Quizology.Online

Tag: americas

  • Old Faithful—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    These questions are all related to today’s date, March 1st.

    Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    On 1 March, the President of the United States signed the Act of Dedication, which established Yellowstone National Park. Which president signed it and in which decade did this occur?

    Answers: President Ulysses S. Grant; 1870s.

    Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, is the first national park in the US and the world. It spans three states and is renowned for its geothermal features, diverse wildlife, and the Yellowstone Caldera.

    Two

    The Massacre of Vassy (French: massacre de Wassy) was the murder of … worshippers and citizens in an armed action by troops of the Duke of Guise, in Wassy, France on 1 March 1562.— Wikipedia 

    A word has been omitted from the text ‘murder of the … worshippers’ in the above edited version of the opening sequence of the Wikipedia article The Massacre of Vassy. This omission is a noun describing the worshippers as being of the Reformed (Calvinist) tradition of Protestantism. What is this missing word?

    Answer: Huguenot.

    The Massacre of Vassy in 1562, where about 60 Huguenot worshippers were murdered, marked the start of the French Wars of Religion. The conflict ended with the Peace of Amboise in 1563.

    Three

    On 1 March 1936, after five years of construction, the Hoover Dam was officially handed over to the US government. The reservoir it created was named Lake Mead. Here are three statements about Lake Mead: two are true and one is false. Which one is false?

    1. Lake Mead is named after Fort Mead
    2. Lake Mead provides water to Mexico
    3. Lake Mead stretches for 115 miles (185 km) upstream from the Hoover Dam

    Answer: No. 1 is false.

    The dam created Lake Mead which was named after Elwood Mead, Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation from 1924 to 1936. It supplies water to the states of Arizona, California and Nevada as well as some parts of Mexico. It stretches for 115 miles (185 km) upstream from the dam.

    Four

    In 1956, the International Air Transport Association finalised the Radiotelephony spelling alphabet for the International Civil Aviation Organization which implemented it on this date. It was later adopted by the International Telecommunications Union and is still in place today. Spelling of the words in this alphabet is important to assist with correct pronunciation over the air. What words represent these six letters: A — F — J — Q — W — Z?

    Answer: ALFA — FOXTROT — JULIETT — QUEBEC — WHISKEY — ZULU.

    Alfa is spelled with an f as it is in most European languages. This is because the spelling Alpha may not be pronounced properly by some who do not realise that ph should be pronounced as f. Similarly, Juliett is used rather than Juliet for French speakers, because they might otherwise treat a single final t as silent.

    Five

    On this day, a U.S. president established the Peace Corps by executive order. Which decade saw this event and who was the president involved?

    Answers: 1960s; John F. Kennedy.

    The Peace Corps, established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, is a U.S. government agency that trains and deploys volunteers to assist developing countries in fields like education, agriculture, and health. Typically American citizens with a college degree, volunteers serve for at least two years, living and working alongside local communities. Since its inception, the Peace Corps has grown significantly, expanding its reach to 141 countries by 2018.

  • Old Faithful

    These questions are all related to today’s date, March 1st.

    Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    On 1 March, the President of the United States signed the Act of Dedication, which established Yellowstone National Park. Which president signed it and in which decade did this occur?

    Two

    The Massacre of Vassy (French: massacre de Wassy) was the murder of … worshippers and citizens in an armed action by troops of the Duke of Guise, in Wassy, France on 1 March 1562.— Wikipedia 

    A word has been omitted from the text ‘murder of the … worshippers’ in the above edited version of the opening sequence of the Wikipedia article The Massacre of Vassy. This omission is a noun describing the worshippers as being of the Reformed (Calvinist) tradition of Protestantism. What is this missing word?

    Three

    On 1 March 1936, after five years of construction, the Hoover Dam was officially handed over to the US government. The reservoir it created was named Lake Mead. Here are three statements about Lake Mead: two are true and one is false. Which one is false?

    1. Lake Mead is named after Fort Mead
    2. Lake Mead provides water to Mexico
    3. Lake Mead stretches for 115 miles (185 km) upstream from the Hoover Dam

    Four

    In 1956, the International Air Transport Association finalised the Radiotelephony spelling alphabet for the International Civil Aviation Organization which implemented it on this date. It was later adopted by the International Telecommunications Union and is still in place today. Spelling of the words in this alphabet is important to assist with correct pronunciation over the air. What words represent these six letters: A — F — J — Q — W — Z?

    Five

    On this day, a U.S. president established the Peace Corps by executive order. Which decade saw this event and who was the president involved?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Hello Dolly!—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    Todays questions are all related to the date, February 22nd.

    Dolly the Sheep.
    The taxidermy mount of Dolly on exhibit at the National Museum of Scotland, 2009.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    On this day in 1997, the world was introduced to Dolly the sheep. Cloned at a Scottish institute sharing a name with a nearby chapel featured in a Dan Brown novel and film, both the institute and chapel’s names originate from that of a village with multiple spellings. What is it?

    Answer: Roslin (Institute) or Rosslyn (Chapel) or Roslyn.

    Dolly the Sheep was cloned at the Roslin Institute, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell. The nearby Rosslyn Chapel, founded in 1446 by Sir William St. Clair, is a remarkable example of ornate Gothic architecture. The chapel, known as a ‘Bible in stone’, features intricate carvings and sculptures, including the Apprentice Pillar, which is the subject of much speculation. Despite its association with the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail, the chapel’s true significance lies in its historical and architectural value. It featured in Dan Brown’s novel and film The Da Vinci Code.

    Two

    George Washington, the first president of the United States, was born on 22 February 1732 in Westmoreland, Virginia. This Virginian county was named after the British County of Westmorland, but on what island was this latter county found?

    Answer: Great Britain.

    Westmorland, a former county in North West England, is situated on the island of Great Britain. It encompassed part of the Lake District and the southern Vale of Eden. In 1974 it was incorporated into Cumbria and now forms part of the larger Westmorland and Furness unitary authority area.

    Three

    Exactly 200 years after the birth of George Washington, a United States politician was born into a political dynasty on this day. Who was he?

    Answer: Ted Kennedy (in full Edward Moore Kennedy).

    Edward Moore Kennedy, a prominent American politician and member of the Democratic Party, served as a United States Senator from Massachusetts from 1962 until his death in 2009. Known for his oratorical skills and liberal views, Kennedy championed numerous significant pieces of legislation, including the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Despite his political achievements, his career was marred by the Chappaquiddick incident in 1969.

    Four

    In 1942, three members of an anti-Nazi group were executed by beheading in Munich. Over the following months, others were also executed and many more imprisoned for alleged connections to the group. The group’s two-word name was that of a colour and a flower; what was this name?

    Answer: White Rose.

    The White Rose was a non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany, led by students and a professor. They conducted a leaflet and graffiti campaign against the Nazi regime, denouncing its crimes and calling for resistance. Their activities ended with further arrests and executions in 1943.

    Five

    On this date, NASCAR held the first Daytona 500. In what year was this, and which driver won the race?

    Answers: 1959; Lee Petty.

    The 1959 Daytona 500, the second race of the NASCAR Grand National Series season, was the inaugural race at the newly built Daytona International Speedway. The track, built by NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr., is a 2.5-mile superspeedway and is considered the most prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar.

  • Hello Dolly!

    Todays questions are all related to the date, February 22nd.

    Dolly the Sheep.
    The taxidermy mount of Dolly on exhibit at the National Museum of Scotland, 2009.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    On this day in 1997, the world was introduced to Dolly the sheep. Cloned at a Scottish institute sharing a name with a nearby chapel featured in a Dan Brown novel and film, both the institute and chapel’s names originate from that of a village with multiple spellings. What is it?

    Two

    George Washington, the first president of the United States, was born on 22 February 1732 in Westmoreland, Virginia. This Virginian county was named after the British County of Westmorland, but on what island was this latter county found?

    Three

    Exactly 200 years after the birth of George Washington, a United States politician was born into a political dynasty on this day. Who was he?

    Four

    In 1942, three members of an anti-Nazi group were executed by beheading in Munich. Over the following months, others were also executed and many more imprisoned for alleged connections to the group. The group’s two-word name was that of a colour and a flower; what was this name?

    Five

    On this date, NASCAR held the first Daytona 500. In what year was this, and which driver won the race?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Four Births and a Funeral—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    Five questions which consist of four births on this date, February 21st, and one death.

    Robert Mugabe, 1995.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Born in 1924, Robert Mugabe served as the first prime minister of which African country from 1980 to 1987 and then as president from 1987 to 2017?

    Answer: Zimbabwe

    Robert Mugabe, a prominent Black nationalist leader, served as Zimbabwe’s prime minister (1980–87) and president (1987–2017). He resigned in 2017 after 37 years in power, facing pressure to prevent his wife from succeeding him.

    Two

    Born on this day, Barbara Jordan became the first African American woman to serve in the US House of Representatives from the South. In what year did she join the House?

    Answer: 1972.

    Barbara Jordan was a lawyer, educator and politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas. She was the first African American congresswoman from the South and gained national prominence during the Watergate scandal. After retiring from Congress, she taught at the University of Texas and remained influential in political affairs.

    Three

    Which poem by W. H. Auden, written in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II, famously opens with the line ‘I sit in one of the dives / On Fifty-second Street’?

    Answer: September 1, 1939

    Although it became one of his most quoted works—especially after major global crises—Auden later grew dissatisfied with the poem and even excluded it from some of his collected editions.

    Four

    Born in Linares, Spain in 1893, the Marquis of Salobreña was a celebrated musician and composer. What was his name and on which instrument was he renowned for his performances?

    Answers: Andrés Segovia; Guitar.

    Andrés Segovia, a Spanish classical guitarist, was a pivotal figure in the 20th century, known for re-establishing the guitar as a concert instrument. He significantly influenced the modern-romantic repertoire through commissions and transcriptions, and his expressive performances and distinctive style are highly remembered. Segovia’s career began in Granada in 1909, with notable performances in Madrid in 1912, Paris in 1924, and New York in 1928. His work inspired many composers to create specially composed pieces for the guitar.

    and finally…

    Five

    In 2018, a prominent American Christian evangelist, born in North Carolina 99 years earlier, passed away in the same state.  He organised annual crusades drawing huge crowds eager to hear his preaching. His website boasts live audiences of at least 210 million people across over 185 countries and territories.  He was also known for rebuking a US president for profanity.  Who was this evangelist and which US president did he rebuke?

    Answer: Billy Graham; Richard Nixon.

    Graham rebuked Nixon for his behaviour regarding Watergate and for his profanity as heard on the Watergate tapes. Billy Graham, a prominent American evangelist, gained international influence through his crusades and media presence. He advocated for racial integration, supported the Civil Rights Movement, and founded the Lausanne Movement.

  • Four Births and a Funeral

    Five questions which consist of four births on this date, February 21st, and one death.

    Robert Mugabe, 1995.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Born in 1924, Robert Mugabe served as the first prime minister of which African country from 1980 to 1987 and then as president from 1987 to 2017?

    Two

    Born on this day, Barbara Jordan became the first African American woman to serve in the US House of Representatives from the South. In what year did she join the House?

    Three

    Which poem by W. H. Auden, written in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II, famously opens with the line ‘I sit in one of the dives / On Fifty-second Street’?

    Four

    Born in Linares, Spain in 1893, the Marquis of Salobreña was a celebrated musician and composer. What was his name and on which instrument was he renowned for his performances?

    and finally…

    Five

    In 2018, a prominent American Christian evangelist, born in North Carolina 99 years earlier, passed away in the same state.  He organised annual crusades drawing huge crowds eager to hear his preaching. His website boasts live audiences of at least 210 million people across over 185 countries and territories.  He was also known for rebuking a US president for profanity.  Who was this evangelist and which US president did he rebuke?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Gallimaufry VII—Answers

    Today we have a mixed bag of trivia with no theme.

    Tom kha kai soup.
    Image Pinterest

    One

    Tom kha kai is a Thai soup made with which milk?

    Answer: Coconut

    Tom kha, a Thai soup originating around 1890, evolved from tom kha pet (duck and galangal) to tom kha kai (chicken) and tom kha kung (shrimp). It is distinguished from tom yam by its coconut milk base.

    Two

    In which country is Punta Gallinas, the northernmost part of mainland South America?

    Answer: Colombia

    Punta Gallinas, also known as Cape Gallinas or Cape Hens, is a northern Colombian headland in the Caribbean Sea.  Situated in Uribia Municipality within La Guajira Department, it marks the northernmost point on South America’s mainland and is one of the continent’s extreme points.

    Three

    Caspian, Indian, and monocled are species of which snake?

    Answer: Cobra

    The Caspian cobra, a highly venomous snake endemic to Central Asia, and the monocled cobra, found in South and Southeast Asia, are both known for their potent venom and are responsible for numerous snakebite incidents. The Indian cobra, native to the Indian subcontinent, is one of the ‘big four’ species responsible for the most snakebite cases in Sri Lanka and India.

    Four

    In what game was a character renamed in 2023 as Boden ‘Boddy’ Black Jr?

    Answer: Cluedo/Clue.

    In the 2023 update of Cluedo/Clue, Boden “Boddy” Black Jr. finally aligns the British Dr. Black with the American Mr. Boddy.

    Five

    Where in Ireland is the cultural region of Connemara?

    Answer: County Galway.

    Connemara, a region in western County Galway, Ireland, is renowned for its traditional Irish culture. It’s Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht, a district where Irish is the predominant language, and boasts mountains, peninsulas, coves, islands and small lakes. Clifden serves as its largest settlement.

  • Gallimaufry VII

    Today we have a mixed bag of trivia with no theme.

    Tom kha kai soup.
    Image Pinterest

    One

    Tom kha kai is a Thai soup made with which milk?

    Two

    In which country is Punta Gallinas, the northernmost part of mainland South America?

    Three

    Caspian, Indian, and monocled are species of which snake?

    Four

    In what game was a character renamed in 2023 as Boden ‘Boddy’ Black Jr?

    Five

    Where in Ireland is the cultural region of Connemara?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres—Answers

    Here are the answers to my Walter posted questions.

    Diagram of the Solar System from Copernicus’ manuscript of De revolutionibus orbium coelestium.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to the date, February 19th.

    One

    In what century was Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus born?

    Answer: 15th century.

    Born in 1473, Nicolaus Copernicus, a Renaissance polymath, formulated a heliocentric model of the universe, placing the Sun at its centre. His work, published in De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres) triggered the Copernican Revolution and significantly contributed to the Scientific Revolution.

    Two

    In 1945, the Battle of Iwo Jima began when US Marines invaded the Japanese volcanic island of Iwo Jima.  What does the name Iwo Jima mean in English?

    Answer: Sulfur Island.

    Iwo Jima, a volcanic island in the Ogasawara Archipelago, is administered by Tokyo. It was the site of a major WWII battle between Japan and the US, resulting in over 20,000 casualties on each side. Today, the island has no permanent inhabitants except for a Self-Defence Force base and is owned by a combination of individuals, the village, and the Japanese government.

    Three

    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was born in 1960 and was known as Prince Andrew. He would later also be known as the Duke of York. For the first 22 years of his life, he was second in the line of succession to the British throne, who, born in 1982, replaced him as second in the line of succession?

    Answer: Prince William (The eldest son of Charles, Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) and Diana, Princess of Wales).

    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faced controversy due to his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. He denied allegations of sexual abuse but settled a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre in 2022. In 2025, Charles III removed Andrew’s royal styles and honours, restricted his titles, and relocated him to private accommodation.

    Four

    Born in 1924, this actor was a decorated World War II veteran, where he served in the U.S. Marines. He won an Oscar for Best Actor for Cat Ballou (1965) where he played both Kid Shelleen and Tim Strawn. He appeared in The Dirty Dozen (1967) and Gorky Park (1983). He died in 1987. Who is this actor?

    Answer: Lee Marvin.

    Marvin, an American actor known for his tough-guy roles, received an Academy Award for his performance in Cat Ballou. He was also a decorated World War II veteran and a descendant of the Lee family of Virginia.

    Five

    In 1913, Pedro Lascuráin assumed the role of President of Mexico. What connects the number 45 to his presidency? Was it

    • 45 marriages (he was married 45 times during his presidency)
    • 45 minutes (he was in office for only 45 minutes)
    • 45 murders (he was connected to 45 murders during his presidency)

    Answer: 45 minutes (he was in office for only 45 minutes)

    During the Ten Tragic Days coup, Victoriano Huerta captured President Madero and convinced him to resign. Lascuráin, next in line, briefly assumed the presidency before appointing Huerta as his successor, making Lascuráin’s presidency the shortest in history of not only Mexico but the world.

  • On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres

    Diagram of the Solar System from Copernicus’ manuscript of De revolutionibus orbium coelestium.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to the date, February 19th.

    One

    In what century was Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus born?

    Two

    In 1945, the Battle of Iwo Jima began when US Marines invaded the Japanese volcanic island of Iwo Jima.  What does the name Iwo Jima mean in English?

    Three

    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was born in 1960 and was known as Prince Andrew. He would later also be known as the Duke of York. For the first 22 years of his life, he was second in the line of succession to the British throne, who, born in 1982, replaced him as second in the line of succession?

    Four

    Born in 1924, this actor was a decorated World War II veteran, where he served in the U.S. Marines. He won an Oscar for Best Actor for Cat Ballou (1965) where he played both Kid Shelleen and Tim Strawn. He appeared in The Dirty Dozen (1967) and Gorky Park (1983). He died in 1987. Who is this actor?

    Five

    In 1913, Pedro Lascuráin assumed the role of President of Mexico. What connects the number 45 to his presidency? Was it

    • 45 marriages (he was married 45 times during his presidency)
    • 45 minutes (he was in office for only 45 minutes)
    • 45 murders (he was connected to 45 murders during his presidency)

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.