The first question concerns today’s date, November 13th. The subsequent questions follow a theme based on the first.
Who is this pioneering inventor? See question 2.
One
On 13 November 1965, which critic reportedly became the first person to say the word ‘f**k’ on British television during a discussion on the BBC-1 show BBC-3?
Two
Which pioneering inventor is often credited as the ‘father of radio’ or the ‘father of long-distance radio communication’, and in what decade did he transmit the first transatlantic wireless signal?
Three
Which European country launched the world’s first regular television service in 1935?
Four
Could you identify this annual television broadcast? First aired in the 1950s, it’s not a sporting event but a cultural one. It now attracts over 160 million viewers annually. What is it?
Five
RCA introduced the first mass produced colour television set for sale to the American public. What did the initials RCA stand for, and in what decade did this occur?
Here are the answers to the questions posted earlier.
All of these questions are related to today, November 12th.
Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando, 1955. Academy Awards. Image Wikipedia
One
Born on 12 November 1929, this actress won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1954 film The Country Girl. Who is she?
Answer: Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly, an American actress, achieved stardom in Hollywood films before marrying Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. As Princess of Monaco, she focused on charity work, particularly for children and the arts. Kelly passed away at the age of 52 due to injuries from a car crash.
Two
Today in 1990, Emperor Akihito was enthroned in Japan. Tradition dictates that he is the 125th direct descendant of Japan’s legendary first emperor. Who was this legendary first emperor?
Answer: Jimmu
Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan, is said to have ascended the throne in 660 BC. While his existence is debated, his legendary journey from Hyūga to Yamato is celebrated on National Foundation Day.
Three
On this date in 1990, a computer scientist published a formal proposal for the World Wide Web. Who was this scientist and what organisation did they work for at the time?
Answer: Tim Berners-Lee; CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research)
The World Wide Web was invented by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN to address document storage and sharing challenges. He developed a decentralised system with hyperlinks, released it in 1991, and CERN made it royalty-free in 1993. The Web’s popularity surged with the release of graphical browsers like Mosaic and Netscape Navigator, leading to the dot-com bubble and the browser wars.
Four
Born in 1961, this gymnast became the first to score a perfect 10 at the Olympics. Who is this person and in which year’s Summer Olympics did this remarkable feat occur?
Answer: Nadia Comăneci; 1976 (Montreal)
Nadia Comăneci, a retired Romanian gymnast, is the first gymnast to achieve a perfect score of 10.0 at the Olympics. At the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, she secured six more perfect 10s, leading to three gold medals. In Moscow, during the 1980 Summer Olympics, she won two more golds and achieved two more perfect 10s. Throughout her career, Comăneci amassed nine Olympic medals—including five gold—and four World Artistic Gymnastics Championship medals. Widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, she has lived in the United States since 1989.
The pictured facility, which ceased to operate today in 1954, is located on what island?
Answer: Ellis Island
The US government established its first federal immigration station on Ellis Island in 1892, replacing the mismanaged Castle Clinton. Initially a wooden station, it processed over 1.5 million immigrants before a fire in 1897 destroyed it. A new fireproof station designed by Edward Lippincott Tilton and William A. Boring opened in 1900 but quickly faced overcrowding necessitating further expansions and improvements. Construction also began on a third island for a contagious diseases ward. However, after the Immigration Act of 1924, the island’s role shifted, leading to its downgrade to a detention centre and eventual closure in 1954 due to declining immigration and high upkeep costs.
All of these questions are related to today, November 12th.
1955 Academy Awards. Image Wikipedia
One
Born on 12 November 1929, this actress won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1954 film The Country Girl. Who is she?
Two
Today in 1990, Emperor Akihito was enthroned in Japan. Tradition dictates that he is the 125th direct descendant of Japan’s legendary first emperor. Who was this legendary first emperor?
Three
On this date in 1990, a computer scientist published a formal proposal for the World Wide Web. Who was this scientist and what organisation did they work for at the time?
Four
Born in 1961, this gymnast became the first to score a perfect 10 at the Olympics. Who is this person and in which year’s Summer Olympics did this remarkable feat occur?
Image Encyclopædia Britannica
Five
The pictured facility, which ceased to operate today in 1954, is located on what island?
Born in 1922, this American singer and actress made history as the first African-American woman nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Carmen Jones (1954). Who is she?
Answer: Dorothy Dandridge
Dorothy Dandridge, the first African-American nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress, faced racial barriers in Hollywood despite her success in Carmen Jones. Her career declined in the 1960s, leading to financial difficulties and her death at age 42.
Two
The last of the ‘canonical five’, victims of Jack the Ripper was found on 9 November. In what decade did these five murders take place?
Answer: 1880s (1888)
Between 31 August and 9 November 1888, an unidentified serial killer known as Jack the Ripper terrorised Whitechapel, London. His brutal murders of five women, dubbed the ‘canonical five’, remain unsolved alongside several other women’s deaths over the next three years. This enduring public fascination and speculation continues to captivate people.
Three
Apollo 4, an unmanned test spacecraft, was launched from Cape Kennedy on this day in 1967. The spacecraft was on top of what rocket’s first flight?
Answer: Saturn V
Apollo 4, the first uncrewed test flight of the Saturn V rocket, launched from Kennedy Space Centre on 9 November 1967. The mission, a complete success, demonstrated the functionality of all rocket stages and key spacecraft revisions, paving the way for future lunar missions.
Four
What was the name given to the violent anti-Jewish pogrom that took place across Nazi Germany on the nights of 9–10 November 1938, during which Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues were destroyed in an event often seen as the start of the Holocaust?
Answer: Kristallnacht (also known as the Night of Broken Glass)
The name Kristallnacht refers to the shattered glass that covered the streets after Jewish-owned properties were vandalized. Around 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps, and the event marked a turning point from discrimination to open, state-sanctioned violence against Jews.
Five
Born today in 1923, Alice Coachman became the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal. In what event did she achieve this?
Answer: High jump
Alice Coachman, born in 1923 in Albany, Georgia, overcame racial and gender barriers to become a celebrated athlete. She dominated the AAU outdoor high jump championship from 1939 to 1948 and won an Olympic gold medal in 1948, becoming the first black woman to achieve this feat. After her athletic career, she dedicated her life to education and the Job Corps.
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
King James VI of Scotland and James I of England. Image Wikipedia
One
What event is commemorated in the United Kingdom on November 5th, when effigies of Guy Fawkes are traditionally burned on bonfires? Also, in what year did it occur?
Answer: The Gunpowder Plot of 1605
The failed plot was an attempt by Catholic conspirators to blow up the English Parliament and assassinate King James VI (of Scotland) & I (of England). ‘Remember, remember, the fifth of November’ became a famous rhyme, see below, recording the event.
Two
Which spacecraft, launched on 5 November 2013, was India’s first interplanetary mission?
Answer: The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan)
Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Mangalyaan made India the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit and the first country in the world to do so successfully on its maiden attempt — all on a remarkably low budget.
On 5 November 1981, a small Caribbean nation achieved independence from the United Kingdom. Its capital is St. John’s. Can you name the country?
Answer: Antigua and Barbuda
The twin-island nation remains a member of the Commonwealth, recognizing the British monarch as its head of state, but governs itself independently.
Four
November 5th is a central date in the storyline of what 2005 film which opens with the line, ‘Remember, remember the fifth of November’?
Answer: V for Vendetta
The film, based on a graphic novel, turned the Guy Fawkes mask into a global symbol of resistance — later adopted by protest movements such as Anonymous and Occupy Wall Street.
Five
On November 5th, Google introduced its first Android-based mobile operating system, signalling the start of a new era in smartphones. In what year did this occur?
Answer: 2007
The Android OS announcement reshaped the mobile landscape — today, Android powers over 70% of the world’s smartphones.
Remember, remember, the 5th of November
Remember, remember, the 5th of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason Why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot. Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent To blow up the King and the Parliament Three score barrels of powder below Poor old England to overthrow By God’s providence he was catch’d With a dark lantern and burning match Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring Holler boys, holler boys God save the King!
The undercroft beneath the House of Lords. Image Wikipedia
What event is commemorated in the United Kingdom on November 5th, when effigies of Guy Fawkes are traditionally burned on bonfires? Also, in what year did it occur?
Two
Which spacecraft, launched on 5 November 2013, was India’s first interplanetary mission?
See question 3. Image Wikipedia
Three
On 5 November 1981, a small Caribbean nation achieved independence from the United Kingdom. Its capital is St. John’s. Can you name the country?
Four
November 5th is a central date in the storyline of what 2005 film which opens with the line, ‘Remember, remember the fifth of November’?
Five
On November 5th, Google introduced its first Android-based mobile operating system, signalling the start of a new era in smartphones. In what year did this occur?
Here are the answers to the questions about universities which were posed earlier.
Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, Fez, Morocco. Image Wikipedia
One
The world’s oldest continuously operating university is the University of al-Qarawiyyin. In what city and country is it located?
Answer: Fez, Morocco.
Founded by Fatima al-Fihri, a woman who used her inheritance to establish a centre for education and religion, Al-Qarawiyyin began as a madrasa. It later became a leading spiritual and educational hub in the Muslim world. UNESCO and the Guinness World Records both recognise it as the oldest continuously operating higher education institution globally.
Two
The second-oldest university in the United States is what, and who is it named after?
Answer: College of William & Mary; (named after England’s) King William III and Queen Mary II
Founded in 1693 in Williamsburg, Virginia, William & Mary was established by royal charter from King William III and Queen Mary II of England. It educated several key figures in early US history including Thomas Jefferson James Monroe and John Tyler all of whom became presidents. Notably it was also the first US college to implement an honour code and establish a Greek-letter fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1776.
Three
What’s the third book (2009) in the series featuring a fictional professor of religious iconology and symbology? Who is this professor? The character first appeared in a book published in 2000.
Answer: The Lost Symbol; Robert Langdon
Dan Brown’s book series centres on Robert Langdon, a fictional Harvard professor of Religious Iconology and Symbology. This latter subject is a fictional field studying historic symbols distinct from the real discipline of semiotics.
In the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral, Charles (Hugh Grant), Tom (James Fleet), and Scarlett (Charlotte Coleman) have known each other since university. What university?
Answer: Cambridge University
Charles, Tom and Scarlett are shown to have attended Cambridge University in Four Weddings and a Funeral and their friendship began there.
Five
What are the five ancient universities of Britain and Ireland which were founded in the 15th and 16th centuries and are NOT located in England?
Answer: University of St Andrews (founded 1413), University of Glasgow (1451), University of Aberdeen (1495), University of Edinburgh (1583) and University of Dublin (Trinity College Dublin) (1592)
Although located in Ireland, Trinity College is historically linked with the British ancient universities. The other two ancient universities of Britain are Oxford (1096) and Cambridge (1209).
Coat of Arms, Unseen University, Motto: Nunc id Vides, Nunc ne Vides (“Now you see it, Now you don’t.”). Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. Image Wikipedia
One
The world’s oldest continuously operating university is the University of al-Qarawiyyin. In what city and country is it located?
Two
The second-oldest university in the United States is what, and who is it named after?
Three
What’s the third book (2009) in the series featuring a fictional professor of religious iconology and symbology? Who is this professor? The character first appeared in a book published in 2000.
Four
In the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral, Charles (Hugh Grant), Tom (James Fleet), and Scarlett (Charlotte Coleman) have known each other since university. What university?
Five
What are five of the ancient universities of Britain and Ireland which were founded in the 15th and 16th centuries and are NOT located in England?
The tiger shark, the largest member of the Galeocerdo genus, is a solitary, nocturnal predator found in tropical and temperate waters. It has a diverse diet and is considered near-threatened due to human activities.
Two
What 1964 film starring Stanley Baker and Michael Cain depicts the 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift?
Answer: Zulu
Zulu is a 1964 British historical drama film about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War. Directed by Cy Endfield, it stars Stanley Baker and Michael Caine, and received critical acclaim for its sets, soundtrack, cinematography, and performances.
Three
Complete the title of this short story by Alan Sillitoe which was published in 1959: The Loneliness of the…?
Answer: Long-Distance Runner(The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner)
Alan Sillitoe’s 1959 short story The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner follows Smith, a Nottingham teenager who finds solace in running.
Four
Which state or territorial capital of mainland Australia is the only one north of the Tropic of Capricorn?
Answer: Darwin (Northern Territory)
Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, is the smallest, wettest, and most northerly capital city. It has a tropical climate with a wet and dry season, and its proximity to Southeast Asia makes it a key link between Australia and countries like Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The city has been rebuilt four times due to cyclones and WWII air raids.
Chumbawamba’s 2008 album The Boy Bands Have Won holds the Guinness World Record for the longest album title. Can you tell me how many words are in the full title? A decade (a group of ten) is acceptable. For example, if the answer is 104 then 101-110 is fine.
Answer: 156 (151-160 acceptable)
Its full title contains 156 words, or 865 characters, and holds the Guinness World Record for the longest album title. In full, it is…
The boy bands have won, and all the copyists and the tribute bands and the TV talent show producers have won, if we allow our culture to be shaped by mimicry, whether from lack of ideas or from exaggerated respect. You should never try to freeze culture. What you can do is recycle that culture. Take your older brother’s hand-me-down jacket and re-style it, re-fashion it to the point where it becomes your own. But don’t just regurgitate creative history, or hold art and music and literature as fixed, untouchable and kept under glass. The people who try to ‘guard’ any particular form of music are, like the copyists and manufactured bands, doing it the worst disservice, because the only thing that you can do to music that will damage it is not change it, not make it your own. Because then it dies, then it’s over, then it’s done, and the boy bands have won.
Today’s five questions are random with no connection.
Image Wikipedia
One
Which shark is pictured?
Two
What 1964 film starring Stanley Baker and Michael Cain depicts the 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift?
Three
Complete the title of this short story by Alan Sillitoe which was published in 1959: The Loneliness of the…?
Four
Which state or territorial capital of mainland Australia is the only one north of the Tropic of Capricorn?
Five
Chumbawamba’s 2008 album The Boy Bands Have Won holds the Guinness World Record for the longest album title. Can you tell me how many words are in the full title? A decade (a group of ten) is acceptable. For example, if the answer is 104 then 101-110 is fine.
Quizology Online 