The Glimmer Twins. See question five. Image Atlas Obscura
Today’s questions are all related to events that occurred on December 18th.
One
How many US presidents have been impeached, and who are they?
Answer: Three; Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump (twice)
On 18 December 2019 Donald Trump became the third US president to be impeached. He was impeached a second time in January 2021. Impeachment is a congressional check on presidential power, requiring a simple majority vote in the House and a two-thirds majority in the Senate for conviction and removal from office. Despite being impeached, none of these presidents were convicted or removed from office. In 1974, in a bid to avoid being impeached Richard Nixon, became the first president to resign.
Two
In 1892, Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker was first presented at which theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia
Answer: Mariinsky Theatre
The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s final ballet, premiered in December 1892. Despite initial criticism of the choreography, scenery, and performance, it has become the most frequently performed ballet and a popular introduction to classical music. Though initially not as successful as the earlier Nutcracker Suite, it gained popularity and is now performed by many ballet companies, especially in North America.
Three
Born on this day in 1946, this director directed Richard Dreyfuss as Matt Hooper in a 1975 film and as Roy Neary in a 1977 one. Who is the director and what are the films?
Answer: Steven Spielberg; Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Steven Spielberg, the highest-grossing director of all time, is renowned for pioneering the modern blockbuster with films like Jaws and Schindler’s List. He co-founded Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures, producing numerous successful films and TV series. Spielberg’s filmmaking journey began in childhood, leading to early successes. His breakthrough with Jaws (1975) established him as a leading director and created the summer blockbuster genre. He is also celebrated for diverse works, including Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Four
The TV special How the Grinch Stole Christmas! premiered in 1966 and was an adaptation of a 1957 children’s book written under a pen name. Could you tell me what that pen name was and what is the author’s real name?
Answer: Dr. Seuss; Theodor Seuss Geisel
Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was an American children’s author and illustrator. He wrote and illustrated over 60 books, including classics like The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham, selling over 600 million copies worldwide. His work has been adapted into numerous television specials, films, and a Broadway musical. His birthday, March 2nd, is marked annually as National Read Across America Day
Five
Born on this day in 1943, one half of ‘The Glimmer Twins’. This British musician and guitarist met a singer, his musical and songwriting ‘twin’ at a railway station in 1961. Their chance encounter ultimately led to their becoming key figures in the formation of a legendary rock band. Who was the musician born on this day?
Answer: Keith Richards
Born in Dartford, Kent, in 1943, Keith Richards is a celebrated British musician, guitarist, songwriter and record producer. His innovative chord-heavy playing style, influenced by early blues, has been a key factor in the Rolling Stones’ immense success. He is best known as a founding member and guitarist of the Rolling Stones, with a successful songwriting partnership with Mick Jagger. *Rolling Stones *magazine’s ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time’ list included fourteen songs written by Richards and Jagger.
The Glimmer Twins
The post title refers to a name used by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger who have produced Stones’ albums under the pseudonym ‘The Glimmer Twins’ starting with It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (1974).
The Glimmer Twins. See question five. Image Atlas Obscura
Today’s questions are all related to events that occurred on December 18th.
One
How many US presidents have been impeached, and who are they?
Two
In 1892, Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker was first presented at which theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia
Three
Born on this day in 1946, this director directed Richard Dreyfuss as Matt Hooper in a 1975 film and as Roy Neary in a 1977 one. Who is the director and what are the films?
Four
The TV special How the Grinch Stole Christmas! premiered in 1966 and was an adaptation of a 1957 children’s book written under a pen name. Could you tell me what that pen name was and what is the author’s real name?
Five
Born on this day in 1943, one half of ‘The Glimmer Twins’. This British musician and guitarist met a singer, his musical and songwriting ‘twin’ at a railway station in 1961. Their chance encounter ultimately led to their becoming key figures in the formation of a legendary rock band. Who was the musician born on this day?
The Simpsons first appeared on American television as a full-length series in 1989. On whose television series had they previously appeared in short animated segments?
Answer:The Tracey Ullman Show
The Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire, a Christmas special, aired on American television on December 17th, 1989. The show had began as short animated segments on The Tracey Ullman Show before becoming its own half-hour series, eventually growing into the longest-running scripted TV show in US history.
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Two
What is the name of Homer Simpson’s favourite beer?
Answer: Duff Beer
Duff Beer has become so iconic that real-world novelty versions and theme-park brands have been produced, despite the beer being fictional.
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Three
D’oh. DOH. Doh. D’oooh (with or without either ! or ?). Dan Castellaneta, who voices Homer Simpson, adopted the expression after noticing its frequent use by an actor in films starring what duo.
Answer: Laurel and Hardy
Jimmy Finlayson, the moustachioed Scottish actor who starred in 33 Laurel and Hardy films frequently used the expression in their comedies influenced this.
Four
Which convenience store is frequently visited by Homer Simpson and is run by Apu Nahasapeemapetilon?
Answer: The Kwik-E-Mart
The Kwik-E-Mart is first mentioned in the episode, ‘Bart the General’, and quickly became one of the show’s most recognisable locations.
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Five
The title of the 699th episode of The Simpsons, first aired in 2021, cleverly referenced Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? What was the episode’s title?
Answer:Do Pizza Bots Dream of Electric Guitars
The Simpsons episode ‘Do Pizza Bots Dream of Electric Guitars’ aired on 14 March 2021. It follows Homer’s attempt to reunite his childhood band, which is thwarted by J. J. Abrams.
The Simpsons first appeared on American television as a full-length series in 1989. On whose television series had they previously appeared in short animated segments?
Two
What is the name of Homer Simpson’s favourite beer?
Three
D’oh. DOH. Doh. D’oooh (with or without either ! or ?). Dan Castellaneta, who voices Homer Simpson, adopted the expression after noticing its frequent use by an actor in films starring what duo.
Four
Which convenience store is frequently visited by Homer Simpson and is run by Apu Nahasapeemapetilon?
Five
The title of the 699th episode of The Simpsons, first aired in 2021, cleverly referenced Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? What was the episode’s title?
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
All of today’s questions are about writers who were born on December 16th.
Contrary to my previous statement, this is Mark Twain, a writer, but not one born on December 16th. Image Wikipedia
One
Everytime I read Pride and Prejudice I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone
To which writer, born this day in 1775, was Mark Twain referring when he said the above?
Answer: Jane Austen
Jane Austen was an English novelist known for her six novels that critique the English landed gentry and explore women’s dependence on marriage. Although her novels were moderately successful during her lifetime, they gained widespread acclaim and popularity after her death. Austen’s work has inspired numerous adaptations and critical essays.
Two
What television writer, born in 1943, was a creator of both Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue?
Answer: Steven Bochco
Steven Bochco, an American television writer and producer, developed numerous crime dramas including Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue.
Three
Ubik, a 1969 science fiction novel by an American writer born in 1928, was selected by Time magazine in 2009 as one of the 100 greatest novels since 1923. Who was the writer?
Answer: Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick was an American science fiction writer known for exploring philosophical and social questions in his work. He wrote 45 novels and 121 short stories, gaining acclaim with The Man in the High Castle and later works like Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and Ubik. His posthumous influence extended to Hollywood, inspiring numerous films and TV adaptations.
Four
Born on this day in 1899, this English playwright, actor and composer had a part as a convict in The Italian Job (1969). Who was this?
Answer: Noël Coward
Noël Coward was a prolific English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer known for his wit and flamboyance. He achieved enduring success with over 50 plays, numerous songs and a diverse body of work spanning six decades.
Five
In Arthur C. Clarke’s 1953 short story The Nine Billion Names of God, what unexpected device do Tibetan monks acquire to complete a sacred task that has taken generations?
Answer: Computer
When the story was published, computers were still room-sized, rare machines known mainly to scientists and governments. Clarke’s tale is often cited as one of the earliest and most striking examples of science fiction exploring the uneasy intersection between advanced technology and ancient religious belief—ending with a famously chilling final line as the task is completed.
The Moving Finger Writes
The post title comes from
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it. RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM by Omar Khayyam (Translated by Edward Fitzgerald) — Full text at Project Gutenberg
Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968).
One
Born on this day in 1925, an actor portrayed Caractacus Potts in a 1968 film adaptation of an Ian Fleming story. Who is he and what was the film?
Answer: Dick Van Dyke; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Happy Birthday! The post title refers to Dick Van Dyke being 100 today.
Dick Van Dyke, born in 1925, is an American actor and comedian renowned for his charm and physical comedy. He began his show business career after a failed advertising venture, performing in nightclubs and on television before making his Broadway debut in 1959. Van Dyke starred in the hit musical Bye Bye Birdie, winning a Tony Award, which led to his iconic role in The Dick Van Dyke Show, earning him three Emmys. He also starred in films like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and returned to television with various shows and TV movies. His career highlights include roles in Dick Tracy, Diagnosis Murder, and Night at the Museum. Van Dyke received a Television Academy Hall of Fame induction in 1995 and a Kennedy Centre Honour in 2021.
Two
The first European to sight the South Island of New Zealand did so on this day. Who was he, and in what century did this sighting occur?
Answer: Abel Tasman; 17th century (1642)
Abel Janszoon Tasman, a Dutch explorer, was the first European to reach New Zealand and Tasmania. His 1642 expedition, commissioned by the Dutch East India Company, aimed to discover new trade routes and establish trade relations with native inhabitants. Despite a violent encounter with the Māori people, Tasman’s voyage paved the way for future colonisation.
Three
In 1956, the film Anastasia was released in America. This drama marked the Hollywood comeback of an actress following a scandal involving an extramarital affair. Her performance earned her the Best Actress Oscar. Who was she?
Answer: Ingrid Bergman
After years working exclusively in Europe following her highly publicised affair with Roberto Rossellini, this film marked a Hollywood comeback for Ingrid Bergman. Her performance earned her, among others, the Academy Award for Best Actress, the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture.
Four
The final moonwalk or EVA of the Apollo programme occurred on this day in 1972. Which Apollo mission was this and who were the two astronauts on the Moon?
Answer: Apollo 17; Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt
Apollo 17, the final Apollo mission, launched on 7 December 1972 and concluded on 19 December 1972. Commander Eugene Cernan and Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt were the last humans to walk on the Moon, landing in the Taurus-Littrow Valley. They conducted experiments, collected samples, and travelled 19 miles in their lunar rover before returning to Earth. Cernan, the last person to date to stand on the Moon, said before returning to the lunar module, ‘We shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17’.
What singer-songwriter was born in West Reading, Pennsylvania on this day in 1989?
Answer: Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift, a renowned American singer-songwriter known for her autobiographical songwriting and artistic reinventions, made history in 2024 by becoming the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year four times and breaking the record for the highest-grossing concert tour. She is the highest-grossing live music artist and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having won numerous awards, including 14 Grammys, and is the first individual from the arts to be named Time Person of the Year.
Born on this day in 1925, an actor portrayed Caractacus Potts in a 1968 film adaptation of an Ian Fleming story. Who is he and what was the film?
Two
The first European to sight the South Island of New Zealand did so on this day. Who was he, and in what century did this sighting occur?
Three
In 1956, the film Anastasia was released in America. This drama marked the Hollywood comeback of an actress following a scandal involving an extramarital affair. Her performance earned her the Best Actress Oscar. Who was she?
Four
The final moonwalk or EVA of the Apollo programme occurred on this day in 1972. Which Apollo mission was this and who were the two astronauts on the Moon?
Five
What singer-songwriter was born in West Reading, Pennsylvania on this day in 1989?
In 1962, David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia, which went on to became one of the most celebrated epics in the history of cinema, had its world premiere. Who starred as _ _ Lawrence, and what two initials are missing before his surname?
Answer: Peter O’Toole (as) T.E. (Lawrence)
Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British historical epic biographical adventure drama film directed by David Lean. It portrays Thomas Edward Lawrence’s experiences in the Ottoman provinces during World War I and his involvement in the Arab National Council. The film, which won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. It follows Lawrence’s journey from a military cartographer to a leader of the Arab Revolt against the Turks, and is renowned for its stunning desert landscapes, shot on location in Jordan, Spain and Morocco.
Two
Which government officially surrendered on this day in 1932 after a month-long battle against thousands of large flightless birds, and what were the birds?
Answer: Australian; Emus
The Emu War was a brief and unsuccessful 1932 military operation in Australia aimed at controlling the emu population, which was damaging crops in Western Australia. Three members of the Royal Australian Artillery were tasked with culling approximately 20,000 emus using machine guns, but the weapons and tactics were ineffective. Despite petitions from local farmers, the campaign, which lasted from November to December, resulted in fewer than 1,000 emus being killed and became a subject of national and international ridicule.
Portrait of Ada, Countess of Lovelace (Ada Lovelace), c1840. Image Wikipedia
Three
Ada Lovelace, often regarded as the first computer programmer, was born in Marylebone, London. In which decade was she born, and who was her famous father?
Answer: 1810s; Lord Byron
Born in 1815, Ada Lovelace, the daughter of the poet Lord Byron, was an English mathematician and writer renowned for her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine. She recognised its potential beyond mere calculation and developed a vision of computers’ capabilities, leading to her being considered the first computer programmer. Her contributions are celebrated on Ada Lovelace Day.
Four
In 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Which former First Lady of the United States chaired the United Nations Commission on Human Rights that was responsible for the drafting of the document?
Answer: Eleanor Roosevelt
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, is a foundational document of international human rights law. Drafted by a team including John Humphrey, Eleanor Roosevelt and René Cassin, it comprises 30 articles outlining civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Although not legally binding, the UDHR has achieved significant moral authority and has influenced numerous international treaties and national constitutions.
Five
The first part of the first edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, the English-language general encyclopaedia, was published and advertised for sale on this day. In what century and in what city did this occur?
Answer: 18th century; Edinburgh,Scotland, United Kingdom
The Encyclopædia Britannica, a general-knowledge English-language encyclopaedia, was first published in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1768 by a group of Scottish gentlemen. Initially released in three volumes, it introduced a “new plan” by combining treatises on arts and sciences with short articles on technical terms, catering to both serious students and those seeking quick reference material. William Smellie, an Edinburgh printer, is credited with devising this plan and writing or compiling many of the articles. The encyclopaedia transitioned from print to digital in 2012 due to strong competition from digital encyclopaedias like Microsoft Encarta and Wikipedia, yet it maintained its reputation for authoritative and scholarly content and is now available exclusively online.
Utility ought to be the principal intention of every publication.
The title of today’s post is the first sentence of the preface to the first edition of Encyclopædia Britannica.
“UTILITY ought to be the principal intention of every publication. Wherever this intention does not plainly appear, neither the books nor their authors have the smallest claim to the approbation of mankind” . So begins the preface to Britannica’s 1st edition, which began publication 250 years ago this month (on December 10, 1768). Encyclopædia Britannica via Instagram
John Lennon was murdered in 1980. What song did Paul McCartney write as a tribute to John Lennon after his death. The song was released on his album, Tug of War (1982).
Answer: Here Today
Composed as a heartfelt tribute to John Lennon, this song expresses the emotions Paul felt he couldn’t fully convey to him during their time together. It’s structured as an imagined conversation exploring their affection, regret and complex friendship. McCartney performs it frequently at concerts as a dedicated moment for Lennon. McCartney featured on George Harrison’s tribute song All Those Years Ago (1981) alongside Ringo Starr on drums. McCartney, Linda and Denny Laine provided backing vocals. The post title In My Life is a Beatles song from their 1965 album Rubber Soul.
Two
The first woman to appear on a public stage in England did so on this date, in what decade did this occur?
Answer: 1660s (1660)
Margaret Hughes, also known as Peg Hughes, is widely regarded as the first professional actress to appear on the English stage. She made theatre history on 8 December 1660 when she played Desdemona in Othello, a landmark moment that signalled a major shift in Restoration-era drama, as women began performing publicly for the first time. Anne Marshall, another pioneer, is also sometimes credited with being the actress to appear on this date.
Three
Mary, Queen of Scots, was born on this day, and six days later she became queen of Scotland. In what decade did this occur?
Answer: 1540s (1542)
Mary, Queen of Scots, ascended to the throne at six days old. After marrying Francis, Dauphin of France, she became queen consort of France until his death. Returning to Scotland, her reign was marked by religious and political turmoil, culminating in her forced abdication and imprisonment. Seeking refuge in England, she was perceived as a threat to Elizabeth I and executed after being found guilty of plotting against her.
Four
In 1991, after the Soviet Union’s breakup, which three former Soviet republics formed the Commonwealth of Independent States?
Answer: Russia, Ukraine and Belarus
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was formed in 1991 by Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, replacing the USSR. There were eventually twelve former Soviet republics as members, including the Central Asian republics: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; and the Transcaucasian republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia; and Moldova. Notably, the former Soviet republics in the Baltic area—Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania—declined to join the CIS.
Five
…an emotionally shattering look at the effects of the Vietnam War on the young American men sent to fight in it, the movie later won an Oscar for best picture
Which 1978 Oscar-winning film directed by Michael Cimino is described in the above Encyclopædia Britannica quote?
Answer: The Deer Hunter
The Deer Hunter is a 1978 American war drama film about three Slavic-American steelworkers whose lives are changed by the Vietnam War. The film, directed by Michael Cimino, received critical acclaim and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
