Quizology.Online

Tag: history

  • Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer — Answers

    See question three. Loevestein Castle.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    These questions are all about today’s date, March 22nd.

    One

    Born in 1948, this composer wrote the music for a musical based on a 1939 T.S. Eliot poetry collection. Three questions…

    1. Who is the composer?
    2. What is the title of the musical? 
    3. What is the name of the poetry collection?

    Answers

    1. Andrew Lloyd Webber;
    2. Cats
    3. Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats

    Cats, a sung-through musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on T.S. Eliot’s poetry, tells the story of the Jellicle cats and their annual ‘Jellicle choice’. Premiering in 1981, it became a commercial success, running for decades in both the West End and Broadway, and sparking the mega-musical phenomenon.

    Two

    Canadian actor William Shatner, who was born on 22 March 1931, first appeared in the role of James T. Kirk in series 1 episode 1 of the original television series Star Trek in September 1966. What was the episode title?

    Answer: The Man Trap.

    William Shatner, born in 1931, is a Canadian actor renowned for his iconic role as Captain Kirk in the Star Trek franchise. He also starred in T.J. Hooker, Rescue 911, and Boston Legal, earning two Emmy Awards for the latter. Beyond acting, Shatner has released several albums and made history in 2021 as the oldest person to fly in space.

    Three

    Hugo Grotius, a Dutch jurist, scholar and diplomat, is often called the ‘father of modern international law’. Today, he is best known for escaping imprisonment in Loevestein Castle, Netherlands, on this date in 1621. His wife devised the escape plan; what was it?

    Answer: Hidden in a wooden chest.

    On this day in 1621, Hugo Grotius was smuggled out of prison in a chest. Religious tensions were high in Holland and Grotius, who favoured tolerance, made many enemies. Arrested and sentenced to life in prison in 1618, his guards grew careless, neglecting to inspect the large book chest he often received. His wife then devised a plan to smuggle him out using the same chest. The plan was successful and the couple later reunited in Paris. Grotius is also remembered for his extensive legal writings which earned him the title ‘father of international law’.

    Four

    Born in 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana, this actress won an Academy Award in 2006 for her role in Walk the Line. Who is she?

    Answer: Reese Witherspoon.

    Reese Witherspoon, born on March 22, 1976, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is an acclaimed American actress and producer renowned for her roles in romantic comedies and films like Legally Blonde and Walk the Line — for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of June Carter. Witherspoon founded Hello Sunshine, a production company dedicated to female-led literary adaptations, and is actively involved in advocacy for children and women.

    Five

    Born in 1641 in Antwerp, Spanish Netherlands (now Belgium), this Flemish Baroque artist became a leading court painter in England. He is also known for having a beard named after him. Who is he? 

    Answer: Anthony van Dyck.

    Sir Anthony van Dyck, a Flemish Baroque artist, revolutionised court portraiture in England, notably painting Charles I. He was a prolific painter of portraits, religious and mythological subjects, and a fine draftsman and etcher. The Van Dyke beard is named after him.

    Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer

    Today’s post title is the names of two feline characters from T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and the musical Cats.

  • Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer

    See question three. Loevestein Castle.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    These questions are all about today’s date, March 22nd.

    One

    Born in 1948, this composer wrote the music for a musical based on a 1939 T.S. Eliot poetry collection. Three questions…

    1. Who is the composer?
    2. What is the title of the musical? 
    3. What is the name of the poetry collection?

    Two

    Canadian actor William Shatner, who was born on 22 March 1931, first appeared in the role of James T. Kirk in series 1 episode 1 of the original television series Star Trek in September 1966. What was the episode title?

    Three

    Hugo Grotius, a Dutch jurist, scholar and diplomat, is often called the ‘father of modern international law’. Today, he is best known for escaping imprisonment in Loevestein Castle, Netherlands, on this date in 1621. His wife devised the escape plan; what was it?

    Four

    Born in 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana, this actress won an Academy Award in 2006 for her role in Walk the Line. Who is she?

    Five

    Born in 1641 in Antwerp, Spanish Netherlands (now Belgium), this Flemish Baroque artist became a leading court painter in England. He is also known for having a beard named after him. Who is he? 

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    Today’s questions revolve around March 21st and follow the 5W1H format: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. This results in six questions instead of the usual five.

    Who

    In a 1980 television series finale, who shot J.R.? 

    Answer: Kristin Shepard.

    ’Who shot J.R.?’ is a catchphrase from the 1980 season finale of Dallas, referring to the fictional murder attempt on J.R. Ewing. The mystery, resolved eight months later, became a pop culture phenomenon and increased the popularity of cliffhanger endings. Kristin Shepard, played by Mary Crosby, was J.R.’s sister-in-law and mistress.

    What

    What did Jack Dorsey use to end the first public tweet in 2006: ‘just setting up my ——’? 

    Answer: twttr.

    Twitter (originally Twttr), launched in 2006, quickly grew to over 100 million users by 2012. Initially limited to 140 characters per post, the limit was increased to 280 in 2017 and removed for subscribed accounts in 2023.

    Flag of Namibia.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Where

    Represented by this flag, where, in 1990, gained independence after a combined period of 106 years German and then South African rule?

    Answer: Namibia.

    Namibia, a sparsely populated country in Southern Africa, gained independence from South Africa in 1990. Despite significant GDP growth, poverty and inequality remain high, with a Gini coefficient of 59 in 2015. The economy is based on agriculture, tourism, and mining, with a small manufacturing sector.

    When

    When was Gary Oldman’s year of birth?

    Answer: 1958.

    Gary Oldman, an English actor and filmmaker, is known for his versatility and intense acting style. He has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, and his films have grossed over $11 billion worldwide. Oldman began his career in theatre and rose to prominence in British film, later achieving greater recognition in American films and franchise roles.

    Why

    Why, in 1980, did U.S. President Jimmy Carter announce that the United States was boycotting that year’s Summer Olympics in Moscow?

    Answer: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

    The 1980 Moscow Olympics, boycotted by the U.S. and 60 other countries due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, saw 5,000 athletes from 81 countries compete amidst ongoing protests and security concerns.

    How

    How many visitors, according to the U.S. National Park Service, visit Alcatraz annually (to the nearest 100,000)? 

    Answer: 1.2 million.

    Golden Gate National Recreation Area, established in 1972, includes Alcatraz Island, attracting 1.2 million visitors annually. The island offers a unique opportunity to explore its layered history and contemplate crime and punishment.

  • Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

    Today’s questions revolve around March 21st and follow the 5W1H format: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. This results in six questions instead of the usual five.

    Who

    In a 1980 television series finale, who shot J.R.?

    What

    What did Jack Dorsey use to end the first public tweet in 2006: ‘just setting up my ——’? 

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Where

    Represented by this flag, where, in 1990, gained independence after a combined period of 106 years German and then South African rule?

    When

    When was Gary Oldman’s year of birth?

    Why

    Why, in 1980, did U.S. President Jimmy Carter announce that the United States was boycotting that year’s Summer Olympics in Moscow?

    How

    How many visitors, according to the U.S. National Park Service, visit Alcatraz annually (to the nearest 100,000)? 

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Bookends—Answers

    Here are the answers to my questions from earlier today.

    A book shelf of questions on literature today, with a bit of history and an album squeezed in the middle to provide the background music.

    See question two. Aragorn.
    Image The Digital Flix

    One

    This is a tale of a meeting of two lonesome, skinny, fairly old white men on a planet which was dying fast…

    This quote is the opening of Breakfast of Champions, a 1973 novel by a writer born in Indianapolis in 1922. Who is the writer?

    Answer: Kurt Vonnegut.

    Kurt Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions is a satirical novel critiquing American society through the story of Kilgore Trout and Dwayne Hoover, whose meeting leads to Hoover’s insanity. The novel addresses themes of free will, suicide and race relations.

    Two

    Following Sauron’s defeat in The Lord of the Rings, Aragorn is crowned king. What name does he adopt on his coronation?

    Answer: Elessar (aka Elfstone).

    After Sauron’s defeat, Aragorn is crowned King Elessar, meaning ‘Elfstone’. This Quenya name was given to him by his grandmother, Galadriel. He marries Arwen at midsummer and becomes the twenty-sixth King of Arnor, the thirty-fifth King of Gondor, and the first High King of the united Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor. His lineage is known as the House of Telcontar, meaning ’Strider’ in Quenya.

    Three

    Time it was
    And what a time it was, it was
    A time of innocence
    A time of confidences

    These are the opening lyrics to a 1968 song that served as the title track for an album. Please name the track/album and the artist?

    Bookends by Simon and Garfunkel

    The post title Bookends derives from this track and album. Bookends is a concept album exploring a life journey from childhood to old age. Side one marks life stages, while side two includes singles and unused material. Today’s quiz is bookended by questions one and five being about books.

    Four

    T.E. Lawrence is commonly known by what name?

    Answer: Lawrence of Arabia.

    T.E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a British Army officer, archaeologist, and writer. He gained fame for his role in the Arab Revolt during World War I and his subsequent work with Emir Faisal. Lawrence published his autobiography, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and later served in the Army and RAF before his death in a motorcycle accident in 1935.

    Five

    What fish does the fisherman have an epic struggle to catch in Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea?

    Answer: Marlin.

    Ernest Hemingway’s short, heroic novel The Old Man and the Sea, published in 1952 and winning the 1953 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, marked his final major work of fiction. The story follows an ageing fisherman’s epic struggle to catch a giant marlin.

    Bookends — Post title

    See explanation in Three above.

    Bookends

    Simon and Garfunkel

    Time it was 
    And what a time it was, it was 
    A time of innocence 
    A time of confidences 

    Long ago it must be 
    I have a photograph 
    Preserve your memories 
    They’re all that’s left you
    — AZ Lyrics

  • Bookends

    A book shelf of questions on literature today, with a bit of history and an album squeezed in the middle to provide the background music.

    See question two. Aragorn.
    Image The Digital Flix

    One

    This is a tale of a meeting of two lonesome, skinny, fairly old white men on a planet which was dying fast…

    This quote is the opening of Breakfast of Champions, a 1973 novel by a writer born in Indianapolis in 1922. Who is the writer?

    Two

    Following Sauron’s defeat in The Lord of the Rings, Aragorn is crowned king. What name does he adopt on his coronation?

    Three

    Time it was
    And what a time it was, it was
    A time of innocence
    A time of confidences

    These are the opening lyrics to a 1968 song that served as the title track for an album. Please name the track/album and the artist?

    Four

    T.E. Lawrence is commonly known by what name?

    Five

    What fish does the fisherman have an epic struggle to catch in Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Down the Rabbit Hole—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    All today’s questions relate to the date, March 12th.

    Down the Rabbit Hole.
    Image r/dalle2 on Reddit

    One

    On this day a proposal was submitted to The European Organization for Nuclear Research for an information management system which would subsequently develop in the World Wide Web. 

    1. Who submitted the proposal?
    2. What is The European Organization for Nuclear Research more commonly known as?

    Answers.

    1. Tim Berners-Lee
    2. CERN
      Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989 at CERN to facilitate information sharing among scientists. CERN released the web software into the public domain in 1993, enabling its widespread adoption. The acronym CERN relates to the original provisional council which was set up in 1952 — Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (European Council for Nuclear Research).

    Two

    Urban II, elected Pope on this day, initiated the Crusades. In which century did he become Pope?

    Answer: 11th Century.

    Urban II, pope from 1088 to 1099, furthered ecclesiastical reforms, launched the Crusade movement, and strengthened the papacy’s political power.

    Three

    James Taylor was born on this day in 1948. The singer-songwriter’s breakthrough came in 1970 with the single Fire and Rain, which reached number three in the charts. The following year, he had his first number one hit with You’ve Got a Friend. Who wrote these two songs?

    Answers: James Taylor; Carole King.

    Fire and Rain by James Taylor, released in 1970, is about his friend’s suicide and his struggles with addiction and fame. You’ve Got a Friend is a 1971 song by Carole King, recorded for her album Tapestry. James Taylor’s version, featuring Joni Mitchell, reached number one in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100.

    Four

    André Le Nôtre, was born on this day, designed a 2,000-acre (800 ha) formal garden that now forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Which one?

    Answer: Palace and Park of Versailles.

    The Palace and Park of Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as the residence and seat of power for the French monarchy from Louis XIV to Louis XVI. The site, a masterpiece of French art and architecture, includes the Palace, Trianon châteaux, and gardens, all designed by renowned artists and architects. Despite the loss of its original function during the Revolution, the site’s integrity and authenticity have been preserved through conservation efforts and the reconstruction of interior spaces and furnishings.

    Five

    An English author who died on this day in 2015 created characters named Cheery Littlebottom, a dwarf and Detritus a troll who are both sergeants in a city’s police force. Who is the author?

    Answer: Terry Pratchett.

    The Ankh-Morpork City Watch, founded in 1561 UC, evolved from a small, ineffective force to a modern, multi-ethnic police department. Under the leadership of Sam Vimes and Carrot Ironfoundersson, the Watch was revitalised, merging the Day Watch, Night Watch and Palace Guard. The Watch now serves as a powerful deterrent to crime, with a focus on public service and a strong presence in the city. Cheery, the first female dwarf in the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, revolutionises dwarfish culture by openly identifying as female. Detritus, a troll, joined the Ankh-Morpork City Watch under Lord Vetinari’s hiring procedures. Despite being initially considered stupid, he became a natural sergeant, aided by a cooling helmet that improved his intelligence. He is known for his destructive crossbow, the Piecemaker, and his overprotective nature, earning him the respect of Commander Vimes.

    Down the Rabbit Hole

    In Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice falls into a rabbit hole and finds herself in Wonderland.  Today the phrase ‘down the rabbit hole’ is commonly used to describe endlessly clicking through online links or items.  As Collins Dictionary puts it, ‘The internet is a great research tool – but be warned you might end up down a rabbit hole.’

  • Down the Rabbit Hole

    All today’s questions relate to the date, March 12th.

    Down the Rabbit Hole.
    Image r/dalle2 on Reddit

    One

    On this day a proposal was submitted to The European Organization for Nuclear Research for an information management system which would subsequently develop in the World Wide Web. 

    Two

    Urban II, elected Pope on this day, initiated the Crusades. In which century did he become Pope?

    Three

    James Taylor was born on this day in 1948. The singer-songwriter’s breakthrough came in 1970 with the single Fire and Rain, which reached number three in the charts. The following year, he had his first number one hit with You’ve Got a Friend. Who wrote these two songs?

    Four

    André Le Nôtre, was born on this day, designed a 2,000-acre (800 ha) formal garden that now forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Which one?

    Five

    An English author who died on this day in 2015 created characters named Cheery Littlebottom, a dwarf and Detritus a troll who are both sergeants in a city’s police force. Who is the author?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • On the Road—Answers

    Here are the answers to my questions from earlier.

    Five questions all connected to today’s date, March 8th?

    Volkswagen Type 2 T1.
    Image Motorauthority.com

    One

    Today, production of the iconic Type 2 Volkswagen began. In which even-numbered year did this occur?

    Answer: 1950.

    The first generation Volkswagen Type 2, known as the Microbus or Splitscreen, was produced from 8 March 1950 to the end of 1967. Initially assembled in Wolfsburg from 1950 to 1956, production shifted to Hanover’s Transporter factory in 1956. Like the Beetle, it featured an 1100 cc air-cooled flat-four engine. Initially, only two models were available: the Kombi and the Commercial. The Microbus debuted in May 1950, followed by the Deluxe Microbus in June 1951. In its first year, 9,541 Type 2s were manufactured, marking the beginning of a popular and versatile vehicle line.

    Two

    In 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished from radar an hour and 40 minutes after takeoff and has never been seen again. Its fate remains a mystery. What was the departure city and destination of the flight?

    Answer: Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

    Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared on 8 March 2014 while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Despite extensive searches and investigations, the cause of the disappearance remains unknown, with theories ranging from hypoxia to hijacking. The disappearance led to safety recommendations and regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The official search concluded in January 2017 but was succeeded by a private search the following year that lasted six months.

    Three

    In 1979, the NASA spacecraft Voyager 1 witnessed volcanic eruption on the moon Io. Of what planet is Io a moon of?

    Answer: Jupiter.

    Io, Jupiter’s third largest moon, is the most volcanically active world in the solar system, featuring hundreds of volcanoes that can erupt lava fountains dozens of miles high. These powerful eruptions are sometimes visible with large telescopes on Earth, and leave Io’s surface with lakes of molten silicate lava. Slightly larger than Earth’s Moon, Io is about one-quarter the diameter of Earth.

    Four

    The compact disc was first demonstrated in 1979. Its subsequent development was the result of a collaboration between what two companies?

    Answer: Philips and Sony.

    The 1979 demonstration was made by Philips in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The compact disc, an evolution of LaserDisc technology, was developed through a collaboration between Philips and Sony in the late 1970s. The Red Book CD-DA standard, published in 1980, utilised Sony’s error correction system and Philips’ eight-to-fourteen modulation, leading to the CD’s commercial success and dominance in the home music market.

    Five

    The Battle of Guadalajara commenced in 1937. Which war was it a part of?

    Answer: Spanish Civil War.

    The Battle of Guadalajara (March 8–23, 1937) saw the Spanish Republican Army and International Brigades defeat the Italian and Nationalist forces attempting to encircle Madrid during the Spanish Civil War. The Italian Corps of Volunteer Troops led the Nationalist offensive, which began on March 8 but was halted by March 11. Renewed attacks were repelled between March 12 and 14. A Republican counter-offensive from March 18 to 23 was successful, largely due to superior Soviet armoured vehicles. Italian and Nationalist losses were 17,400, while Republicans suffered 6,258.

  • On the Road

    Five questions all connected to today’s date, March 8th?

    Volkswagen Type 2 T1.
    Image Motorauthority.com

    One

    Today, production of the iconic Type 2 Volkswagen began. In which even-numbered year did this occur?

    Two

    In 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished from radar an hour and 40 minutes after takeoff and has never been seen again. Its fate remains a mystery. What was the departure city and destination of the flight?

    Three

    In 1979, the NASA spacecraft Voyager 1 witnessed volcanic eruption on the moon Io. Of what planet is Io a moon of?

    Four

    The compact disc was first demonstrated in 1979. Its subsequent development was the result of a collaboration between what two companies?

    Five

    The Battle of Guadalajara commenced in 1937. Which war was it a part of?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.