Henry VIII of England married for the first time on 11 June 1509, his bride, Catherine of Aragon, was his…
Half-sister
Sister-in-law
Stepsister
The deadliest ever accident in motor sport occurred on this day in 1955. It happened during…
24 Hours of Le Mans
Indianapolis 500
Mille Miglia
In 173, the Roman army was encircled by the Quadi, who had broken a peace treaty. Emperor Marcus Aurelius defeated them in a thunderstorm. This ‘miracle in the rain’ is depicted at the start of the film Gladiator (2000). During what war or wars had the actual battle taken place?
Alemannic Wars
Marcomannic Wars
War of Radagaisus
Which actor born 11 June 1959, links these: Prince Regent to House to Roper. Who is he?
Hugh Laurie
John Laurie
Mike Laurie
Born this day in 1847, who became the first woman honoured by a statue in Parliament Square, London, UK?
What number is represented by these Roman numerals: MCMLXXV?
75—
The name of the Japanese Island Iwo Jima literally means …
Sulfur Island—Iwo Jima, a volcanic island in the Ogasawara Archipelago, is administered by Tokyo despite its 1,200 km distance. The island, known for its strategic importance during World War II, was the site of a pivotal battle and is now home to a Self-Defence Force base. Its area has increased due to ongoing volcanic activity.
Cate Blanchett, 2024. Image Wikipedia
Who is the only actress in Oscar history to be nominated twice for playing the same role in two films?
Cate Blanchett—was nominated twice for playing the same role in two films, namely Elizabeth I in Elizabeth (1998) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007).
Khnum. Image Wikipedia
The deity Khnum was originally associated with the…
Cataracts of the Nile—Khnum, an ancient Egyptian deity, was revered as the creator of human bodies and the life force. He was believed to shape them from clay on a potter’s wheel. Khnum’s worship spanned from the First Dynasty to the Greco-Roman period. He was typically depicted with ram horns, representing fertility and rebirth, and later evolved to feature the down-turned horns of Ammon.
Gerhard Schroeder, 2005. Image Wikipedia
In 2000, Angela Merkel succeeded who as Chancellor of of Germany?
Gerhard Schröder— Angela Merkel won the CDU/CSU nomination to challenge Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in the 2005 federal elections. After a close election, Merkel formed a grand coalition with the SPD, becoming Chancellor on 22 November 2005, with a focus on reducing unemployment.
The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the questions simply for your information.
Jacques Cartier by Theophile Hamel, 1844. Image Wikipedia
The first European to describe and map North America’s Saint Lawrence River was Jacques Cartier. He sailed into the river for the first time on 9 June 1534. Who was he?
Jacques Cartier—Jacques Cartier, commissioned by King Francis I of France, sailed into the St. Lawrence River in 1534 in search of gold, spices and a northern passage to Asia. He made contact with the Iroquois nation on Prince Edward Island and believed he had discovered a new seaway to Asia.
Michael J. Fox, 2020. Image Wikipedia
Michael J. Fox was born 9 June 1961, what role did he play in Spin City?
Mike Flaherty—Michael J. Fox, a Canadian-American actor and activist, rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s through roles in Family Ties, Back to the Future and Spin City. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, he became an advocate for finding a cure, founding The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000. Fox officially retired from acting in 2020 due to declining health.
Lyndon. B Johnson, 1964. Image Wikipedia
On this date, a US President declared a national day of mourning following the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Which US president made this decision?
Lyndon B. Johnson—On 5 June 1968, Robert F. Kennedy, a US senator and presidential candidate, was shot and fatally wounded by Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Kennedy died on 6 June. Sirhan, a Palestinian Christian with anti-Zionist beliefs, was convicted and sentenced to death, later commuted to life in prison.
Patricia Cornwall, 2016 Image Wikipedia
Best known for her Kay Scarpetta novels, which author was born today in 1956?
Patricia Cornwell—Kay Scarpetta, a fictional character inspired by Marcella Farinelli Fierro, is the protagonist in Patricia Cornwell’s crime novels. The name Scarpetta means ‘Little Shoe’ and is a pun on Caligula, meaning ‘Little Boot’.
The US Navy ballistic missile submarine USS George Washington (SSBN-598) underway, circa in the 1970s. Image Wikipedia
On 9 June 1959, the world’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine was launched. Which of these was it?
USS George Washington(United States)—The world’s first functioning nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) was the USS George Washington, armed with 16 Polaris A-1 missiles. The Soviets, although having several SSBs, followed suit as part of the arms race, in developing a Soviet SSBN.
Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, June 9th.
Grande Hermine with cameos of Jacques Cartier & Francis I, King of France in margins. Image US Library of Congress
The first European to describe and map North America’s Saint Lawrence River sailed into the river for the first time on 9 June 1534. Who was he?
Jacques Cartier
Jacques Chirac
Jacques Cousteau
Michael J. Fox was born 9 June 1961, what role did he play in Spin City?
Frank Bannister
Mike Flaherty
Ben Stone
On this date, a US President declared a national day of mourning following the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Which US president made this decision?
Gerald Ford
Lyndon B. Johnson
Richard Nixon
Best known for her Kay Scarpetta novels, which author was born today in 1956?
Jane Adams
Patricia Cornwell
Sandra Brown
On 9 June 1959, the world’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine was launched. Which of these was it?
The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.
Perspective view looking southwest over the Golden Gate Bridge toward the Pacific Ocean. Image Wikipedia
The Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay are connected by what strait?
Golden Gate—The Golden Gate is a strait connecting San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. It is spanned by the Golden Gate Bridge. The entire shoreline and adjacent waters throughout the strait are managed by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
The Tremeloes, Silence is Golden. Image obriens.no
In 1967, what British group had number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and number 11 on the US charts with Silence is Golden?
The Tremeloes—Silence Is Golden was originally recorded by The Four Seasons in 1964 and later covered by The Tremeloes in 1967. The Tremeloes’ version reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and number 11 on the US charts. Selling one million records globally earned it a Gold Disc.
Golden Snitch. Image The Making of Harry Potter/Wikipedia
In Quidditch, the Seeker needs to capture what to end the game?
Golden Snitch–Quidditch, a fictional sport from the Harry Potter series, is played on flying broomsticks. The objective is to score points by throwing a ball through hoops, while avoiding Bludgers and catching the Golden Snitch.
Vegas Golden Knights logo. Image Wikipedia
In 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights made their debut in which sports league?
National Hockey League (or NHL)—The Vegas Golden Knights, founded in 2017, are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas. They compete in the NHL’s Western Conference and won their first Stanley Cup championship in 2023.
Mrs Coulter, The Golden Compass, 2007. Image Pinterest.
Nicole Kidman’s character in The Golden Compass (2007) was who?
Mrs Coulter (or Marisa Coulter)—Mrs. Coulter, a powerful and ruthless character in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy and its adaptions. She and Lord Asriel are Lyra Belacqua’s parents. Initially, she is portrayed as elegant and sophisticated. However, she is revealed to be calculating and power-hungry. She manipulates events to dominate the armoured bears and later betrays the Church to save Lyra. Ultimately, she sacrifices herself alongside Asriel to defeat Metatron, demonstrating her complex character and love for her daughter.
The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.
The Golden Girls, which first aired in 1985, was set in which US city?
Miami—The Golden Girls is an American sitcom about four older women sharing a home in Miami. The show aired on NBC for seven seasons, spanning 180 episodes receiving critical acclaim, winning multiple awards including Emmys and Golden Globes. The series ranked among the top ten in Nielsen ratings for six seasons and is still popular today.
Goldeneye, Jamaica. Image Wikipedia
English author Ian Fleming’s Caribbean estate was named…
Goldeneye—is the name of Ian Fleming’s estate in Jamaica, built in 1946 on a cliff overlooking a private beach. The estate, featuring a three-bedroom house and swimming pool, hosted celebrities and filmmakers. It is now a hotel and resort.
Jack Nicklaus, Augusta National Golf Club, 2006. Image Wikipedia
Who is the ‘Golden Bear’, a winner of over 70 events on the PGA Tour?
Jack Nicklaus—nicknamed “the Golden Bear”, is an American retired professional golfer and golf course designer. He won 117 professional tournaments, including a record 18 major championships, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. Nicklaus also holds records for the most top three finishes in PGA Tour history and the most major tournament appearances.
Golden Horn, Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara. Image Wikipedia
What body of water do the Halic Bridge and Ataturk Bridge cross? (Two word answer)
Golden Horn—is an inlet of the Bosphorus in Istanbul near to where the Bosphorus meets the Sea of Marmara. A natural inlet the Golden Horn separates the old historic heart of Istanbul from the remainder of the city.
William Wordsworth. Image National Trust/Wikipedia
Wordsworth’s poem, which includes the following quoted lines, has what multiple-word title?
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud—the full poem is shown below. I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud is a popular lyric poem by William Wordsworth, inspired by a walk with his sister in 1802. First published in 1807 and revised in 1815 It is sometimes called Daffodils.Wordsworth’s poem, which includes the following quoted lines, has what multiple-word title?
I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud
By William Wordsmith
I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils
Today’s post, 6 June 2025, has a theme based on the post title. The word ‘golden’ is contained in either the question or the answer consequently, there is no multiple-choice.
Born in St Louis, Missouri, on 3 June 1926, this singer and dancer was a resistance member and spy in occupied France during World War II. Who was she?
Josephine Baker—born in St. Louis, Missouri, was an American-born French dancer, singer and actress. She renounced her US citizenship and became a French national in 1937. Baker aided the French Resistance during World War II, working with the British and US Secret Services. After the war, she received French honours. Baker was inducted into the Panthéon in Paris in 2021, the first black woman to receive this honour.
Rafael Nadal, 2009. Image Wikipedia
Tennis player Rafael Nadal was born on this day in 1986. He won his first Grand Slam singles title in 2005 at the …
French Open—Rafael Nadal, a former Spanish professional tennis player, won 92 ATP Tour-level singles titles, including 22 major titles and an Olympic gold medal. He holds the record for the longest single-surface win streak in the Open Era.
Château de Candé, Monts, Indre-et-Loire, France, 2007. Image Wikipedia
On this day in 1937, the Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII, married Wallis Simpson, the woman for whom he had abdicated the British throne. Where were they married?
Château de Candé, Tours, France—The Dukedom of Windsor was created in 1937 for Edward VIII after his abdication to marry Wallis Simpson. The title, derived from Windsor Castle, became extinct upon Edward’s death in 1972 as he died without issue. They were married in France where he lived in exile, no members of his family attended the wedding.
Anthony Quinn in Barabbas (1961) Image Wikipedia
An actor who died today in 2001 had played the following roles during a long career. In 1961, he was Andrea Stavros in The Guns of Navarone; the same year, he took the title role in Barrabas and the following year, he was the Bedouin sheikh Auda Abu Tayi in Lawrence of Arabia (1962). Who was he?
Anthony Quinn—Anthony Quinn, born in Mexico and raised in the US, was a two-time Academy Award-winning actor known for his passionate roles in over 100 films, television shows and stage productions. He was also a civil rights activist, painter and author.
Frank Kafka, 1923. Image Wikipedia
An author and lawyer who died on this day in 1924 has an adjective named after him. The adjective is defined as ‘characteristic or reminiscent of the oppressive or nightmarish qualities of …’s fictional world’. What name is omitted from this definition?
Frank Kafka—the adjective is kafkaesque. Kafka was a Jewish, Austrian and Czech writer from Prague, known for exploring alienation and absurdity. His best-known works include The Metamorphosis, The Trial and The Castle. Despite being prolific, he burned much of his work due to self-doubt and was relatively unknown until his influence spread globally after World War II, two decades after his death.