Quizology.Online

“There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge.”

— Bertrand Russell

Tag: flags

  • Independently Minded — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    Flag of Djibouti.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of these questions are connected to today, June 27th.

    One

    The flag above represents a country that gained independence in 1977. Which country is it, and from which did it gain independence?

    Answer: Djibouti; France.

    Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa, borders Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. Gaining independence in 1977, it is a multi-ethnic nation with French and Arabic as official languages. Strategically located, it serves as a key refuelling hub and hosts several foreign military bases.

    Two

    Jack Lemmon won two Academy Awards, the first was awarded in 1956 for Best Supporting Actor and the second in 1974 for Best Actor. What was the film title of each of these?

    Answer: Mister Roberts (1955); Save the Tiger (1973).

    Jack Lemmon, who died on 27 June 2001, was a Harvard graduate and World War II Navy veteran. He debuted on Broadway in 1953, signed by Columbia Pictures in 1954, and gained stardom with Mister Roberts (1955). Iconic roles in Some Like It Hot (1959) and The Apartment (1960), and comedies with Walter Matthau such as The Odd Couple (1968), defined his career.

    Three

    The Japanese Yen was first minted towards the end of a decade and adopted as Japan’s official currency two years later. In what two decades did this occur?

    Answer: 1860s and 1870s.

    The yen, Japan’s monetary unit, was first minted in 1869 and adopted in 1871. Initially divided into sen and rin, these were removed in 1954. Despite WWII devastation, Japan’s economic miracle made the yen a leading international currency. Its symbol is ¥, derived from yuan, the ancient term for Chinese round coins.

    Four

    Who, in 2007, after serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer for ten years, became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?

    Answer: Gordon Brown.

    Gordon Brown, born in Glasgow on February 20, 1951, is a British Labour Party politician. He served as chancellor of the Exchequer (1997–2007) and prime minister (2007–10). Brown focused on NHS reform, public-sector changes, poverty reduction, and a broader approach to combating terrorism. He resigned in May 2010.

    Five

    Flag of Greece.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    In 1917 during World War I, the nation represented by this flag declared war on the Central Powers. Which country’s flag is shown and what comprised the Central Powers?

    Answer: Greece; German Empire, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria.

    The Central Powers, or Central Empires, were a World War I coalition of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria, known as the Quadruple Alliance. Originating in 1879, Italy joined the Triple Alliance but later sided with the Allies (Great Britain, France and U.S.). The Central Powers were defeated by the Allies in 1918 and dissolved.

  • Independently Minded

    Flag of ?
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of these questions are connected to today, June 27th.

    One

    The flag above represents a country that gained independence in 1977. Which country is it, and from which did it gain independence?

    Answer: Djibouti; France.

    Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa, borders Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. Gaining independence in 1977, it is a multi-ethnic nation with French and Arabic as official languages. Strategically located, it serves as a key refuelling hub and hosts several foreign military bases.

    Two

    Jack Lemmon won two Academy Awards, the first was awarded in 1956 for Best Supporting Actor and the second in 1974 for Best Actor. What was the film title of each of these?

    Three

    The Japanese Yen was first minted towards the end of a decade and adopted as Japan’s official currency two years later. In what two decades did this occur?

    Four

    Who, in 2007, after serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer for ten years, became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?

    Five

    Flag of ?
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    In 1917 during World War I, the nation represented by this flag declared war on the Central Powers. Which country’s flag is shown and what comprised the Central Powers?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • First III — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    See question five. Flag of Greenland.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Going back to the ‘first’ theme, but today’s questions also all relate to 21 June.

    One

    She was the first woman elected to head a democratic government in a Muslim-majority country.
    — Wikipedia

    Who, born in 1953, is the politician referred to in the above quote?

    Answer: Benazir Bhutto.

    Benazir Bhutto, the daughter of former Pakistani leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, became the first female leader of a Muslim nation. She served two terms as Prime Minister of Pakistan, facing challenges including corruption charges and political instability. Bhutto was assassinated in 2007 while campaigning for parliamentary elections.

    Two

    The world’s first Ferris wheel made its debut in 1893 at a World Fair. What was the official title of this World Fair, and what event was the fair commemorating?

    Answer: Answer: World’s Columbian Exposition; 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World.

    The World’s Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893, celebrated the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the New World. The fair showcased Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse’s alternating current system, featured the world’s first Ferris wheel, and attracted over 27 million visitors. Designed in Beaux-Arts style, the exposition left a lasting impact on American architecture and culture.

    Three

    What was the name of the craft which, in 2004, completed the first crewed private spaceflight?

    Answer: SpaceShipOne.

    Piloted by Mike Melvill, SpaceShipOne, an experimental air-launched rocket-powered aircraft, achieved sub-orbital spaceflight in 2004, completing the first crewed private spaceflight and winning the Ansari X Prize. Developed by Mojave Aerospace Ventures, the project, named ‘Tier One’, aimed to take passengers into space with a successor ship.

    Four

    Which team won the very first game in Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) history when the league debuted in 1997?

    Answer: New York Liberty.

    The WNBA’s inaugural game was played at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California, on 21 June 1997. The New York Liberty defeated the Los Angeles Sparks, marking the beginning of the league’s first season.

    Five

    The country represented by the flag above first became self-governing in 2009; its parliament is the Inatsisartut; and it appears first on list of a specific geographic superlative. What country is this?

    Answer: Greenland.

    Greenland, officially the world’s largest island that is not a continent, is home to 56,000 people. It has its own extensive local government but is also part of the Realm of Denmark. Most of its inhabitants live in the 20% of the country that is not covered by ice and snow. 

  • First III

    See question five. Flag of ….
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Going back to the ‘first’ theme, but today’s questions also all relate to 21 June.

    One

    She was the first woman elected to head a democratic government in a Muslim-majority country.
    — Wikipedia

    Who, born in 1953, is the politician referred to in the above quote?

    Two

    The world’s first Ferris wheel made its debut in 1893 at a World Fair. What was the official title of this World Fair, and what event was the fair commemorating?

    Three

    What was the name of the craft which, in 2004, completed the first crewed private spaceflight?

    Four

    Which team won the very first game in Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) history when the league debuted in 1997?

    Five

    The country represented by the flag above first became self-governing in 2009; its parliament is the Inatsisartut; and it appears first on list of a specific geographic superlative. What country is this?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.  

  • Flag Up — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    See question two. Flag of Isle of Man.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to today’s date, 14 June. The remainder follow a theme created by the first. 

    One

    On 14 June …, the Continental Congress approved the Flag Resolution, establishing the Stars and Stripes as the first official flag of the United States. In what decade did this take place?

    Answer: 1770s (1777).

    On 14 June 1777, the Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution, declaring that the flag of the United States should have thirteen red-and-white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field representing a new constellation. The resolution did not specify how the stars should be arranged, so early versions varied. The design is often attributed to Francis Hopkinson, and 14 June is now observed as Flag Day.

    Two

    What ten-letter word describes the badge in the centre of the flag shown at the top of this post, and what self-governing British Crown Dependency does it represent?

    Answer: Triskelion; Isle of Man.

    The Isle of Man, a self-governing British Crown Dependency, has a flag which shows a triskelion of three armoured legs on a red background. The official flag since 1932, its origins are uncertain, with possible connections to the Crovan dynasty, Sicily, or the Germanic Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. The triskelion was retained after English domination in 1346 and officially adopted between 1928 and 1932.

    Three

    What national flag depicts an assault rifle, agricultural implement and a book described by Wikipedia as ‘a bayonet-equipped AK-47 crossed by a hoe, superimposed on an open book’?

    Answer: Flag of Mozambique.

    The Mozambican flag, adopted in 1983, features a red triangle with a star, AK-47, hoe, and book. The design, based on FRELIMO’s flag, has faced calls for change since democratisation in 1990.

    Flag of Mozambique
    Image Wikimedia Commons
    Flag of Nepal.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Four

    What national flag is described by Wikipedia as follows:

    The flag of … is a concave pentagonal flag of red, white, and blue colour. It is used as both the state and civil flag of …. It is the only non-rectangular national flag in the world and the only one that is taller than it is wide. The flag’s unique shape is a combination of two single pennants, and is known as a double-pennon. The red colour of the field represents bravery and …’s national flower, the rhododendron, while the blue colour of the border represents peace.

    Answer: Nepal.

    The flag of Nepal is a unique concave pentagonal flag of red, white, and blue, used as both the state and civil flag. It is the only non-rectangular national flag in the world and the only one taller than it is wide, known as a double-pennon, formed by combining two single pennants. Adopted in 1962 with the Nepalese constitution, the flag’s shape emerged from the flags of competing branches of the Rana dynasty. The red field symbolises bravery and Nepal’s national flower, the rhododendron, while the blue border represents peace. The upper triangle, featuring a white silhouette of the moon, symbolises the royal family and its power, and the lower triangle, with the sun symbol, stands for the Rana family and political power. Together, these symbols represent the hope for Nepalese independence to last as long as the sun and moon. The flag’s serrated shape also evokes the peaks of the Himalayas, and the red background indicates energy.

    Five

    Apart from the flag mentioned in question four above, all flags are rectangular, and that includes the two which are square. What two sovereign states have flags which are square?

    Answer: Switzerland; Vatican City.

    The Swiss flag, featuring a white cross on a red background, dates back to the Middle Ages, symbolising Christianity and independence. The red represents Christian martyrs’ blood, while the cross signifies Christianity. Switzerland’s political neutrality is also reflected in the flag. The Vatican flag, with dark yellow and white stripes, includes the papal mitre and keys of St. Peter, symbolising the Pope’s authority. Adopted in 1929, it represents the Roman Catholic Church’s significance.

    Flag of Switzerland, Image Wikimedia Commons and Flag of the Vatican City State, Image Wikimedia Commons

  • Flag Up

    See question two. Flag of ?
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to today’s date, 14 June. The remainder follow a theme created by the first. 

    One

    On 14 June …, the Continental Congress approved the Flag Resolution, establishing the Stars and Stripes as the first official flag of the United States. In what decade did this take place?

    Two

    What ten-letter word describes the badge in the centre of the flag shown at the top of this post, and what self-governing British Crown Dependency does it represent?

    Three

    What national flag depicts an assault rifle, agricultural implement and a book described by Wikipedia as ‘a bayonet-equipped AK-47 crossed by a hoe, superimposed on an open book’?

    Four

    What national flag is described by Wikipedia as follows?

    The flag of … is a concave pentagonal flag of red, white, and blue colour. It is used as both the state and civil flag of …. It is the only non-rectangular national flag in the world and the only one that is taller than it is wide. The flag’s unique shape is a combination of two single pennants, and is known as a double-pennon. The red colour of the field represents bravery and …’s national flower, the rhododendron, while the blue colour of the border represents peace.

    Five

    Apart from the flag mentioned in question four above, all flags are rectangular, and that includes the two which are square. What two sovereign states have flags which are square?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Islands Surrounded by Land — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    See question five. Flag of San Marino.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to today’s date, 7 June, and also to an ‘enclave’. The other questions are not date related but all are about enclaves. 

    One

    What enclave became a sovereign state on this day in 1929 as a result of the Lateran Treaty taking effect?

    Answer: Vatican City.

    On this day in 1929, the Lateran Treaty came into effect, establishing Vatican City as a sovereign state and the world’s smallest nation. Covering a mere 0.44 square km (0.17 square miles), it’s roughly one-eighth the size of New York City’s Central Park. Completely encircled by Rome, Vatican City is a tiny enclave within the city.

    Two

    Measuring approximately one mile by one mile, this city dates back to Roman times and can trace its charter back almost a thousand years. It is now an enclave within another (much larger) city. What three words form the name of this city?

    Answer: City of London.

    Surrounded by Greater London, the City of London, also known as the Square Mile, is a historic and financial centre in England. It is the smallest city in the UK by area, with a population of 8,583, yet it serves as a major employment hub with over 500,000 workers. Its unique government system, rooted in pre-Norman Conquest rights, has influenced parliamentary government. The Court of Husting, established by 1032, was the supreme court of medieval London, with Aldermen playing a key role in municipal authority. 

    Three

    ACT, which became a federal area in 1911, is an enclave of another area (which is not a nation). What is ACT, and what area surrounds it, making it an enclave?

    Answer: Australian Capital Territory; New South Wales.

    The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), an internal Australian territory, encloses Canberra, the nation’s capital. Established in 1911, it hosts key political institutions like the Parliament and High Court. The ACT, landlocked and mostly comprising Namadgi National Park, includes smaller towns and experiences a dry, continental climate.

    Four

    Maseru is the capital of this landlocked sovereign state in the southern hemisphere, which is an enclave totally surrounded by another country. What is the name of this enclave, and that of the surrounding country?

    Answer: Lesotho; South Africa.

    Lesotho, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, is surrounded by South Africa and is the largest sovereign enclave. Formed in 1824, it gained independence in 1966. The Sotho ethnic group dominates, with Sesotho as an official language. Despite socioeconomic challenges, it boasts high literacy and is part of several international organisations.

    Five

    The flag shown at the top of this post is that of yet another enclave; a European sovereign state totally surrounded by another. What country is the enclave mentioned, and what country surrounds it? 

    Answer: San Marino; Italy.

    San Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino, is a landlocked microstate in Southern Europe, surrounded by Italy. It is the fifth-smallest country globally, with a land area of over 61 square kilometres and a population of 34,042 as of 2025. Founded in AD 301, it claims to be the oldest sovereign state and constitutional republic, named after Saint Marinus. It has a unique constitutional structure with two Captains Regent, elected every six months, and the oldest Constitution, dating from 1600.

    Islands Surrounded by Land

    An enclave is described by Wikipedia as ‘An enclave is a territory that is entirely surrounded by the territory of only one other state or entity’. Like an island totally surrounded by water, an enclave is totally surrounded by land.

  • Islands Surrounded by Land

    See question five. Flag of ?
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to today’s date, 7 June, and also to an ‘enclave’. The other questions are not date related but all are about enclaves. 

    One

    What enclave became a sovereign state on this day in 1929 as a result of the Lateran Treaty taking effect?

    Two

    Measuring approximately one mile by one mile, this city dates back to Roman times and can trace its charter back almost a thousand years. It is now an enclave within another (much larger) city. What three words form the name of this city?

    Three

    ACT, which became a federal area in 1911, is an enclave of another area (which is not a nation). What is ACT, and what area surrounds it, making it an enclave?

    Four

    Maseru is the capital of this landlocked sovereign state in the southern hemisphere, which is an enclave totally surrounded by another country. What is the name of this enclave, and that of the surrounding country?

    Five

    The flag shown at the top of this post is that of yet another enclave; a European sovereign state totally surrounded by another. What country is the enclave mentioned, and what country surrounds it? 

    Islands Surrounded by Land

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Walk Amongst the Stars — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    Flag of Montenegro.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to the date, 3rd June.

    One

    Which country’s national flag is shown? From which state union did it gain independence in 2006? 

    Answer: Montenegro; Serbia and Montenegro** (or the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro).

    Montenegro, located in Southeast Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, has a population of 633,158 across 25 municipalities. It borders Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, Croatia, and the Adriatic Sea, with Podgorica as its capital and Cetinje as its cultural centre. Historically inhabited by Illyrians, it became a semi-independent principality under the rule of the Prince-Bishops beginning in 1696 and gained independence in 2006. Montenegro has an upper-middle-income, service-based economy and is a member of several international organisations, pursuing EU membership since 2012.

    Two

    In 1965, Ed White became the first American astronaut to walk in space. Who was the first man and the first woman to walk in space? (Individually, not together.)

    Answer: Alexei Leonov; Svetlana Savitskaya.

    Extravehicular activity (EVA) involves astronauts performing tasks outside spacecraft, including spacewalks and moonwalks. Conducted by nations like Russia, the U.S., and China, EVAs require space suits for life support. Notable milestones include Alexei Leonov’s first spacewalk in March 1965, Neil Armstrong’s moonwalk in July 1969, and Svetlana Savitskaya’s first female spacewalk in July 1984. EVAs can be tethered or untethered, with untethered walks using the Manned Manoeuvring Unit in 1984 and SAFER in 1994.

    Three

    The United Kingdom had three kings in 1936, one of whom had been born on this day in 1865. Who was he?

    Answer: George V.

    George V reigned as King of the United Kingdom from 1910 to 1936. The second son of Prince Albert Edward, later King Edward VII, he unexpectedly became heir to the throne after the death of his elder brother, Prince Albert Victor.
    Upon George V’s death in January 1936, he was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward VIII, who abdicated later that year to marry Wallis Simpson. Edward was then succeeded by his younger brother Albert, who became King George VI.

    Four

    In 1844, the last pair of Great auks were killed by fishermen on Eldey Island. In what nation is Eldey Island?

    Answer: Iceland.

    Great Auk.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The great auk (Pinguinus impennis), also known as the garefowl or penguin, is an extinct species of flightless alcid that first appeared around 400,000 years ago and was driven to extinction by human exploitation in the mid-19th century. It was the only modern species in the genus Pinguinus. It was not closely related to the penguins of the Southern Hemisphere, which were named for their resemblance to this species.
    — Wikipedia 

    Five

    In 1973. the first crash of a supersonic passenger aircraft happened in France with the loss of fourteen lives. What aircraft crashed?

    Answer: Tupolev Tu-144.

    Nicknamed ‘Concordski’ by the press, the Tupolev Tu-144 is a Soviet supersonic passenger airliner designed by Tupolev that operated commercially from 1975 to 1983, including a passenger service between 1977–1978. It was the first commercial supersonic transport, first flew on 31 December 1968, ahead of Concorde. Produced by Tupolev, 16 units were made, conducting 102 commercial flights, with only 55 carrying passengers. It reached Mach 2 on 26 May 1970. Reliability issues, a 1973 crash, and high costs led to its withdrawal from passenger service in 1978. It served as a cargo aircraft until 1983 and was later used for space and research programs, making its final flight in 1999.

  • Walk Amongst the Stars

    Flag of ? See question one.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to the date, 3rd June.

    One

    Which country’s national flag is shown? From which state union did it gain independence in 2006? 

    Two

    In 1965, Ed White became the first American astronaut to walk in space. Who was the first man and the first woman to walk in space? (Individually, not together.)

    Three

    The United Kingdom had three kings in 1936, one of whom had been born on this day in 1865. Who was he?

    Four

    In 1844, the last pair of Great auks were killed by fishermen on Eldey Island. In what nation is Eldey Island?

    Five

    In 1973. the first crash of a supersonic passenger aircraft happened in France with the loss of fourteen lives. What aircraft crashed?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.