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).
Two
The first woman to appear on a public stage in England did so on this date, in what decade did this occur?
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?
Four
In 1991, after the Soviet Union’s breakup, which three former Soviet republics formed the Commonwealth of Independent States?
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
Here are the answers to the questions from my earlier post.
These questions all relate to today’s date, December 5th.
Walt Disney’s business envelope featured a self-portrait, c. 1921. Image Wikipedia
One
Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, this visionary American producer created a global entertainment empire that truly began with a mouse. What was that mouse originally going to be called? A. Maxwell Mouse B. Meredith Mouse C. Mortimer Mouse
Answer: C. Mortimer Mouse
The mouse was originally called Mortimer Mouse but Lillian Disney, Walt’s wife, suggested Mickey. Disney received a record 59 Oscar nominations and won 22 competitive Academy Awards – still the most for any individual in history.
The post title Steamboat Willie is a nod to Mickey. It is the title of what was Mickey’s third film, which was the first to be distributed and so considered to be his public debut.
Two
Which pope issued the 1484 papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus, condemning witchcraft and empowering inquisitors in Germany? A. Pope Alexander VI B. Pope Julius II C. Pope Innocent VIII
Answer: C. Pope Innocent VIII
The bull later helped legitimise Malleus Maleficarum (1487), one of the most notorious witch-hunting manuals of the era.
Three
Which modern television series featured the Great Smog of London as the central focus of a Season 1 episode, portraying the political and social impact of the 1952 crisis? A. Downton Abbey B. The Crown C. Call the Midwife
Answer: B. The Crown
The Great Smog has also inspired satirical and fictional treatments—including a Goon Show episode in 1954 and the Doctor Who audio drama The Creeping Death, both of which use the choking fog as a dramatic backdrop.
Four
Born in Vienna, which director known for visually striking films such as Metropolis and M became one of the major figures in early cinema? A. F.W. Murnau B. Sergei Eisenstein C. Fritz Lang
Answer: C. Fritz Lang
Lang fled Nazi Germany the same day he was offered a high-ranking propaganda role, later becoming influential in shaping American film noir.
Five
On December 5, 2006, which military commander declared himself acting president of Fiji after leading a coup? A. Sitiveni Rabuka B. Frank Bainimarama C. Epeli Nailatikau
Answer: B. Frank Bainimarama
Bainimarama later served as Fiji’s elected prime minister from 2014 to 2022, overseeing the country’s return to democratic elections.
These questions all relate to today’s date, December 5th.
Walt Disney’s business envelope featured a self-portrait, c. 1921. Image Wikipedia
One
Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, this visionary American producer created a global entertainment empire that truly began with a mouse. What was that mouse originally going to be called? A. Maxwell Mouse B. Meredith Mouse C. Mortimer Mouse
Two
Which pope issued the 1484 papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus, condemning witchcraft and empowering inquisitors in Germany? A. Pope Alexander VI B. Pope Julius II C. Pope Innocent VIII
Three
Which modern television series featured the Great Smog of London as the central focus of a Season 1 episode, portraying the political and social impact of the 1952 crisis? A. Downton Abbey B. The Crown C. Call the Midwife
Four
Born in Vienna, which director known for visually striking films such as Metropolis and M became one of the major figures in early cinema? A. F.W. Murnau B. Sergei Eisenstein C. Fritz Lang
Five
On December 5, 2006, which military commander declared himself acting president of Fiji after leading a coup? A. Sitiveni Rabuka B. Frank Bainimarama C. Epeli Nailatikau
Mary Read and Anne Bonny were put on trial in Jamaica in 1720. For what were they tried, convicted, and sentenced to death?
Answer: Piracy
In 1720, Read and her crew commandeered a sloop, leading the Bahamas governor to declare them enemies of the Crown. Captured, they faced trial in Jamaica, where they were found guilty and sentenced to death. All the male crew members were executed by hanging, but Read and Bonny claimed pregnancy—pleading the belly, which granted them a stay of execution. Read eventually died in prison, likely from a fever, and Bonny was eventually freed.
Two
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first in a series of movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, had its world premiere in what country?
Answer: New Zealand
The film premiered in Wellington, New Zealand—the capital of Middle-earth—on 28 November 2012. An Unexpected Journey, set in Middle-earth sixty years before The Lord of the Rings, follows Bilbo Baggins on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. The film, released in 2012, received mixed reviews but grossed $1.017 billion and was nominated for three Academy Awards.
The Vlorë proclamation, issued on this day in 1912, declared independence for ____. Which country is missing from this statement?
Answer: Albania
Independent Albania was declared a parliamentary state in Vlorë on 28 November 1912 during the First Balkan War. Despite seeking international recognition based on ethnic rights, the London Conference of 1913 partitioned much of the claimed Albanian lands, leaving only a central region as an independent territory under Great Power protection. This led to the establishment of the Principality of Albania as a constitutional monarchy in August 1913.
Four
In 1582, Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time, married whom in the Diocese of Worcester, England?
Answer: William Shakespeare
Aged 18, William Shakespeare married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway and had three children: Susanna—six months after their marriage—and twins Hamnet and Judith. After the twins’ birth, he disappeared from historical records until 1592, leading to speculation about his ‘lost years’, including deer poaching, horse minding, and school teaching.
Five
In World War II, the first conference of the ‘Big Three’—Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), Franklin Delano Roosevelt (United States), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)—began on this day in 1943. Which of these was the location: Tehran, Iran; or Yalta, Crimea, Soviet Union?
Answer: Tehran, Iran
The Tehran Conference, held from 28 November to 1 December 1943, was the first meeting of the ‘Big Three’ Allied leaders during World War II. The main outcome was a commitment to open a second front against Nazi Germany by 1 June 1944. The conference also addressed relations with Turkey and Iran, operations in Yugoslavia and against Japan, and the envisioned post-war settlement.
These questions all relate to today’s date, November 28th.
One
Mary Read and Anne Bonny were put on trial in Jamaica in 1720. For what were they tried, convicted, and sentenced to death?
Two
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first in a series of movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, had its world premiere in what country?
Flag of ____ Image Wikipedia
Three
The Vlorë proclamation, issued on this day in 1912, declared independence for ____. Which country is missing from this statement?
Four
In 1582, Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time, married whom in the Diocese of Worcester, England?
Five
In World War II, the first conference of the ‘Big Three’—Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), Franklin Delano Roosevelt (United States), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)—began on this day in 1943. Which of these was the location: Tehran, Iran; or Yalta, Crimea, Soviet Union?
Here are the answers to the questions I posed in my earlier post.
All of the questions relate to today’s date, November 23rd.
One
At Coal Hill School, teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright have concerns about pupil Susan Foreman, who has an alien outlook on England.
The above quote from the Wikipedia article’s ‘Plot’ section describes the opening episode of which contemporary television series first aired on 23 November 1963?
Answer: Doctor Who
The very first episode was An Unearthly Child—Susan Foreman, played by Carole Ann Ford, being the title character. Doctor Who, a British science fiction television series, follows the adventures of the Doctor, a time-travelling Time Lord from Gallifrey who regenerates into different forms. The Doctor travels through time and space in the TARDIS, battling various evils including the Daleks. Originally airing from 1963 to 1989, the show was revived in 2005 and has featured multiple actors in the title role, with the most recent being Ncuti Gatwa. Doctor Who is a significant part of British popular culture and has influenced generations of television professionals.
The post title 76 Totters Lane is spoken by Barbara Wright in this episode, and is the address of the junkyard where they find Susan and her grandfather in the TARDIS.
Two
What 2009 hit single by Miley Cyrus includes the lyric ‘And a Jay-Z song was on’?
Answer: Party in the U.S.A.
Despite the famous lyric, Miley later revealed she wasn’t actually listening to Jay-Z at the time—the line was written by the songwriters Jessie J, Dr. Luke, and Claude Kelly before she recorded it.
Three
In 1935, an American explorer landed at about 79° S, 102° W. He raised the U.S. flag and ‘claimed’ the land between roughly 80° W and 120° W for the United States. On what continent did this occur, and what is this area of land known as today?
Answer: Antarctica and Ellsworth Land
In 1935, explorer Lincoln Ellsworth landed in Antarctica during his transcontinental flight, raised the U.S. flag, and claimed the territory between about 80°W and 120°W, naming it Ellsworth Land. The U.S. government never formalised this claim, and later overlapping national claims were suspended under the Antarctic Treaty.
Four
Which 1982 novel features characters called The Maidmasher, The Manhugger and The Meatdripper? Secondly, who wrote it?
Answer: The BFG; Roald Dahl
The BFG, a 1982 children’s novel by Roald Dahl, has sold 37 million copies and inspired adaptations including a 1989 animated film and a 2016 Disney live-action film.
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. Image Wikipedia
Five
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the largest religious building in its country, was consecrated in 2004. It is the main cathedral of which autonomous church?
Answer: Georgian Orthodox Church
Georgia’s dominant religious institution is the Georgian Orthodox Church, an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. Its roots stretch back to the 1st and 4th centuries AD, and it is currently led by Patriarch Ilia II. The main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church is the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, also known as Sameba, which was built between 1995 and 2004.
All of the questions relate to today’s date, November 23rd.
One
At Coal Hill School, teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright have concerns about pupil Susan Foreman, who has an alien outlook on England.
The above quote from the Wikipedia article’s ‘Plot’ section describes the opening episode of which contemporary television series first aired on 23 November 1963?
Two
What 2009 hit single by Miley Cyrus includes the lyric ‘And a Jay-Z song was on’?
Three
In 1935, an American explorer landed at about 79° S, 102° W. He raised the U.S. flag and ‘claimed’ the land between roughly 80° W and 120° W for the United States. On what continent did this occur, and what is this area of land known as today?
Four
Which 1982 novel features characters called The Maidmasher, The Manhugger and The Meatdripper? Secondly, who wrote it?
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. Image Wikipedia
Five
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the largest religious building in its country, was consecrated in 2004. It is the main cathedral of which autonomous church?
Good luck! As usual the answers will be posted later.
Here are the answers to the questions I posed in my earlier post.
All of these questions relate to today’s date, November 21st.
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge from Brooklyn at night, 2012. Image Wikipedia
One
Which two boroughs of New York City were linked by the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, pictured above, upon its opening on 21 November 1964?
Answer: Brooklyn and Staten Island
The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting Staten Island and Brooklyn, spans the Narrows and carries 13 lanes of Interstate 278. Designed by Othmar Ammann and others, it opened in 1964 with a central span, 4,260 feet (1,298 m), that was the longest in the world until 1981. The bridge, named after explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, collects tolls in both directions.
Two
The first crewed hot air balloon flight took place on this day in 1783 in a balloon constructed by the Montgolfier brothers. Which of contemporary Paris’s over 400 public parks was the site of this historic flight?
Answer: Bois de Boulogne
The first untethered manned balloon ascent occurred on 21 November 1783, when two Frenchmen Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent, marquis d’Arlandes, travelling from the Château de la Muette across the Bois de Boulogne, Paris. The flight lasted 20 minutes in a hot air balloon designed and built by brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier. This historic event was witnessed by Louis XVI, the French Academy of Sciences, and the public, including Benjamin Franklin.
Three
On this date, Danish astronomer Ole Rømer presented the first quantitative measurements of the speed of light. Which century was this?
Answer: 17th century
In 1676, Danish astronomer Ole Rømer announced that an eclipse of Jupiter’s moon would occur ten minutes later than expected, a prediction based on his calculations of the speed of light. Despite this occurring as he predicted, there was initial scepticism from the Paris Académie des Sciences, including his patron, Cassini. Rømer’s claim was eventually confirmed by James Bradley’s discovery of the aberration of light in 1729.
René Magritte shown with one of his works featuring his recurring motif, a bowler hat. Image Encyclopædia Britannica
Four
Who is this Belgian artist, born on 21 November 1898 and pictured above with one of his works?
Answer: René Magritte
René Magritte (1898 – 15 August 1967) was a Belgian surrealist artist renowned for his bizarre and enigmatic paintings that depicted ordinary objects in unsettling, unexpected contexts, challenging perceptions of reality and representation. Influenced by Giorgio de Chirico, Magritte developed a unique style characterised by carefully rendered objects in dreamlike juxtapositions. His work gained international popularity in the 1930s and influenced pop art, minimalist art, and conceptual art, continuing until his death in 1967.
Five
Frankenstein, the classic horror film, was released in the US today in 1931. Who played the monster in this film?
Answer: Boris Karloff
Frankenstein is a 1931 American horror film directed by James Whale, based on Peggy Webling’s 1927 stage play adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel. Starring Colin Clive and Boris Karloff, the film follows Dr. Frankenstein’s experiment to create life, resulting in tragic consequences. It was a commercial success, significantly impacting popular culture and spawning sequels and remakes, with its influence still felt today.
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
Today’s first question draws on a real-life event from November 20th, which was later adapted into a work of fiction. The rest of the questions also blend fact and fiction to varying degrees.
The 20 November 1820 ramming and sinking of the American ship Essex inspired a climatic scene in what 1851 epic maritime novel?
Answer: Moby Dick
The Essex, an American whaling ship, was rammed by a sperm whale on November 20, 1820, and subsequently sank. Despite initial survival for all 20 crewmen only eight were rescued after a difficult journey that ultimately led to cannibalism. This sinking inspired the climactic scene in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick (1851).
Two
The series of novels first published in 1980, written by Robert, and the subsequent films first released in 2002 starring Matthew, may have taken their title character’s surname from a 19th-century psychology case involving a patient named Ansel who likely suffered from reversible amnesia.
Answer: Bourne
Robert Ludlum’s character Jason Bourne who first appeared in The Bourne Identity which was published in 1980 may have been named after Ansel Bourne. A.J. Brown, a resident of Norristown, Pennsylvania, woke up in 1887 with no memory of his identity. Physicians diagnosed him with amnesia, but it was later revealed that he was actually Ansel Bourne, a carpenter and pastor from Coventry, Rhode Island, who had no recollection of the past two months. During further study of him he was put under hypnosis where he could be induced to assume the personality of either Bourne or Brown, and neither personality had any knowledge of the other.
Three
The Terror, a 2007 novel by Dan Simmons is a fictionalised account of what failed 1845 expedition of Arctic exploration?
Answer: Franklin Expedition
Franklin’s lost expedition, led by Sir John Franklin, aimed to traverse the Northwest Passage and record magnetic data. The expedition ended in disaster when both ships—HMS Erebus and HMS Terror—became icebound, leading to the abandonment of the vessels and the disappearance of the crew.
James Cameron’s 1997 film Titanic depicts the real-life disaster that occurred in what year? Secondly, Titanic sank approximately 370 miles (600 kilometers) southeast of where?
Answer: 1912; Newfoundland, Canada
Cameron’s film is a mix of fictional and historical fact about the RMS Titanic, a British luxury passenger liner, which sank in the early hours of 15 April 1912 southeast of Newfoundland, Canada. See RMS Titanic below for further information.
Five
Every Man for Himself, a 1996 novel which is also set on the Titanic, was a Booker Prize nominee. Who wrote this novel?
Secondly, although not explained in this book or indeed in the film mentioned at question four above, what does the term RMS mean in the name, RMS Titanic?
Answer: Beryl Bainbridge; Royal Mail Ship (RMS)
Like the film above, Every Man for Himself is a combination of fiction and history. It is narrated by Morgan over a period of four days up to the sinking.
RMS Titanic
The RMS Titanic, a British luxury passenger liner, which sank in the early hours of 15 April 1912 during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. About two-and-a-half hours after hitting an iceberg, the ship sank approximately 370 miles (600 km) southeast of Newfoundland in approximately 12,500 feet (3,800 m) of water, tragically resulting in the loss of around 1,500 lives. Despite its advanced safety features and luxurious first-class accommodations, the Titanic only carried enough lifeboats for half its passengers. This catastrophe prompted changes in maritime safety regulations and left an enduring legacy in popular culture.
On 18 November 1959, Ben-Hur had its world premiere. It is quite well known that the film went on to win an unprecedented eleven Academy Awards but how many was it actually nominated for?
Answer: Twelve
Ben-Hur missed out only on Best Adapted Screenplay at the 32nd Academy Awards but still came away with eleven Oscars, surpassing the previous record of nine set by Gigi. Its tally of eleven wins was later equalled by Titanic at the 70th Awards and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King at the 76th.
Each of the remaining questions have some connection to the Oscars.
Two
The first actor to receive two consecutive Academy Awards for Best Actor was whom?
Answer: Spencer Tracy
Spencer Tracy won the Best Actor Oscar for his performances in Captains Courageous (1937) and Boys Town (1938), making him the first to win two consecutive Academy Awards for Best Actor. Tracy was an American actor known for his natural performing style and versatility. He starred in 75 films, including nine with Katharine Hepburn. Despite personal struggles, including alcoholism and a troubled marriage, Tracy remained a prominent figure in Hollywood until his death in 1967.
Three
This Scottish actor portrayed various roles including a British MI6 agent seven times between 1962 and 1983. He also played an immortal named Ramirez in 1986, the archaeologist father of an archaeologist in 1989 and the captain of the Soviet Union’s latest nuclear-powered submarine in 1990. His performance as Jimmy in a 1987 film directed by Brian De Palma earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Who is the actor, what was the 1987 film and what was the full name of his character in that film?
Answer: Sean Connery; The Untouchables and Jimmy Malone
Sean Connery was a Scottish actor best known for his portrayal of James Bond in seven films. He also starred in numerous other films, including collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock and John Huston, and received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and a knighthood.
Walt Disney visited Broadway to watch an actress perform as Queen Guinevere in Camelot. Impressed, he offered her the lead role in her first film. Released in 1964, the film earned her an Oscar for Best Actress. Who was the actress and what was her title role?
Answer: Julie Andrews
Dame Julie Andrews, born Julia Elizabeth Wells, is an English actress, singer and author. She is a highly acclaimed performer, having won numerous awards including an Academy Award, three Emmy Awards and seven Golden Globe Awards. Andrews is known for her roles in films like Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and The Princess Diaries, as well as her collaborations with Carol Burnett and her work as an author.
Five
An actor who portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars also starred in two films directed by the same person in 1957 and 1962. In the first, he played Colonel Richardson, the British Commander, and won an Academy Award for his performance. In the second, he portrayed Prince Faisal. Who was the actor and what were the titles of the other two films?
Answer: Alec Guinness; The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) and Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Alec Guinness, an English actor knighted for his contributions to the arts, starred in numerous films including six Ealing comedies and collaborations with David Lean. He won an Academy Award for his role in The Bridge on the River Kwai. Guinness also portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy and George Smiley in the BBC television adaptations of John le Carré’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979) and Smiley’s People(1982).
