication, the new king and queen were known by what titles?
Duke and Duchess of York—George VI, born Albert, and titled Duke of York, became king after his brother Edward VIII abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson.. He led the UK through World War II, symbolising British determination. He died in 1952, his daughter becoming Queen Elizabeth II. His widowed consort, now styled Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, lived for a further 50 years.
During the Berlin Airlift in 1948, U.S., British, and French planes delivered food and other goods to Berlin, which was blockaded by Soviet forces. In this photo, German children stand on a hillside and watch a U.S. plane fly overhead. Image Wikipedia
On this day in 1949, the Soviet Union lifted its blockade of…
Berlin—The Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin in 1948–49, cutting off all land and water access. The Western Allies responded with the Berlin Airlift, supplying West Berlin by air for nearly a year until the Soviets lifted the blockade.
Florence Nightingale, an angel of mercy. Crimean War: Florence Nightingale with her candle making the night round of the wards at Scutari hospital. Coloured mezzotint, c. 1855, by Tomkins after Butterworth. Image Wikipedia
Three English people are listed, but one was born while her parents were on an extended honeymoon in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Can you identify which one?
Florence Nightingale, nurse and social reformer—Florence Nightingale, an English social reformer and statistician, revolutionised modern nursing. During the Crimean War, she led a team of nurses in Scutari, Turkey, improving hospital conditions and reducing mortality rates. Her dedication, known as the “Lady with the Lamp,” earned her international acclaim and led to the establishment of the first scientifically based nursing schools.
George VI and Elizabeth, coronation portrait. Image Wikipedia
Exile on Main Street, a double album, was released on 12 May 1972 by…
Bob Dylan
Chicago
Rolling Stones
The first verified flight over the North Pole took place on this date in 1926. The flight was made in a…
Fokker bi-plane
Hot air Balloon
Semirigid airship
On 12 May 1937, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were crowned. George had been king since December 1936, following his brother Edward VIII’s abdication. Prior to Edward’s abdication, the new king and queen were known by what titles?
Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh
Duke and Duchess of Sussex
Duke and Duchess of York
On this day in 1949, the Soviet Union lifted its blockade of…
Baghdad
Baku
Berlin
Of the three English people listed one was born while their parents were on an extended honeymoon in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Can you identify which one?
The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.
Statue of Constantine the Great in the Capitoline museums. Image Wikipedia
Where, on 11 May 330, was dedicated as the “New Rome”? Byzantium—Constantine the Great renamed Byzantium as “New Rome” in 330 CE, later changing it to Constantinople. The city, founded in 657 BCE, was officially renamed Istanbul in the 20th century.
Rhinoceros. Salvador Dali. Image Wikipedia
Which Spanish artist born today in 1904, at Figueras, Spain, also died there in 1989? Salvador Dali—Salvador Dalí was a Spanish surrealist artist known for his technical skill and striking, bizarre images. He joined the Surrealist group in 1929 and achieved commercial success in the United States in the 1940s. Dalí’s work influenced Surrealism, pop art and contemporary artists.
Entrance to the German death camp Auschwitz I in Poland. The sign “Arbeit macht frei” translates as “Work makes you free”. Image Wikipedia
Former senior Nazi official Adolf Eichmann was captured by Israeli intelligence agents on 11 May 1960. Near what capital city was he captured? Buenos Aires, Argentina—Otto Adolf Eichmann, a German-Austrian Nazi official, was a key organiser of the Holocaust. He participated in the Wannsee Conference, where the Final Solution was planned, and oversaw the mass deportation of Jews to extermination camps. After the war, he escaped to Argentina but was captured by Mossad in 1960 and tried in Israel, where he was convicted and executed.
Gary Kasparov vs Deep Blue, IBM Computer Encyclopædia Britannica
On this day in 1997, Garry Kasparov was defeated in the final game of a six-game chess match. Which computer defeated him? Deep Blue—Deep Blue, a chess-playing supercomputer, was the first to defeat a reigning world champion under regular time controls. It first played Garry Kasparov in 1996, losing the match, but won a rematch in 1997.
Gordon Brown. Image Wikipedia
11 May 2010, saw the resignation of which British prime minister? Gordon Brown—James Gordon Brown, a British politician, served as Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010. Prior to this, he was Chancellor of the Exchequer under Tony Blair, overseeing significant economic reforms and the longest period of economic growth in British history. After leaving office, Brown continued to serve as an MP and later became a UN Special Envoy and WHO Ambassador.
The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.
View SE from the top level of the Eiffel Tower: the Champ de Mars, with Montparnasse Tower in the distance. The École Militaire is one third down from the top of the picture. Image Wikipedia (Mattgirling)
On 6 May 1889, the Eiffel Tower is officially opened to the public at the Universal Exposition, on the…
Champs de Mars, Paris—The Champ de Mars, a large public park in Paris, was originally a military parade ground. It hosted significant events during the French Revolution and later became a site for national expositions and world’s fairs.
Coat of arms of Moravia. Image Wikipedia
Sigmund Freud, a neurologist and psychoanalyst, was born in Freiberg in Mähren (now Příbor) on this day in 1856. His birthplace was in …
Moravia—Moravia, a historical region in the Czech Republic, was the centre of the medieval Great Moravian kingdom before becoming part of Bohemia in the 11th century. It later was part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire and then became part of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic.
Puente Nuevo de Ronda. Image Wikipedia
Actor Orson Welles was born today in 1915. He passed away in Los Angeles, California, in 1985, and two years later his ashes were interred at the home of his long-time friend, bullfighter Antonio Ordóñez, in Ronda…
Spain—Ronda, a municipality in Málaga, Andalusia, is known for its cliffside location and deep canyon. It has a population of about 35,000 and is part of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park.
The Grand Palace, Bangkok. Image Wikipedia
Today in 1782, at the command of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, construction began on the Grand Palace, the royal residence of the King of Siam. The palace was built in…
Bangkok—The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, is a complex of buildings built in 1782 as the official residence of the Thai kings. It covers 2.4 million square feet and includes over 100 buildings, the most notable being the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Image Wikipedia
Tony Blair, British prime minister from 1997 to 2007, was born 6 May 1953, in the city of …
Edinburgh, Scotland—Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a city known for its historic Old Town and Neoclassical New Town, both designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city’s complex character, blending reserved exterior with warmth and gaiety, is reflected in its rich history, including religious conflicts, riots and the influence of its intellectual elite during the Neoclassical period of the 18th and 19th centuries. Edinburgh remains a major centre for finance, law, tourism, education and cultural affairs.
Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, 6 May.
On 6 May 1889, the Eiffel Tower is officially opened to the public at the Universal Exposition, on the…
Champs de Mars, Paris
Champs de Neptune, Paris
Champs de Venus, Paris
Sigmund Freud, a neurologist and psychoanalyst, was born in Freiberg in Mähren (now Příbor) on this day in 1856. His birthplace was in …
Carinthia
Galicia
Moravia
Actor Orson Welles was born today in 1915. He passed away in Los Angeles, California, in 1985, and two years later his ashes were interred at the home of his long-time friend, bullfighter Antonio Ordóñez, in Ronda…
Ecuador
Mexico
Spain
Today in 1782, at the command of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, construction began on the Grand Palace, the royal residence of the King of Siam. The palace was built in…
Amman
Bangkok
Colombo
Tony Blair, British prime minister from 1997 to 2007, was born 6 May 1953, in the city of …
The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. First edition cover – designed by Vanessa Bell. Image Wikipedia
On 5 May 1927, the novel To the Lighthouse was published. Who was the English author?
Virginia Woolf—Virginia Woolf’s 1927 novel, To the Lighthouse, follows the Ramsay family’s visits to the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The novel explores life through the perspectives of Mrs. Ramsay, Mr. Ramsay and their eight children.
n A Japanese 10-meter diameter Mulberry paper balloon re-inflated at NAS Moffett Field, CA following its downing by a Navy aircraft about 30 miles west of Alturas, CA on January 10, 1945. Image Wikipedia
On this day in 1945, six people picnicking in Oregon were killed in an attack by the Japanese. These were the only deaths by enemy action in the continental United States during World War II. How was the attack launched?
Japan launched Fu-Go high-explosive balloon bomb—Fu-Go was an incendiary balloon weapon deployed by Japan against the United States during World War II. The balloons, launched in Japan and carried by the jet stream, were intended to ignite forest fires and spread panic. On 5 May 1945, six civilians, including four boys and two women, were killed near Bly, Oregon, when they discovered a balloon bomb in Fremont National Forest. This was the only fatality from Axis action in the continental US during World War II.
Adele. Image Wikipedia
Born today in 1988, this singer-songwriter has won 16 Grammy Awards, 12 Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Who is she?
Adele—Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, known as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter. Her albums, including 21 and 25, are among the best-selling of the 21st century, with 25 breaking first-week sales records in the UK and US. Adele has won numerous awards, including 16 Grammys and an Academy Award.
Jonathan, the tortoise at Plantation House, Saint Helena, 2021. Image Wikipedia
Napoleon Bonaparte died on 5 May 1821, while in exile on the island of Saint Helena. Which is where?
South Atlantic Ocean—Napoleon I was exiled to St. Helena, a remote British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, after his second abdication in 1815. He spent his final years in isolation at Longwood House, dying in 1821 from a stomach ulcer. On a cheerier note, Saint Helena is home to the world’s oldest land animal…
The oldest known living terrestrial animal is Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa), originally from the Seychelles but now a long-time resident of the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena. He is believed to have been born c. 1832, thus making him 192 years old in 2024. Guinness World Records
On 5th May, rebel barons in England renounced their allegiance to King John, a pivotal event leading to the Magna Carta. In which year did this occur?
1215—During the 12th century, English kings issued charters promising liberties and good government to nobles and clergy. However, King John, facing challenges from his nephew and France, did not issue a general charter upon his accession. This, coupled with increased taxes and conflicts with the church, led to baronial unrest and demands for a formal grant of liberties.
King John of England, 1167-1216. Illuminated manuscript, De Rege Johanne, 1300-1400. MS Cott. Claud DII, folio 116, British Library. Image Wikipedia
Tower of Hercules, an ancient Roman lighthouse in A Coruña, Spain Image Wikipedia
Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, 5 May.
On 5 May 1927, the novel To the Lighthouse was published. Who was the English author?
Hazel Adair
Margaret Jepson
Virginia Woolf
On this day in 1945, six people picnicking in Oregon were killed in an attack by the Japanese. These were the only deaths by enemy action in the continental United States during World War II. How was the attack launched?
Carrier_launched Aichi D3A dive-bomber
Gunfire from a surfaced I-15 submarine‘s deck gun
Japan launched Fu-Go high-explosive balloon bomb
Born today in 1988, this singer-songwriter has won 16 Grammy Awards, 12 Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Who is she?
Adele
Shura
Rhianna (Kenny)
Napoleon Bonaparte died on 5 May 1821, while in exile on the island of Saint Helena. Which is where?
Mediterranean Sea
North Atlantic Ocean
South Atlantic Ocean
On 5th May, rebel barons in England renounced their allegiance to King John, a pivotal event leading to the Magna Carta. In which year did this occur?
True or false MCMXCIX is the Roman numeral for 1999.
True—MCMXCIX is 1999. M=1,000; C=100; X=10; I=1. M + (M – C) + (C – X) + (X – I) = MCMXCIX. There are various online resources explaining this, but here is well-explained one.
True or false, Morecambe and Wise reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart in 1975 with The Trail of the Lonesome Pine.
False—Laurel and Hardy reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart in 1975 with The Trail of the Lonesome Pine. The song was from Laurel and Hardy’s 1937 film Way Out West and was performed by Laurel and Hardy with The Avalon Boys.
The first page of the edition of the Domenica del Corriere, an Italian paper, with a drawing by Achille Beltrame depicting Gavrilo Princip killing Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo. Image Wikipedia
True or false, Gavrilo Princip assassinated US President William McKinley.
False—It was Leon Czolgosz who assassinated President McKinley in 1901. On 28 June 1914, Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir presumptive to the throne of Austria-Hungary, and his wife Sophie, Duchess von Hohenberg, in Sarajevo. Their deaths led to the outbreak of World War I.
Margay in Costa Rica. Image Wikipedia
True or false, a margay is a small monkey native to Madagascar.
False—a margay is a small wild cat native to the Americas, ranging from Mexico to Uruguay and northern Argentina.
Procol Harum, 1967. Image Wikipedia
True or false, “Turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor” is a line from Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
False—it is the second line of the first verse, from Procol Harum’s 1967 number 1 A Whiter Shade of Pale. See quote below.
A Whiter Shade of Pale
Procol Harum
(1967)
We skipped the light fandango Turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor I was feeling kind of seasick But the crowd called out for more The room was humming harder As the ceiling flew away When we called out for another drink The waiter brought a tray
And so it was that later As the miller told his tale That her face, at first just ghostly Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said, “There is no reason And the truth is plain to see” But I wandered through my playing cards And would not let her be One of sixteen vestal virgins Who were leaving for the coast And although my eyes were open They might just as well have been closed
And so it was that later As the miller told his tale That her face, at first just ghostly Turned a whiter shade of pale
And so it was that later As the miller told his tale…
Quizology.Online 
