On 1 September 1875, an American novelist was born. Starting in 1914, following a 1912 magazine story, he wrote a series of novels about an ape-man who was also known as John Clayton. Who was this novelist?
Two
On this date in 1969, Muammar al-Qaddafi, or al-Gaddafi, along with a group of fellow young army officers, deposed the king and declared Libya a republic. Who was the deposed king?
Three
On 1 September 1954, Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window opened in American film theatres. Starring James Stewart, it also featured a future princess. Who was this future princess?
Four
On this date in 1972, the first native-born American to become world champion achieved that title. Who was the American and who did he defeat to win the world title?
Five
On 1 September 1985, a search found the wreck of the Titanic lying at a depth of 13.000 feet (4,000 metres). Who was the oceanographer who led this search?
He portrayed George P. Putnam in the 2009 film Amelia. Who is he?
Answer: Richard Gere
Richard Gere is an American actor who gained prominence in the 1980s and is known for his roles in films like American Gigolo, Pretty Woman and Chicago.
Two
He also starred in 1995’s First Knight, alongside Sean Connery as King Arthur and Julia Ormond as Guinevere. In this film, he portrayed which character?
Answer: Lancelot
Lancelot du Lac, a prominent figure in Arthurian legend, is depicted as a skilled knight and Queen Guinevere’s lover. His story, originating from Chrétien de Troyes’ 12th-century poem, explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the pursuit of the Holy Grail. Lancelot’s complex character and tragic love affair with Guinevere have captivated audiences for centuries.
Three
He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in a 2002 film. What film?
Answer: Chicago
Chicago is a 2002 musical crime film based on the 1975 stage musical, exploring themes of celebrity and corruption in 1920s Chicago. The film, starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere,. Gere won the Golden Globe for his role as Billy Flynn, a successful criminal defence lawyer.
Four
In this 1990 film, his co-star plays Vivian Ward. Can you name his character and the film?
Answer: Edward Lewis Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman is a 1990 romantic comedy film starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. The film, originally a dark cautionary tale, was re-conceived as a romantic comedy and became a massive box office success, grossing $463.4 million worldwide.
Five
What seven-letter name, beginning with ’T’, is our actor’s middle name?
Answer: Tiffany
Richard Tiffany Gere. His middle name comes from his mother’s maiden name, Doris Ann Tiffany.
Our questions are all about an award-winning actor who is celebrating his 76th birthday today, August 31st.
One
He portrayed George P. Putnam in the 2009 film Amelia. Who is he?
Two
He also starred in 1995’s First Knight, alongside Sean Connery as King Arthur and Julia Ormond as Guinevere. In this film, he portrayed which character?
Three
He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in a 2002 film. What film?
Four
In this 1990 film, his co-star plays Vivian Ward. Can you name his character and the film?
Five
What seven-letter name, beginning with ’T’, is our actor’s middle name?
An author, best known for the 1818 novel Frankenstein, was born on 30 August 1797. Who is this author?
Answer: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Mary Shelley, daughter of philosopher William Godwin and women’s rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft, was an English novelist best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein. She was married to Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and faced personal tragedy, including the death of her husband and several children. Shelley’s literary output, including novels and travel writing, often challenged the individualistic Romantic ethos and advocated for cooperation and sympathy, particularly as practised by women.
Title page of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, first edition, 1818. Image Wikipedia
Two
What was the full title of Frankenstein as displayed on the title page of its first edition in 1818?
Answer: Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.
Mary Shelley’s 1818 Gothic novel, Frankenstein, tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a sapient creature, and compares him to the Greek Tiata Prometheus who gave fire to humanity. Shelley was inspired to write the novel during a competition with her husband and others, including Lord Byron.
The Titan Prometheus. The Release of Prometheus by Carl Bloch, 1864. Image Wikipedia
Three
The title page mentioned in question 3 also features the following epigraph:
Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay To mould Me man? Did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me?
Please identify the epic poem (1667) from which this quote is taken and the author of that poem?
Answer: Paradise Lost by John Milton
Paradise Lost, an epic poem by John Milton, explores the biblical story of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. The poem delves into themes of free will, the consequences of disobedience, and the complexities of human nature, while also sparking controversy for its portrayal of Satan.
To what poet was the author of Frankenstein married?
Answer: Percy Bysshe Shelley
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) was an English Romantic poet known for his radical views and masterful poetry. Despite limited recognition during his lifetime, his work, including “Ozymandias” and “Ode to the West Wind,” gained acclaim posthumously, influencing generations of poets. Shelley’s life was marked by personal struggles and political controversy, leading him to self-exile in Italy, where he produced some of his most celebrated works. He died in a boating accident at the age of 29.
Theatrical poster for Frankenstein, 1931. Image Wikipedia
Five
In the 1931 film adaptation of Frankenstein, what actor was cast as ‘The Monster’ and was depicted as ‘?’ in the opening credits?
Answer: Boris Karloff
Frankenstein is a 1931 American science fiction horror film directed by James Whale, based on Mary Shelley’s novel. The film, starring Colin Clive (Henry Frankenstein) and Boris Karloff (The Monster / ‘?’), was a commercial success and significantly impacted popular culture. In 1991, the United States Library of Congress selected Frankenstein for preservation in the National film Registry, recognising its ‘culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant’ value.
Lyndon B. Johnson, 1915. Image WikipediaLyndon B Johnson, 1972. Image Wikipedia
One
Born on 27 August 1908 in Texas, this boy went on to become the president of the United States. Who is he?
Answer: Lyndon B Johnson
Lyndon B Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, served from 1963 to 1969. He assumed the presidency after John F. Kennedy’s assassination and was later elected in a landslide. Johnson’s presidency is remembered for his Great Society programmes, which aimed to expand civil rights, improve healthcare, and combat poverty, but his legacy is also marred by the Vietnam War.
Two
On this date, Ernst Heinkel’s He178 turbojet-powered aircraft achieved the historic first jet flight. In which decade did this event occur?
Answer: 1930s (1939)
The jet engine, though conceptually ancient, only became practical in the 20th century. Early attempts, like the Caproni Campini N.1 and Tsu-11, were unsuccessful. The breakthrough came with the gas turbine, leading to the development of the turbojet, with Frank Whittle and Hans von Ohain (He178) playing pivotal roles in its creation.
Three
The Anglo-Zanzibar War, the shortest war in history, took place on 27 August 1896. How long did the war last? 1. Between 30 minutes and 60 minutes 2. Between 510 minutes and 540 minutes 3. Between 960 and 990 minutes
Answer: Between 30 minutes and 60 minutes
The war lasted no longer than 40 minutes, making it the shortest war in recorded history. — Encyclopædia Britannica
The conflict lasted between 38 and 45 minutes, marking it as the shortest recorded war in history. — Wikipedia
Four
The world premiere of a film adaptation of a book by PL Travers took place on 27 August 1964 in Los Angeles. Which film?
Answer: Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins, a 1964 American musical film, features Julie Andrews as a magical nanny who transforms a troubled London household.
Five
On 27 August 1938, at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA, Captain George E.T. Eyston set a new land speed record. What speed did he achieve? 1. 199.96 mph 2. 273.13 mph 3. 345.49 mph
Answer: 345.49 mph
Captain George Eyston, a British engineer and racing driver, broke the land speed record three times between 1937 and 1939.
Born on 27 August 1908 in Texas, this boy, pictured above in 1915, went on to become the president of the United States. Who is he?
Two
On this date, Ernst Heinkel’s He178 turbojet-powered aircraft achieved the historic first jet flight. In which decade did this event occur?
Three
The Anglo-Zanzibar War, the shortest war in history, took place on 27 August 1896. How long did the war last? 1. Between 30 minutes and 60 minutes 2. Between 510 minutes and 540 minutes 3. Between 960 and 990 minutes
Four
The world premiere of a film adaptation of a book by PL Travers took place on 27 August 1964 in Los Angeles. Which film?
Five
On 27 August 1938, at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA, Captain George E.T. Eyston set a new land speed record. What speed did he achieve? 1. 199.96 mph 2. 273.48 mph 3. 345.49 mph
Who was the actor born on 25 August 1930 who played James Bond in a 1980s film directed by Irvin Kershner? Sean Connery George Lazenby Roger Moors
Answer: Sean Connery
Irvin Kershner directed the 1983 non-Eon Productions Never Say Never Again, the seventh and final Bond film starring Sean Connery. The film‘s title referenced Connery’s 1971 declaration that he would never play the role again. The storyline follows Bond as he investigates the theft of nuclear weapons by SPECTRE. It is based on Ian Fleming’s 1961 novel Thunderball, which was originally written by Kevin McClory, Jack Whittingham, and Fleming. The novel had previously been adapted into the 1965 film Thunderball.
Two
On 25 August 1916, US President Woodrow Wilson signed the … Act, which established the National Park Service. What word completes the name of the act? Operational Organic Oversight
Answer: Organic Act
Stephen Mather, worried about the condition of national parks, was instrumental in founding the National Park Service (NPS) with his assistant Horace Albright through the Organic Act of 1916. They consolidated NPS properties, marketed the parks, and facilitated the establishment of many new parks and monuments. The act sought to preserve and enhance the enjoyment of national parks, monuments, and reservations.
Three
On 25 August 1530, Ivan IV Vasilyevich, commonly known as Ivan the Terrible, was born. He became the Tsar and Grand Prince of all Russia. Was he the… person to hold this position. What word completes the previous sentence? First Fifth Fourteenth
Answer: First
Ivan the Terrible, first Tsar of Russia, transformed Russia into an empire but at a great cost. His later years were marked by paranoia, violence and the massacre of Novgorod, leading to the end of the Rurik dynasty.
Four
On this date in 1825, the Thirty-three Orientals, a revolutionary group, began an insurrection against… Benin Bhutan Brazil
Answer: Brazil
The Treinta y Tres Orientales, led by Lavalleja and Oribe, fought for the independence of Oriental Province from Brazil in 1825, leading to the foundation of modern Uruguay.
Neptune image taken by Voyager 2, August 1989. Image NASA via Wikipedia
Five
On 25 August 1989, the first human-made object to fly by Neptune made its closest approach to the planet. Which spacecraft was it? Viking 1 Voyager 2 Vulcan 3
Answer: Voyager 2
Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft to visit Uranus and Neptune. The probe is now in interstellar space, the region outside the heliopause, or the bubble of energetic particles and magnetic fields from the Sun. — NASA
All these questions are related to today, August 25th.
Yellowstone Lake showing geyser, Yellowstone National Park. Image Wikipedia
One
Who was the actor born on 25 August 1930 who played James Bond in a 1980s film directed by Irvin Kershner? Sean Connery George Lazenby Roger Moore
Two
On 25 August 1916, US President Woodrow Wilson signed the … Act, which established the National Park Service. What word completes the name of the act? Operational Organic Oversight
Three
On 25 August 1530, Ivan IV Vasilyevich, commonly known as Ivan the Terrible, was born. He became the Tsar and Grand Prince of all Russia. Was he the… person to hold this position. What word completes the previous sentence? First Fifth Fourteenth
Four
On this date in 1825, the Thirty-three Orientals, a revolutionary group, began an insurrection against… Benin Bhutan Brazil
Five
On 25 August 1989, the first human-made object to fly by Neptune made its closest approach to the planet. Which spacecraft was it? Viking 1 Voyager 2 Vulcan 3
Official portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1959. Image Wikipedia
One
On August 21st, Hawaii was officially proclaimed the 50th US state. Can you name the president who made this proclamation?
Answer: Dwight D. Eisenhower
Hawaii was officially proclaimed the 50th US state by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on 21 August 1959. Hawaii is an island state in the Pacific Ocean, consisting of 137 volcanic islands. It is the only US state not on the North American mainland and is known for its diverse culture, influenced by North American, East Asia and indigenous Hawaiian heritage. Hawaii’s economy, historically based on agriculture, has diversified to include tourism and military defence.
Where was the Mona Lisa stolen from on this day in 1911?
Answer: The Louvre
The Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre in 1911 by Vincenzo Peruggia, who believed it should be returned to Italy. After keeping it for two years, Peruggia attempted to sell it and was caught, leading to the painting’s return to the Louvre in 1914.
Born 21 August 1904, an American musician who will, 70 years later, feature in a desert scene from Blazing Saddles. Who is he?
Answer: Count Basie
Count Basie plays himself in Mel Brooks 1974 film Blazing Saddles. He and his orchestra play April in Paris in the middle of the desert as Bart (Cleavon Little) rides towards Rock Ridge to assume the post of sheriff.
Born on this day in 1930 at Glamis Castle, Scotland, this princess’s 1960 marriage would be the first royal wedding to be televised. Who is she?
Answer: Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
Princess Margaret, born in 1930, was the second daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, who, following the abdication of Edward VIII, became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Known for her independent spirit, she famously renounced her engagement to Peter Townsend due to his divorce. A celebrated socialite, she was the Countess of Snowdon and had a glamorous lifestyle with notable romances. Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1978, marking the first royal divorce in 400 years.
The Dumbarton Oaks Conference, opening on 21 August 1944, was instrumental in the founding of what?
Answer: United Nations
The ‘Allied Big Four’ (UK, US, USSR, Republic of China) formulated the new international organisation at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference in 1944. The Yalta Conference in 1945 and further negotiations with the Soviet Union resolved all issues.
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