Which fictional character habitually wears a charcoal turtleneck, Harris Tweed jacket, khakis and collegiate cordovan loafers; and which author created him?
Two
Is it true or false that in zoology, a crepuscular animal is one which lives on a seashore in the areas between the high and low tide marks?
Three
Who was the British prime minister at the time of the abdication crisis, when King Edward VIII renounced the throne?
Four
The Doors chose their band name from a 1954 work by what author (1894-1963)?
Five
Can you name three players chosen for the European 2025 Ryder Cup team whose surnames begin with the same letter?
Here are the answers to the questions from my earlier post.
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas and daughter, Carys in 2023. Image Wikipedia
One
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, both actors, share the same birthday on 25 September. How many years apart are their birth years, and where were they born?
Answer: 25 years; New Jersey, US and Wales, UK
Douglas was born in 1944, in the city of New Brunswick, New Jersey, US. The birth of Catherine Zeta-Jones was in 1969 in Swansea, a city in Wales, UK
Two
Tostig Godwinson died in England on 25 September in a battle against his brother. His victorious brother would die less than three weeks later in another battle over 250 miles away. Who was the victorious brother, and in what battle did he die?
Answer: King Harold II of England aka Harold Godwinson and Battle of Hastings
On 25 September 1066, Tostig Godwinson, allied with the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada, faced his brother Harold II, the king of England, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Both Tostig and Harald died in the battle. The victorious Harold was then compelled to march his armies to the English Channel coast to confront the Norman invasion led by William, Duke of Normandy. At the Battle of Hastings, Harold was killed and his armies defeated, and the Duke of Normandy became William the Conqueror, the first Norman king of England, known as William I.
The first page of Publick Occurrences. Internet Archive under public domain Image Smithsonian Magazine
Three
Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick, a multi-page newspaper, first published on 25 September 1690, was the first publication of its kind in the British American colonies. Is this true or false?
Answer: True
It is true. It was short lived though as the following quote explains.
His newspaper, Publick Occurrences, Both Foreign and Domestick (Sept. 25, 1690), the first newspaper printed in the colonies, was suppressed by Boston authorities after one issue. — Encyclopædia Britannica
Four
On 25 September 1962, Sonny Liston became the world heavyweight boxing champion with a first-round knockout to win the title. Who did he defeat?
Answer: Floyd Paterson
Floyd Patterson became the youngest heavyweight champion in 1956, defeating Archie Moore. He lost the title to Ingemar Johansson in 1959 but regained it in 1960, holding it until 1962 when he was defeated by Sonny Liston.
On 25 September 1513, Vasco Núñez de Balboa became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean. What was that body of water known as to Balboa and his contemporaries at that time?
Answer: Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean was originally called the South Sea by Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa in 1513, due to its location along the southern shore of the Isthmus of Panama. Later, in 1520, Ferdinand Magellan renamed it the Pacific, being a ‘peaceful sea’, after his journey through the stormy waters surrounding Cape Horn to reach it.
Here are five questions all related to today, September 25th.
Catherine Zeta-Jones with her husband Michael Douglas in 2012. Image Wikipedia
One
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, both actors, share the same birthday on 25 September. How many years apart are their birth years, and where were they born?
Two
Tostig Godwinson died in England on 25 September in a battle against his brother. His victorious brother would die less than three weeks later in another battle over 250 miles away. Who was the victorious brother, and in what battle did he die?
Three
Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick, a multi-page newspaper, first published on 25 September 1690, was the first publication of its kind in the British American colonies. Is this true or false?
Four
On 25 September 1962, Sonny Liston became the world heavyweight boxing champion with a first-round knockout to win the title. Who did he defeat?
Five
On 25 September 1513, Vasco Núñez de Balboa became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean. What was that body of water known as to Balboa and his contemporaries at that time?
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 for the questions I posted earlier.
Sylvia’s Mother, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show. Image CD and LP
One
Mrs Avery is the title character in which 1972 song by Dr. Hook; and what was the full name of the band at the time of the original release?
Answer: Sylvia’s Mother and Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show
Sylvia’s Mother, written by Shel Silverstein and originally performed by Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, was their first hit. It reached number five on the Billboard singles chart and topped charts in several countries. The band kept this name until 1975 when they shortened it to Dr. Hook.
Thetis Dipping the Infant Achilles into the River Styx by Peter Paul Rubens (c. 1625); Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam. Image Wikipedia
Two
Achilles was dipped into which river by his mother to make him invulnerable?
Answer: Styx
Legend claims Achilles was invulnerable except for his heel, which his mother held while dipping him in the River Styx. Achilles heel, a term derived from this, signifies a vulnerable point despite overall strength. The Achilles tendon is also named after this legend.
Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall by Spike Milligan. Image Libris
Three
September 3rd, 1939. The last minutes of peace ticking away. Father and I were watching Mother digging our air-raid shelter.
The opening lines of a novel first published in 1971 are quoted above. Can you name the novel and its author?
Answer: Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall by Spike Milligan
Spike Milligan’s war memoir, Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall, recounts his experiences from Britain’s declaration of war to the Allied liberation of Africa. The book, the first of seven volumes, blends anecdotes, photographs and sketches.
Who plays Lily on television’s How I Met Your Mother?
Answer: Alyson Hannigan
Lily Aldrin, portrayed by Alyson Hannigan, is a fictional character in How I Met Your Mother. She is a kindergarten teacher, amateur painter, and later becomes an art consultant.
Statue of Helena in the Musei Capitolini, Rome. Image Wikipedia
Five
Evelyn Waugh’s 1950 novel Helena is about the mother of which 4th-century Roman emperor?
Answer: Constantine I or Constantine the Great
Flavia Julia Helena, also known as Saint Helena, was a Roman Augusta and mother of Emperor Constantine the Great. Revered as a saint, she is believed to have discovered the True Cross during a religious tour.
Statue of Constantine I in York, England. Near the spot where he was proclaimed Augustus in 306 CE. Image Wikipedia
On 20 September 1967, the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth 2 was launched from which shipyard?
John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Scotland, UK
Harland & Wolff, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
Swan Hunter, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
Answer: John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Scotland, UK
The QE2 was built and launched into the River Clyde from John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Scotland, by HM Queen Elizabeth II. During the launch ceremony, the Queen said ‘I name this ship Queen Elizabeth the Second’, and the following day, newspapers including The Times and The New York Times printed the name as Queen Elizabeth II, which would be read as ‘Queen Elizabeth the Second’. When the ship was completed, the name on both the bow and stern of the vessel was Queen Elizabeth 2. Over the years, there has been debate as to whether the ship is named after Queen Elizabeth II; her mother, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Consort of King George VI; or simply the second Cunard liner named Queen Elizabeth. See Wikipedia for additional information.
The ‘Battle of the Sexes’ tennis match took place at Houston Astrodome on 20 September 1973. Who were the two players who competed in the match?
Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs
Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors
Evonne Goolagong and Marlon Brando
Answer: Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs
In 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in an exhibition match, earning $100,000, equivalent to $707,000 in 2024. Riggs, a former top men’s player in the 1930s and 1940s, had won Wimbledon in 1939 and was World No. 1 in 1941, 1946, and 1947. He later became a tennis ‘hustler’, playing promotional matches. Riggs claimed the women’s game was inferior and challenged top female players, defeating Margaret Court 6–2, 6–1. King, initially rejecting his challenges, accepted a financial offer to play him, resulting in her victory and a significant win for women’s tennis.
On 20 September 1870, Rome was occupied, leading to the unification of Italy. Who was the ruler of the Kingdom of Italy at this time?
Victor Emmanuel I
Victor Emmanuel II
Victor Emmanuel III
Answers: Victor Emmanuel II
The unification of Italy, or Risorgimento, was a 19th-century movement that culminated in 1861 with the creation of the Kingdom of Italy through the annexation of various Italian states to the Kingdom of Sardinia. Key figures included King Victor Emmanuel II, Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, Giuseppe Garibaldi, and Giuseppe Mazzini. The movement was inspired by earlier rebellions and the Revolutions of 1848, concluding in 1870 with Rome’s capture. King Victor Emmanuel II was honoured as the Father of the Fatherland.
Four
Which explorer set out from Spain on 20 September 1519, embarking on a quest to circumnavigate the globe?
Bartolomeu Dias
Ferdinand Magellan
Vasco da Gama
Answer: Ferdinand Magellan
The Magellan expedition, led by Ferdinand Magellan and completed by Juan Sebastián Elcano, was a pivotal 16th-century Spanish voyage aimed at securing a maritime trade route to the Spice Islands. Departing Spain in 1519 with five ships and about 270 men, it achieved the first circumnavigation of Earth, crossing the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Despite hardships like mutinies, starvation, and Magellan’s death in the Philippines, only about 40 men and the ship Victoria returned in 1522. Funded by King Charles I, the expedition expanded European geographical knowledge, though the route proved commercially impractical.
Five
On 20 September 1881, a US Vice President was sworn in as president following the death of his predecessor who had died the previous day two months after being shot. Who was the vice president who was sworn in as president on this day?
Andrew Johnson
Chester A. Arthur
Theodore Roosevelt
Answer: Chester A. Arthur
James A. Garfield, the 20th US president, was assassinated by Charles J. Guiteau in 1881. Guiteau, who believed he deserved a diplomatic post for his support of Garfield, shot him after his requests were denied. Garfield died from his injuries over two months later, and Vice President Chester A. Arthur became the 21st US President. Guiteau, who was apprehended at the scene of the shooting, was later executed for the murder.
The questions are all related to today’s date, September 20th.
The Queen Elizabeth 2 is now a hotel in Dubai. Image Wikipedia
One
On 20 September 1967, the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth 2 was launched from which company’s shipyard?
John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Scotland, UK
Harland & Wolff, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
Swan Hunter, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
Two
The ‘Battle of the Sexes’ tennis match took place at Houston Astrodome on 20 September 1973. Who were the two players who competed in the match?
Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs
Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors
Evonne Goolagong and Marlon Brando
Three
On 20 September 1870, Rome was occupied, leading to the unification of Italy. Who was the ruler of the Kingdom of Italy at this time?
Victor Emmanuel I
Victor Emmanuel II
Victor Emmanuel III
Four
Which explorer set out from Spain on 20 September 1519, embarking on a quest to circumnavigate the globe?
Bartolomeu Dias
Ferdinand Magellan
Vasco da Gama
Five
On 20 September 1881, a US Vice President was sworn in as president following the death of his predecessor who had died the previous day two months after being shot. Who was the vice president who was sworn in as president on this day?
Here are the answers to the questions from my earlier post.
Enable and Frankie Dettori at the 2018 Breeders’ Cup. Image Wikipedia
One
In 2018, which jockey won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for the second year in a row riding Enable?
Frankie Dettori
Italian jockey Lanfranco ‘Frankie’ Dettori, based in England for over 35 years, achieved significant success, including riding all seven winners at Ascot on 28 September 1996. He was British flat racing Champion Jockey three times and rode 287 Group 1 race winners. After a long career with Godolphin Racing and Al Shaqab Racing, he announced his retirement from professional riding in 2023.
Two
What ‘I’ are animals that have no backbones?
Answer: Invertebrates
Invertebrates are animals that lack a backbone, or spine. They include arthropods (such as insects and spiders), molluscs (like snails and clams), annelids (e.g. earthworms), echinoderms (like starfish and sea urchins), flatworms, cnidarians (such as jellyfish and corals), and sponges.
Which Hogarth Press co-founder published their third novel, Jacob’s Room, in 1922?
Answer: Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf’s third novel, Jacob’s Room, centres on the life of Jacob Flanders, presented through the impressions of other characters. The novel explores themes of emptiness and absence, portraying Jacob as a series of perceptions rather than a concrete reality.
Four
The writer of the song Always Look on the Bright Side of Life is described by Wikipedia as a ‘actor, comedian, songwriter, musician, screenwriter and playwright’. Who is he?
Answer: Eric Idle
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life is a comedy song by Eric Idle, featured in Monty Python’s Life of Brian. It became a popular singalong and reached No. 3 on the UK singles chart in 1991. In 2014, it was shown to be the most popular song choice for Britons to have played at their funerals.
Scapa Flow during World War II, 1942. Image Wikipedia
Five
The Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet was based at which anchorage in the Orkney Islands during the First World War?
Answer: Scapa Flow
Scapa Flow, a sheltered body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, has been significant for travel, trade and conflict throughout history. It served as the UK’s chief naval base during both World Wars before closing in 1956. On 21 June 1919, the interned Imperial German Navy’s High Seas Fleet was scuttled by its sailors in Scapa Flow with 52 of the 74 vessels sank.
FIVES
The post-title FIVES provided the initial letters F-I-V-E-S for each answer in order, with a prompt at number 2—What ‘I’—to hopefully help you on the road.
Quizology.Online 