Colonel Paul Tibbets, in the B-29 he named Enola Gay, August 1945. Image Wikipedia
One
On 6 August 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Firstly, what was the name of the bomb, and secondly, what name did the pilot of the aircraft which dropped the bomb give to that aircraft?
Answer: Little Boy and Enola Gay
On this day in 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, killing more than 70,000 people and destroying most of the city in an effort to hasten the end of World War II. The blast, caused by the atomic bomb Little Boy dropped by the U.S. B-29Enola Gay, resulted in around 70,000 instant deaths, with tens of thousands more dying in subsequent years from burns and radiation poisoning. The B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay was named after Enola Gay Tibbets by the pilot, her son, Colonel Paul Tibbets.
Two
Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming, who was born on on the 6 August 1881, revolutionised antibiotics in 1928 with the discovery of…
Answer: Penicillin
Alexander Fleming, who was born on 6 August 1881 at Lochfield Farm, Darvel, Ayrshire, was a Scottish bacteriologist best known for discovering penicillin in 1928, which revolutionised antibiotics and earned him the Nobel Prize in 1945.
Three
This actor, who was born 6 August 1917, portrayed Sheriff J.P. Harrah in the 1966 western El Dorado and was Charles Shaughnessy in Ryan’s Daughter (1970). Who is he?
Answer: Robert Mitchum
Robert Mitchum, an American actor known for his antihero roles and film noir appearances, received numerous accolades including an Academy Award nomination and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He starred in numerous films, including Out of the Past and Cape Fear, and was praised by critics for his deep voice and weary eyes.
Four
The Old Man of Hoy, a 449-foot sea stack, was first climbed by three mountaineers including Chris Bonnington, born on 6 August 1934. This sea stack is located in which British archipelago?
Answer: Orkney
The Old Man of Hoy is a 449-foot sea stack on Hoy, in the Orkney archipelago, Scotland. Formed from Old Red Sandstone, it is popular with climbers and may soon collapse. It was first climbed in 1966 by mountaineers Chris Bonington, Rusty Baillie and Tom Patey.
Five
A poet born on this day in 1809, penned the lines quoted
Someone had blundered. Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die. Who was the poet and what poem are the lines from?
Answer: Alfred, Lord Tennyson and The Charge of the Light Brigade
Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson, was an English poet and Poet Laureate during Queen Victoria’s reign. He is known for his short lyrics, classical mythological themes, and blank verse, with many of his phrases becoming commonplace in the English language. The lines quoted were from The Charge of the Light Brigade which is a narrative poem by Tennyson (The full poem is shown bellow). It describes the Charge of the Light Brigade, a disastrous British cavalry attack against heavily defended Russian troops at the Battle of Balaklava in October 1854 during the Crimean War. The suicidal assault placed the British light horse brigade, commanded by the Earl of Cardigan, against a Russian infantry and cavalry defence supported by heavy artillery batteries that commanded three sides of a narrow valley.
I Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. “Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!” he said. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.
II “Forward, the Light Brigade!” Was there a man dismayed? Not though the soldier knew Someone had blundered. Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.
III Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of hell Rode the six hundred.
IV Flashed all their sabres bare, Flashed as they turned in air Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while All the world wondered. Plunged in the battery-smoke Right through the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reeled from the sabre stroke Shattered and sundered. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred.
V Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell. They that had fought so well Came through the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred.
VI When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wondered. Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred!
On 6 August 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Firstly, what was the name of the bomb, and secondly, what name did the pilot of the aircraft which dropped the bomb give to that aircraft?
Two
Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming, who was born on on the 6 August 1881, revolutionised antibiotics in 1928 with the discovery of…
Three
This actor, who was born 6 August 1917, portrayed Sheriff J.P. Harrah in the 1966 western El Dorado and was Charles Shaughnessy in Ryan’s Daughter (1970). Who is he?
Four
The Old Man of Hoy, a 449-foot sea stack, was first climbed by three mountaineers including Chris Bonnington, born on 6 August 1934. This sea stack is located in which British archipelago?
Five
A poet born on this day in 1809, penned the lines quoted
Someone had blundered. Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die.
Who was the poet and what poem are the lines from?
What is the name of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series mentioned above?
Answer: A Song of Ice and Fire
George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is a high fantasy series. The series, originally planned as a trilogy, has five published volumes with two more planned.
Two
The first appearance of the detective duo Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson is in an 1887 novel. Which one?
Answer: A Study in Scarlet
A Study in Scarlet is an 1887 detective novel by Arthur Conan Doyle, introducing Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The novel, the first in the Holmes canon, follows the duo’s investigation of a murder, with Holmes describing the case as his “study in scarlet”.
Three
Killing Floor and Die Trying are books one and two in publication order of what book series?
Answer: Jack Reacher
The Jack Reacher series, written by Lee Child, follows the adventures of a former US Army major turned drifter. The series, which includes 29 books and a short story collection, has been adapted into films and a television series.
Four
What book series was at one point described as ‘a trilogy in five parts’?
Answer: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series is described as a ‘trilogy in five parts’. Some US editions humorously acknowledges the series’ evolving title saying,
…the book that gives a whole new meaning to the word ‘trilogy’.
Five
A seven-book series begins with a novel whose title hints at a cat, a sorcerer, and a closet. What is the series?
Answer: The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels by C.S. Lewis, set in the fictional realm of Narnia. The first book in the series is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The series follows the adventures of children transported to Narnia, where they are sometimes called upon by Aslan, a great, majestic talking lion, to protect the land from evil.
The answers to my earlier post are shown highlighted below.
One
Mr. and Mrs. …, of number four, … Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.
What surname and street name are missing from this opening line?
Answer: Dursley and Privet
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the first novel in the Harry Potter series. It follows Harry Potter, a young wizard who discovers his magical heritage and faces Lord Voldemort at Hogwarts.
Two
Physicist Leonardo Vetra smelled burning flesh, and he knew it was his own.
The above quote is the first line of what Dan Brown novel?
Answer: Angels and Demons
Angels & Demons is a 2000 mystery-thriller novel by Dan Brown, introducing Robert Langdon and featuring secret societies, a single-day timeframe, and the Catholic Church. The book heavily references ancient history, architecture, and symbology.
Three
Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically.
The above quote opens a book written in the UK in 1928 but not published openly in that country until 1960. What book?
Answer: Sonds and Lovers
Lady Chatterley’s Lover, D.H. Lawrence’s final novel, was published privately in 1928 and 1929. The book, known for its explicit content, was banned in several countries and became a landmark obscenity trial in the UK in 1960.
Four
The … were over.
What flower completes this quote from the opening of Richard Adams’ novel, Watership Down?
Answer: Primrose
The primroses were over.
Watership Down is an adventure novel about a group of anthropomorphised rabbits escaping the destruction of their warren and seeking a new home. The novel evokes epic themes as the rabbits face perils and temptations on their journey.
Five
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.
This is the first line of what novel and who wrote it?
Answer: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Rebecca, a 1938 Gothic novel by Daphne du Maurier, follows an unnamed young woman who marries a wealthy widower haunted by his late first wife, Rebecca. The novel, a bestseller, has been adapted numerous times for stage, screen, and as a musical.
True or false: snooker was first played in Raffles Hotel, Singapore?
Answer: False
Snooker originated in various officers’ mess of the British Army in India during the British Raj in the 1870s. It combined elements of pyramids and black pool, and the first set of rules was finalised in 1882 by Neville Chamberlain.
True or false: The Arctic Circle passes through eight countries.
Answer: True
The Arctic Circle passes through these eight countries: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, and the United States (Alaska).
Five
Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) Image Wikipedia
True or false: a group of two or three sharks, whether all male or all female, is called a shiver.
Answer: True
Another type of gathering is called a shiver. A shiver of sharks refers to smaller groups, usually composed of only two or three individuals. It’s unclear why these small clusters form, but some believe they could be related to mating behavior. Unlike a school, a shiver of sharks is usually made up of only one gender – either all males or all females. – Shark Sider
The above picture is a still from the 1927 film Wings, the first to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. It features Charles ‘Buddy’ Rogers and an actress known as the ‘It’ girl. Can you identify who this actress, born 29 July 1905, is?
Answer: Clara Bow
Clara Bow, known as ‘The It Girl’, was a prominent American actress during the silent film era and talkies. She retired from acting in 1933 after marrying and having two children.
Beginning the 25 July 2025, United States President Donald Trump stayed at his Turnberry Resort in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Interestingly, another US President was gifted an apartment in Culzean Castle, just a short drive from Turnberry. Who was this other president?
Answer: Dwight D. Eisenhower
In 1945, the Marquess of Ailsa gifted Culzean Castle to the National Trust for Scotland, offering the top floor to General Eisenhower as a token of appreciation for his role in World War II. Eisenhower visited the castle four times, including once as President, and affectionately called it his ‘Scottish White House’.
Dwight D. Eisenhower played Turnberry in 1959 while still president of the USA. Image BBC
Three
Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, beginning STS-135, the final mission of the Space Shuttle program. Image NASA.
On this day in 1958, NASA was established in the United States. What four words are represented by the letters in the NASA abbreviation?
Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
In response to the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik 1, President Eisenhower signed legislation in 1958 to establish NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), separating the US military and civil spaceflight programmes. NASA, succeeding NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics), has led most of America’s space exploration programmes, including the Apollo missions and the Space Shuttle.
On July 29, 1588, the Spanish Armada was sighted off the southern coast of England. Which Spanish monarch dispatched the fleet, and the overthrow of what English monarch was the objective of the Spanish invasion?
Answer: King Philip II (of Spain) and Queen Elizabeth I (of England)
The Spanish Armada, sent by King Philip II in 1588 to invade England and reinstate Catholicism, was commanded by Alonso de Guzmán and sailed from Lisbon. Despite reaching Calais, the Armada was defeated by the English fleet, which relied on artillery and faster ships. The Armada suffered losses from fire ships and the Battle of Gravelines, forcing it to retreat around Scotland and Ireland. The long and treacherous voyage back to Spain resulted in the loss of most of the Armada, with only 60 ships returning.
Five
Gandalf proves that Frodo’s Ring is the One Ring by throwing it into Frodo’s fireplace, revealing the hidden text of the Rhyme of the Rings. The Fellowship of the Ring. Image Wikipedia
On 29 July, the first part of J.R.R Tolkien’s fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings was published. In which decade did this occur?
ANSWER: 1950s (1954)
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, set in Middle-earth. The story follows the quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron, uniting a diverse group of characters including hobbits, a wizard, men, an elf, and a dwarf. The work, initially published in three volumes between 29 July 1954 and 20 October 1955, has become a literary classic, influencing the fantasy genre and inspiring numerous adaptations.
Quizology Online 