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
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?
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?
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?
Born in Florida, USA, on this day in 1941, with a film debut in The Happening (1967), one of the stars of Bonnie and Clyde (also 1967), is whom?
Answer: Faye Dunaway
Faye Dunaway is an acclaimed American actress with a career spanning Broadway and film. She rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s with notable films like Bonnie and Clyde and Chinatown, earning an Academy Award for Network. Dunaway later transitioned to mature character roles in independent films and stage performances.
Two
In 1939, Queen Maud Land was claimed and named. Which country made this claim on this 1.0-million-square-mile area of Antarctica?
Answer: Norway
Queen Maud Land is a 2.7 million square kilometre region of Antarctica claimed by Norway. It is a demilitarised zone within the Antarctic Treaty System, with no permanent population but 12 active research stations. The region is divided into five coasts and is bordered by the British and Australian Antarctic Territories. It is named after the Norwegian Queen Maud (1869–1938).
Three
In 1970, The Supremes performed their final concert with whom?
Answer: Diana Ross
The Supremes, an American girl group formed in Detroit in 1959, were the most commercially successful act of Motown Records during the 1960s. With Diana Ross as lead singer and Holland-Dozier-Holland as their songwriting and production team, they achieved mainstream success with twelve number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. The group disbanded in 1977 after numerous lineup changes.
Four
In 2005, which organisation developed the probe that became the first spacecraft to land on a celestial body beyond Mars, and on which moon of Saturn did it touch down?
Answers: European Space Agency; Titan
The Huygens probe spent over two hours descending through Titan’s thick, orange, nitrogen-rich atmosphere before landing, sending back the first-ever images and sounds from the surface of a moon in the outer Solar System.
Five
In 2024, Queen Margrethe II abdicated after 52 years on the throne. Her eldest son, the Crown Prince, succeeded her as king. Who was the new king, and in which country did this happen?
Answer: King Frederick X; Denmark
Margrethe, Queen of Denmark, is a talented scenographer and costume designer, having designed costumes for the Royal Danish Ballet and films like The Wild Swans and Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction. She has also designed sets and costumes for numerous ballets, including The Nutcracker and The Snow Queen. Additionally, Margrethe is an accomplished painter and has illustrated works like Prince Henrik’s poetry collection and Danish editions of The Lord of the Rings.
Born in Florida, USA, on this day in 1941, with a film debut in The Happening (1967), one of the stars of Bonnie and Clyde (also 1967), is whom?
Two
In 1939, Queen Maud Land was claimed and named. Which country made this claim on this 1.0-million-square-mile area of Antarctica?
Three
In 1970, The Supremes performed their final concert with whom?
Four
In 2005, which organisation developed the probe that became the first spacecraft to land on a celestial body beyond Mars, and on which moon of Saturn did it touch down?
Five
In 2024, Queen Margrethe II abdicated after 52 years on the throne. Her eldest son, the Crown Prince, succeeded her as king. Who was the new king, and in which country did this happen?
Something a bit different today. You can earn a total of 55 points by answering all the questions completely. The first question is worth one point and has only one correct answer. The second question is worth two points for two correct answers and so on… until the tenth question which is worth ten points for ten correct answers.
Continuing from yesterday with questions six to ten.
Six
For SIX points, name the members of the comedy troupe, Monty Python.
Answer: Graham Chapman—John Cleese—Terry Gilliam—Eric Idle—Terry Jones—Michael Palin
Seven
For SEVEN points, list the Harry Potter novels. No need to put Harry Potter and…
Answer: Philosopher’s Stone—Chamber of Secrets—Prisoner of Azkaban—Goblet of Fire,—Order of the Phoenix—Half-Blood Prince—Deathly Hallows
Eight
For EIGHT points, starting from 0 degrees and moving clockwise, list the compass points formed by dividing a compass rose into eight segments. (in clockwise order)
For NINE points. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, a group of nine, known as the Company of the Ring or the Fellowship of the Ring, embarked on a mission to destroy the ring. Who were they?
Something a bit different today. You can earn a total of 55 points by answering all the questions completely. The first question is worth one point and has only one correct answer. The second question is worth two points for two correct answers and so on… until the tenth question which is worth ten points for ten correct answers.
Continuing from yesterday with questions six to ten.
Six
For SIX points, name the members of the comedy troupe, Monty Python.
Seven
For SEVEN points, list the Harry Potter novels. No need to put Harry Potter and…
Eight
For EIGHT points, starting from 0 degrees and moving clockwise, list the compass points formed by dividing a compass rose into eight segments. (in clockwise order)
Nine
For NINE points. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, a group of nine, known as the Company of the Ring or the Fellowship of the Ring, embarked on a mission to destroy the ring. Who were they?
Ten
For TEN points, list the world’s ten most populous cities as listed by the UN 2025 Population Estimates.
Something a bit different today. You can earn a total of 55 points by answering all the questions completely. The first question is worth one point and has only one correct answer. The second question is worth two points for two correct answers and so on… until the tenth question which is worth ten points for ten correct answers.
Posted in two parts with the second part following tomorrow.
One
For ONE point, in what country was the composer Franz Liszt born
Answer: Hungary
Two
For TWO points. According to the Bible story, Noah released two birds from the ark to determine whether the flood had abated; what birds?
Answer: Raven—Dove
Three
For THREE points. In Alexandre Dumas’ novel, The Three Musketeers, the title characters meet and befriend d’Artagnan; what are their names?
Answer: Athos—Porthos—Aramis
Four
For FOUR points, list the patron saints of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland.
Answer: Andrew—George—David—Patrick
Five
For FIVE points, list the five boroughs of New York City.
Answer: The Bronx—Brooklyn—Manhattan—Queens—Staten Island
Something a bit different today. You can earn a total of 55 points by answering all the questions completely. The first question is worth one point and has only one correct answer. The second question is worth two points for two correct answers and so on… until the tenth question which is worth ten points for ten correct answers.
Posted in two parts with the second part following tomorrow.
One
For ONE point, in what country was the composer Franz Liszt born
Two
For TWO points. According to the Bible story, Noah released two birds from the ark to determine whether the flood had abated; what birds?
Three
For THREE points. In Alexandre Dumas’ novel, The Three Musketeers, the title characters meet and befriend d’Artagnan; what are their names?
Four
For FOUR points, list the patron saints of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland.
Five
For FIVE points, list the five boroughs of New York City.
Good luck! I’ll post the answers later and part II follows tomorrow.
AKA EPIC LAPTOP provides an Istanbul residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, last occupied by Mahmut II (1808–39) and now a museum. What is it known as?
Answer: Topkapi Palace
‘AKA EPIC LAPTOP’ is an anagram of Topkapi Palace. Topkapı Palace, a large museum and library in Istanbul, served as the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire from the 1460s to 1856. The palace complex, which expanded over centuries, includes the Imperial Harem, treasury and various buildings used by state officials. Today, the palace is a museum showcasing Ottoman artefacts and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Historic Areas of Istanbul.
Two
A CHI TIN is a dry red Italian wine produced in Tuscany. What wine?
Answer: Chianti
‘A CHI TIN’ is an anagram of Chianti. Chianti is an Italian red wine from the Chianti region of Tuscany, primarily made from Sangiovese grapes. The Chianti region was first defined in 1716 and later divided into seven sub-areas in 1932, with Chianti Classico being the most prominent. Chianti must be made with at least 80% Sangiovese grapes, with Riserva and Superiore designations indicating higher quality and stricter production requirements.
Three
The German heavy cruiser ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE, 1937. Image IWM via Wikimedia Commons
ARMADA FLEES GRIP of the pursuing ships. What three-word, fifteen letters in total, is the name of the ship being pursued in the South Atlantic Ocean in 1939?
Answer: Admiral Graf Spee
‘ARMADA FLEES GRIP’ is an anagram of Admiral Graf Spee which was a German Panzerschiff, or ‘pocket battleship’, that served during World War II. It was deployed to the South Atlantic before the war, sinking nine vessels before being damaged and then scuttled after the Battle of the River Plate.
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Four
RED GOLFING is the villain in this Bond movie. What villain?
Answer: Goldfinger
‘RED GOLFING’ is an anagram of Goldfinger. Auric Goldfinger is the title character and main antagonist in both Ian Fleming’s novel and the 1964 film adaptation. The character, portrayed in the film by red-haired Gert Fröbe, was voted the most sinister James Bond villain, and his line ‘No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die’ was voted the best moment in the franchise.
Five
ARRANGED LOAN allows a governor to became a president of the United States. Who is he?
Answer: Ronald Reagan
‘ARRANGED LOAN’ is an anagram of Ronald Reagan. A governor of California, Ronald Reagan served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. A prominent figure in the American conservative movement, his presidency, known as the Reagan era, was marked by economic policies like “Reaganomics,” increased military spending, and a shift in Cold War policy. Reagan’s impact on American conservatism and his role in ending the Cold War are widely recognised.
No multiple-choice today as the five trivia questions below start with the answer in the form of an ANAGRAM (in capitals), for example…
Example 1 WREN AS what is expected in response to a question.? Answer: Answer
Example 2 GRANS A MA might give you a clue from the title of this post? Answer: Anagrams
Image Wikimedia Commons
One
AKA EPIC LAPTOP provides an Istanbul residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, last occupied by Mahmut II (1808–39) and now a museum. What is it known as?
Two
A CHI TIN is a dry red Italian wine produced in Tuscany. What wine?
Three
Image Imperial War Museum via Wikimedia Commons
ARMADA FLEES GRIP of the pursuing ships. What three-word, fifteen letters in total, is the name of the ship being pursued in the South Atlantic Ocean in 1939?
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Four
RED GOLFING is the villain in this Bond movie. What villain?
Five
ARRANGED LOAN allows a governor to became a president of the United States. Who is he?
On this day in 1997, what family commemorated 700 years of ruling the place represented by the flag shown above? Who are the family and where do they rule?
Borgia, Republic of San Marino
Grimaldi family, Principality of Monaco
Medici family, Vatican City State
Answer: 2. Grimaldi family, Principality of Monaco.
Monaco, a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, is the second smallest sovereign state in the world. It is a semi-constitutional monarchy with Prince Albert II as head of state. Monaco is known for its wealth, casinos, and as a tax haven, attracting a high percentage of millionaires.
Two
What year and state complete the following sentence? In …, Elvis Presley was born in …
1933; Alabama
1935; Mississippi
1937; Tennessee
Answer: 2. 1935; Mississippi.
Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, was a highly influential American singer and actor. Born on 8 January 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, he rose to fame in the 1950s with his unique blend of country and rhythm and blues, becoming a cultural icon despite initial controversy. Presley’s successful music career spanned multiple genres, and he remains one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Three
On this day, Charles de Gaulle was inaugurated as president of France’s …
First Republic
Fourth Republic
Fifth Republic
Answer: 3. Fifth Republic.
Charles de Gaulle, a pivotal figure in French history, led the Free French forces during WWII, became the provisional president, and was instrumental in establishing the Fifth Republic. As President from 1959 to 1969, he navigated challenges like the Algerian War, strengthened France’s economy and international position, and aimed to increase France’s global influence.
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Four
Born on this day, Stephen Hawking, a British theoretical physicist and cosmologist, who suffered from motor neurone disease did NOT take part in which one of these?
Have I Got News for You
Monty Python
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy radio series
Answer: 1. Have I Got News for You.
Stephen Hawking was an English theoretical physicist and cosmologist, known for his work on black holes and cosmology. He was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at age 21, but continued his work and achieved commercial success with his book A Brief History of Time. He featured at the Monty Python Live (Mostly) show in 2014. He was shown to sing an extended version of the Galaxy Song, after running down Brian Cox with his wheelchair, in a pre-recorded video. In 2018, Hawking was the voice of The Book Mark II on The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy radio series
The ocean liners RMS Queen Mary 2 and her namesake Queen Mary are both named after the same person. Who?
Mary I
Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary of Teck
Answer: 3. Mary of Teck.
Queen Mary, now berthed permanently at Long Beach, California, United States, was launched in 1934 when she was named after, and by, Queen Mary, the consort of Britain’s King George V. On 8 January 2004, Queen Mary’s granddaughter, Elizabeth II, named Queen Mary 2 after her grandmother, the same Queen Mary who was born Mary of Teck. Cunard legend has it that the 1934 ship was to be named after Queen Victoria, and following protocol, they advised the king, ‘We have decided to name our new ship after England’s greatest queen.’ George V allegedly responded, ‘My wife [Queen Mary] will be delighted that you are naming the ship after her.’
