Prestwick—The first Open Championship, held in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club, marked the beginning of modern golfing history. Willie Park won the inaugural event, beating Old Tom Morris by two strokes. Prestwick hosted the first 12 Open Championships and a total of 24, second only to St Andrews.
Lily and James—James and Lily Potter, parents of Harry, were members of the Order of the Phoenix. James was an Animagus and co-author of the Marauder’s Map, while Lily was a Muggle-born witch. Both were killed by Voldemort. The station pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon. Wikipedia
23 countries—Astronauts/cosmonauts from the following countries have visited the ISS; the number of visits by each nation is also shown. (Information obtained from NASA at 15:15GMT 30 March 2025). United States (168 visitors), Russia (62), Japan (11), Canada (9), Italy (6), France (4,), Germany (4), Saudi Arabia (2), Sweden (2), United Arab Emirates (2), Belarus (1), Belgium (1), Brazil (1), Denmark (1), Great Britain (1), Israel (1), Kazakhstan (1), Malaysia (1), Netherlands (1), South Africa (1), South Korea (1), Spain (1), Turkey (1). Jabberwocky. Wikipedia
Animal—the jabberwock is depicted as a dragon-like monster with various features, including a serpentine neck, rabbit-like teeth, spidery talons and bat-like wings. Koala distribution in Australia. Wikipedia
South Australia—The koala’s range spans 1,000,000 km2 across eastern and southeastern Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
City of Kings—Named Ciudad de los Reyes by the Spanish under Francisco Pizarro, the name was chosen of the feast of the Epiphany, the coming of the Magi—the three
In 1540, five years after the city of Lima was founded, the first church built by Francisco Pizarro was inaugurated. Wikipedia
Willie Park Sr., the first “Champion Golfer of the Year”, wearing the Challenge Belt, the winner’s prize at The Open until 1870. Wikipedia
G is for golf. The first Open Championship played at St Andrews in 1873, was actually the 13th championship in the competition’s history. Where had the first twelve Open Championships taken place?
Carnoustie, Angus
Musselburgh, East Lothian
Prestwick, Ayrshire
H is for Harry. In the books by J.K. Rowling, who were Harry Potter’s parents?
Molly and Arthur
Lily and James
Rose and Hugo
I is for International Space Station (ISS). By March 2025, individuals from how many countries had visited the ISS?
9 countries
16 countries
23 countries
J is for Jabberwocky. Jabberwocky is a nonsense poem included in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass, the follow-up to Alice in Wonderland. What word best describes a jabberwock?
K is for koala. In what parts of Australia are koalas native in the 21st century?
Northern Territory
South Australia
Western Australia
L is for Lima. The Spanish founded the city now known as Lima, the capital city of Peru, in 1535 but their chosen name quickly fell into disuse. What, in English, was this chosen name?
The Dirty Mac. Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Mitch Mitchell and Keith Richards performing in the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus in 1968. (Director Michael Lindsay-Hogg in the foreground.) Wikipedia
The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below..
The Dirty Mac—The Dirty Mac, a supergroup featuring John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Mitch Mitchell, performed Yer Blues and Whole Lotta Yoko on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus in 1968. The special, featuring other notable acts, was not released until 1996. Secret Service agents cover Press Secretary James Brady and the police officer Thomas Delahanty during the assassination attempt of Reagan. WikipediaJohn Hinckley Jr. WikipediaJodie Foster, 1989. Wikipedia
Jodie Foster—On 30 March 1981, John Hinckley Jr. shot and wounded US President Ronald Reagan in Washington, D.C. Reagan underwent emergency surgery and recovered, while White House press secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and D.C. police officer Thomas Delahanty were also injured. Driven by erotomania and an obsession with Jodie Foster, Hinckley attempted to assassinate the President to impress her. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and spent time in a psychiatric hospital until 2016, when he was released to the care of his mother and under supervision. He was granted an unconditional release in 2022. Alexander II, Emperor of All Russia. Wikipedia
Alexander II—In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. The purchase, negotiated by Secretary of State William H. Seward, was ratified by the Senate in May and became effective in October. Despite initial scepticism, Alaska became a state in 1959. Glamis Castle. Wikipedia
Glamis Castle—Glamis Castle, in Angus, Scotland, is the ancestral home of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. It has been the Lyon family residence since the 14th century, and it holds significant historical importance as the childhood home of Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, better known as Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Notably, it was also the birthplace of her youngest daughter, Princess Margaret in 1930.
Berwick-upon-Tweed—a border town between England and Scotland, changed hands 13 times before being surrendered to England in 1482. Its ramparts, originally built by Edward I and rebuilt by Elizabeth I, are in good repair.
19th-century engraving of Berwick Castle by William Miller after J. M. W. Turner, with Berwick Old Bridge from 1624 in the background. Wikipedia
All of the following have a connection to today, 30 March.
On this day in 1945, British rock musician Eric Clapton was born. In 1968, Clapton appeared in a temporary supergroup with John Lennon. Which of the following was the name of the supergroup?
The Dirty Mac
The Dirty Look
The Dirty Laundry
On this day in 1981, President Ronald Reagan was the victim of a failed assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr. An obsession with whom was the motivation behind Hinckley’s attack on the President?
Carrie Fisher
Jane Fonda
Jodie Foster
William H. Seward, the Secretary of State under U.S. President Andrew Johnson, signed the Alaska Purchase on 30th March. This treaty ceded Russian North America to the United States. Who was the Russian Tsar at the time of the purchase?
Alexander II
Catherine II
Nicholas II
Today in 2025, Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, passed away in her sleep at Windsor at the age of 101. She was the queen consort of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1936 to 1952 and the mother of Queen Elizabeth II. Where was her childhood home and the birthplace of her second daughter, Princess Margaret?
Edinburgh Castle
Glamis Castle
Eilean Donan Castle
On this day in 1296, England’s King Edward I sacked a town that had changed hands over a dozen times from the 12th to the 15th century. Which town was it?
Bernini—Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, depicting Teresa of Ávila’s mystical experience is in the Cornaro Chapel in Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome. The chapel was commissioned by Federigo Cardinal Cornaro and St. Teresa is surrounded by sculptures of the cardinal and his family. Teresa of Ávila was born 28 March 1515. Istanbul. Wikipedia
Istanbul—Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, was the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Located on a peninsula between Europe and Asia, it has been a strategic city for over 2,500 years. The city’s name evolved from Byzantium to Constantinople, and finally to Istanbul in 1930. Virginia Woolf. Wikipedia
Virginia Woolf—Virginia Woolf, an English writer, is known for her novels, essays, and letters. Her works, including Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse, influenced the genre through their non-linear narrative. Three Mile Island on the Susquehanna River. Wikipedia
Susquehanna River—The Three Mile Island accident near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1979 was the most serious nuclear power accident in US history. A valve malfunction caused a partial core meltdown, but fortunately, radioactive gases did not pose a threat to the surrounding population.
Spanish Civil War—The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was a conflict between the Nationalists, supported by Italy and Germany, and the Republicans, aided by the Soviet Union and International Brigades. The Nationalists, led by General Francisco Franco, emerged victorious, establishing a dictatorship that lasted until his death in 1975.
The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, shown above, is in the Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome. Whose work is the sculpture?
Bernini
Donatello
Michelangelo
This city, dating back to c657 BCE, underwent name changes under the Romans in the 4th century and again in 1930. Can you name it?
Baghdad
Istanbul
Sofia
This author, who passed away on this day in 1941, is best known for her novels Mrs. Dalloway (1925) and To the Lighthouse (1927). Who is she?
Rebecca West
Katherine Mansfield
Virginia Woolf
The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant experienced an accident on 28 March 1979 that resulted in radioactive leakage. On what river does the plant stand?
Atchafalaya River
Susquehanna River
Willamette River
On this day in 1939, General Franco, the leader of the Nationalist forces during a civil war, captured his nation’s capital city. This was one of the last events before he declared victory. What civil war?
Austrian Civil War
Greek Civil War
Spanish Civil War
Good luck! I will post the answers later today.
Three Mile Island nuclear generating station, 1979. Wikipedia
The correct answers to my earlier post are highlighted in bold.
All about flags with 27 February connections.
Argentina—The Argentine flag, created during the War of Independence by Manuel Belgrano, and raised for the first time by him on 27 February 1812, features celeste, white, and celeste stripes with the Sun of May. Adopted in 1818, it influenced several Central American flags. A darker version was introduced in 2010. Its colours reflect the Criollos’ spirit from the May Revolution.
Antigua and Barbuda—The national flag of Antigua and Barbuda, adopted on 27 February 1967, symbolises self-government. Designed by Sir Reginald Samuel, it features red, black, blue, and white colours representing ancestry, hope, and life. The sun signifies a new era. The flag’s unique design celebrates local heritage and victory.
Flag of Antigua and Barbuda
Flag 2. Flag of Antigua and Barbuda [Image Wikipedia]
Dominican Republic—The Dominican Republic’s flag was designed by Juan Pablo Duarte and adopted on 27 February 1844. It features a central white cross dividing blue and red rectangles, symbolising liberty, salvation, and heroism. The coat of arms includes a Bible, cross, and the motto Dios, patria, libertad.
Flag of Dominican Republic
Flag 3. Flag of The Dominican Republic [Image Wikipedia]
Western Sahara—The national flag of Western Sahara, representing the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, features Pan-Arab colours – black, white, green, and red. Adopted on 27 February 1976, with design resembling the Palestinian flag, it includes a red star and crescent, symbolising Islam.
Japan—The national flag features a white rectangular banner with a crimson-red circle at its centre, symbolising the sun. This design reflects Japan’s nickname the Land of the Rising Sun and is deeply rooted in Japanese mythology, where the sun goddess Amaterasu is considered the ancestor of the Japanese emperors. The flag’s use dates back to the 7th century BC, with the first recorded use in 701 by Emperor Monmu. It became the de facto national flag in the 19th century, officially adopted for merchant ships on 27 February 1870 and later for the Navy. Standardised in 1870, the current form was officially adopted on 5 August 1854, as Japan began opening to the West. The flag’s simplicity and symbolism, with the red sun contrasting against the white background, are highly valued in Japan. Despite its historical significance, the flag’s use has been contentious, especially after World War II, due to its association with Japan’s militaristic past. The flag and the national anthem, Kimigayo, were officially recognised by the Japanese parliament on 13 August 1999, a decision that sparked debate between conservatives and pacifists.
Today in 1812 this flag, designed by Manuel Belgrano, was first raised by him in the city of Rosario. What nation’s flag is it?
Argentina
Bolivia
Colombia
Flag 1
This nation, an archipelago and one of the smallest countries in the Caribbean, adopted this flag today in 1967. What country is it?
Grenada
Antigua and Barbuda
Dominica
Flag 2
Still in the Caribbean: this flag represents a country which sits on the island of Hispaniola. Where is it?
Dominican Republic
Curaçao
Martinique
Flag 3
This North African flag was adopted this day in 1976 and the largest city it may fly over is Laayoune. What flag is it?
Eswatini
South Sudan
Western Sahara
Flag 4
Finally—and without a multiple choice—a flag which was adapted as the national flag for merchant ships on this day in 1870 and is known officially as the Nisshōki—meaning flag of the sun, but more commonly the Hinomaru—ball of the sun. What nations flag is being described?
Johnny Cash’s music explored sorrow, moral dilemmas, and redemption, featuring a deep bass-baritone voice and the Tennessee Three’s distinctive sound. His free prison concerts and all-black stage attire solidified his iconic status.
What
US Army in Hawaii
From Here to Eternity, US theatrical release poster for the 1951 film. [Image Wikipedia]
James Jones’s debut novel, From Here to Eternity, is set in Hawaii in 1941 and follows the lives of US Army infantry company members. The novel, loosely based on Jones’s experiences, won the National Book Award and was adapted into a successful film.
When
1919
Grand Canyon National Park poster (1938). [Image Wikipedia]
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona features the Grand Canyon, a natural wonder of the Colorado River. The park, spanning over 1.2 million acres, welcomes millions of visitors annually.
Elba is a Mediterranean island in Tuscany, Italy, known for its natural beauty and historical significance as Napoleon’s first exile site. It is the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago and part of the Arcipelago Toscano National Park.
Elba, shown here in the Tyrrhenian Sea part of the Mediterranean Sea. [Image Wikipedia]
Why
Portugal wished to control the Congo Basin
Map showing the Congo River drainage basin. [Image Wikipedia]
The Berlin Conference of 1884–1885, organised by Otto von Bismarck, regulated European colonisation and trade in Africa. The conference concluded with the signing of the General Act of Berlin. The Berlin Conference, initiated by Portugal and supported by Britain, brought together 14 nations to establish a joint policy for Africa.
Western Lowland Gorilla, an endangered species, in the the Congo River basin. [Image Wikipedia]
How
Novelist
Victor Hugo in 1829, lithograph by Achille Devéria in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. [Image Wikipedia]
Victor Hugo was a French Romantic author, poet, essayist, playwright, and politician. His most famous works include novels like The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Les Misérables, as well as poetry collections like Les Contemplations and La Légende des siècles.
Portrait of Victor Hugo, deputy of the Second Republic in 1848, gallery of the representatives of the people of the French National Assembly, Paris. [Image Wikipedia]
Quizology Online 