culture – Quizology Online

Everybody’s Talkin’—Answers

Here are today’s answers.

Today’s questions all relate to the date 16th February.

Kiefer Sutherland and Sally Field in *Eye for an Eye* (1996), directed by John Schlesinger.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

One

Born in 1926, this director won the Academy Award for Best Director for Midnight Cowboy starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight. He also directed Eye for an Eye (1996) featuring Sally Field and Kiefer Sutherland. Who is he?

Answer: John Schlesinger.

John Schlesinger was an English director and actor, known for his work in the British New Wave and Hollywood. He gained recognition for his documentaries and feature films, including the Academy Award-winning Midnight Cowboy, and received numerous accolades throughout his career. He also served as associate director of the National Theatre. Fred Neil’s song Everybody’s Talkin’ became the theme for the film and won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by Harry Nilsson.

Two

In 1923, the burial chamber of King Tutankhamun was unsealed. Who was the archaeologist responsible for this discovery?

Answer: Howard Carter.

Tutankhamen, an Egyptian pharaoh, ruled in the 14th century BC and restored traditional religion. His tomb, discovered in 1922, contained treasures that made him renowned, despite his early death and limited achievements. The opening of the tomb was soon followed by stories that it was cursed. One of these relates that shortly after opening the tomb, Carter’s messenger found a cobra in Carter’s house, having killed Carter’s canary. This fuelled rumours of a curse, as the cobra was a symbol of the Egyptian monarchy.

Flag of Lithuania.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Three

In 1918, this country declared independence and two months later adopted this flag which is again the national flag today. Which country?

Answer: Lithuania.

The Act of Independence of Lithuania, signed on 16 February 1918, proclaimed Lithuania’s independence from Russia and established a democratic state with Vilnius as its capital. Although initially hindered by German occupation, Lithuania gained control over its territory after Germany’s defeat in World War I. The Act remains the legal basis for modern Lithuania’s existence. The national flag of Lithuania was adopted in April 1918 during this first period of independence (1918–1940). It was re-adopted in 1988, approximately one and a half years before Lithuania’s independence was re-established and almost three years before the Soviet Union’s collapse.

Four

Born in 1964, this English actor portrayed the ninth incarnation of The Doctor in BBC’s time-travelling series Doctor Who. As The Doctor, he was accompanied by Rose Tyler and inspired Charles Dickens. Who is this actor?

Answer: Christopher Eccleston.

Christopher Eccleston is an English actor known for his work in British social realist dramas and for playing the ninth Doctor in Doctor Who. He has received numerous award nominations and accolades for his performances in television, film and theatre.

Five

Born in 1973, this athlete made history in 2000 as the first Australian Aboriginal person to win an individual Olympic gold medal. Who is this athlete?

Answer: Cathy Freeman.

Cathy Freeman, an Australian sprinter, made history as the first Aboriginal person to win an individual Olympic gold medal in the 400-metres at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She achieved numerous victories, including Commonwealth Games gold medals and a world championship title, and was a symbol of Aboriginal reconciliation. Freeman retired from competition in 2003 and established the Cathy Freeman Foundation to support Indigenous children.

Everybody’s Talkin’

Today’s questions all relate to the date 16th February.

Kiefer Sutherland and Sally Field in *Eye for an Eye* (1996).
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

One

Two

In 1923, the burial chamber of King Tutankhamun was unsealed. Who was the archaeologist responsible for this discovery?

Three

In 1918, this country declared independence and two months later adopted this flag which is again the national flag today. Which country?

Four

Five

Born in 1973, this athlete made history in 2000 as the first Australian Aboriginal person to win an individual Olympic gold medal. Who is this athlete?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

When—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions i posted earlier.

These questions all relate to today’s date, February 5th. Each question has a year or decade as the first part of the answer, followed by a supplementary question.

Cartoon depicting Leopold II and other imperial powers at the Berlin Conference of 1884.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

In what decade did a European monarch establish the Congo Free State in West Africa? Who was the monarch, and what was the European country?

Answer: 1880s; Leopold II and Belgium

Belgian King Leopold II established the Congo Free State in 1885, seizing the land as his personal possession. His brutal reign, characterised by forced labour and widespread atrocities, led to international condemnation and the eventual transfer of control to Belgium in 1908.

Two

On this day in what year did Apollo 14 land on the Moon, and name any one of the three astronauts who flew on that mission or all three if you can?

Answer: 1971; Alan B. Shepard Jr., Stuart A. Roosa or Edgar D. Mitchell

Apollo 14, the third lunar landing, successfully landed in the Fra Mauro formation after overcoming malfunctions. Shepard and Mitchell collected Moon rocks and deployed experiments, while Roosa orbited the Moon.

Three

On this day, the New Hermitage Museum opened in Russia. In what decade did it open, and what—at that time—was the name of the city it is located in?

Answer: 1850s; Saint Petersburg

The New Hermitage Museum, part of the larger Hermitage Museum complex in St. Petersburg, was reconstructed between 1840 and 1852 and opened to the public in 1852. The museum is housed within five interconnected buildings, including the Winter Palace and the Small, Old and New Hermitages. The city was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and named St. Petersburg, which it stayed until 1914 when it became Petrograd to reflect Russian patriotism during World War I by avoiding the German-sounding ‘Petersburg’. In 1924, the name changed to Leningrad in honour of Vladimir Lenin after his death, which it was until 1991 when the city’s population voted to return to the original name.

Four

United Artists, the American film production company, was founded on this day in what decade? Secondly, name any two of the four founders?

Answer: 1910s; Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D. W. Griffith.

United Artists, founded in 1919, was established to allow actors more control over their own affairs. It was acquired by MGM in 1981 and later revived as United Artists Releasing in 2019. However, Amazon, MGM’s parent company, folded UAR into MGM in 2023. On 26 July 2024, Amazon MGM Studios announced the company’s revival.

Five

The creation of the first synthetic plastic was announced on this date. In what decade was this announcement made, and what was the name of this synthetic plastic?

Answer: 1900s; Bakelite

Leo Hendrik Baekeland, a Belgian chemist, invented Velox photographic paper and Bakelite, a versatile plastic, earning him the title ‘The Father of the Plastics Industry’. Bakelite, developed in 1907, became a commercial success due to its mouldability, heat resistance, and electrical nonconductivity. Its creation revolutionised the chemical industry and inspired the development of other synthetic plastics.

When

These questions all relate to today’s date, February 5th. Each question has a year or decade as the first part of the answer, followed by a supplementary question.

Contemporary cartoon.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

In what decade did a European monarch establish the Congo Free State in West Africa? Who was the monarch, and what was the European country?

Two

On this day in what year did Apollo 14 land on the Moon, and name any one of the three astronauts who flew on that mission or all three if you can?

Three

On this day, the New Hermitage Museum opened in Russia. In what decade did it open, and what—at that time—was the name of the city it is located in?

Four

United Artists, the American film production company, was founded on this day in what decade? Secondly, name any two of the four founders?

Five

The creation of the first synthetic plastic was announced on this date. In what decade was this announcement made, and what was the name of this synthetic plastic?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Then Peace will Guide the Planets—Answers

Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

These questions all relate to today’s date, January 23rd.

One

Some astrologers believed that a 1997 planetary alignment with the Sun and Moon, which had not occurred since 1475, indicated the beginning of a new age. What age?

Answer: Age of Aquarius

When the moon is in the Seventh House

And Jupiter aligns with Mars

Then peace will guide the planets

And love will steer the stars

— Lyricfind

Two

In 1229, Pope Gregory IX first mentioned the town of Aboa in his bull; Aboa is the Latin name of Turku. This date is increasingly considered the founding of Turku. In what modern country is Turku?

Answer: Finland

Turku, Finland’s oldest city, is the regional capital of Southwest Finland. With a population of approximately 207,000, it is the country’s third-most populous urban area. Turku, a bilingual municipality, is a significant business and cultural centre, known for its rich history, vibrant food scene, and as a major port city.

Three

In 1957, American inventor Walter Frederick Morrison sold the rights to his disc to the Wham-O toy company. What did they later rename it?

Answer: Frisbee

A frisbee, also known as a flying disc, is a gliding toy used for recreational and competitive throwing and catching. It is typically made of plastic and has a pronounced lip, allowing it to fly with reduced drag and increased lift.

Four

In 1998, which corporation announced the creation of Mozilla, a free software community?

Answer: Netscape Communications Corporation

Netscape announced its Communicator browser software would be free and open-source in 1998, leading to the creation of the Mozilla project. Initially a technology provider, Mozilla later focused on developing independent applications like Firefox and Thunderbird, and expanded into mobile platforms and other projects.

Five

In 1977, the television miniseries Roots debuted in the United States. The series was an adaptation of whose best-selling novel, and what was that novel’s full title?

Answer: Alex Haley

Roots is a 1977 American television miniseries based on Alex Haley’s novel, Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The series, which aired on ABC, received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including nine Primetime Emmy Awards. It was followed by a sequel, Roots: The Next Generations, and a remake commissioned by the History Channel in 2016.

Then Peace will Guide the Planets

These questions all relate to today’s date, January 23rd.

One

Some astrologers believed that a 1997 planetary alignment with the Sun and Moon, which had not occurred since 1475, indicated the beginning of a new age. What age?

Two

Three

In 1957, American inventor Walter Frederick Morrison sold the rights to his disc to the Wham-O toy company. What did they later rename it?

Four

In 1998, which corporation announced the creation of Mozilla, a free software community?

Five

In 1977, the television miniseries Roots debuted in the United States. The series was an adaptation of whose best-selling novel, and what was that novel’s full title?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers tomorrow.

Brace for Impact—Answers

Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

Today’s questions all relate to January 15th.

One

In what decade did the television comedy Happy Days premiere in the United States?

Answer: 1970s

Happy Days, a popular American sitcom that aired from 1974 to 1984, depicted an idealised view of 1950s and 60s America. The show’s most memorable character, Fonzie, became a pop culture icon, leading to several spin-off shows and launching the careers of its stars.

Two

The first national public museum in the world, opened in 1759, boasts a collection of over eight million artefacts. What museum?

Answer: British Museum

The British Museum was founded in 1753 and opened its doors in 1759. It was the first national museum to cover all fields of human knowledge, open to visitors from across the world.

Enlightenment ideals and values – critical scrutiny of all assumptions, open debate, scientific research, progress and tolerance – have marked the Museum since its foundation.

The Museum is driven by an insatiable curiosity for the world, a deep belief in objects as reliable witnesses and documents of human history, sound research, as well as the desire to expand and share knowledge.
— British Museum

Three

The 2016 film Sully, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger III, depicts his remarkable landing of a crippled aircraft in a river. Which river did the aircraft land in, and who directed the film?

Answer: Hudson River; Clint Eastwood

On 15 January 2009, US Airways flight 1549, an Airbus A320, made an emergency landing in the Hudson River after both engines were damaged by a flock of geese shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport. Captain Chesley Sullenberger successfully ditched the plane, resulting in no fatalities but five serious injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded Sullenberger’s decision to land in the river was appropriate.

Four

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on this date in 1929 and dying at the age of 39 in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, this American religious leader became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Who was this?

Answer: Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent American civil rights activist and Baptist minister who led the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. He advocated for civil rights for people of colour through nonviolent resistance, achieving significant legislative gains like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal. Martin Luther King Day is observed on the third Monday in January and a memorial dedicated to him stands in the National Mall, Washington, DC.

Five

In 2001, Wikipedia saw its debut. The free Internet-based encyclopaedia was initially launched as a feature of Nupedia prior to being relaunched as an independent entity a few days later. Who were the two founders?

Answer: Jimmy Wales; Larry Sanger

Wikipedia, launched in 2001 as a complement to the expert-written Nupedia, quickly grew into the largest encyclopedia ever assembled. While initially experiencing rapid growth, the English Wikipedia’s growth rate in terms of new articles and editors peaked around 2007 and has since stabilised after a period of decline. Despite concerns about a decline in active editors and page views, Wikipedia remains a widely used and influential resource.

Brace for Impact

The title refers to Captain Sullenberger’s announcement to his passengers in the final approach of flight 1549 to the Hudson River, ‘This is the captain. Brace for impact.’

Brace for Impact

Today’s questions all relate to January 15th.

One

In what decade did the television comedy Happy Days premiere in the United States?

Two

The first national public museum in the world, opened in 1759, boasts a collection of over eight million artefacts. What museum?

Three

Four

Five

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Sic semper tyrannisc

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?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later

Let There Be Light—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

Edison incandescent light bulb enclosed in cage.
Image Wikipedia

One

On October 21, Thomas Edison applied for a patent for his design for an incandescent light bulb. In which decade did he make this application?

Answer: 1870s

Thomas Edison, an American inventor and businessman, developed influential devices like the phonograph and electric light bulb. He pioneered organised scientific invention and established the first industrial research laboratory.

Two

In 1984, Niki Lauda clinched Formula One’s World Drivers’ Championship for the final time. How many times had he won the title in total?

Answer: Three

Austrian racing driver Niki Lauda competed in Formula One from 1971 to 1979 and 1982 to 1985, winning three World Drivers’ Championships—1975, 1977 and 1984—with Ferrari and McLaren. He survived a horrific crash in 1976 and made a remarkable comeback to win his second and third titles. Beyond racing, Lauda founded three airlines and held advisory and team principal roles in Formula One.

Three

In 1940, the first edition of Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls was published. In what war was the story set?

Answer: Spanish Civil War

Ernest Hemingway’s 1940 novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls, follows Robert Jordan, an American volunteer in the Spanish Civil War, tasked with destroying a bridge. The book assumes knowledge of the war between the Republican government and the Nationalist faction, supported by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

Four

The Guggenheim Museum opened in New York on this date in 1959. Which architect designed its iconic spiral building?

Answer: Frank Lloyd Wright

Wright’s radical design broke from traditional gallery layouts, using a continuous ramp to display art in a flowing, organic space. The museum is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its innovation.

Five

The Battle of Trafalgar, fought on 21 October 1805, took place in the …. It was named after a prominent geographic feature: …. Firstly, what body of water and secondly, what geographic feature fill the two gaps in the previous sentence?

Answer: Atlantic Ocean; Cape Trafalgar

The Battle of Trafalgar was a decisive victory for the British Royal Navy against the combined French and Spanish fleets during the Napoleonic Wars. Admiral Lord Nelson’s tactics ensured Britain’s naval supremacy but cost him his life. Trafalgar Square in London was named to commemorate this victory.