When the Mary Celeste was found drifting and abandoned on 4 December 1872, which everyday object—left untouched—helped show the ship had not been ransacked by pirates? A. The ship’s telegraph terminal B. A basketball C. A sewing machine
Two
After HMS Resolute was abandoned in Arctic ice in 1854, how did the United States symbolically return the vessel to Britain after it was recovered? A. By selling it back to Britain at auction B. By sailing it back and gifting it to Queen Victoria C. By towing it to Canada and scuttling it ceremonially
Three
What key items were missing when the abandoned Carroll A. Deering was found aground on Diamond Shoals in 1921? A. The ship’s logbook and navigation equipment B. All cargo and provisions C. The entire foremast
Four
Which country was the ghost yacht Kaz II navigating around when it departed from Airlie Beach before its three-man crew mysteriously disappeared in 2007? A. Australia B. Belize C. Canada
Five
SS Baychimo became a ‘wandering ghost’ of the Arctic, remaining adrift and being seen numerous times after being abandoned in 1931. For how many years did sightings continue? A. 18 years B. 28 years C. 38 years
Here are the answers to the questions posted earlier.
Today’s questions are simply either Who, What, When, Where or Why.
Apollo 13 launches from Kennedy Space Center, April 11, 1970. Image Wikipedia
One
Who was the only astronaut on the Apollo program to be the only person to fly to the Moon twice without landing?
Answer: Jim Lovell
James Lovell was an American astronaut, naval aviator, and engineer. He flew on four space missions, including Apollo 8 and Apollo 13, and was the first person to fly into space four times. Lovell received numerous awards and honours for his contributions to space exploration.
Two
What uninvited stony visitor injured Elizabeth Hodges while she napped on her couch in Alabama in 1954?
Answer: Meteorite
Ann Elizabeth Fowler Hodges, the first documented person struck by a meteorite and survive, was injured when a meteorite fragment crashed through her roof and hit her while she napped on 30 November 1954.
Three
When was the Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan, was it (i) 11th Century; (ii) 12th Century; (iii) 13th Century
Answer: (iii) 13th Century
The Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, eventually covering some 9 million square miles (23 million square km) from the Pacific Ocean to the Danube River and the Persian Gulf by the late 13th century.
Four
Where on the planet is the farthest point from the Earth’s centre. Is it the summit of (i) Chimborazo, Ecuador; (ii) Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland or (iii) Mount Erebus, Ross Island, Antarctica?
Answer: (i) Chimborazo, Ecuador
Chimborazo, a stratovolcano in Ecuador, is the highest mountain in the country and the 39th-highest peak in the Andes. Despite not being the tallest mountain on Earth, its summit is the farthest point from the Earth’s centre due to its equatorial location on the planet’s equatorial bulge.
Five
Why was 1936 a year of three kings in the United Kingdom, and who were they?
Answer: Abdication crisis; George V, Edward VIII and George VI
On the death of George V his eldest son became Edward VIII but he abdicated only 326 days later and his younger brother Albert became king as George VI. Edward VIII, later the Duke of Windsor, proposed marriage to Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée, led to a constitutional crisis and his abdication in favour of his brother, George VI. After his abdication, Edward, who was made Duke of Windsor by the new king, married Simpson and they lived in France until his death in 1972.
Today’s questions are simply either Who, What, When, Where or Why.
An Apollo launch from Kennedy Space Center. Image Wikipedia
One
Who was the only astronaut on the Apollo program to be the only person to fly to the Moon twice without landing?
Two
What uninvited stony visitor injured Elizabeth Hodges while she napped on her couch in Alabama in 1954?
Three
When was the Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan, was it (i) 11th Century; (ii) 12th Century; (iii) 13th Century
Four
Where on the planet is the farthest point from the Earth’s centre. Is it the summit of (i) Chimborazo, Ecuador; (ii) Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland or (iii) Mount Erebus, Ross Island, Antarctica?
Five
Why was 1936 a year of three kings in the United Kingdom, and who were they?
Mary Read and Anne Bonny were put on trial in Jamaica in 1720. For what were they tried, convicted, and sentenced to death?
Answer: Piracy
In 1720, Read and her crew commandeered a sloop, leading the Bahamas governor to declare them enemies of the Crown. Captured, they faced trial in Jamaica, where they were found guilty and sentenced to death. All the male crew members were executed by hanging, but Read and Bonny claimed pregnancy—pleading the belly, which granted them a stay of execution. Read eventually died in prison, likely from a fever, and Bonny was eventually freed.
Two
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first in a series of movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, had its world premiere in what country?
Answer: New Zealand
The film premiered in Wellington, New Zealand—the capital of Middle-earth—on 28 November 2012. An Unexpected Journey, set in Middle-earth sixty years before The Lord of the Rings, follows Bilbo Baggins on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. The film, released in 2012, received mixed reviews but grossed $1.017 billion and was nominated for three Academy Awards.
The Vlorë proclamation, issued on this day in 1912, declared independence for ____. Which country is missing from this statement?
Answer: Albania
Independent Albania was declared a parliamentary state in Vlorë on 28 November 1912 during the First Balkan War. Despite seeking international recognition based on ethnic rights, the London Conference of 1913 partitioned much of the claimed Albanian lands, leaving only a central region as an independent territory under Great Power protection. This led to the establishment of the Principality of Albania as a constitutional monarchy in August 1913.
Four
In 1582, Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time, married whom in the Diocese of Worcester, England?
Answer: William Shakespeare
Aged 18, William Shakespeare married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway and had three children: Susanna—six months after their marriage—and twins Hamnet and Judith. After the twins’ birth, he disappeared from historical records until 1592, leading to speculation about his ‘lost years’, including deer poaching, horse minding, and school teaching.
Five
In World War II, the first conference of the ‘Big Three’—Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), Franklin Delano Roosevelt (United States), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)—began on this day in 1943. Which of these was the location: Tehran, Iran; or Yalta, Crimea, Soviet Union?
Answer: Tehran, Iran
The Tehran Conference, held from 28 November to 1 December 1943, was the first meeting of the ‘Big Three’ Allied leaders during World War II. The main outcome was a commitment to open a second front against Nazi Germany by 1 June 1944. The conference also addressed relations with Turkey and Iran, operations in Yugoslavia and against Japan, and the envisioned post-war settlement.
These questions all relate to today’s date, November 28th.
One
Mary Read and Anne Bonny were put on trial in Jamaica in 1720. For what were they tried, convicted, and sentenced to death?
Two
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first in a series of movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, had its world premiere in what country?
Flag of ____ Image Wikipedia
Three
The Vlorë proclamation, issued on this day in 1912, declared independence for ____. Which country is missing from this statement?
Four
In 1582, Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time, married whom in the Diocese of Worcester, England?
Five
In World War II, the first conference of the ‘Big Three’—Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), Franklin Delano Roosevelt (United States), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)—began on this day in 1943. Which of these was the location: Tehran, Iran; or Yalta, Crimea, Soviet Union?
Here are the answers to the questions in my earlier post.
Today’s questions are all connected to the date, November 27th.
The obverse side of the Nobel Prize medals for physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature. Image Encyclopædia Britannica
One
On this day, the Nobel Prizes were established by a provision in Alfred Nobel’s will. In which capital city was Nobel born in October 1833? What eight-letter word is the name of a Nobel invention from 1867?
Answer: Stockholm, Sweden; Dynamite
Alfred Nobel, inventor of powerful explosives, established the Nobel Prizes, possibly to avoid a negative posthumous reputation. His interests in physics, chemistry, physiology and literature, along with his friendship with pacifist Bertha von Suttner, influenced the prize categories.
Two
An author known for writing 14 novels featuring the fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard died today in 2014. Who was this author?
Answer: PD James
PD James, a British mystery novelist, is best known for her fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh. She wrote 14 Dalgliesh novels, as well as other works including An Unsuitable Job for a Woman and The Children of Men. James was made OBE in 1983 and was named a life peer in 1991.
Three
The king of the Franks from 481 until his death in 511 was the ruler of much of Gaul. Was this Clovis I, Louis I, or Pippin I?
Answer: Clovis I
Clovis I, king of the Franks from 481 to 511, consolidated power in Gaul and expanded his influence through military conquests. His conversion to Catholicism, a pivotal moment in Frankish history, is shrouded in legend and debate, with some suggesting he leaned towards Arianism before his baptism. Clovis’s legacy endures as the founder of France and a significant figure in the spread of Christianity in Europe.
Rock guitarist and singer Jimi Hendrix in his last concert performance, the Open Air Love & Peace Festival on Fehmarn island, Germany, September 6, 1970. Image Encyclopædia Britannica
Four
Jimi Hendrix was born on this date. Which two cities were his birthplace and his place of death? How old was he when he died?
Answer: Seattle, Washington, US; London, UK; 27 years old
Jimi Hendrix, an American rock guitarist, singer and composer, redefined the electric guitar by fusing American blues, jazz, rock and soul with British avant-garde rock. Despite a brief career, Hendrix’s innovative techniques, charismatic performances and genre-defying music made him a highly influential figure in popular music. His impact continues to inspire musicians, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Five
The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was held in New York City. In what decade did this occur?
Answer: 1920s
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 as a Christmas parade to promote holiday shopping. It features giant balloons, floats, marching bands and performers, with Santa Claus marking the parade’s end. The parade has been televised since 1947, becoming a beloved Thanksgiving morning ritual for millions.
Today’s questions are all connected to the date, November 27th.
The obverse side of the Nobel Prize medals for physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature. Image Encyclopædia Britannica
One
On this day, the Nobel Prizes were established by a provision in Alfred Nobel’s will. In which capital city was Nobel born in October 1833? What eight-letter word is the name of a Nobel invention from 1867?
Two
An author known for writing 14 novels featuring the fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard died today in 2014. Who was this author?
Three
The king of the Franks from 481 until his death in 511 was the ruler of much of Gaul. Was this Clovis I, Louis I, or Pippin I?
Four
Jimi Hendrix was born on this date. Which two cities were his birthplace and his place of death? How old was he when he died?
Five
The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was held in New York City. In what decade did this occur?
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
These questions cover 321 years from the earliest to the most recent, but all are connected to today’s date, November 24th.
One
On this day in 1642, Dutch navigator Abel Tasman sailed along the southern coast of the island now known as Tasmania. His voyage, an expedition from the Dutch East Indies capital eastwards towards southern South America, marked the first recorded European contact with the island. Four questions: (i) What did Tasman name the island that is now called Tasmania? (ii) What was the Dutch East Indies capital at that time; (iii) what is it called today? And (iv) which country is it now the capital of?
Answer: (i) Anthony van Diemen’s Land; (ii) Batavia; (iii) Jakarta and (iv) Indonesia
Tasman named the island Anthony van Diemen’s Land after his sponsor Anthony van Diemen, the Governor of the Dutch East Indies. This became shortened to Van Diemen’s Land.
Batavia was the capital city of the Dutch East Indies; this city is now Jakarta, which is the capital of Indonesia. Batavia, founded by the Dutch in 1619 on the site of Jayakarta, became the capital of the Dutch East Indies and the centre of the Dutch East India Company’s trading network. The city, located on the north coast of Java, remained a European colonial city until World War II.
Two
On this day in 1700, which European monarch accepted the will of the late Charles II of Spain and proclaimed his grandson Philip as King of Spain — a decision that helped trigger the War of the Spanish Succession?
Answer: Louis XIV of France
The War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) was a European conflict over the succession of the Spanish throne. The war ended with the Peace of Utrecht, confirming Philip as King of Spain but preventing a union with France.
Cartoon depicting Charles Darwin as an ape, 1871. Image Slideshare.net
Three
Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection was published today in which decade?
Answer: 1850s
Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, published in 1859, introduced the theory of evolution by natural selection. The book, supported by evidence from Darwin’s Beagle expedition and subsequent research, sparked scientific, philosophical, and religious debate. While initially controversial, Darwin’s ideas gained widespread acceptance within the scientific community by the 1940s.
Four
On this day in 1877, the book Black Beauty was published. Who was the author?
Answer: Anna Sewell
British author Anna Sewell wrote the beloved children’s classic Black Beauty to champion kindness and understanding towards horses. Confinement to her home due to illness saw Sewell spend her final years penning the book. It’s believed this work played a significant role in abolishing the cruel practice of using the checkrein.
Pulitzer Prize winning photo of Jack Ruby shooting Lee Harvey Oswald, 24 November 1963. Originally published in the Dallas Times Herald, November 25, 1963. Image Wikipedia
Five
Who, in the above picture, is the man facing away from the camera shooting Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas today, 1963?
Answer: Jack Ruby
Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner, murdered Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas Police Headquarters. Ruby was convicted of Oswald’s murder and sentenced to death, but this conviction was overturned on appeal, leading to a new trial. However, Ruby fell ill, was diagnosed with cancer, and died on January 3, 1967, before the new trial could take place. While the Warren Commission concluded Ruby acted alone, his death fuelled conspiracy theories.
These questions cover 321 years from the earliest to the most recent, but all are connected to today’s date, November 24th.
One
On this day in 1642, Dutch navigator Abel Tasman sailed along the southern coast of the island now known as Tasmania. His voyage, an expedition from the Dutch East Indies capital eastwards towards southern South America, marked the first recorded European contact with the island. Four questions: (i) What did Tasman name the island that is now called Tasmania? (ii) What was the Dutch East Indies capital at that time; (iii) what is it called today? And (iv) which country is it now the capital of?
Two
On this day in 1700, which European monarch accepted the will of the late Charles II of Spain and proclaimed his grandson Philip as King of Spain — a decision that helped trigger the War of the Spanish Succession?
Charles Darwin as an ape. Image details and attribution will be in answer post
Three
Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection was published today in which decade?
Four
On this day in 1877, the book Black Beauty was published. Who was the author?
Pulitzer Prize winning photo of ______ shooting Lee Harvey Oswald, 24 November 1963. Originally published in the Dallas Times Herald, November 25, 1963. Image Wikipedia
Five
Who, in the above picture, is the man facing away from the camera shooting Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas today, 1963?
Here are the answers to the questions I posed in my earlier post.
All of these questions relate to today’s date, November 21st.
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge from Brooklyn at night, 2012. Image Wikipedia
One
Which two boroughs of New York City were linked by the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, pictured above, upon its opening on 21 November 1964?
Answer: Brooklyn and Staten Island
The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting Staten Island and Brooklyn, spans the Narrows and carries 13 lanes of Interstate 278. Designed by Othmar Ammann and others, it opened in 1964 with a central span, 4,260 feet (1,298 m), that was the longest in the world until 1981. The bridge, named after explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, collects tolls in both directions.
Two
The first crewed hot air balloon flight took place on this day in 1783 in a balloon constructed by the Montgolfier brothers. Which of contemporary Paris’s over 400 public parks was the site of this historic flight?
Answer: Bois de Boulogne
The first untethered manned balloon ascent occurred on 21 November 1783, when two Frenchmen Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent, marquis d’Arlandes, travelling from the Château de la Muette across the Bois de Boulogne, Paris. The flight lasted 20 minutes in a hot air balloon designed and built by brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier. This historic event was witnessed by Louis XVI, the French Academy of Sciences, and the public, including Benjamin Franklin.
Three
On this date, Danish astronomer Ole Rømer presented the first quantitative measurements of the speed of light. Which century was this?
Answer: 17th century
In 1676, Danish astronomer Ole Rømer announced that an eclipse of Jupiter’s moon would occur ten minutes later than expected, a prediction based on his calculations of the speed of light. Despite this occurring as he predicted, there was initial scepticism from the Paris Académie des Sciences, including his patron, Cassini. Rømer’s claim was eventually confirmed by James Bradley’s discovery of the aberration of light in 1729.
René Magritte shown with one of his works featuring his recurring motif, a bowler hat. Image Encyclopædia Britannica
Four
Who is this Belgian artist, born on 21 November 1898 and pictured above with one of his works?
Answer: René Magritte
René Magritte (1898 – 15 August 1967) was a Belgian surrealist artist renowned for his bizarre and enigmatic paintings that depicted ordinary objects in unsettling, unexpected contexts, challenging perceptions of reality and representation. Influenced by Giorgio de Chirico, Magritte developed a unique style characterised by carefully rendered objects in dreamlike juxtapositions. His work gained international popularity in the 1930s and influenced pop art, minimalist art, and conceptual art, continuing until his death in 1967.
Five
Frankenstein, the classic horror film, was released in the US today in 1931. Who played the monster in this film?
Answer: Boris Karloff
Frankenstein is a 1931 American horror film directed by James Whale, based on Peggy Webling’s 1927 stage play adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel. Starring Colin Clive and Boris Karloff, the film follows Dr. Frankenstein’s experiment to create life, resulting in tragic consequences. It was a commercial success, significantly impacting popular culture and spawning sequels and remakes, with its influence still felt today.
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