Tag: flags

  • Today’s the Day—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions in my earlier post.

    All of today’s questions are related to the date, January 28th.

    Flag of Canada.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    On this day, Charlemagne, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, died in Aachen, Germany. In what century did this occur?

    Answer: 9th Century

    Charlemagne, an 8th-century Frankish king, united most of Europe, restored the Western Roman Empire, and facilitated a cultural renaissance. He was crowned ’emperor of the Romans’ by Pope Leo III in 800 CE.


    Two

    In 1813, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was first published in the United Kingdom. The novel features Mr and Mrs Bennet and their family. How many daughters do they have, and what are their names?

    Answer: Five; Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine ‘Kitty’ and Lydia Bennet

    Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet’s character development as she learns about hasty judgements and the difference between superficial and actual goodness. The novel examines the societal pressures on the Bennet family, particularly the expectation that their daughters must marry well to secure their future.


    Three

    On this day, a proclamation by the Monarch of Canada officially introduced a new Canadian flag. In which decade was this, and which monarch made the proclamation?

    Answer: 1960s; Queen Elizabeth II

    On this day in 1965, Queen Elizabeth II, in her role as Queen of Canada signed the Royal proclamation of the national flag of Canada. The hand written illuminated document on vellum had ben flown to the United Kingdom for the signing.


    Four

    In 1896, Walter Arnold of East Peckham, Kent, U.K., became the first person convicted of speeding in a horseless carriage after a police chase on 28th January. At what speed was he driving?

    Answer: 8mph

    Guinness World Records highlights several key points about Walter Arnold’s offence. He received this first speeding ticket on January 28, 1896, for driving at 8 mph in a 2 mph zone. Arnold was charged with multiple violations, including operating a locomotive without a horse, operating it with fewer than three people, exceeding the speed limit, and failing to display his name and address. Found guilty on all counts, he was fined £4 7s, with 10 shillings specifically for speeding. Adjusted for inflation, this total fine would amount to £507 today, as of December 2025.


    Five

    Pippi Långstrump, a 1945 Swedish children’s novel, was first published in English in 1950. What English title was it published under, and who was its author?

    Answer: Astrid Lindgren

    Pippi Longstocking, a beloved children’s book by Astrid Lindgren, follows the adventures of a strong, independent nine-year-old girl living alone with her monkey and horse. The book, originally published in Swedish in 1945, has been translated into numerous languages and adapted for film and television. On this day in 2002, Astrid Lindgren died at the age of 94.


  • Today’s the Day

    All of today’s questions are related to the date, January 28th.

    Flag of Canada.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    On this day, Charlemagne, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, died in Aachen, Germany. In what century did this occur?


    Two

    In 1813, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was first published in the United Kingdom. The novel features Mr and Mrs Bennet and their family. How many daughters do they have, and what are their names?


    Three

    On this day, a proclamation by the Monarch of Canada officially introduced a new Canadian flag. In which decade was this, and which monarch made the proclamation?


    Four

    In 1896, Walter Arnold of East Peckham, Kent, U.K., became the first person convicted of speeding in a horseless carriage after a police chase on 28th January. At what speed was he driving?


    Five

    Pippi Långstrump, a 1945 Swedish children’s novel, was first published in English in 1950. What English title was it published under, and who was its author?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today.


  • Show the Flag—Answers

    Today’s first question concerns an event on December 7th, illustrated by a flag. The rest of the questions follow the flag theme.

    One

    Flag of Delaware.
    Image Wikipedia

    This image depicts the flag of the first state to ratify the US Constitution on 7 December 1787. Can you identify the state and its capital?

    Answer: Delaware and Dover

    Delaware, the second-smallest US state, is located in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic regions. It is bordered by Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the Atlantic Ocean. Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution, earning it the nickname ‘The First State’.


    Two

    Flag of Bhutan.
    Image Wikipedia

    What is the official three-word English name of this country, and what countries does it border?

    Answer: Bhutan, and (bordered by) China and India

    Bhutan, a landlocked country in South Asia, is a democratic constitutional monarchy with a population of over 727,145. It is known for its diverse wildlife, including the Himalayan takin and golden langur, and its highest peak, Gangkhar Puensum. Bhutan has a rich history, having never been colonised, and is a founding member of several international organisations.


    Three

    Which two islands are represented by these three-legged flags and in which seas are they found respectively?

    Answer: Isle of Man and Sicily; Irish Sea and Mediterranean Sea

    The triskelion, an ancient motif of three spirals or triplicate patterns, has roots in European Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts. It became associated with Sicily in the Hellenistic period and later appeared in heraldry, notably on the flags of Sicily and the Isle of Man.


    Four

    Flag of Northern Territory, Australia.
    Image Wikipedia

    What sub-national state or territory does this flag represent, and what is that state or territory’s capital city?

    Answer: Northern Territory (Australia), and Darwin

    The Northern Territory (NT) is an Australian internal territory located in the central and central-northern regions. It’s sparsely populated with a population of 260,400. Its economy is primarily driven by mining and petroleum. Darwin, the largest population centre, accounts for approximately 52.6% of the Territory’s population.


    Five

    Flag of Guyana.
    Image Wikipedia

    What is the official four-word English name of the country represented by this flag, and what is its capital city?

    Answer: Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and Georgetown

    Guyana, officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern coast of South America. It is the only country in mainland South America with English as its official language and is part of the Commonwealth Caribbean. Guyana’s economy has been transforming since the discovery of crude oil in 2015, with its economy growing by 49% in 2020.


  • Y is for… | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown highlighted below.

    Tibetan Yak or Sarlyk, as they say in Altai.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Remembering the theme, the animal pictured is a…

    Answer: Yak

    The yak, a long-haired domesticated cattle species, inhabits the Himalayan region, Tibetan Plateau, and parts of Central Asia. It is descended from the wild yak.


    Yokohama, Japan.
    Image Wikipedia

    Two

    Located on the island of Honshu, what is Japan’s second-largest city in terms of population?

    Answer: Yokohama

    Yokohama, the second-largest city in Japan, is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and a major economic, cultural, and commercial hub. It is home to many of Japan’s firsts, including the first foreign trading port and Chinatown, and is a prominent port city.


    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    The lyrics of this 1972 song by Carly Simon describe a self-absorbed lover, whose identity has long been a matter of speculation. What is the song?

    Answer: You’re So Vain

    In 2015, the Los Angeles Times published some more information about Carly Simon’s 1972 hit You’re So Vain

    Carly Simon has confirmed the answer — at least in part — to one of the most puzzling questions in recent history: Who is the song “You’re So Vain” really about?

    “I have confirmed that the second verse is Warren,” the 70-year-old told People magazine. That’d be Warren Beatty, long suspected of being the vain one. The other verses (“You walked into the party … “ and “I hear you went up to Saratoga …”) are about other men, she said.
    Los Angeles Times


    Susanna Clarke, 2006. Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Susanna Clarke’s novel Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell begins,

    ‘Some years ago there was in the city of … a society of magicians. They met upon the third Wednesday of every month and read each other long, dull papers upon the history of English magic.’

    What city is missing from this quote?

    Answer: York

    In 1806, during the Napoleonic Wars, the reclusive magician Mr Norrell emerges, captivating England with his displays of magic. However, his cautious nature is challenged by the brilliant novice Jonathan Strange, leading to a dangerous battle between the two magicians.


    Flag of Sweden.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    What colour links these?
    – Cross on the flag of Sweden
    – A ball with a value of two points snooker

    Answer: Yellow

    The Swedish flag features a yellow Nordic cross on a light blue field, inspired by the 1442 coat of arms. Blue and yellow have been used in Swedish heraldry since 1275. The yellow ball has a value of two points in the game of snooker.

    A snooker table, drawn exactly to scale.
    Image Wikipedia
  • Y is for…

    Continuing the alphabet theme with all of today’s answers beginning with the letter ‘Y’.

    This is known as a Sarlyk in Altai, see question one.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Remembering the theme, the animal pictured is a…

    Two

    Located on the island of Honshu, what is Japan’s second-largest city in terms of population?

    Three

    The lyrics of this 1972 song by Carly Simon describe a self-absorbed lover, whose identity has long been a matter of speculation. What is the song?

    Four

    Susanna Clarke’s novel Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell begins,

    ‘Some years ago there was in the city of … a society of magicians. They met upon the third Wednesday of every month and read each other long, dull papers upon the history of English magic.’

    What city is missing from this quote?

    Five

    What colour links these?
    – The cross on the flag of Sweden
    – A ball with a value of two points snooker

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • H is for… | Answers

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

    National flag of Haiti.
    Image is from CRW Flags
    1. Added to the Liechtenstein flag in 1937 the prince’s crown distinguishes it from what other national flag?
      • Haiti—Liechtenstein’s flag, originally plain blue and red, was changed in 1937 to include a golden crown to avoid confusion with Haiti’s flag. The fact that both were identical had been first noticed at the previous summer’s Olympic games.
        Haiku.
        Image Pinterest
    2. In Japanese literature what is an unrhymed poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables respectively.
      • Haiku—is an unrhymed poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines with a pattern of 5, 7 and 5 syllables. Traditionally, it evokes images of the natural world.
        Happy Mondays.
        Image Pinterest
    3. The original line-up of what band included the brothers Shaun and Paul Ryder?
      • Happy Mondays—an English rock band from Salford, pioneered the Madchester sound by blending Manchester alternative rock with funk, house and psychedelia. They achieved commercial success with albums like Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches before disbanding in 1993. They have since reunited several times with variations in the line-up.
        Flyer for the 1979 stage production of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.
        Image Wikipedia
    4. In The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Galactic President Zaphod Beeblebrox steals a prototype spacecraft. What was it named?
      • Heart of Gold—Arthur Dent, the protagonist of the stories, and his friend Ford Prefect are improbably rescued from interstellar space by the Heart of Gold, stolen by Zaphod Beeblebrox. The ship, powered by the infinite improbability drive, carries Trillian (Tricia McMillan, also from Earth) and the depressed Marvin, the Paranoid Android. Eventually, the ship moves into orbit around the legendary planet of Magrathea.
        Hercules and the Wagoner or Hercules and the Carter.
        Image is from Fables of Aesop
    5. _ and the Wagoner is one of Aesop’s Fables. What mythical hero’s name is missing from the title?
      • HerculesHercules and the Wagoner. A Wagoner, stuck in the mud, prayed to Hercules for help. Hercules appeared and advised the Wagoner to help himself by pushing the wagon. Aesop’s Fables, initially aimed at adults, have been adapted for children and reinterpreted over time. The fables, covering religious, social and political themes, have been adapted into various media, reinforcing their ethical dimension and enduring popularity.
  • H is for…

    A few questions where all the answers begin with ‘H’. As you know the starting letter, there are no multiple-choice options.

    Flag of Liechtenstein.
    Image Wikipedia
    1. Added to the Liechtenstein flag in 1937 the prince’s crown distinguishes it from what other national flag?
    2. In Japanese literature what is an unrhymed poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables respectively?
    3. The original line-up of what band included the brothers Shaun and Paul Ryder?
    4. In The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Galactic President Zaphod Beeblebrox steals a prototype spacecraft. What was it named?
    5. ___ and the Wagoner is one of Aesop’s Fables. What mythical hero’s name is missing from the title?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • An A to Z Cornucopia of Trivia. Part III | Answers

    Flag of Kazakhstan. Wikipedia
    1. (K) Kazakhstan—The flag of Kazakhstan was adopted on 4 June 1992, replacing the Soviet-era flag. The flag was designed by Shaken Niyazbekov.
    2. (L) Lake Huron—Manitoulin Island, the largest lake island in the world, is located in Lake Huron, Ontario. With an area of 2,766 sq km, it contains over 100 lakes, including Lake Manitou, Lake Kagawong and Lake Mindemoya.
      Lady Macbeth, Sleepwalking scene, Macbeth. Wikipedia
    3. (M) Macbeth—In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, rubbing her hands and recalling the deaths of King Duncan, Lady Macduff and Banquo. The Doctor, observing her guilt-ridden state, believes she needs divine help rather than medical treatment.
    4. (N) Naughtiest—Enid Blyton’s Naughtiest Girl series, set at a progressive boarding school, was written in the 1940s and 1950s. Anne Digby later added to the series.
      Poster for Hyde Park of Hudson Wikipedia
    5. (O) Olivia Colman—is an English actress, is known for her roles in television series like Peep Show, Broadchurch and The Crown, as well as films like The Favourite, The Father and The Lost Daughter. She has received numerous awards, including an Academy Award, four BAFTAs, two Emmys and three Golden Globes. As well as playing Elizabeth II in The Crown she played her mother, Queen Elizabeth, who was King George VI’s consort and the future Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in Hyde Park on Hudson.
    6. (P) Putney Bridge—The Boat Race is an annual rowing competition between Cambridge and Oxford universities, held on the River Thames in London. The men’s race began in 1829 and the women’s race in 1927. Cambridge leads in both the men’s and women’s races, with 87 and 47 wins respectively.
    Putney Bridge at Dusk as viewed from the south-west at the boat sheds along the Thames. Wikipedia
  • An A to Z Cornucopia of Trivia. Part III

    Some trivia related to the letters K to P.

    See question 1. Image Wikipedia
    1. (K) The flag pictured above is the flag of…
      • Kazakhstan
      • Kuwait
      • Kyrgyzstan
    2. (L) Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest island within a freshwater lake, is in…
      • Lake Huron
      • Lake Superior
      • Lake Winnipeg
    3. (M) The quote, “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” is from Shakespeare’s…
      • Hamlet
      • Macbeth
      • Othello
    4. (N) The _ Girl in the School was the first in a series by Enid Blyton, the word missing from this title is …
      • Nastiest
      • Naughtiest
      • Nicest
    5. (O) This actress has played both Queen Elizabeth II and her mother, Queen Elizabeth. She is…
      • Olivia Colman
      • Olivia de Havilland
      • Olivia Hussey
    6. (P) The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, which is held in London annually, starts on the River Thames just downstream of…
      • Ponders End
      • Pratt’s Bottom
      • Putney Bridge
  • Vexillological Fluttering Part II | Answers

    Flag of Switzerland.
    Wikipedia
    1. Switzerland—The Swiss national flag, featuring a white cross on a red field, adheres to heraldic tradition by being square in proportion when displayed on land.
      Flag of the United States.
      Wikipedia
    2. 7—The US flag has 50 white stars on a blue canton and 13 alternating red and white stripes. The stars represent the 50 states, while the stripes represent the original 13 states.
      Flag of India.
      Wikipedia
    3. India—The Indian flag prominently features the Ashoka Chakra, a wheel symbolising the dharmachakra. Adopted on 22 July 1947, it replaced the charkha symbol.
      Flag of Hawaii.
      Wikipedia
    4. Hawaii—The flag of Hawaii, the US state flag, features alternating horizontal stripes of white, red and blue, with the Union Jack in the canton.
    5. Denmark—The flag of Denmark, Dannebrog, is red with a white Nordic cross. It has been used since the 14th century and is the oldest continuously used national flag.
    Flag of Denmark
    Wikipedia