The Midnight Star, Deadwood, South Dakota close in 2017. Image Trip Advisor
Today’s questions follow a theme.
One
The narrator and protagonist of the Booker Prize-winning novel in 1981 is Saleem Sinai, who is born in 1947 at midnight as India becomes independent. Saleem and children born in India between 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on that date are found to have special powers. What is the novel and who wrote it?
Two
The song Everybody’s Talkin’ won the 1970 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Who was the singer awarded, and in what 1969 film did the song feature?
Three
It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind.
The above quote is from which of the Harry Potter novels?
Four
Come On Eileen was a hit single for which English band?
Five
The Midnight Star was a casino owned by Kevin Costner. It opened in the spring of 1991, after Costner had, the previous year, directed and starred in an Academy Award-winning film which was filmed nearby. In what city and state was the casino sited, and what was the 1990 Oscar-winning film?
Today’s first question relates to 17 August and the subsequent ones follow on from the first.
One
Set during the Klondike Gold Rush, complete the title of British-Canadian poet Robert Service’s The Shooting of …?
Answer: Dan McGrew.
Gold found in 1896 launched the Klondike Gold Rush. Robert William Service, an English-born Canadian writer, became well known for his Klondike poems, including The Shooting of Dan McGrew and The Cremation of Sam McGee. Commercial success from collections such as Songs of a Sourdough allowed for travel and a leisurely life.
Two
Which nesosilicate mineral derives its name from the Persian word for ‘gold-hued’?
Answer: Zircon.
Zircon is a tetragonal nesosilicate (ZrSiO₄) yielding zirconium and containing hafnium at 1–4%. It precipitates from silicate melts and occurs in varied colours. The name comes from Persian zargun (“gold-hued”), becoming jargoon for light zircons; English zircon derives from German Zirkon.
Three
Which Persian king, ruler of the Achaemenid Empire, was assassinated in 465BC by Artabanus, the commander of the royal guard?
Answer: Xerxes I or Xerxes the Great.
Founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BC, the Achaemenid Empire became the largest of its time, spanning from the Balkans to the Indus Valley. Alexander the Great conquered it in 330 BC; later, the Parthian Empire emerged. Its bureaucracy, tolerance and infrastructure influenced later empires.
Four
Alexander the Great extended the Macedonian kingdom as far east as what modern country?
Answer: India.
The Beas River, in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab in northwestern India, marked Alexander the Great’s eastern limit in 326 BC after his troops mutinied at Mukerian. Alexander yielded after three days and raised twelve altars; their fate is unknown.
Five
What novel by Herman Wouk, which is about a mutiny, was turned into a 1954 film starring Humphrey Bogart?
Answer: The Caine Mutiny.
Herman Wouk’s 1951 novel The Caine Mutiny draws on Pacific Theater service to explore officers’ moral choices. A legalistic mutiny during Typhoon Cobra leads to a court-martial climax.
One Thing Leads to Another
The post title points to a trail through the questions. One is set during the Klondike Gold Rush; Two derives from Persian for ‘gold-hued’; Three is about a Persian king of the Achaemenid Empire; Four is about the conqueror of the Achaemenid Empire facing a mutiny; and Five is about a fictional mutiny.
Statue of Yuri Gagarin, outside the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, London, UK. Image Wikimedia Commons
The opening question concerns today’s date, 12 August. The following questions do not relate to the date but continue a theme introduced in the first.
One
British surgeon and scientist Joseph Lister performed the first antiseptic surgery on this date. In what decade and in what city did this take place?
Answer: 1860s; Glasgow, Scotland.
On 12 August 1865, Joseph Lister, who was the Regius Chair of Surgery, at the University of Glasgow, used carbolic acid to treat James Greenlees’s compound fracture.
In 1867, Joseph Lister published a series of articles in The Lancet that were to be the first examples of antisepsis in action. Each of the cases occurred during his time working at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. His first case was a young boy by the name of James Greenlees, who had an open fracture of his leg. Lister set the fracture and dressed the wound in carbolic acid to prevent infection. James made a full recovery. This was the birth of antisepsis. — The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
Two
In 1960, which US submarine became the first vessel to execute a submerged circumnavigation of the world?
Answer: USS Triton.
USS Triton (SSRN/SSN-586), a unique nuclear-powered radar picket submarine, was the largest, most powerful, and expensive submarine at commissioning in 1959. She completed the first submerged circumnavigation of the Earth in 1960. Obsolete by 1962, she became an attack submarine, flagship, and was decommissioned in 1969.
Three
In sport, who won his first men’s grand slam doubles title with Peter Fleming at Wimbledon in 1979?
Answer: John McEnroe.
John McEnroe is an American tennis player, ranked world No. 1 in singles for 170 weeks and doubles for 269 weeks. He won 155 titles, including seven singles majors. Known for his skill and rivalries, McEnroe also contributed to five Davis Cup titles and remains active as a television commentator during the majors.
Four
Who was the first astronaut to orbit the Earth, and what was the name and number assigned to his spacecraft for the flight?
Answer: Yuri Gagarin; Vostok 1.
Launched on 12 April 1961 from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Vostok 1 marked the first human orbital flight when Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to orbit Earth, completing one circuit in 108 minutes before parachuting to the ground apart from his capsule. As a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut, Gagarin, the first person in space died in 1968 in a MiG-15 crash.
Five
Clint Eastwood won his first Best Director Oscar for which film?
Answer: Unforgiven.
Unforgiven (1992), directed by Clint Eastwood, stars him as an aging outlaw. Co-starring Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris, it grossed over $159 million. Praised for acting, directing, and cinematography, it won four Oscars, including Best Picture. Eastwood dedicated it to Sergio Leone and Don Siegel. In 2004, Unforgiven was chosen for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. It was recognised for its cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance, highlighting its enduring impact and importance in American cinema.
Michael’s Gate and tower, Bratislava, Slovakia. Image Wikimedia Commons
Continuing from yesterday with some more ‘Oddities’ which are described as such as they are only connected by being ‘Odds and Ends’. Similar to yesterday, these are all true or false questions.
One
Is it true or false that although an estimated 90% of bird species partner up for life, only 20 to 25% of all mammal species do?
Answer: False.
Only a small percentage of mammals, approximately 3% to 5%, form lifelong monogamous relationships, often driven by practical needs rather than romantic notions. Notable examples of mammals that mate for life include those with various relationship types. Monogamous: Wolves —Alpha pairs mate for life, leading the pack and raising pups together. Socially monogamous: Beavers — Pairs collaborate to build and maintain their lodges, sharing parenting duties. Long-term monogamous: Gibbons — Known for their duet singing, which strengthens their bond and territory claims.
Two
Is it true or false that Gregory Peck portrayed infamous Nazi and Auschwitz doctor Josef Mengele in the 1978 film The Boys from Brazil?
Answer: True.
Josef Mengele, known as the ‘Angel of Death’, was a German physician and Nazi officer at Auschwitz during the Holocaust. He conducted inhumane experiments on prisoners. After the war, he fled to South America, evading capture until his death in 1979. His remains were identified in 1985 and 1992.
Three
Is it true or false that a bat mitzvah is a coming-of-age ritual in Judaism?
Answer: True
In Judaism Bat Mitzvah is the feminine equivalent of Bar mitzvah. These occur at 13 for boys and bat mitzvah at 12 for girls in Orthodox communities, or 13 for both in most others, it marks Jewish coming of age and accountability. The ceremony usually occurs on the first Shabbat after the birthday.
Four
Is it true or false that Michael’s Gate, pictured above, is in Bratislava, Slovakia?
Answer: True.
Michael’s Gate in Bratislava, Slovakia, is the only preserved medieval city gate, dating back to around 1300. Baroque reconstructions in 1758 added the statue of St. Michael and the Dragon. It houses the Exhibition of Weapons of Bratislava City Museum. The town once had four fortified gates.
Five
Is it true or false that the largest member of the dolphin family (Delphinidae) is an apex predator?
Answer: True.
The orca (Orcinus orca), or killer whale, is the largest oceanic dolphin, known for its black and white pigmentation. Apex predators with diverse diets, they form matrilineal pods and exhibit unique cultures. Conservation status is data deficient; some populations are endangered. Revered by indigenous peoples in Australia, Peru and the Pacific Northwest of North America.
Continuing from yesterday with some more ‘Oddities’ which are described as such as they are only ‘Odds and Ends’. Similar to yesterday, these are all true or false questions.
One
Is it true or false that although an estimated 90% of bird species partner up for life, only 20 to 25% of all mammal species do?
Two
Is it true or false that Gregory Peck portrayed infamous Nazi and Auschwitz doctor Josef Mengele in the 1978 film The Boys from Brazil?
Three
Is it true or false that a bat mitzvah is a coming-of-age ritual in Judaism?
Four
Is it true or false that Michael’s Gate, pictured above, is in Bratislava, Slovakia?
Five
Is it true or false that the largest member of the dolphin family (Delphinidae) is an apex predator?
Is it true or false that Shorty Blackwell, a track on The Monkees 1969 album Instant Replay was inspired by and named after a school teacher?
Answer: False.
Micky Dolenz wrote Shorty Blackwell about his life and cat, recording piano in January 1968 and expanding it beyond five minutes with added instrumentation. Shorty Rogers arranged brass, strings, percussion, cello and flute; Rubini and Tommy Tedesco contributed. Micky and Coco recorded vocals in May; Micky finished it in June, later dismissing it as a Sgt. Pepper attempt.
Two
Is it true or false that the sea lion is the only marine member of the family Felidae?
Answer: False.
Sea lions are pinnipeds in family Otariidae with external ear flaps, long fore-flippers, four-legged movement, short hair and large chests; six extant and one extinct species span subarctic to tropical waters except the northern Atlantic.
Three
Is it true or false that in tennis Stirling Moss won the men’s singles at Wimbledon in 1969?
Answer: False.
Stirling Moss, a British driver and broadcaster, won 212 races including 16 Formula One Grands Prix. Runner-up to Juan Manuel Fangio and Mike Hawthorn, he retired after a 1962 accident. He was BBC Sports Personality of the Year and entered the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Four
Is it true or false that in the classic World War II love story Casablanca (1942), Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) says ‘Play it again, Sam’?
Answer: False.
A line closely associated with Casablanca—”Play it again, Sam”—is not spoken in the film. When Ilsa first enters the Café Américain, she spots Sam and asks him, “Play it once, Sam, for old times’ sake.” After he feigns ignorance, she responds, “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By’.” Later that night, alone with Sam, Rick says, “You played it for her, you can play it for me”, and “If she can stand it, I can! Play it!” — Wikipedia
Five
Is it true or false that Australia has three locations where New Year’s Eve occurs three times annually?
Answer: True.
New Year’s Eve is celebrated three times each year in Cameron Corner, Poeppel Corner and Surveyor Generals Corner, because three states, which are in three time zones, meet at each of these corners. Cameron Corner, Queensland is adjacent to the borders with New South Wales and South Australia. Poeppel Corner in Queensland is where it meets South Australia and the Northern Territory. Surveyor Generals Corner is the meeting of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
See question two. Robinson Crusoe. Image Goodreads
Five questions which follow are not date related but do follow a theme.
One
The 2010 autobiography of whom is titled 9.58?
Answer: Usain Bolt.
Usain Bolt, born 21 August 1986, is a retired Jamaican sprinter, considered the greatest ever. An eight-time Olympic gold medallist, he holds world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. Known as ‘Lightning Bolt’, he won multiple World Championships and numerous prestigious awards, retiring in 2017.
Two
The location of the uninhabited island where Robinson Crusoe was shipwrecked is described as being ‘near the mouth of the great river …’— what river mouth?
Answer: Oroonoque or Orinoco.
Either Oroonoque or Orinoco as the spelling varies between editions. Robinson Crusoe, published on 25 April 1719 by Daniel Defoe, is an English adventure novel often credited as the start of realistic fiction. It follows Robinson Kreutznaer’s 28-year survival on a desert island, inspired by real-life castaways. Initially believed non-fiction, it was well-received for its narrative style. By the end of 1719, the book had four editions and became one of history’s most published works. It inspired numerous imitations across literature, film, television, and radio, defining the Robinsonade genre
Three
Historically known as Alexandretta, this city featured in a 1984 film starring Sean Connery. What was the film, and by what name is the city now known?
Answer: İskenderun; Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
İskenderun, historically known as Alexandretta, is a district in Hatay Province, Turkey, with a population of 251,682 as of 2022. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, it experienced significant damage from the earthquakes in February 2023. The city was likely founded during the Hellenistic period by a successor of Alexander the Great and has since been under the control of the Seleucid, Roman, Abbasid, and Mamluk empires. It became part of the Ottoman Empire until World War I, after which it was a French mandate sanjak until gaining independence in 1938 and officially joining Turkey in 1939. İskenderun appears in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Four
Which song begins:
Risin’ up, back on the street Did my time, took my chances
Answer: Eye of the Tiger
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor, written for Rocky III, topped charts worldwide and won a Grammy. It was also nominated for an Academy Award.
Five
Who played the title role in the 1973 film Serpico?
Answer: Al Pacino.
Serpico is a 1973 biographical crime drama film about Frank Serpico, a whistleblower who exposed corruption in the NYPD. The film, directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino, was a critical and commercial success, earning several award nominations.
The Great Vowel Shift
Today’s title really in this instance only refers to the answers starting with one of the five vowels which have been ‘shifted’ into reverse order, U – O – I – E – A. The Great Vowel Shift, occurring between 1400 and 1700, altered the pronunciation of all Middle English long vowels and some consonant sounds. This shift, beginning in southern England, significantly influenced English dialects and contributed to the divergence between English spelling and pronunciation.
