Fabulous Fantastic Fiascoes—Answers

Answers to the questions in the earlier post are shown in bold below.

US Military Academy, West Point, Coat of Arms
Image Wikipedia
  1. West Point military academy—Edgar Allan Poe attended the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1830. His time there was marked by academic success in subjects like mathematics, but he struggled with the strict military discipline. Poe deliberately sought dismissal by neglecting his duties and violating academy regulations. His tenure at West Point was brief, lasting less than a year, but it significantly influenced his literary career, as he turned his focus entirely to writing after leaving the academy.
    Pietà (1498–1499), by Michaelangelo. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
    Image Wikipedia
  2. 1475—Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475–1564), known simply as Michelangelo, was an influential Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet of the High Renaissance. Born in Florence, his work drew inspiration from classical antiquity, leaving a profound impact on Western art. Renowned for masterpieces like the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the statue of David, Michelangelo epitomised the Renaissance man alongside Leonardo da Vinci. His exceptional talents spanned multiple disciplines, and extensive surviving records highlight his artistic journey. Celebrated by contemporaries, Michelangelo remains one of the most documented and revered artists of the 16th century.
    Penny Black with Queen Victoria profile.
    Image Wikipedia
  3. Victoria, queen of Great Britain —The Penny Black, introduced in the United Kingdom on 1 May 1840 and valid from 6 May, was the world’s first adhesive postage stamp for public postal use. Featuring Queen Victoria’s profile, it revolutionised postal services based on Sir Rowland Hill’s proposal to simplify complex, costly rates. Prior to this, recipients paid postage based on distance and sheet count. The Penny Black marked a shift to sender-paid postage, enabling letters up to ½ ounce (14 grams) to be delivered nationwide for a uniform rate of one penny, streamlining and democratising communication across distances.
    Valentina Tereshkova.
    Image Wikipedia
  4. Valentina Tereshkova—Valentina Tereshkova, a Russian engineer and former Soviet cosmonaut, was the first woman in space, completing a solo mission on Vostok 6 in 1963. It was her only space flight.
    This is a drawing of the Alamo Mission in San Antonio. It was first printed in 1854 in Gleason’s Pictorial Drawing Room Companion and was reprinted in Frank Thompson’s 2005 “The Alamo”, p 106.
    Image Wikipedia
  5. 13 days—The Siege of the Alamo took place from 23 February to 6 March 1836 during the Texas Revolution. Mexican forces led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna besieged the Alamo Mission in San Antonio, defended by Texian rebels including James Bowie, William B. Travis and Davy Crockett. Despite fierce resistance, the Texians were vastly outnumbered. After 13 days of relentless bombardment and attacks, the Mexican army overran the mission, killing nearly all defenders. The defeat became a rallying cry, “Remember the Alamo!”, inspiring Texian forces to eventual victory in the revolution.
    Old Package of Aspirin, 20 tabs 0.5 g
    Image Wikipedia
  6. Aspirin—Aspirin, a genericized trademark for acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to alleviate pain, fever, and inflammation and as an antithrombotic. It treats specific inflammatory conditions like Kawasaki disease, pericarditis, and rheumatic fever. Long-term use helps prevent heart attacks, ischaemic strokes and blood clots in high-risk individuals. Effects for pain or fever usually start within 30 minutes. Aspirin functions like other NSAIDs but uniquely suppresses platelet function.
    Muhammad Ali.
    Image Wikipedia
  7. Cassius Clay—In 1964, Cassius Clay stunned the world by defeating Sonny Liston to win the heavyweight championship, defying the odds as an underdog. Just two days after his historic victory, Clay made headlines again by announcing his conversion to the Nation of Islam. This pivotal decision marked a profound personal transformation, as he embraced the teachings of Elijah Muhammad. On 6 March 1964, he adopted the name Muhammad Ali, symbolising his new identity and faith. Ali’s name change reflected not just a religious shift but a declaration of self-determination, which resonated throughout his illustrious boxing career and beyond.
    World Premiere Poster, 1853
    Image Wikipedia
  8. FiascoLa traviata premiered at La Fenice, Venice, in March 1853, amidst Verdi’s lingering apprehensions. The production faced hurdles from the start: Verdi disagreed with the casting of 38-year-old Fanny Salvini-Donatelli as Violetta, feeling she was ill-suited for the role of a youthful, consumptive heroine. Despite Verdi’s protests, no changes were made. The opening act received applause, but enthusiasm waned in the second act, where performances by baritone Felice Varesi and tenor Lodovico Graziani met with disapproval. Verdi later lamented in a letter, “La traviata last night a failure. Was the fault mine or the singers’? Time will tell.” He further said, “It was a fiasco!”
    Eleanor Roosevelt with female reporters at her first White House press conference on March 6, 1933.
    Credit: FDR Presidential Library & Museum
    Image via National Woman’s History Museum
  9. Eleanor Roosevelt—Eleanor Roosevelt recounted to journalist Lorena Hickok that the first White House press conference for women reporters, held on 6 March 1933—two days after FDR’s inauguration—was held in the Red Room. Thirty-five women attended, but there weren’t enough chairs, so some sat on the floor. These weekly conferences, open only to women, helped preserve their jobs and ensured news access. As Mrs Roosevelt noted without fresh stories, women reporters risked losing their jobs. The conferences focused on topics of interest to women, avoiding politics. Over twelve years, 348 conferences provided the First Lady with a national audience and significant publicity.
    Dmitri Mendeleev.
    Image Wikipedia
  10. 1869—On 6 March 1869, a scientist presented to the Russian Chemical Society about how elements’ properties relate to their atomic weights. He found that elements arranged by atomic weight show a pattern in their properties. Similar elements often have similar atomic weights or a regular increase in weight. Elements in groups based on atomic weight also match their valencies and chemical properties. He noted that widely spread elements have small atomic weights and that atomic weight influences an element’s nature. He predicted the discovery of new elements and suggested that atomic weights could help predict element properties.
Coloured periodic table showing the most common sets of elements (2023)
Image Wikipedia
Pietà (1498–1499), by Michaelangelo. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
Image Wikipedia

Fabulous Fantastic Fiascoes

Michelangelo.
Image Wikipedia
  1. On this day in 1831, American writer Edgar Allan Poe was court-martialled for disobedience and expelled from…
    • Annapolis naval academy
    • Marine Corps Base Quantico
    • West Point military academy
  2. Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo was born on 6 March in…
    • 1375
    • 1475
    • 1575
  3. On 6 March 1840, the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, went into use featuring an image of…
    • Jonas Furrer, president of Switzerland
    • Victoria, queen of Great Britain
    • Martin Van Buren, president of the US
  4. The first female to travel in space was born on this day in 1937, she was…
    • Valentina Ponomaryova
    • Svetlana Savitskaya
    • Valentina Tereshkova 
  5. The Alamo, San Antonio fell and was captured today in 1836 following a siege which had lasted…
    • 3 days
    • 13 days
    • 31 days
  6. On 6 March 1899, acetylsalicylic acid is patented by Felix Hoffmann at the German company Bayer under the genericized trademark…
    • Aspirin
    • Ibuprofen
    • Paracetamol 
  7. This day in 1964 a boxer changed his name to Muhammad Ali. He had had changed his name from…
    • Augustus Amber
    • Balbinus Beryl
    • Cassius Clay
  8. Today in 1853, La traviata, by Giuseppe Verdi, was premiered at La Fenice opera house in Venice. The composer later described it as…
    • Fabulous
    • Fantastic
    • Fiasco
  9. The first First Lady to hold an official press conference in the White House did so on 6 March. She was…
    • Eleanor Roosevelt
    • Jackie Kennedy
    • Pat Nixon
  10. At a meeting of the Russian Chemical Society, Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev presented the first periodic table on this day in …
    • 1869
    • 1895
    • 1921

Good luck! The answers will be posted later today.

Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd—Atebion*

(“Do ye the little things in life”—Answers*)

Saint David
[Image Wikipedia]
  1. Saint David—Today, March 1st, marks Saint David’s Day. David, a prominent Welsh Christian prelate who served as Bishop of Mynyw in the 6th century and is the patron saint of Wales. His exact birthdate remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from 462 to 512. Traditionally, he is believed to be the son of Non and grandson of Ceredig ap Cunedda. St. David’s profound wisdom is encapsulated in the phrase “Do ye the little things in life.” This timeless advice emphasises the significance of small tasks and details in our daily routines. By cultivating humility, mindfulness, and a present-moment focus, we can unlock the potential for personal growth and spiritual fulfilment. By diligently attending to these minor details, we can pave the way for greater achievements and a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us.
  2. Massachusetts—In 1692, Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne and Tituba were brought before local magistrates in Salem Village, Massachusetts. This marked the beginning of the infamous Salem witch trials. Tituba was an enslaved Native American but little is known of her. The Smithsonian Magazine says —

    Tituba may have sailed from Barbados in 1680 with Parris [Samuel Parris, the minister in whose household the witchcraft erupted], then still a bachelor and not yet a minister. Though likely a South American Indian, her origins are unclear.

    The Smithsonian Magazine
    David Niven with Oscar (1959)
    [Image Wikipedia]
  3. David Niven—David Niven, an English actor, soldier, and author, initially served in the British Army but returned during World War II. He gained fame in Hollywood, winning an Academy Award and two Golden Globes for films like ‘Separate Tables’ and ‘Around the World in 80 Days’. After studying at Sandhurst, he left the army in 1933 to pursue acting. Niven returned to military service in WWII and earned the Legion of Merit for his contributions to the BBC Allied Expeditionary Forces Programme. Post-war, he continued acting, notably playing James Bond in ‘Casino Royale’ (1967), and enjoyed renewed popularity with his memoir ‘The Moon’s a Balloon’. He also wrote a second novel, ‘Go Slowly, Come Back Quickly’, and appeared in films like ‘Death on the Nile’. Niven passed away in 1983 from ALS, remembered as a charismatic Hollywood figure.
    1966 Soviet Union 6 kopeks stamp. Venera 3 Pendant and Medal.
    [Image Wikipedia]
  4. Venera 3 and Venus—Venera 3, the first spacecraft to land on another planet, crashed on Venus on 1 March 1966 after a course correction manoeuvre. A Soviet space probe, Venera 3 was launched in 1965 to explore Venus’ surface. It comprised an entry probe and a carrier/flyby spacecraft. Contact was lost on 15 February due to overheating.
  5. 1872—Established on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park stands as the first national park dedicated to preserving and showcasing the world’s unique hydrothermal and geologic features. Spanning an expansive 2.2 million acres, visitors are afforded unparalleled opportunities to witness wildlife in their natural habitat and explore geothermal wonders. Yellowstone boasts approximately half of the world’s active geysers, as well as awe-inspiring geologic formations like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
Horace M. Albright, Superintendent of Yellowstone, with some bears at a table in Yellowstone National Park, 1922.
[Image Wikipedia]

*Atebion and Answers. I hope my translation is correct but if not please accept my apologies.

Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd

(“Do ye the little things in life”)

Here are some trivia questions which have some connection to 1 March.

  1. The saying in Welsh at the top of this post is attributed to which Holy man who is connected to March?
    • Saint David
    • Saint Joseph
    • Saint Patrick
    Salem Witch Trials
    [Image Wikipedia]
  2. Three women were brought before local magistrates on 1 march 1692 beginning what would become the Salem Witch Trials. In what colony was Salem?
    • Connecticut
    • Massachusetts
    • Rhode Island
  3. An English actor, soldier and author born this day in 1910 who links Phileas Fogg, The Pink Panther and James Bond. As an officer in the British Army he took part in the World War II Normandy invasion. He also wrote the memoir The Moon’s a Balloon. Who is he?
    • Alec Guinness
    • David Niven
    • Richard Burton
    Solar System
    [Image Wikipedia]
  4. What became the first space craft to land on another planet on this day in 1966 and what planet did it land on?
    • Mars 1 and Mars
    • Mariner 2 and Mercury
    • Venera 3 and Venus
  5. The world’s first national park is established at Yellowstone in the US. This establishment took place on 1 March…
    • 1859
    • 1872
    • 1885

Good luck, the answers will be posted later today.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happy Hour—Answers

The answers are in bold below.

  1. Radar O’Reilly—Gary Burghoff played Corporal Walter Eugene Radar O’Reilly in both the film and television series. It was only on TV that he had this full name as he is known simply as Radar in the film. Hot Lips was played by Sally Kellerman in the film and Loretta Swift on TV; Trapper John was played by Elliott Gould (film) and Wayne Rogers (TV). 

    Theatrical release poster for the 1970 black comedy–war film M*A*S*H. The caption “M*A*S*H Gives a Damn” refers to the Ratings Administration taking issue with the film’s frequent use of the word.
    [Image Wikipedia]
  2. Three—the Korean War lasted from 1950 to 1953.
  3. Benjamin Franklin PierceHawkeye (Alan Alda in the TV series), a central character in the MASH series, is known for his medical expertise, humour, heavy drinking and womanising ways. He becomes the Chief Surgeon early in the first season. Donald Sutherland played Hawkeye in the 1970 film. It is a quote from Hawkeye that provides the title of this post—Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happy Hour.
  4. Mobile Army Surgical Hospital—Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals were U.S. Army field hospital units operational from the Korean War to the Gulf War. Each MASH unit had 60 beds and provided support to army units of 10,000 to 20,000 soldiers, with a low mortality rate due to shorter transportation times.
  5. Jamie Farr—Maxwell “Max” Klinger, an Arab-American orderly in the 4077th MASH unit, initially attempts to gain a Section 8 discharge by cross-dressing and engaging in eccentric behaviour. After becoming the company clerk, he abandons these antics and later marries Soon Lee Han, a Korean refugee, choosing to stay in Korea to help her find her family. In AfterMASH, they move to the US, facing challenges that lead Klinger to bookmaking and eventual employment at a veterans’ hospital.
  6. 4077th—loosely based on the historic 8055th MASH unit.
  7. Father John Mulcahy—a Catholic priest and US Army chaplain, serves at the 4077th. He is known for his compassionate nature, boxing skills, and ecumenical approach to religion. Despite his unshakable faith, he struggles with the importance of his role compared to the doctors’ life-saving abilities. Appearing in the novel, film and television series he is played by René Auberjonois (film) and William Christopher on television with the exception of the pilot episode when George Martin had the role.
  8. Suicide is Painless—is a song from the 1970 film M*A*S*H, performed by characters and The Ron Hicklin Singers. It was composed by Johnny Mandel with lyrics by Mike Altman (the directors 15-year-old-son). The instrumental version became the theme music for the TV series.
    Cover of MASH, by Richard Hooker. 1969 edition, Pocket Books [Image Wikipedia]
  9. Richard Hooker—the pseudonym of Hiester Richard Hornberger Jr., who authored the novel MASH based on his experiences as a surgeon with the 8055th MASH during the Korean War. The novel was adapted into the successful film and television series.
  10. AmenGoodbye, Farewell and Amen

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happy Hour

M*A*S*H Final Episode—28 February 1983

Title card [Image Wikipedia]

The final episode of the television series M*A*S*H aired on 28 February 1983. The record-breaking episode is described as follows in Wikipedia

“As of 2025, it remains the most-watched single episode of any television series in U.S. history, and for twenty-seven years was the most-watched single broadcast in television history.” 

Wikipedia

Here are some M*A*S*H related questions to operate on.

  1. The only character to be played by the same actor in both the 1970 film and television series was…
    • Hot Lips Houlihan
    • Radar O’Reilly
    • Trapper John McIntyre

    Publicity photo from the M*A*S*H season premiere, 1974. Pictured are: Loretta Swit, Larry Linville, Wayne Rogers, Gary Burghoff, Alan Alda (driver of jeep), and McLean Stevenson. [Image Wikipedia]
  2. The 11 series of M*A*S*H aired from 1972 to 1983 and depicted life in a military hospital during the Korean War. How many years did the Korean War last?
    • Three
    • Seven
    • Eleven
  3. Alan Alda played Hawkeye Pierce, what was his character’s full name?
    • Alexander Hamilton Pierce
    • Benjamin Franklin Pierce
    • George Washington Pierce
  4. In the context of the novel, film and TV series what four words do these letters M*A*S*H represent?
    • Major Aid Station (with) Helipad
    • Military Advanced Support Helicopter
    • Mobile Army Surgical Hospital
  5. Corporal Maxwell Klinger was often seen wearing women’s clothing in an attempt to get a psychiatric discharge from the Army. Who was the actor in this role?
    • Jamie Farr
    • Larry Linville
    • Gary Burghoff
  6. M*A*S*H was about life in what specific MASH unit?
    • 1066th
    • 4077th
    • 7088th
  7. Who was the US Army Chaplain assigned to this MASH unit?
    • Father Matthew Muelken
    • Father John Mulcahy
    • Father Patrick Mulholland
  8. What was the name for the music often described as the Theme from M*A*S*H?
    • None Like it Hot
    • A War for all Seasons
    • Suicide is Painless 
  9. Who wrote the novel MASH which spawned the film and television series?
    • Raymond Harlot
    • Richard Hooker
    • Roger Hustler 
  10. Complete the title of the final M*A*S*H episode Goodbye, Farewell and ___.
    • Adieu
    • Adios
    • Amen

The answers will be posted later today.

Who, What, When, Where, Why and How: 26 February—Answers

Who

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash. [Image Wikipedia]

Johnny Cash’s music explored sorrow, moral dilemmas, and redemption, featuring a deep bass-baritone voice and the Tennessee Three’s distinctive sound.  His free prison concerts and all-black stage attire solidified his iconic status.


What

US Army in Hawaii

From Here to Eternity, US theatrical release poster for the 1951 film. [Image Wikipedia]

James Jones’s debut novel, From Here to Eternity, is set in Hawaii in 1941 and follows the lives of US Army infantry company members. The novel, loosely based on Jones’s experiences, won the National Book Award and was adapted into a successful film.


When

1919

Grand Canyon National Park poster (1938).
[Image Wikipedia]

Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona features the Grand Canyon, a natural wonder of the Colorado River.  The park, spanning over 1.2 million acres, welcomes millions of visitors annually.


Where

Mediterranean Sea

Elba. [Image Wikipedia]

Elba is a Mediterranean island in Tuscany, Italy, known for its natural beauty and historical significance as Napoleon’s first exile site. It is the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago and part of the Arcipelago Toscano National Park.

Elba, shown here in the Tyrrhenian Sea part of the Mediterranean Sea. [Image Wikipedia]

Why 

Portugal wished to control the Congo Basin

Map showing the Congo River drainage basin.
[Image Wikipedia]

The Berlin Conference of 1884–1885, organised by Otto von Bismarck, regulated European colonisation and trade in Africa. The conference concluded with the signing of the General Act of Berlin. The Berlin Conference, initiated by Portugal and supported by Britain, brought together 14 nations to establish a joint policy for Africa.

Western Lowland Gorilla, an endangered species, in the the Congo River basin. [Image Wikipedia]

How

Novelist


Victor Hugo in 1829, lithograph by Achille Devéria in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. [Image Wikipedia]

Victor Hugo was a French Romantic author, poet, essayist, playwright, and politician. His most famous works include novels like The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Les Misérables, as well as poetry collections like Les Contemplations and La Légende des siècles.

Portrait of Victor Hugo, deputy of the Second Republic in 1848, gallery of the representatives of the people of the French National Assembly, Paris. [Image Wikipedia]

Who, What, When, Where, Why and How: 26 February

The following Who, What, When, Where, Why and How all relate to this date: 26 February.

Who

A singer-songwriter born this day in 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas, US. recorded songs such as Hey, Porter; Cry, Cry, Cry and I Walk the Line and in the 1950s became the top country and western recording artist. He later became a champion for social justice and penal reform.

  • Who is being described?
    • Johnny Cash
    • Jim Reeves
    • Hank Williams

What

From Here to Eternity by James Jones was published today in 1951 and later was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film of the same name.

  • What was the novel mainly about?
    • Roald Amundsen’s South Pole Expedition
    • Roman Catholic Church’s Papal Conclave
    • US Army in Hawaii

When

Grand Canyon
[Image from Wikipedia]

On 26 February the Grand Canyon National Park was established by the US Congress.

  • When was this?
    • 1899
    • 1909
    • 1919 

Where

Napoleon
[Image from Wikipedia]

Napoleon escaped exile from an island on this day in 1815 and made his way to Paris where, on his arrival on 20 March, a period now known as the Hundred Days began.

  • Where was the island situated?
    • South Atlantic Ocean 
    • English Channel
    • Mediterranean Sea

Why

The Berlin West Africa Conference concluded on the 26 February 1885.

  • Why had it been convened some 3 months previously?
    • German Empire sought all territory between the Niger and Zambezi Rivers
    • Portugal wished to control the Congo Basin
    • Great Britain desired sole control of West Africa south of the Sahara

How

Victor Hugo, born today in 1802, is, according to Encyclopædia Britannica, renowned in France as one of the country’s greatest poets but that is not the case abroad.

  • How is he widely thought of elsewhere?
    • As a musician
    • As a novelist
    • As a painter

The answers will be posted later today. 

If I’d a knowed what a trouble it was to make a book I wouldn’t a tackled it and aint’t agoing to no more—Answer

  1. Mark Twain
  2. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Yours Truly
[Image from Wikimedia]

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a novel by Mark Twain, was published in the UK in 1884 and the US in 1885. The book’s narrator, Huckleberry Finn, uses simple language to describe scenes, characters, and narrate the story with humour and irony.

Huck runs away from his abusive father and travels down the Mississippi River with Jim, a runaway slave. Along the way, he meets various characters and learns to overcome racial prejudices and respect Jim. The book describes the river and surrounding forests, showcasing Huck’s good nature and humour. However, it also highlights human cruelty, both individual acts and societal institutions like slavery.

Twain’s novel, along with The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, revolutionised children’s and American literature by presenting a realistic portrayal of boyhood. It’s a classic of American realism, especially for its depiction of the pre-Civil War South through dialect. This realism sparked controversy in the late 20th century, with some finding the language offensive. Despite Huck’s friendship with Jim, the book was considered racist. The publication of a bowdlerised version in 2011 generated further debate and was deemed equally unacceptable.

If I’d a knowed what a trouble it was to make a book I wouldn’t a tackled it and aint’t agoing to no more

Tom’s most well, now, and got his bullet around his neck on a watch-guard for a watch, and is always seeing what time it is, and so there ain’t nothing more to write about, and I am rotten glad of it, because if I’d a knowed what a trouble it was to make a book I wouldn’t a tackled it and aint’t agoing to no more. But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me and I can’t stand it. I been there before.

The above quote by the title character is the last paragraph of a book published in the US on 18 February 1885 (it had been published in the UK two months previously). 

  1. Who is the author of this work?
    • Charles Dickens
    • Rudyard Kipling
    • Mark Twain
  2. What is the title of the novel? (There is no multiple-choice this time)

The answers will be posted later today.