Bart Mancuso (Scott Glenn), commander USS Dallas, The Hunt for Red October. Image Jack Ryan Fandom
One
American novelist Tom Clancy died today in 2013. The film adaptation (1990) of his novel The Hunt for Red October (1984) featured who in the role of Jack Ryan and what was the name of the American Los Angeles-class attack submarine skippered by Commander Bart Mancuso?
Answer: Alec Baldwin and USS Dallas
The Hunt for Red October chronicles the efforts of CIA analyst Jack Ryan to prove that Soviet submarine Captain Marko Ramius is not attempting to attack the US but is instead defecting to the United States with the Soviet Union’s cutting-edge ballistic missile submarine, the Red October. The story, adapted from Tom Clancy’s novel of the same name, portrays a dangerous geopolitical game of cat and mouse as both the Soviet and American navies attempt to locate the advanced, stealthy submarine, fearing a nuclear confrontation if Ramius’ intentions are misunderstood.
Two
On this date, who became the first queen to rule England in her own right?
Answer: Mary I
Mary I, England’s first queen ruling in her own right, earned the nickname Bloody Mary for her persecution of Protestants to restore Roman Catholicism. Daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, became Queen of England and Ireland in 1553. Her attempts to restore Catholicism, including the Marian persecutions, were largely unsuccessful and her reign ended with her death in 1558.
Three
Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 by the US Congress. Two questions: in what US state is Yosemite National Park located, and what other US National Park in that state straddles the Nevada border?
Answer: California and Death Valley National Park
Yosemite National Park is located in California. Nevada boasts two national parks: Great Basin National Park and Death Valley National Park. Death Valley extends across both California and Nevada.
The ‘Thrilla in Manila‘ was a 1975 prizefight between which two prizefighters?
Answer: Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier
Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier in the 14th round of their third boxing match, the ‘Thrilla in Manila’, on 1 October 1975. The fight, considered one of the greatest in boxing history, was watched by an estimated 1 billion viewers.
Paddy O’Neil (Richard Harris), Patriot Games. Image Jack Ryan Fandom
Five
Which Irish actor, born in 1930, played Paddy O’Neil in Patriot Games (1992) and Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator (2000)?
Answer: Richard Harris
Irish actor and singer Richard Harris, known for his roles in films like This Sporting Life, The Field, and Gladiator, received numerous accolades including a Cannes Film Festival Award and a Grammy Award. He also gained acclaim for his role as Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. He also topped the music charts with MacArthur Park reaching number one in Australia, Canda and Jamaica; and top-ten entries in the UK, US and Ireland.
American novelist Tom Clancy died today in 2013. The film adaptation (1990) of his novel The Hunt for Red October (1984) featured who in the role of Jack Ryan and what was the name of the American Los Angeles-class attack submarine skippered by Commander Bart Mancuso?
Two
On this date, who became the first queen to rule England in her own right?
Three
Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 by the US Congress. Two questions: in what US state is Yosemite National Park located, and what other US National Park in that state straddles the Nevada border?
Four
The ‘Thrilla in Manila‘ was a 1975 prizefight between which two prizefighters?
Five
Which Irish actor, born in 1930, played Paddy O’Neil in Patriot Games (1992) and Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator (2000)?
On 24 September 1906 Devils Tower, Wyoming was named the first national monument in the United States. What 290 miles (470 km) long river, a tributary of the Cheyenne River, passes Devil’s Tower?
Answer: Belle Fourche River
The Belle Fourche River, a 290-mile tributary of the Cheyenne River, flows through Wyoming and South Dakota. It is part of the Mississippi River watershed via the Cheyenne and Missouri Rivers.
An Early Medieval ecclesiastical site, an Irish National Monument and World Heritage Site, featured in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. What is this site?
Answer: Skellig Michael
Skellig Michael, a twin-pinnacled crag off the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland, is known for its well-preserved Gaelic monastery and diverse wildlife. The island, accessible only during summer, features steep stone steps leading to the monastery and a hermitage on the south peak. The island was used as the planet Ahch-To in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). While aerial footage was used in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
The World Heritage Site Uluru was named Ayers Rock in 1873. How many years prior to this had it been known as Uluru? (To the nearest thousand.)
Answer: 10,000 years
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, was named by explorer William Gosse in 1873. However, the Pitjantjatjara people, the local indigenous population, have called it Uluru for around 10,000 years before Gosse’s renaming. They believe its formations are physical manifestations of creation events.
The Taj Mahal at Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India was built between 1631 and 1653 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a 17-hectare complex which features a mausoleum, mosque and guest house, showcasing Indo-Islamic and Mughal architecture.
Cabot Tower is a National Monument in which country?
Answer: Canada
Cabot Tower, built in 1898 on Signal Hill in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada commemorates the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s landing and Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
On 24 September 1906 Devils Tower, Wyoming was named the first national monument in the United States. What 290 miles (470 km) long river, a tributary of the Cheyenne River, passes Devil’s Tower?
An Early Medieval ecclesiastical site, an Irish National Monument and World Heritage Site, featured in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. What is this site?
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
The Admiral Benbow in Penzance, reportedly an inspiration for Stevenson’s Inn. Image Wikipedia
One
Which 1883 novel begins at an inn called the Admiral Benbow, and who wrote it?
Answer: Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson
The Admiral Benbow in Penzance is reportedly an inspiration for Stevenson’s Inn from Treasure Island, although the inn in the story was set in a rural location.
Two
Lady Jane Grey’s reign of only nine days came between what two other monarchs?
Answer: Edward VI and Mary I
Lady Jane Grey, known as the ‘Nine Days Queen’, was proclaimed Queen of England and Ireland in 1553 after Edward VI’s death. However, her reign was short-lived as Mary I was proclaimed queen just nine days later. Jane was later executed for treason in 1554.
Three
Of what ocean is the Bay of Fundy an arm?
Answer: Atlantic Ocean
The Bay of Fundy (French: Baie de Fundy) is a bay located between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and the US state of Maine. It is an arm of the Gulf of Maine and is renowned for its exceptionally high tidal range, making it the highest in the world.
Cnidus Aphrodite. Marble, Roman copy after a Greek original of the 4th century. Image Wikipedia
Four
Which ancient goddess of love is a 2010 album by Kylie Minogue named after?
Answer: Aphrodite
Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, beauty and passion, was associated with various symbols and worshipped in several cult centres. Her origins can be traced back to the Phoenician goddess Astarte and the Sumerian goddess Inanna.
Five
What ‘A’, found in perfumes and food, is defined as follows?
a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture. — Oxford English Dictionary
Answer: Ambergris
Ambergris, used in perfumes like musk, has also been used as a flavouring agent in food and drink, including a favourite dish of King Charles II and in Turkish coffee and hot chocolate.
ambergris /ˈambəɡriːs , ˈambəɡrɪs / ▸ noun [mass noun] a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture. – ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French ambre gris ‘grey amber’, as distinct from ambre jaune ‘yellow amber’ (the resin). — Oxford English Dictionary
A cathedral located in the Bebelplatz, Berlin, Germany is named St …
Hagrid’s
Hedwig’s
Hogwart’s
Answer: Hedwig’s
St. Hedwig’s Cathedral, the Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Berlin, was built in Baroque style from 1747 to 1773. Damaged in WWII, it was restored in post-war modernist style and reopened in 2024 with a modern interior design.
Two
This has connected Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula’s since 1957?
Big Bang
Big Easy
Big Mac
Answer: Big Mac
The Mackinac Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas, spans the Straits of Mackinac. Opened in 1957, it is the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere and part of Interstate 75.
Three
Who played the bride’s father in the 1950 version of Father of the Bride?
Cary Grant
James Stewart
Spencer Tracy
Answer: Spencer Tracy
Father of the Bride is a 1950 romantic comedy film about a man coping with his daughter’s wedding preparations.
Four
What is the community of Ballarat in Australia most associated with?
Ballet
Gold
Surfing
Answer: Gold
Ballarat, a city in Victoria, Australia, experienced rapid growth during the Victorian gold rush in the 1850s. The Eureka Rebellion, a significant event in Australian history, occurred in Ballarat in 1854. Today, Ballarat is a major regional centre known for its history, culture and well-preserved colonial heritage.
Five
What channel is found between mainland Italy and Sicily?
Strait of Bonifacio
Strait of Messina
Strait of Otranto
Answer: Strait of Messina
The Strait of Messina, connecting the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, separates Sicily from Calabria in Southern Italy.
On 13 September 1959, the first spacecraft successfully made contact with another celestial body. Which spacecraft and celestial body were involved?
Kal-L 1 and Mercury
Luna 2 and the Moon
Mariner 3 and Mars
Answer: Luna 2 And the Moon
…the Soviets launched their second Cosmic Rocket (later renamed Luna 2) on Sep. 12 and it successfully achieved escape velocity and placed the spacecraft, virtually identical to Luna 1, on an intercept course with the Moon. The upper stage once again released its one kilogram of sodium gas at a distance of 97,000 miles. On Sep. 13, Luna 2 became the first spacecraft to make contact with another celestial body when it impacted the Moon between Mare Imbrium and Mare Serenitatis, about 160 miles from where Apollo 15 would land 12 years later. The spacecraft’s scientific instruments detected no magnetic field or radiation belts around the Moon. Luna 2 deposited Soviet emblems on the lunar surface, carried in two metallic spheres. During his only visit to the United States a few days after the Luna 2 mission, Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev presented a replica of the spherical pennant to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. That sphere is kept at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas, while a copy is displayed at the Kansas Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas.
The 13 September Japanese release of Super Mario Bros marked the start of the Super Mario series of platforming games.
1985
1991
1997
Answer: 1985
Super Mario Bros. is a 1985 platform game developed by Nintendo for the NES. Players control Mario or Luigi to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser, traversing side-scrolling stages and collecting power-ups. The game is praised for its precise controls and is credited with reviving the video game industry after the 1983 crash.
Three
On 12 September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert set a record as the strongest hurricane in the Western Hemisphere, based on barometric pressure. Which 2005 hurricane surpassed this record?
Maria
Rita
Wilma
Answer: Wilma
Hurricane Gilbert, a Category 5 hurricane in 1988, caused widespread destruction in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. It was the second-most intense Atlantic landfalling hurricane (only behind 2005’s Hurricane Wilma) and the most intense to strike Mexico.
Four
Hannibal Goodwin patented celluloid photographic film on this date. In what decade did this occur?
1890s
1900s
1910s
Answer: 1890s
Five
On 13 September 1899, the first ascent of Batian was achieved. Of what mountain is Batian the highest peak?
Mount Erebus
Mount Fuji
Mount Kenya
Answer: Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya, located near the equator in Kenya, has three highest peaks: Batian, Nelion, and Point Lenana. It is the source of the country’s name.
