Quizology.Online

“There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge.”

— Bertrand Russell

Tag: americas

  • 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.

  • Nine Days Wonder—Answers

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

    Question one. Lady Jane Grey.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Lady Jane Grey, Queen of England for just nine days in 1553, was executed on 12 February 1554. Who was her predecessor, and who succeeded her as monarch?

    Answer: Edward VI; Mary I.

    Lady Jane Grey, a cousin of Edward VI, king of England from 1547 to 1553, was persuaded by John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, to become his heir before Edward’s death, despite Edward having two half-sisters. Jane’s Protestantism made her the preferred candidate of those like Northumberland who supported the Reformation. She reigned as queen for nine days in 1553, but the English people largely supported Edward VI’s half-sister Mary Tudor, the rightful heir by Henry VIII’s will. Jane was persuaded to relinquish the crown she never wanted, and at the beginning of Mary’s reign, she was arraigned for high treason and later executed

    Question two. Flag of North Macedonia.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Two

    In 2019, the country represented by this flag changed its name. What did the country’s name change from and to?

    Answer: Republic of Macedonia (or the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia); Republic of North Macedonia.

    North Macedonia is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe. It declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991. Due to a long-standing name dispute with Greece, it was admitted to the United Nations in 1993 under the provisional reference ‘the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’ (FYROM). Following the Prespa Agreement signed with Greece in June 2018 and implemented in February 2019, the country officially changed its name from the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia.

    Three

    Emperor Puyi abdicated in 1912 becoming the last emperor of which country?

    Answer: China.

    Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, was forced to abdicate in 1912. He later became the puppet emperor of Manchukuo under Japanese control. After World War II, he was imprisoned and later pardoned, living out his days in Beijing.

    Question four. Flag of Chile.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Four

    On this date in 1818, the country whose flag this is declared independence.  Which country achieved independence and from whom?

    Answer: Chile; Spain.

    The Chilean Declaration of Independence, drafted in January 1818 and approved by Bernardo O’Higgins on 12 February 1818, declared Chile’s independence from the Spanish Empire. The original document was damaged, and a new copy signed by O’Higgins and his ministers was destroyed during the 1973 Chilean coup d’état.

    Five

    Future US president Abraham Lincoln was born on this day. In what US state, and in what decade, was he born?

    Answer: Kentucky; 1800s.

    Abraham Lincoln, from humble beginnings, became the 16th President of the United States, led the nation through the Civil War, and played a pivotal role in abolishing slavery. He navigated political challenges, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and delivered the Gettysburg Address. Tragically, Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, shortly after the Confederate surrender

  • Nine Days Wonder

    Question one. Lady Jane Grey.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Lady Jane Grey, Queen of England for just nine days in 1553, was executed on 12 February 1554. Who was her predecessor, and who succeeded her as monarch?

    Question two. Image Wikimedia Commons

    Two

    In 2019, the country represented by this flag changed its name. What did the country’s name change from and to?

    Three

    Emperor Puyi abdicated in 1912 becoming the last emperor of which country?

    Question four. Image Wikimedia Commons

    Four

    On this date in 1818, the country whose flag this is declared independence.  Which country achieved independence and from whom?

    Five

    Future US president Abraham Lincoln was born on this day. In what US state, and in what decade, was he born?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • What the Dickens—Answers

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

    Each of these questions relates to today’s date, February 7th.

    Charles Dickens.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    British novelist Charles Dickens was born on this day in 1812. But what does the word ‘Dickens’ refer to in the phrase ‘What the dickens’?

    Answer: Devil.

    dickens /ˈdɪkɪnz / 
noun [in singular] informal, dated used for emphasis, or to express annoyance or surprise when asking questions: what the dickens is going on? they work like the dickens. – ORIGIN late 16th century: a euphemism for ‘devil’, probably a use of the surname Dickens. — Oxford English Dictionary

    Two

    After the death of King Hussein in 1999, his son Abdullah II became king in what country, and what countries border it?

    Answer: Jordan; (bordering countries are) Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria, West Bank.

    Syria is to the north; Iraq to the east; Saudi Arabia to the southeast and south; Israel to the west; and the West Bank to the west. There is also a maritime border with Egypt on the Gulf of Aqaba to the south.

    Three

    On this day, Michael Romanov became Tsar of Russia as Michael I and founded the Romanov dynasty. In what century was it founded? In what year did it end, and who was the last Tsar?

    Answer: 17th century. 1917 and Nicholas II

    Michael Romanov, elected Tsar of Russia in 1613 at age 16, initially relied on his mother’s relatives to restore order. His father, Philaret, returned from Polish captivity in 1619, becoming co-ruler and patriarch, and significantly influencing the government until his death in 1633. Michael’s reign (1613-1645) saw increased European contact, financial reforms, and the strengthening of serfdom. The dynasty ended with the Russian Revolution of 1917 when Nicholas II abdicated and, with his family, was later executed.

    Four

    The Beatles arrived in the United States for the first time on this day in 1964 in what the press named the ‘British Invasion’. What single gave the Beatles their first Billboard Hot 100 number one?

    Answer: I Want to Hold Your Hand.

    It became the Beatles’ first US number-one single when it topped the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1964, kicking off full-blown Beatlemania in America. They held the number one spot for a then-record fourteen straight weeks, from February 1st through May 2nd, and on April 4th, the Beatles held the top five positions in the Hot 100 simultaneously.

    Five

    Walt Disney’s Pinocchio premiered in 1940. Who wrote the novel it was based on?

    Answer: Carlo Collodi.

    Pinocchio, a 1940 Disney animated film, follows the adventures of a wooden puppet who becomes a real boy. The film is renowned for its animation, storytelling, and music. The film won two Academy Awards: Best Original Score and Best Original Song for When You Wish Upon a Star. This made it the first Disney film to win either category.

  • What the Dickens

    Each of these questions relates to today’s date, February 7th.

    Charles Dickens.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    British novelist Charles Dickens was born on this day in 1812. But what does the word ‘Dickens’ refer to in the phrase ‘What the dickens’?

    Two

    After the death of King Hussein in 1999, his son Abdullah II became king in what country, and what countries border it?

    Three

    On this day, Michael Romanov became Tsar of Russia as Michael I and founded the Romanov dynasty. In what century was it founded? In what year did it end, and who was the last Tsar?

    Four

    The Beatles arrived in the United States for the first time on this day in 1964 in what the press named the ‘British Invasion’. What single gave the Beatles their first Billboard Hot 100 number one?

    Five

    Walt Disney’s Pinocchio premiered in 1940. Who wrote the novel it was based on?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.