Quizology.Online

Tag: disasters

  • I’d Hate to Die on That Dung Heap — Answers

    Here’s today’s answers.

    All of today’s questions are date-specific, relating in one way or another to April 26th.

    One

    Akira Kurosawa‘s 1954 film is set in a village plagued by bandits, and a 1960 American western is a remake of this story.

    1. What was the title of Kurosawa’s 1954 film?
    2. What was the 1960 American film?
    3. What actors played the title characters in the American film?

    Answers

    1. Seven Samurai
    2. The Magnificent Seven
    3. Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Horst Buchholz, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter and James Coburn.

    Seven Samurai, a 1954 Japanese action film by Akira Kurosawa, is hailed as one of the greatest films ever. Set in the 16th century, it depicts a village hiring samurai to fend off bandits, overcoming cultural tensions. Despite being Japan’s longest and costliest film at the time, it achieved global success, elevating Japanese cinema and influencing cinematography. Starring Mifune Toshirō, it inspired The Magnificent Seven.

    Flag of Tanzania.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Two

    The country represented by the above flag was founded in 1964.

    1. What is the full, official name of the new country founded?
    2. This new country was formed by the union of a sovereign state with a semi-autonomous region, what were this state and region?

    Answers

    1. United Republic of Tanzania
    2. Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

    Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is an East African nation with a 2024 population of 67.5 million. Formed in 1964 from the Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, it features Mount Kilimanjaro, three Great Lakes, and is a popular safari destination. Swahili is the national language, with Dodoma as its capital.

    Three

    In 1933, Hermann Göring established the Geheime Staatspolizei. What was it commonly known as?

    Answer: Gestapo.

    The Gestapo, Nazi Germany’s secret police, was established in 1933 by Hermann Göring and later controlled by Heinrich Himmler. It targeted political opponents, dissenters, and minorities, committing numerous atrocities. Despite its small size, it was effective due to citizen reporting and played a crucial role in the Holocaust. Post-WWII, it was declared a criminal organisation.

    Four

    American artist and ornithologist James Audubon was born in 1785. In what present day country was he born?

    Answer: Haiti.

    Born in Les Cayes, Saint-Domingue, West Indies, now Haiti, John James Audubon, a French-American artist and ornithologist, is known for his paintings and illustrations of North American bird species. However, he has been accused of fraud and misconduct, such as plagiarising data and trafficking Native American remains.

    Five

    On 26 April 1986, a nuclear disaster occurred in which Soviet Socialist Republic?

    Answer: Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.

    On 26 April 1986, reactor no. 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Pripyat, exploded, causing one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. The explosion, due to a design flaw during a test, led to a power surge, steam explosions, and a reactor core fire, spreading radioactive contamination across Europe. Immediate evacuations affected 117,000 people. The disaster resulted in radiation-related fatalities and thousands of cancer cases, with varying death toll predictions. The city of Pripyat was abandoned and replaced by the purpose-built Slavutych. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant sarcophagus, completed in December 1986, limited radioactive contamination and protected undamaged reactors’ crews. Between 2016 and 2018, the Chernobyl New Safe Confinement was built around the old sarcophagus to facilitate reactor debris removal. The clean-up is expected to be completed by 2065. It has been described as the most expensive disaster in history costing an estimated US$700 billion.

    I’d Hate to Die on That Dung Heap

    The post title is a quote from the Seven Samurai said by Kikuchiyo, as he and the six Samurai arrive at the village.

  • I’d Hate to Die on That Dung Heap

    All of today’s questions are date-specific, relating in one way or another to April 26th.

    One

    Akira Kurosawa‘s 1954 film is set in a village plagued by bandits, and a 1960 American western is a remake of this story.

    1. What was the title of Kurosawa’s 1954 film?
    2. What was the 1960 American film?
    3. What actors played the title characters in the American film?
    Question two.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Two

    The country represented by the above flag was founded in 1964.

    1. What is the full, official name of the new country founded?
    2. This new country was formed by the union of a sovereign state with a semi-autonomous region, what were this state and region?

    Three

    In 1933, Hermann Göring established the Geheime Staatspolizei. What was it commonly known as?

    Four

    American artist and ornithologist James Audubon was born in 1785. In what present day country was he born?

    Five

    On 26 April 1986, a nuclear disaster occurred in which Soviet Socialist Republic?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Annus Horribilis — Answers

    Today’s answers are shown below.

    The first two questions today relate to this date, April 15th. The remainder follow in the same unfortunate theme.

    Notre-Dame de Paris, 2019.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    In 2019, the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris was very badly damaged by fire. On what island is the cathedral located?

    Answer: Île de la Cité.

    Notre-Dame de Paris, a medieval Catholic cathedral on Île de la Cité, in the River Seine, exemplifies French Gothic architecture with its rib vaults, flying buttresses, and rose windows. Construction began in 1163, completed by 1260, and it underwent restorations, notably after Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame inspired interest. Damaged in a 2019 fire, it reopened in 2024. A symbol of Paris, it was a minor basilica since 1805 and attracts 12 million visitors annually. Owned by the French government, it houses significant relics.

    Two

    On this day, the RMS Titanic sank two hours and forty minutes after hitting an iceberg. During her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York, USA, which two ports did she visit?

    Answer: Cherbourg, France, and Queenstown, Ireland (now Cobh).

    The RMS Titanic sank on 15 April 1912 after hitting an iceberg on 14 April, during her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. With over 2,200 on board, up to 1,635 died, making it a deadly maritime disaster. Despite seven ice warnings, Titanic travelled at 22 knots. Her inadequate lifeboat system left many without refuge. RMS Carpathia rescued 710 survivors. The tragedy led to global outrage and the 1914 SOLAS convention for maritime safety.

    Three

    What event prompted the opening of parts of Buckingham Palace to the public for paid tours?

    Answer: Windsor Castle fire (1992).

    On 20 November 1992, a major fire broke out in Windsor Castle, affecting over 100 rooms, including St George’s Hall and the Grand Reception Room. Over 200 firefighters controlled the blaze after 15 hours. While much of the Royal Collection was saved, some significant works were lost. The fire led to public debate on royal funding, prompting Queen Elizabeth II to pay income tax. Restoration, completed in 1997, cost £36.5 million and was led by Donald Insall Associates. The fire occurred during what the Queen later described as her annus horribilis.

    Four

    In 1626, 20,000 people died when a factory in Wanggongchang, China exploded destroying part of the city. What was the factory manufacturing?

    Answer: Gunpowder.

    The Wanggongchang Explosion occurred on May 30, 1626, in Beijing, killing around 20,000 people. Located 3 km southwest of the Forbidden City, it was a major gunpowder production centre. The cause remains uncertain, but it was a key storage facility for the Shenjiying defending the capital.

    Five

    During what 1979 yachting race, with a course of 605 miles, did a storm in the Celtic Sea cause 21 fatalities?

    Answer: Fastnet Race.

    The 1979 Fastnet Race, the 28th edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s event, was a 605-nautical-mile course from Cowes to Fastnet Rock and Plymouth, marking the Admiral’s Cup climax. A severe windstorm on the third day caused chaos, resulting in 21 fatalities—15 yachtsmen and 6 spectators—on 14 August in the Celtic Sea. The largest peace-time rescue operation involved 4,000 people, including the Irish Naval Service, lifeboats, commercial boats, and helicopters.

    Annus Horribilis

    The post title is related to how Queen Elizabeth II referred to 1992. Not only was Windsor Castle the scene of a large fire but she also had the domestic problems of three of her children to contend with and said

    1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis.

    — Elizabeth II

  • Annus Horribilis

    The first two questions today relate to this date, April 15th. The remainder follow a familiar, unfortunate theme.

    Notre-Dame de Paris, 2019.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    In 2019, the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris was very badly damaged by fire. On what island is the cathedral located?

    Two

    On this day, the RMS Titanic sank two hours and forty minutes after hitting an iceberg. During her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York, USA, which two ports did she visit?

    Three

    What event prompted the opening of parts of Buckingham Palace to the public for paid tours?

    Four

    In 1626, 20,000 people died when a factory in Wanggongchang, China exploded destroying part of the city. What was the factory manufacturing?

    Five

    During what 1979 yachting race, with a course of 605 miles, did a storm in the Celtic Sea cause 21 fatalities?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Commonwealth of trivia | Answers

    The answers to today’s questions are shown in bold below.

    Flag of Sierra Leone
    Image Wikipedia
    1. The country represented by the flag pictured obtained its independence from Great Britain on 27 April 1961, when Milton Margai became the first Prime Minister and the country became a member of the British Commonwealth. What country?
      • Sierra Leone—Sierra Leone, a presidential republic in West Africa, gained independence from the UK in 1961. After a decade-long civil war ending in 2002, the country has experienced relative stability. Sierra Leone is culturally diverse, with English as the official language and Krio as the lingua franca.
        Ferdinand Magellan.
        Image Wikipedia
    1. Where was Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan when he was killed in battle on April 27, 1521?
      • Mactan Island (Philippines)—Magellan secured an alliance with the King of Cebu, Rajah Humabon, who converted to Christianity. However, Magellan was killed in a battle on Mactan Island when his men attempted to Christianise the local population. Although he was killed in the Philippines, one of his ships continued westward to Spain, completing the first circumnavigation of the Earth. The Basque navigator Juan Sebastián del Cano successfully finished the voyage. The Philippines did not exist as a nation at the time of Magellan’s death.
        Mstislav Rostropovich at the White House, 1978.
        Image Wikipedia
    2. Mstislav Rostropovich, Russian conductor and musician, died today in 2007. He was an acclaimed player of what instrument?
      • Cello—Mstislav Rostropovich, a Russian cellist and conductor, inspired and premiered over 100 pieces, expanding the cello repertoire. He was a human rights advocate and received numerous accolades, including a Polar Music Prize.
        Grainy image of the Sultana shortly before the explosion.
        Image Wikipedia
    3. On this day in 1865, the steamboat Sultana exploded, becoming the worst maritime disaster in US history and claiming 1,864 lives. Where did this catastrophic event occur?
      • Mississippi River—The Sultana, a commercial steamboat, met a tragic end in 1865 when it exploded and sank on the Mississippi River. The disaster, the worst in US maritime history, claimed the lives of 1,864 people. Tragically, the Sultana was carrying 2,127 passengers, far exceeding its capacity of 376. Among them were 1,950 repatriated Union soldiers, who had been prisoners of war, that the captain had accepted in a deal.
        Betty Boothroyd.
        Official portrait of Baroness Boothroyd, 2018.
        Image Wikipedia
    4. In British politics, Betty Boothroyd became the first woman to be elected speaker of the House of Commons on 27 April 1992. What was her occupation before entering politics?
      • Dancer—Betty Boothroyd was a dancer with The Tiller Girls from 1946 to 1952. A Member of Parliament (Labour), she served as the first and only female Speaker of the House of Commons from 1992 to 2000. She later sat in the House of Lords.
    The Tiller Girls (late 1950s).
    Image Pinterest/Wikipedia

  • Commonwealth of trivia

    All of the following relate to today, 27 April.

    Image Wikipedia
    1. The country represented by the flag pictured obtained its independence from Great Britain on 27 April 1961, when Milton Margai became the first Prime Minister and the country became a member of the British Commonwealth. What country?
      • Senegal
      • Sierra Leone
      • Suriname
    2. Where was Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan when he was killed in battle on April 27, 1521?
      • Mactan Island (Philippines)
      • Malendok Island (Papua New Guinea)
      • Mecherchar Island (Palau)
    3. Mstislav Rostropovich, Russian conductor and musician, died today in 2007. He was an acclaimed player of what instrument?
      • Cello
      • Oboe
      • Piano
    4. On this day in 1865, the steamboat Sultana exploded, becoming the worst maritime disaster in US history and claiming 1,864 lives. Where did this catastrophic event occur?
      • Chesapeake Bay
      • Lake Superior
      • Mississippi River
    5. In British politics, Betty Boothroyd became the first woman to be elected speaker of the House of Commons on 27 April 1992. What was her occupation before entering politics?
      • Dancer
      • Nanny
      • Teacher

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • Number Crunching

    See #2 below. RMS Titanic departing Southampton on 10 April 1912. Wikipedia

    Today’s post is all about today’s date, 14 April, and all the answers are numbers.

    1. What two words are missing from this text regarding an April 14, 1881 gunfight: The ___ Dead in ___ Seconds Gunfight?
      • Four and five
      • Five and ten
      • Six and fifteen.
    2. In 1912, the British passenger liner RMS Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic, causing it to begin sinking. Where was it when it struck the iceberg?
      • 220 miles (350 km) south of Iceland
      • 370 miles (600 km) southeast of Newfoundland
      • 590 miles (950 km) northwest of the Azores.
        William Grover-Williams at the 1929 Monaco Grand Prix. Wikipedia
    3. In motor racing, the inaugural Monaco Grand Prix took place on this date when a number of invited participants started the race. In what year did this inaugural race take place and how many drivers participated?
      • 1923 and 10 drivers
      • 1929 and 16 drivers
      • 1934 and 12 drivers.
    4. On 14 April 1865, Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States, was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC. What number President was Lincoln and how many days later was his assassin killed?
      • 14th President and 17 days
      • 15th President and 9 days
      • 16th President and 12 days.
    5. Today in 1986, the heaviest hailstones ever recorded fell on the Gopalganj district of Bangladesh, resulting in fatalities. How heavy were the individual hailstones and how many people died?
      • 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) and 47 persons
      • 0.75 kg (1.65 lb) and 64 persons
      • 1 kg (2.2 lb) and 92 persons.
    6. On this day, Mark Antony was defeated at the Battle of Forum Gallorum. This was some 13 years before his death, so when was the battle?
      • 43 BCE
      • 3CE
      • 43 CE

    Good luck! As usual, I will post answers later today.