Tag: ancient history

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below.

1. Barbra Streisand, who was born on 24 April 1942, starred in the 1976 iteration of A Star is Born (1976). How often, up to April 2025, has the film been made?
   • Four times—A Star is Born has been made four times. The original film, released in 1937, starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March and was directed by William A. Wellman. It was followed by a 1954 remake starring Judy Garland and James Mason, directed by George Cukor. Streisand starred with Kris Kristofferson in the 1976 remake, directed by Frank Pierson. The fourth film, released in 2018, starred Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who also directed it.

     ---

     

2. On this day in 1479 BCE, Thutmose III ascended to the throne of…
   • Egypt—Thutmose III, the fifth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, ruled Egypt from around 1479 to 1425 BC. Known as the “Napoleon of Egypt,” he led many successful military campaigns, expanding Egypt’s empire, creating its navy and conquering all of Syria. He crossed the Euphrates to defeat the Mitannians and penetrated south along the Nile River to Napata in Sudan. Thutmose III was a skilled warrior who brought the Egyptian empire to its zenith and built numerous temples and monuments to commemorate his achievements.

     ---

     

3. Joseph Ratzinger was installed as Pope on 24 April. What papal name did he choose?
   • Benedict XVI—Benedict XVI—born Joseph Ratzinger— served as head of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013. During his tenure, he faced challenges such as declining vocations, church attendance and the sexual abuse scandal. A prominent theologian, he advocated for traditional Catholic values and revived several church traditions. Benedict resigned due to age-related health concerns, becoming the first pope to do so since 1415.

     ---

     

4. On April 24, 1558, fifteen-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots, was married. Where did the wedding take place?
   • Notre-Dame de Paris, France—Mary, Queen of Scots, married Francis, Dauphin of France, at Notre-Dame de Paris in 1558 in a political alliance between Scotland and France, orchestrated by her mother, Mary of Guise, to strengthen their bond. Mary was sent to France at the age of five to be raised at the court of King Henry II, where she grew up to be a Frenchwoman, excelling in hunting, dancing and languages. At 15, she married Francis, the eldest son of Henry and Catherine, in a political union between France and Scotland.

     ---

     

5. Born on 24 April 1815, this English novelist, essayist and short story writer is credited with introducing Britain’s ubiquitous pillar box (mail box). Who is he?
   • Anthony Trollope—The first British wayside letter boxes were introduced in the Channel Islands in 1852 to address mail collection issues due to irregular sailing times. Designed by Anthony Trollope, the cast iron pillar boxes were an instant success, though initially, they faced rainwater ingress problems.

Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, 24 April.

1. Barbra Streisand, who was born on 24 April 1942, starred in the 1976 iteration of A Star is Born (1976). How often, up to April 2025, has the film been made?
   • Twice
   • Three times
   • Four times
2. On this day in 1479 BCE, Thutmose III ascended to the throne of…
   • China
   • Egypt
   • Mesopotamia
3. Joseph Ratzinger was installed as Pope on 24 April. What papal name did he choose?
   • Adrian VI
   • Benedict XVI
   • Clement X
4. On April 24, 1558, fifteen-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots, was married. Where did the wedding take place?
   • Iona Abbey, Isle of Iona, Scotland
   • Notre-Dame de Paris, France
   • St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland

     ---

     

5. Born on 24 April 1815, this English novelist, essayist and short story writer is credited with introducing Britain’s ubiquitous pillar box (mail box). Who is he?
   • Charles Dickens
   • Anthony Trollope
   • Rudyard Kipling

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.