Today we have a mixed bag of trivia with no theme.
Tom kha kai is a Thai soup made with which milk?
In which country is Punta Gallinas, the northernmost part of mainland South America?
Caspian, Indian, and monocled are species of which snake?
In what game was a character renamed in 2023 as Boden ‘Boddy’ Black Jr?
Where in Ireland is the cultural region of Connemara?
Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.
Here are the answers to my earlier questions.
These questions all relate to today, February 17th.
A singer born in 1991 released their debut album, +, in September 2011. Who is the singer?
Ed Sheeran’s debut studio album, + (Plus), was released on 9 September 2011 and marked his commercial breakthrough. The album, produced by Jake Gosling, Sheeran and No I.D., received positive reviews and sold over 4 million copies worldwide.
In 2008, Kosovo declared independence from which country?
Kosovo, a self-declared independent country in the Balkans, declared independence from Serbia in 2008. While recognised by the US and most EU members, its independence is not universally accepted. In 2010 the International Court of Justice ruled Kosovo’s declaration didn’t breach international law but Serbia rejected the decision. Despite lacking full international agreement, Kosovo has established structures akin to an independent nation under international supervision. The EU oversees police judicial and customs activities.
In what decade did the opera Madama Butterfly premiere at La Scala, Milan, and who composed it?
Madama Butterfly is a three-act opera by Giacomo Puccini, based on John Luther Long’s short story and Pierre Loti’s novel. The original two-act version premiered in 1904 at La Scala but was poorly received, leading Puccini to revise it into the successful three-act version.
What entertainer and actor born in Kew in 1934, links a housewife, the voice of Bruce in 2003 and, a novennium later, a Great Goblin?
Barry Humphries, an Australian actor, was best known for his character Dame Edna Everage. He also created other characters, appeared in films, and wrote books. The housewife from the question was of course Dame Edna. Bruce was the shark from Finding Nemo (2003) and the Great Goblin, the king of the caverns, was played by Humphries in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012).
In 1965, the Ranger 8 probe was launched on a mission to photograph among other things Mare Tranquillitatis. Where is Mare Tranquillitatis?
Ranger was a series of nine unmanned probes launched by NASA between 1961 and 1965 to explore the Moon. While the first five probes failed, the last three, Ranger 7, 8 and 9, successfully transmitted over 17,000 high-resolution photographs of the lunar surface. These images included the Sea of Tranquility (Mare Tranquillitatis), which would become the 1969 landing site of Apollo 11.
These questions all relate to today, February 17th.
A singer born in 1991 released their debut album, +, in September 2011. Who is the singer?
In 2008, Kosovo declared independence from which country?
In what decade did the opera Madama Butterfly premiere at La Scala, Milan, and who composed it?
What entertainer and actor born in Kew in 1934, links a housewife, the voice of Bruce in 2003 and, a novennium later, a Great Goblin?
In 1965, the Ranger 8 probe was launched on a mission to photograph among other things Mare Tranquillitatis. Where is Mare Tranquillitatis?
Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.
Here are the answers to the questions poster earlier.
These questions all relate to today, February 14th.
Saint Valentine was, according to legend, martyred in Rome on February 14th in c. 270 CE, during the persecution of Christians by Emperor ++Claudius II Gothicus++. In what century was Saint Valentine’s death?
Saint Valentine, a legendary Christian martyr, is the patron saint of lovers, people with epilepsy and beekeepers. His life is shrouded in legend, with accounts of him being a Roman priest or bishop martyred in Rome. His body was buried in Rome on February 14, a date observed as the Feast of Saint Valentine since at least the eighth century. He is associated with courtly love, and numerous churches claim to possess his relics, which are housed in various locations, including Rome and Dublin. Valentine’s Day as a lovers’ festival dates back to the 14th century.
In 1613, the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Frederick V of the Palatinate took place at Whitehall Palace, London. Who was the father of the bride?
The bride’s father was James VI of Scotland and I of England. The wedding of Frederick V and Princess Elizabeth in 1613 was a grand affair, featuring fireworks, masques, a mock sea battle, and a procession. Celebrations continued with masques and a lavish farewell for Elizabeth’s journey to Heidelberg.
Identify two US states, A and B, both admitted to the Union on February 14th. State A joined in 1859, and state B in 1912. Together, they border seven states: four for A and five for B. Additionally, A has a maritime boundary, whilst B has an international border.
Oregon was admitted as the 33rd US state on 14 February 1859 and Arizona became the 48th, and last contiguous state, in 1912. Oregon is bordered by four states: California, Nevada, Idaho, and Washington. Arizona is bordered by five states: California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Born in 1992, this actor played Charlie Bucket in Tim Burton’s musical fantasy film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Who is he?
Alfred Thomas Highmore, born in 1992 in Camden Town, London, is an English actor known for his roles in Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Good Doctor. He attended Highgate School and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, earning a double first in Spanish and Arabic.
Which actor, born on this day in 1970, has appeared in both the Star Trek and Mission: Impossible series and also voiced a character in the Ice Age series?
Simon John Beckingham, born in Gloucestershire, UK, on 14 February 1970, co-wrote the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy films: Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007) and The World’s End (2013). He also reprised several roles, including Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott in Star Trek (2009), Benji Dunn in Mission: Impossible III (2006) and Buck in Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009).
Here are the answers to my questions in the earlier post.
Lady Jane Grey, Queen of England for just nine days in 1553, was executed on 12 February 1554. Who was her predecessor, and who succeeded her as monarch?
Lady Jane Grey, a cousin of Edward VI, king of England from 1547 to 1553, was persuaded by John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, to become his heir before Edward’s death, despite Edward having two half-sisters. Jane’s Protestantism made her the preferred candidate of those like Northumberland who supported the Reformation. She reigned as queen for nine days in 1553, but the English people largely supported Edward VI’s half-sister Mary Tudor, the rightful heir by Henry VIII’s will. Jane was persuaded to relinquish the crown she never wanted, and at the beginning of Mary’s reign, she was arraigned for high treason and later executed
In 2019, the country represented by this flag changed its name. What did the country’s name change from and to?
North Macedonia is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe. It declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991. Due to a long-standing name dispute with Greece, it was admitted to the United Nations in 1993 under the provisional reference ‘the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’ (FYROM). Following the Prespa Agreement signed with Greece in June 2018 and implemented in February 2019, the country officially changed its name from the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia.
Emperor Puyi abdicated in 1912 becoming the last emperor of which country?
Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, was forced to abdicate in 1912. He later became the puppet emperor of Manchukuo under Japanese control. After World War II, he was imprisoned and later pardoned, living out his days in Beijing.
On this date in 1818, the country whose flag this is declared independence. Which country achieved independence and from whom?
The Chilean Declaration of Independence, drafted in January 1818 and approved by Bernardo O’Higgins on 12 February 1818, declared Chile’s independence from the Spanish Empire. The original document was damaged, and a new copy signed by O’Higgins and his ministers was destroyed during the 1973 Chilean coup d’état.
Future US president Abraham Lincoln was born on this day. In what US state, and in what decade, was he born?
Abraham Lincoln, from humble beginnings, became the 16th President of the United States, led the nation through the Civil War, and played a pivotal role in abolishing slavery. He navigated political challenges, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and delivered the Gettysburg Address. Tragically, Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, shortly after the Confederate surrender
Lady Jane Grey, Queen of England for just nine days in 1553, was executed on 12 February 1554. Who was her predecessor, and who succeeded her as monarch?
In 2019, the country represented by this flag changed its name. What did the country’s name change from and to?
Emperor Puyi abdicated in 1912 becoming the last emperor of which country?
On this date in 1818, the country whose flag this is declared independence. Which country achieved independence and from whom?
Future US president Abraham Lincoln was born on this day. In what US state, and in what decade, was he born?
Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.
Here are the answers to my earlier questions.
Today the questions all relate to February 11th.
In what decade was the first science fiction television programme broadcast?
The first known science fiction television programme was produced by the BBC’s pre-war television service in Great Britain. On 11 February 1938, a 35-minute adapted extract of the play R.U.R., written by the Czech playwright Karel Čapek, was broadcast live from the BBC’s Alexandra Palace studios. Concerning a future world in which robots rise up against their human masters, it was the only piece of science fiction to be produced before the television service was suspended for the duration of the war. Today’s post title is a hint towards this play, using the same initials, but the play’s ‘R.U.R.’ stands for Rossumovi Univerzální Roboti—Rossum’s Universal Robots—and not Really Useful Robots.
On this day in 1929, a treaty was signed recognising papal sovereignty over Vatican City. What was the treaty’s name and who was the Italian signatory?
The Lateran Treaty of 1929 established Vatican City as an independent state and settled the Roman question between Italy and the Holy See. The treaty was named after the Lateran Palace where it was signed on 11 February 1929. It was revised in 1984, ending Catholicism as Italy’s sole state religion.
Today marks the traditional date for Jimmu’s founding of which country’s empire in 660 BCE?
Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan, is said to have ascended the throne in 660 BCE. His story, recounted in the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki, involves a divine lineage from the sun goddess Amaterasu and a military expedition from Kyushu to Yamato. While his existence is debated by scholars, Jimmu’s legacy endures as a symbol of Japan’s imperial lineage and is celebrated annually on February 11th as National Foundation Day.
In 1858, 14-year-old Mademoiselle Soubirous had visions of the Virgin Mary. Where did this occur, and what was Mademoiselle Soubirous’s first name?
In February 1858, 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous reported seeing visions of a ‘small young lady’ at the grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, later believed to be the Virgin Mary. The apparitions, which continued daily for two weeks despite scepticism from local authorities and clergy, including Father Peyramale, instructed Bernadette to perform acts of penance. On 25 March, Bernadette claimed the Virgin revealed herself as the ‘Immaculate Conception’, prompting further investigation and increasing pilgrimages. The growing number of witnesses to Bernadette’s visions led to widespread attention and speculation.
On this date, and in what year did the World Health Organisation officially name the coronavirus outbreak COVID-19? And up to February 2026, to the nearest million, how many people have died from COVID-19?
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an estimated 7.1 million confirmed deaths worldwide. Estimates indicate that the total number of deaths could range from 19.1 to 36 million.
Today the questions all relate to February 11th.
In what decade was the first science fiction television programme broadcast?
On this day in 1929, a treaty was signed recognising papal sovereignty over Vatican City. What was the treaty’s name and who was the Italian signatory?
Today marks the traditional date for Jimmu’s founding of which country’s empire in 660 BCE?
In 1858, 14-year-old Mademoiselle Soubirous had visions of the Virgin Mary. Where did this occur, and what was Mademoiselle Soubirous’s first name?
On this date, and in what year did the World Health Organisation officially name the coronavirus outbreak COVID-19? And up to February 2026, to the nearest million, how many people have died from COVID-19?
Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.
Here are the answers to the questions I posed in my earlier post.
Each of these questions relates to today’s date, February 7th.
British novelist Charles Dickens was born on this day in 1812. But what does the word ‘Dickens’ refer to in the phrase ‘What the dickens’?
dickens /ˈdɪkɪnz / noun [in singular] informal, dated used for emphasis, or to express annoyance or surprise when asking questions: what the dickens is going on? they work like the dickens. – ORIGIN late 16th century: a euphemism for ‘devil’, probably a use of the surname Dickens. — Oxford English Dictionary
After the death of King Hussein in 1999, his son Abdullah II became king in what country, and what countries border it?
Syria is to the north; Iraq to the east; Saudi Arabia to the southeast and south; Israel to the west; and the West Bank to the west. There is also a maritime border with Egypt on the Gulf of Aqaba to the south.
On this day, Michael Romanov became Tsar of Russia as Michael I and founded the Romanov dynasty. In what century was it founded? In what year did it end, and who was the last Tsar?
Michael Romanov, elected Tsar of Russia in 1613 at age 16, initially relied on his mother’s relatives to restore order. His father, Philaret, returned from Polish captivity in 1619, becoming co-ruler and patriarch, and significantly influencing the government until his death in 1633. Michael’s reign (1613-1645) saw increased European contact, financial reforms, and the strengthening of serfdom. The dynasty ended with the Russian Revolution of 1917 when Nicholas II abdicated and, with his family, was later executed.
The Beatles arrived in the United States for the first time on this day in 1964 in what the press named the ‘British Invasion’. What single gave the Beatles their first Billboard Hot 100 number one?
It became the Beatles’ first US number-one single when it topped the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1964, kicking off full-blown Beatlemania in America. They held the number one spot for a then-record fourteen straight weeks, from February 1st through May 2nd, and on April 4th, the Beatles held the top five positions in the Hot 100 simultaneously.
Walt Disney’s Pinocchio premiered in 1940. Who wrote the novel it was based on?
Pinocchio, a 1940 Disney animated film, follows the adventures of a wooden puppet who becomes a real boy. The film is renowned for its animation, storytelling, and music. The film won two Academy Awards: Best Original Score and Best Original Song for When You Wish Upon a Star. This made it the first Disney film to win either category.
Each of these questions relates to today’s date, February 7th.
British novelist Charles Dickens was born on this day in 1812. But what does the word ‘Dickens’ refer to in the phrase ‘What the dickens’?
After the death of King Hussein in 1999, his son Abdullah II became king in what country, and what countries border it?
On this day, Michael Romanov became Tsar of Russia as Michael I and founded the Romanov dynasty. In what century was it founded? In what year did it end, and who was the last Tsar?
The Beatles arrived in the United States for the first time on this day in 1964 in what the press named the ‘British Invasion’. What single gave the Beatles their first Billboard Hot 100 number one?
Walt Disney’s Pinocchio premiered in 1940. Who wrote the novel it was based on?
Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.
Quizology.Online 