Today’s miscellany | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

Tom Thumb.
Image B&O Railroad Museum
  1. 24 May 1840, saw the maiden journey of Peter Cooper’s Tom Thumb locomotive. On which of these did this take place?
    • Baltimore and Ohio Railroad—Tom Thumb, the first American-built steam locomotive, was designed by Peter Cooper in 1829 to demonstrate steam power to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Though it lost a race to a horse-drawn carriage, the demonstration convinced the railroad to adopt steam locomotives.
      Lys Assia.
      Winner of the Inaugural Eurovision Song Contest, 1956. (Photo 1957)
      Image Wikipedia
  2. Today in 1956, the first Eurovision Song Contest took place. Which of these cities hosted it?
    • Lugano, Switzerland—The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual international song competition organised by the European Broadcasting Union. Participating countries submit original songs to be performed live and voted on by other countries, with the song receiving the most points declared the winner. The contest, inspired by the Sanremo Music Festival, has been held annually since 1956, making it the longest-running international music competition on television.
      Queen Victoria.
      Image Wikipedia
  3. Queen Victoria was born on 24 May 1819, when did she become Queen?
    • 20 June 1837—Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901, oversaw significant industrial, political, and scientific changes in the United Kingdom and the expansion of the British Empire. After the death of her husband, Prince Albert, she withdrew from public life but later regained popularity, before dying at the age of 81.
      Joan Baez and Bob Dylan.
      Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C., 28 August 1963.
      Image Wikipedia
  4. Born this day in 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota, which singer-songwriter penned the lines “You don’t need a weatherman / To know which way the wind blows”?
    • Bob Dylan—These lines are found at the end of the second verse of Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues (see lyrics quoted below), released in 1965 as a single and later on the album Bringing It All Back Home. It was Dylan’s first Top 40 hit in the US and is ranked 187th on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.
      John Wesley.
      Portrait by George Romney.
      Image National Portrait Gallery, London/Wikipedia
  5. Aldersgate Day, 24 May, is observed by which of these faith groups?
    • Methodists—Methodism, founded by John Wesley and his brother Charles, originated as a movement within the Church of England in the 18th century, emphasising sanctification and the transformative power of faith. Known for its focus on evangelism, charity, social justice, and a rich musical tradition, Methodism has spread globally through missionary work, with about 80 million adherents. The Wesley brothers began the “Holy Club” at the University of Oxford, where they lived a disciplined religious life, earning the nickname “Methodist” for their systematic approach. In 1735, they traveled to America as ministers but returned to England feeling spiritually unfulfilled. Seeking guidance, John Wesley experienced a pivotal evangelical conversion at a Moravian service in Aldersgate on 24 May 1738, feeling his “heart strangely warmed” and gaining assurance of salvation through Christ. This experience, along with Charles’s similar conversion, marked a monumental moment in the history of Methodism, ensuring its lasting impact on church history.

Subterranean Homesick Blues

WRITTEN BY: BOB DYLAN 

Johnny’s in the basement
Mixing up the medicine
I’m on the pavement
Thinking about the government
The man in the trench coat
Badge out, laid off
Says he’s got a bad cough
Wants to get it paid off
Look out kid
It’s somethin’ you did
God knows when
But you’re doin’ it again
You better duck down the alley way
Lookin’ for a new friend
The man in the coon-skin cap
By the big pen
Wants eleven dollar bills
You only got ten

Maggie comes fleet foot
Face full of black soot
Talkin’ that the heat put
Plants in the bed but
The phone’s tapped anyway
Maggie says that many say
They must bust in early May
Orders from the D.A.
Look out kid
Don’t matter what you did
Walk on your tiptoes
Don’t try “No-Doz”
Better stay away from those
That carry around a fire hose
Keep a clean nose
Watch the plain clothes
You don’t need a weatherman
To know which way the wind blows

Get sick, get well
Hang around a ink well
Ring bell, hard to tell
If anything is goin’ to sell
Try hard, get barred
Get back, write braille
Get jailed, jump bail
Join the army, if you fail
Look out kid
You’re gonna get hit
But users, cheaters
Six-time losers
Hang around the theaters
Girl by the whirlpool
Lookin’ for a new fool
Don’t follow leaders
Watch the parkin’ meters

Ah get born, keep warm
Short pants, romance, learn to dance
Get dressed, get blessed
Try to be a success
Please her, please him, buy gifts
Don’t steal, don’t lift
Twenty years of schoolin’
And they put you on the day shift
Look out kid
They keep it all hid
Better jump down a manhole
Light yourself a candle
Don’t wear sandals
Try to avoid the scandals
Don’t wanna be a bum
You better chew gum
The pump don’t work
’Cause the vandals took the handles

Copyright © 1965 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1993 by Special Rider Music

bobdylan.com

Today’s miscellany

Queen Victoria.
Image Wikipedia

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

  1. 24 May 1840, saw the maiden journey of Peter Cooper’s Tom Thumb locomotive. On which of these did this take place?
    • Albany and Pennsylvania Railroad
    • Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
    • Cambridge and Connecticut Railroad
  2. Today in 1956, the first Eurovision Song Contest took place. Which of these cities hosted it?
    • London, UK
    • Lugano, Switzerland
    • Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
  3. Queen Victoria was born on 24 May 1819, when did she become Queen?
    • 20 June 1837
    • 21 May 1838
    • 22 July 1839
  4. Born this day in 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota, which singer-songwriter penned the lines “You don’t need a weatherman / To know which way the wind blows”?
    • Bob Dylan
    • James Taylor
    • Neil Young
  5. Aldersgate Day, May 24th, is observed by which of these faith groups?
    • Baptists
    • Methodists
    • Quakers

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

A Night at the Movies

Here are a few questions on films based on true stories. No multiple choice today but 60% of the questions relate to films released in 2024.

Charity Wakefield
Image Wikipedia
  1. In the 2024 film Oppenheimer, Gary Oldman portrayed which US President?
  2. Charity Wakefield played the role of who in Scoop (2024)?
  3. In which 1976 film did Hal Holbrook play Deep Throat?
  4. Who played Winston Churchill in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)
  5. In what 2014 film did Benedict Cumberbatch portray Alan Turing?

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

A Night at the Movies | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

Harry S. Truman
Image Wikipedia
  1. In the 2024 film Oppenheimer, Gary Oldman portrayed which US President?
    • Harry S Truman—President Harry S. Truman played a significant role in the decision to use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the successful Trinity test. Despite Oppenheimer’s guilt and remorse over the destruction caused, Truman ordered the bombings, leading to Japan’s surrender. Later, when Oppenheimer expressed his regret to Truman and pleaded to halt further atomic development, the president criticised him and dismissed his request.
      Princess Beatrice.
      Image Wikipedia
  2. Charity Wakefield played the role of who in Scoop (2024)?
    • Princess Beatrice—Princess Beatrice, daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, is a member of the British royal family and niece of King Charles III. She graduated from Goldsmiths College and works with Afiniti and various charities. Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020 and they have two daughters.
  3. In which 1976 film did Hal Holbrook play Deep Throat?
    • All the President’s Men—“All the President’s Men” is a 1976 American biographical political thriller film about the Watergate scandal. The film stars Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as journalists Woodward and Bernstein, respectively. Hal Holbrook portrays ‘Deep Throat’ a senior government official who has turned informant. In 2005, at age 91, Mark Felt revealed to Vanity Fair magazine that during his tenure as Deputy Director of the FBI he had been the anonymous source known as “Deep Throat”.
      Rory Kinnear.
      Image Wikipedia
  4. Who played Winston Churchill in the 2024 film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare?
    • Rory Kinnear—During World War II, the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) launches Operation Postmaster, a sabotage mission to disrupt Nazi U-boat resupply on the island of Fernando Po. The mission involves hijacking an Italian supply ship and two tugboats, successfully damaging Nazi naval strength and allowing the US to join the European theatre.
      Alan Turing, 1930.
      Image Wikipedia
  5. In what 2014 film did Benedict Cumberbatch portray Alan Turing?
    • The Imitation Game—Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician, played a pivotal role in breaking the Enigma code during World War II. His work at Bletchley Park, alongside a team of cryptographers, significantly shortened the war and saved millions of lives. However, his life took a tragic turn after the war due to his homosexuality, leading to his conviction and chemical castration.

From Paris to Kashyyyk | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

First distribution of the Legion of Honor crosses at the church of Les Invalides on July 14, 1804.
Jean-Baptiste Debret, Ca. 1812
Image Wikipedia
  1. The Légion d’honneur (Legion of Honour), France’s highest order of merit, was established on May 19. Who was responsible for its establishment?
    • Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802—The National Order of the Legion of Honour, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, is France’s highest national order of merit, applicable to both military and civil achievements. It is open to all citizens and foreigners, regardless of birth, religion, or rank, and has been maintained by all French governments with minor changes. The order consists of five classes and is led by the President of France as Grand Master. Its insignia includes the head of the Republic and the motto Honour and Country.
      Sam Smith, 2015.
      Image Wikipedia
  2. Born on 19 May 1992, the singer-songwriter of the theme for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre is…
    • Sam Smith—Samuel Smith, an English singer and songwriter, rose to prominence in 2012 with a feature on Disclosure’s Latch. Smith’s song Writing’s on the Wall became the theme for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre, earning Smith a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
      Map of North America.
      Guillaume Sanson, Rome, 1687.
      Image Wikipedia
  3. On 19 May 1845, British explorer John Franklin set out in command of two ships, the Erebus and Terror, on an ill-fated expedition to find what?
    • Northwest Passage—The Northwest Passage (NWP) is a sea lane connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic Ocean. It passes near the northern coast of North America, traversing waterways within the Arctic Archipelago of Canada. Franklin’s search for the Northwest Passage began on May 19, 1845, with two ships, the Erebus and the Terror, carrying 128 men. Last seen in July 1845, their fate remained unknown until 1859 when a search found skeletons and a written account on King William Island. The ships wintered at Beechey Island in 1845-46 and became trapped in ice in Victoria Strait in September 1846. By April 1848, Franklin and 23 others had died, and the remaining 105 survivors deserted the ships, resorting to cannibalism. Postmortems suggested botulism, scurvy and lead poisoning contributed to their decline. In 2014, the Erebus was discovered off King William Island, and in 2016, the Terror was found in Terror Bay, well-preserved and suggesting the crew had prepared for winter before leaving.
      St George’s Chapel, Windsor. St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
      The Nave is dominated by this Great West Window, often claimed to be the third largest in the UK. The chapel dates from 1475 and is built in the richest Perpendicular Gothic style. The whole building is Cathedral size, at over 315ft (96m) in length.
      Image Jack Pease/Wikipedia
  4. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding took place on May 19, 2018, in the UK. Where did they get married?
    • St George’s Chapel—Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married on 19 May 2018 in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The ceremony, officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, included elements of African-American culture.
      Peter Mayhew, 2015.
      Image Wikipedia
  5. Born on 19 May 1944, this actor was chosen by George Lucas to play a being from the planet Kashyyyk. Who is he?
    • Peter Mayhew—Peter Mayhew, a British-American actor, is best known for portraying Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series from 1977 to 2015. Born on 19 May 1944 in Barnes, Surrey, Mayhew was diagnosed with gigantism at the age of eight and later developed Marfan syndrome. This genetic tissue disorder caused his peak height to reach 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m). He was cast as Chewbacca by director George Lucas, who sought a tall actor for the role. He modelled his performance on observing animals at London Zoo and continued working as a hospital orderly during filming.
Chewbacca.
Image Star Wars Universe

From Paris to Kashyyyk

Here are a few questions related to today’s date, May 19th.

Legion of Honour (Légion d’honneur).
Image Wikipedia
  1. The Légion d’honneur (Legion of Honour), France’s highest order of merit, was established on May 19. Who was responsible for its establishment?
    • Louis XV in 1745
    • Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802
    • Charles de Gaulle in 1945
  2. Born on 19 May 1992, the singer-songwriter of the theme for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre is…
    • Adele
    • Billie Eilish
    • Sam Smith
  3. On 19 May 1845, British explorer John Franklin set out in command of two ships, the Erebus and Terror, on an ill-fated expedition to find what?
    • Northeast Passage
    • Northwest Passage
    • Southeast Passage
  4. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding took place on May 19, 2018, in the UK. Where did they get married?
    • St George’s Chapel
    • St Paul’s Cathedral
    • Westminster Abbey
  5. Born on 19 May 1944, this actor was chosen by George Lucas to play a character from the planet Kashyyyk. Who is he?
    • Anthony Daniels
    • David Prowse
    • Peter Mayhew

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

On top of the world | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

Baily’s beads. The effect is also called the diamond ring and is a feature of total and annular solar eclipses. As the Moon covers the Sun during a solar eclipse, the rugged topography of the lunar limb allows beads of sunlight to shine through in some places while not in others. Image Wikipedia
  1. On 15 May 1836, Francis Baily observed a phenomenon, now known as Baily’s beads, during what event?
    • Solar eclipse—During a solar eclipse, Baily’s beads, named after Francis Baily who observed them in 1836, occur when sunlight shines through the Moon’s uneven edge, creating a ring of light with beads. The diamond ring effect happens when only one or two beads remain.
  2. On this day nylon stockings first became available for the general public in the United States. In what year did this take this take place?
    • 1940—Nylon stockings were first made available to the general public, and American stores sold out within days.
      Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
      Image Wikipedia
  3. The mountaineer who conquered Mount Everest with Edmund Hillary was possibly born on 15 May 1914, what was he commonly known as?
    • Sherpa Tenzing—Tenzing Norgay, a Nepali-Indian Sherpa mountaineer, along with Edmund Hillary, was the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. He was named one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
      Mickey Mouse Plane Crazy.
      Image Wikipedia
  4. Mickey Mouse’s debut was made today in 1928 with the premiere of what cartoon?
    • Plane CrazyPlane Crazy, the first Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse film, was originally a silent film released in 1928. After the success of Steamboat Willie, it was officially released as a sound cartoon in 1929. The plot sees Mickey trying to imitate Charles Lindbergh‘s flying achievements.
      Old Mormon Fort.
      Image Wikipedia
  5. Las Vegas was founded on 15 May 1905. What historic site stands at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue?
    • Old Mormon Fort—Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park contains the Old Mormon Fort, the first permanent structure built in Las Vegas. The fort, built in 1855, was a midpoint between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, later occupied by the U.S. Army and renamed Fort Baker.

On top of the world

Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, 15 May.

Looking north to Mount Everest.
Image Wikipedia
  1. On 15 May 1836, Francis Baily observed a phenomenon, now known as Baily’s beads, during what event?
    • Papal inauguration Mass
    • Solar eclipse
    • Swimming underwater in a coral lagoon
  2. On this day, nylon stockings first became available for the general public in the United States. In what year did this take place?
    • 1902
    • 1921
    • 1940
  3. The mountaineer who conquered Mount Everest with Edmund Hillary was possibly born on 15 May 1914. What was he commonly known as?
    • Sherpa Doqing
    • Sherpa Laxing
    • Sherpa Tenzing
  4. Mickey Mouse’s debut was made today in 1928 with the premiere of what cartoon?
    • House Mouse
    • Monkey Business
    • Plane Crazy
  5. Las Vegas was founded on 15 May 1905. What historic site stands at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue?
    • Old Baptist Mission
    • Old Quaker Meeting House
    • Old Mormon Fort

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

It might be possible that the world itself is without meaning. | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

THX1138
Image Encyclopædia Britannica
  1. THX 1138 (1971) was the directorial debut of which filmmaker, who was born on 14 May 1944?
    • George Lucas—Warner Brothers–Seven Arts signed Lucas to direct a feature-length version of his student film, Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB, with Francis Ford Coppola executive-producing. The film, a grim fantasy about a robotised society, received respectful reviews but was not widely embraced.
      The ruins at Jamestown, Virginia, USA from: Robert Sears, A pictorial description of the United States (s.n., 1854), pg. 315. Google Books
      Image Wikipedia
  2. On this day in 1607, the first English colony in North America was founded and named after England’s King James I. Who was the mother of the king?
    • Mary, Queen of Scots—James VI and I, the only son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the first Stuart monarch. He ruled Scotland as James VI from 1567 and England and Ireland as James I from 1603 until his death in 1625. He advocated for a single parliament, sponsored the King James Version of the Bible and saw the start of English colonisation of the Americas.
      Virginia Woolf.
      Image Wikipedia
  3. On 14 May 1925, the novel Mrs Dalloway was published. Who was the author?
    • Virginia WoolfMrs Dalloway, a novel by Virginia Woolf, follows Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class woman in post-WWI England, on a day as she prepares for a party. The novel explores time and social structure through Clarissa’s life and the party. The title of this post is from Mrs Dalloway.
      Eric Morecambe.
      Image Pinterest
  4. John Eric Bartholomew was born today in 1926. Which comedian/actor is he better known as?
    • Eric Morecambe—Eric Morecambe, born John Eric Bartholomew, was an English comedian known for his double act with Ernie Wise. The partnership lasted from 1941 until Morecambe’s death in 1984.
  5. May 14, saw the beginning of the last witchcraft trial held in the United States. In what year did this take place?
    • 1878—In 1878, Lucretia Brown accused Daniel Spofford of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. The case, considered the last witchcraft trial in the US, was dismissed by the judge.

It might be possible that the world itself is without meaning.

THX1138
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, 14 May.

  1. THX 1138 (1971) was the directorial debut of which filmmaker, who was born on 14 May 1944?
    • George Lucas
    • Steven Spielberg
    • Robert Zemeckis
  2. On this day in 1607, the first English colony in North America was founded and named after England’s King James I. Who was the mother of the king?
    • Mary I of England
    • Mary of Guise
    • Mary, Queen of Scots
  3. On 14 May 1925, the novel Mrs Dalloway was published. Who was the author?
    • Virginia Plain
    • Virginia Rogers
    • Virginia Woolf
  4. John Eric Bartholomew was born today in 1926. Which comedian/actor is he better known as?
    • Eric Idle
    • Eric Morecambe
    • Eric Sykes
  5. May 14, saw the beginning of the last witchcraft trial held in the United States. In what year did this take place?
    • 1778
    • 1828
    • 1878

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

It might be possible that the world itself is without meaning.