exploration – Page 8 – Quizology Online

From Springfield to the Führerbunker

Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, 29 April.

The Simpsons aired its 636th episode on 29 April 2018, becoming the longest-running scripted prime-time show in the US. What show had held the record until then?
- Family Guy
- Grey’s Anatomy
- Gunsmoke
On today’s date in 1429, Joan of Arc and her troops relieved what besieged city?
- Orléans
- Reims
- Tours
Who did Adolf Hitler marry on 29 April 1945?
- Eva Braun
- Elke Grün
- Ella Schwarz
On this date in 1770, which explorer arrived in and named Botany Bay in Australia?
- James Cook
- Willem Janszoon
- Abel Tasman
Jerry Seinfeld, the star of the TV show Seinfeld, was born on April 29, 1954. Where was he born?
- Bethesda, Maryland
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Brooklyn, New York

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

How much is that doggy in the window | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

Which author born 28 April 1948, provided the city state of Ankh Morpork with the Latatian motto – Quanti Canicula Illa In Fenestra – meaning, “How Much Is That Doggy In The Window”?
- Terry Pratchett—Sir Terry Pratchett, an English author, was renowned for his comic fantasy novels, especially the Discworld series and the apocalyptic comedy Good Omens. With over 100 million books sold globally, he was the UK’s best-selling author of the 1990s and received numerous literary awards. Pratchett began writing early, publishing his first novel, The Carpet People, in 1971. After careers in journalism and public relations, he became a full-time writer in 1987 and continued publishing until his death in 2015 from Alzheimer’s disease. PS “Latatian” is a fictional language: Discworld’s equivalent of Latin.
  
  Kon-tiki in the Kon-tiki Museum, Oslo, Norway.
  Image Wikipedia
  
  Kon-tiki in the Kon-tiki Museum, Oslo, Norway.
  Image Wikipedia
On this day in 1947, Thor Heyerdahl set out on the primitive raft Kon-tiki to demonstrate that Easter Island could have been reached by whom?
- Peruvians—Thor Heyerdahl, a Norwegian ethnologist and adventurer, is renowned for his Kon-Tiki expedition, where he sailed across the Pacific on a primitive raft to show Peruvians could have reached Easter Island and to illustrate the potential for ancient cultural contact between distant civilizations. Although his theories were not accepted by anthropologists, his voyages, including the Ra II expedition, inspired a book and documentary about the Kon-Tiki journey. His archives, covering the years 1937 to 2002, are preserved in Oslo.
  
  HMS Bounty II 1960 Tall Ship with full sails on Lake Michigan near the Port of Chicago for the 2010 Great Lake Tall Ship Challenge.
  Image Wikipedia
On this day in 1789, William Bligh and 18 of his crewmen were set adrift in the Pacific Ocean. From which ship were they set adrift?
- Bounty—in 1789, Fletcher Christian led a mutiny against Captain William Bligh on the HMS Bounty in the South Pacific. Bligh and 18 loyalists were set adrift but managed to survive a 3,500-nautical-mile journey to safety. The mutineers settled on Tahiti and Pitcairn Island, where their descendants still reside. Bligh, an English navigator and explorer, had discovered 13 Pacific islands but faced mutiny due to his strained relationships with the crew, characterised by verbal abuse and violations of sailor privileges. He later became governor of New South Wales, where he encountered further challenges, including the Rum Rebellion.
  
  Carioca (1948) – First Lamborghini tractor.
  Image Lambocars.com
Ferruccio Lamborghini, born on this day in 1916, built his “Carioca” in 1948. What best describes it?
- Tractor—Lamborghini Trattori, established in 1948 by Ferruccio Lamborghini, initially created tractors using repurposed war materials, featuring engines from trucks and military vehicles. Ferruccio, who developed his mechanical expertise during World War II, built a reputation for reliable tractors in a small factory, surpassing competitors like Fiat and Landini. Following his success in tractors and air conditioners, he later founded Automobili Lamborghini, renowned for luxury cars.
  
  The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd.
  Image Pinterest
Which album, which reached number one on the Billboard Album Charts on 28 April 1973, has remained on the charts for over 990 weeks (March 2025)?
- The Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd—is a concept album exploring themes of conflict, greed, time, death, and mental illness. The album, released in 1973, brought the band international fame and is certified 14× platinum in the UK. It has sold over 45 million copies worldwide and, at March 2025, had been in the charts for over 990 weeks.

How much is that doggy in the window

Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, 28 April.

Which author born 28 April 1948, provided the city state of Ankh Morpork with the Latatian motto – Quanti Canicula Illa In Fenestra – meaning, “How Much Is That Doggy In The Window”?
- Douglas Adams
- Neil Gaiman
- Terry Pratchett
On this day in 1947, Thor Heyerdahl set out on the primitive raft Kon-tiki to demonstrate that Easter Island could have been reached by whom?
- Paraguayans
- Peruvians
- Puerto ricans
On this day in 1789, William Bligh and 18 of his crewmen were set adrift in the Pacific Ocean. From which ship were they set adrift?
- Amistad
- Bounty
- Caine
Ferruccio Lamborghini, born on this day in 1916, built his “Carioca” in 1948. What best describes it?
- Speedboat
- Sports car
- Tractor
Which album, which reached number one on the Billboard Album Charts on 28 April 1973, has remained on the charts for over 990 weeks (March 2025)?
- Greatest Hits, Queen
- Rumours, Fleetwood Mac
- The Dark Side of The Moon, Pink Floyd

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Commonwealth of trivia | Answers

The answers to today’s questions are shown in bold below.

The country represented by the flag pictured obtained its independence from Great Britain on 27 April 1961, when Milton Margai became the first Prime Minister and the country became a member of the British Commonwealth. What country?
- Sierra Leone—Sierra Leone, a presidential republic in West Africa, gained independence from the UK in 1961. After a decade-long civil war ending in 2002, the country has experienced relative stability. Sierra Leone is culturally diverse, with English as the official language and Krio as the lingua franca.
  
  Ferdinand Magellan.
  Image Wikipedia

Where was Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan when he was killed in battle on April 27, 1521?
- Mactan Island (Philippines)—Magellan secured an alliance with the King of Cebu, Rajah Humabon, who converted to Christianity. However, Magellan was killed in a battle on Mactan Island when his men attempted to Christianise the local population. Although he was killed in the Philippines, one of his ships continued westward to Spain, completing the first circumnavigation of the Earth. The Basque navigator Juan Sebastián del Cano successfully finished the voyage. The Philippines did not exist as a nation at the time of Magellan’s death.
  
  Mstislav Rostropovich at the White House, 1978.
  Image Wikipedia
Mstislav Rostropovich, Russian conductor and musician, died today in 2007. He was an acclaimed player of what instrument?
- Cello—Mstislav Rostropovich, a Russian cellist and conductor, inspired and premiered over 100 pieces, expanding the cello repertoire. He was a human rights advocate and received numerous accolades, including a Polar Music Prize.
  
  Grainy image of the Sultana shortly before the explosion.
  Image Wikipedia
On this day in 1865, the steamboat Sultana exploded, becoming the worst maritime disaster in US history and claiming 1,864 lives. Where did this catastrophic event occur?
- Mississippi River—The Sultana, a commercial steamboat, met a tragic end in 1865 when it exploded and sank on the Mississippi River. The disaster, the worst in US maritime history, claimed the lives of 1,864 people. Tragically, the Sultana was carrying 2,127 passengers, far exceeding its capacity of 376. Among them were 1,950 repatriated Union soldiers, who had been prisoners of war, that the captain had accepted in a deal.
  
  Betty Boothroyd.
  Official portrait of Baroness Boothroyd, 2018.
  Image Wikipedia
In British politics, Betty Boothroyd became the first woman to be elected speaker of the House of Commons on 27 April 1992. What was her occupation before entering politics?
- Dancer—Betty Boothroyd was a dancer with The Tiller Girls from 1946 to 1952. A Member of Parliament (Labour), she served as the first and only female Speaker of the House of Commons from 1992 to 2000. She later sat in the House of Lords.

The Tiller Girls (late 1950s).
Image Pinterest/Wikipedia

Commonwealth of trivia

All of the following relate to today, 27 April.

The country represented by the flag pictured obtained its independence from Great Britain on 27 April 1961, when Milton Margai became the first Prime Minister and the country became a member of the British Commonwealth. What country?
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Suriname
Where was Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan when he was killed in battle on April 27, 1521?
- Mactan Island (Philippines)
- Malendok Island (Papua New Guinea)
- Mecherchar Island (Palau)
Mstislav Rostropovich, Russian conductor and musician, died today in 2007. He was an acclaimed player of what instrument?
- Cello
- Oboe
- Piano
On this day in 1865, the steamboat Sultana exploded, becoming the worst maritime disaster in US history and claiming 1,864 lives. Where did this catastrophic event occur?
- Chesapeake Bay
- Lake Superior
- Mississippi River
In British politics, Betty Boothroyd became the first woman to be elected speaker of the House of Commons on 27 April 1992. What was her occupation before entering politics?
- Dancer
- Nanny
- Teacher

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Voyage of Discovery | Answers

The answers to the questions I posted earlier are shown in bold below.

On 22 April 1500, Pedro Álvares Cabral, a Portuguese navigator, is credited as the first European to reach…
- Brazil—Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral sighted the mainland of South America near the present-day city of Pôrto Seguro, Brazil.
  
  Blue Marble photograph taken by the crew of Apollo 17.
  Image NASA/Wikipedia
Earth Day was first celebrated today in…
- 1970—Earth Day, celebrated annually on 22 April, is a global event that honours environmental achievements and promotes sustainability. It originated in the US in 1970, organised by Gaylord Nelson and Denis Hayes, involving 20 million Americans and leading to significant environmental legislation. Today, it is observed worldwide with various activities addressing environmental concerns like climate change, involving a billion people in over 193 countries, with notable milestones such as the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2016.
  
  The First German Gas Attack at Ypres by William Roberts.
  Image Wikipedia
Where was modern chemical warfare initiated on 22 April 1915?
- Belgium—Chemical weapons have a long history, dating back to ancient times when warring forces poisoned water supplies. However, they became true weapons of mass destruction during World War I with the introduction of modern chemical warfare by the German army by launching a chlorine attack at Ypres, Belgium, on 22 April 1915, killing 5,000 French and Algerian troops.
  
  Vladimir Nabokov.
  Image Wikipedia
All of these Americans were born on 22 April, but who was born first?
- Vladimir Nabokov, author—was born in 1899; Oppenheimer, 1904, and Nicholson, 1937. Vladimir Nabokov, a Russian-born American novelist and critic, wrote in both Russian and English, achieving international acclaim for his English-language works such as Lolita and Pale Fire.
  
  Hernán Cortés.
  Image Wikipedia
On this day in 1519, a Spanish conquistador established a settlement at Veracruz, Mexico. Who was he?
- Hernán Cortés—a Spanish conquistador, led an expedition from 1519 to 1521 that overthrew the Aztec Empire in Mexico, bringing much of mainland Mexico under Spanish rule. He strategically allied with local tribes, particularly the Tlaxcaltecs, who resented Aztec dominance, and used a native interpreter to aid his efforts. Despite defying orders from the governor of Cuba, Cortés’s leadership and the Aztecs’ internal conflicts resulted in the conquest of Tenochtitlán in 1521. For his achievements, he was awarded the title of marqués del Valle de Oaxaca.

Voyage of Discovery

Here are a few questions relating to today, 22 April.

On 22 April 1500, Pedro Álvares Cabral, a Portuguese navigator, is credited as the first European to reach…
- Brazil
- Mozambique
- Sri Lanka
Earth Day was first celebrated today in…
- 1970
- 1980
- 1990
Where was modern chemical warfare initiated on 22 April 1915?
- Belgium
- Egypt
- Syria
All of these Americans were born on 22 April, but who was born first?
- Vladimir Nabokov, author
- Jack Nicholson, actor
- J. Robert Oppenheimer, physicist
On this day in 1519, a Spanish conquistador established a settlement at Veracruz, Mexico. Who was he?
- Eugenio Cajés
- Hernán Cortés
- Antonio Cortis

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Milestones and Inventions | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below.

Pony Express map, by William Henry. Wikipedia

18 months—The Pony Express, a horse-and-rider relay system, operated for 18 months between Missouri and California, delivering mail in 10 days. Despite its short lifespan and financial failure, it demonstrated the feasibility of a transcontinental communication system.

Osborne 1 portable computer. Wikipedia
Osborne 1—The Osborne 1, released in 1981, was the first commercially successful portable computer. It weighed 24.5 lb (11.1 kg) and cost US$1,795 (equivalent to $6,273 in April 2025).

Westland PV.3 at Martlesham in December 1931 before Everest expedition modifications. Wikipedia
1933—In April 1933, two Westland aircraft piloted by Douglas Douglas-Hamilton and David McIntyre flew over Mount Everest, financed by Lucy, Lady Houston. The expedition, led by Peregrine Fellowes, aimed to promote British aviation and was made possible by technological advancements in aircraft engines during World War I.

National Palace of Culture, Sofia. Wikipedia
Sofia—Sofia, liberated from Ottoman rule by Russian troops in 1878, became Bulgaria’s capital in 1879. Its population was 11,649 at the time of liberation.
1973—Motorola produced the first handheld mobile phone, weighing 2 kilograms and offering 30 minutes of talk time. It was commercially launched in the US in October 1983.

Dr. Martin Cooper, the inventor of the cell phone, with DynaTAC prototype from 1973, in 2007. Wikipedia

Milestones and Inventions

Pony Express postmark, 1860, westbound. Wikipedia

All of the following happened on today’s date, 3 April.

On this day in 1860, the Pony Express mail delivery system was launched in the US. How long did the service operate?
- 18 months
- 32 months
- 53 months
On 3 April 1981, the first successful handheld portable computer was sold. By what name was it known?
- Osborne 1
- Page 1
- Cooper 1
In aviation, in what year did the first flight over Mount Everest take place?
- 1927
- 1933
- 1939
What city which had been liberated from the Ottoman Empire by Russian troops was named the capital of Bulgaria on 3 April 1879?
- Bucharest
- Sofia
- Zagreb
On this date in what year was the first handheld mobile telephone call made?
- 1973
- 1981
- 1988

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

April Showers of Knowledge: A Quiz | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below.

Juan Ponce de León—a Spanish explorer, founded the first European settlement on Puerto Rico and is credited with being the first European to reach Florida in 1513. He named the region Florida due to its lush vegetation and discovery during Easter.

A photographic portrait of Hans Christian Andersen by Thora Hallager, 1869. Wikipedia
Hans Christian Andersen—Hans Christian Andersen, a Danish author, is best known for his fairy tales, including The Emperor’s New Clothes and The Little Mermaid. His stories, translated into over 125 languages, have inspired numerous adaptations.

Richard Strauss, 1894. Wikipedia
Richard Strauss—Strauss’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra is used for the dramatic opening scene of the film depicting an alignment of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon and which has been called the greatest movie opening ever. 2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 film by Stanley Kubrick, based on Arthur C. Clarke’s stories. It explores human evolution, technology and artificial intelligence through a journey to Jupiter involving a malfunctioning computer, HAL 9000, and a mysterious monolith.

Col. Nicholson, The Bridge on the River Kwai, 1957. Wikipedia

Prince Faisal, 3rd from left, in Lawrence of Arabia, 1962. Wikipedia

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars, 1977. Wikipedia
Alec Guinness—Kwai: played Colonel Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957); Hejaz: Prince Faisal in Lawrence of Arabia (1962); London: George Smiley in both Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979) and Smiley’s People (1982); Tatooine: in the original three Star Wars films, Ben Kenobi—aka Obi-Wan Kenobi. A British actor, he was known for his diverse and acclaimed stage and screen performances. He won an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Tony Award; he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1959.
Quaker—William Penn, seeking a haven for Quakers, secured a charter from King Charles II granting him over 45,000 square miles of land in North America. This land, named Pennsylvania, became a haven for Quakers, guaranteeing religious freedom and other liberties.