Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, 28 April.
Coat of arms of Ankh-Morpork Motto is “Quanti Canicula Ille in Fenestra” (How much is that doggy in the window) Image Wikipedia
Which author born 28 April 1948, provided the city state of Ankh Morpork with the Latatian motto – Quanti Canicula Illa In Fenestra – meaning, “How Much Is That Doggy In The Window”?
Douglas Adams
Neil Gaiman
Terry Pratchett
On this day in 1947, Thor Heyerdahl set out on the primitive raft Kon-tiki to demonstrate that Easter Island could have been reached by whom?
Paraguayans
Peruvians
Puerto ricans
On this day in 1789, William Bligh and 18 of his crewmen were set adrift in the Pacific Ocean. From which ship were they set adrift?
Amistad
Bounty
Caine
Ferruccio Lamborghini, born on this day in 1916, built his “Carioca” in 1948. What best describes it?
Speedboat
Sports car
Tractor
Which album, which reached number one on the Billboard Album Charts on 28 April 1973, has remained on the charts for over 990 weeks (March 2025)?
(Left to right, per Getty Image crediting): Ed Pollack, Albert Wynn, Thomas A. Dorsey, Ma Rainey, Dave Nelson and Gabriel Washington in 1923. Image Wikipedia
Who, born 26 April 1886, in Columbus, Georgia, US; performed as Ma Rainey and was known as the “Mother of the blues”?
Gertrude Pridgett—Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, the “Mother of the Blues”, was a pioneering blues singer who began her career in vaudeville. Her powerful voice and flamboyant performances helped popularise the blues, influencing generations of singers.
Mount Ventoux. Image Wikipedia
What best describes Petrarch who climbed Mount Ventoux today in 1336 and, at some point, wrote about it?
Poet—Francis Petrarch, a prominent scholar and poet of the early Italian Renaissance, climbed Mont Ventoux in 1336. Inspired by the climb and a reading of Saint Augustine’s “Confessions,” Petrarch reflected on the true nature of wonder, shifting his focus from the external world to the inner soul.
The seal of the London Company, also known as the Charter of the Virginia Company of London. Image Wikipedia
When did the Virginia Company colonists make landfall at Cape Henry?
1607—The Virginia Company, chartered by [Britain’s] King James I in 1606, aimed to colonise America’s eastern coast and established the Jamestown Colony in Virginia. Despite initial challenges, John Rolfe’s introduction of sweeter tobacco strains from the Caribbean improved the company’s prospects. The company also founded America’s first legislature, the General Assembly, in 1619. However, it was dissolved in 1624 after the Great Massacre, leading to Virginia becoming a royal colony.
Wreckage of Messerschmitt Bf 110D flown by Rudolf Hess, Bonnyton Moor, Scotland. Image Wikipedia
Where, during World War II, was senior Nazi Rudolf Hess—born today in 1894—captured?
Scotland—Rudolf Hess, a German National Socialist and Adolf Hitler’s deputy, flew to Scotland in 1941 to negotiate a peace between Britain and Germany. His proposals were rejected by both the British government and Hitler, who accused him of “pacifist delusions”. After the war, Hess was tried at the Nuremberg trials, convicted, and sentenced to life imprisonment. He served his sentence at Spandau prison in Berlin, where he was the sole inmate from 1966 onwards.
The Hull-Ottawa fire, 26 April 1900. Image Wikipedia
Why were thousands of people in Canada left without a home on this date in 1900?
Fire—In 1900, a fire caused by a defective chimney in Hull, Quebec, spread to Ottawa, Ontario, destroying two-thirds of Hull and one-fifth of Ottawa. The fire, fuelled by wind and lumber, caused significant property damage and loss of life, with seven people being killed in the conflagration which displaced 15,000 people.
How did John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln, die?
Gunshot—Following Lincoln’s assassination, John Wilkes Booth fled to southern Maryland, seeking refuge with Confederate sympathisers. After a failed attempt to cross the Potomac, Booth was shot and killed in a tobacco barn by Sergeant Boston Corbett.
“The killing of Booth, the assassin—the dying murderer drawn from the barn where he had taken refuge, on Garrett’s farm, near Port Royal, Va., April 26, 1865.” (Frank Leslie’s Illustrated News) Image Wikipedia
Barbra Streisand, who was born on 24 April 1942, starred in the 1976 iteration of A Star is Born (1976). How often, up to April 2025, has the film been made?
Four times—A Star is Born has been made four times. The original film, released in 1937, starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March and was directed by William A. Wellman. It was followed by a 1954 remake starring Judy Garland and James Mason, directed by George Cukor. Streisand starred with Kris Kristofferson in the 1976 remake, directed by Frank Pierson. The fourth film, released in 2018, starred Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who also directed it.
Tuthmosis III basalt statue in Luxor Museum. Image Wikipedia
On this day in 1479 BCE, Thutmose III ascended to the throne of…
Egypt—Thutmose III, the fifth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, ruled Egypt from around 1479 to 1425 BC. Known as the “Napoleon of Egypt,” he led many successful military campaigns, expanding Egypt’s empire, creating its navy and conquering all of Syria. He crossed the Euphrates to defeat the Mitannians and penetrated south along the Nile River to Napata in Sudan. Thutmose III was a skilled warrior who brought the Egyptian empire to its zenith and built numerous temples and monuments to commemorate his achievements.
Pope Benedict XVI. Image Wikipedia
Joseph Ratzinger was installed as Pope on 24 April. What papal name did he choose?
Benedict XVI—Benedict XVI—born Joseph Ratzinger— served as head of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013. During his tenure, he faced challenges such as declining vocations, church attendance and the sexual abuse scandal. A prominent theologian, he advocated for traditional Catholic values and revived several church traditions. Benedict resigned due to age-related health concerns, becoming the first pope to do so since 1415.
Francis II of France and Mary, Queen of Scots, aged 14 and 15 respectively. Image Wikipedia
On April 24, 1558, fifteen-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots, was married. Where did the wedding take place?
Notre-Dame de Paris, France—Mary, Queen of Scots, married Francis, Dauphin of France, at Notre-Dame de Paris in 1558 in a political alliance between Scotland and France, orchestrated by her mother, Mary of Guise, to strengthen their bond. Mary was sent to France at the age of five to be raised at the court of King Henry II, where she grew up to be a Frenchwoman, excelling in hunting, dancing and languages. At 15, she married Francis, the eldest son of Henry and Catherine, in a political union between France and Scotland.
Portrait of Anthony Trollope by Samuel Laurence, c.1864 Image Wikipedia
Born on 24 April 1815, this English novelist, essayist and short story writer is credited with introducing Britain’s ubiquitous pillar box (mail box). Who is he?
Anthony Trollope—The first British wayside letter boxes were introduced in the Channel Islands in 1852 to address mail collection issues due to irregular sailing times. Designed by Anthony Trollope, the cast iron pillar boxes were an instant success, though initially, they faced rainwater ingress problems.
Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, 24 April.
Barbra Streisand, who was born on 24 April 1942, starred in the 1976 iteration of A Star is Born (1976). How often, up to April 2025, has the film been made?
Twice
Three times
Four times
On this day in 1479 BCE, Thutmose III ascended to the throne of…
China
Egypt
Mesopotamia
Joseph Ratzinger was installed as Pope on 24 April. What papal name did he choose?
Adrian VI
Benedict XVI
Clement X
On April 24, 1558, fifteen-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots, was married. Where did the wedding take place?
Iona Abbey, Isle of Iona, Scotland
Notre-Dame de Paris, France
St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland
British pillar box. West Gate, Warwick, Warwickshire, England. (1856 type). Image Wikipedia
Born on 24 April 1815, this English novelist, essayist and short story writer is credited with introducing Britain’s ubiquitous pillar box (mail box). Who is he?
On 18 April 1980, Elmore City, Oklahoma, held the first dance in the town’s history. The Kevin Bacon film, which was loosely based on this, was…
Footloose—Footloose is a 1984 American musical drama film about Ren, a Chicago teenager who moves to Bomont, a town with a ban on rock ‘n’ roll and dancing. Ren struggles to fit in and gets into trouble when he falls for Ariel Moore, the preacher’s daughter. To challenge the ban, Ren confronts prejudice and the town’s strict preacher through dance. The film was a box office success, grossing $80 million in North America. It was loosely based on real events in Elmore City, where a ban on public dancing existed before statehood. In the 1979-1980 school year, students lobbied for a school prom with dancing, facing opposition from church leaders. Ultimately, the town mayor supported the students, declaring the prom a non-public event, and the school board authorised it. The controversy gained national attention, inspiring songwriter/screenwriter Dean Pitchford to create the film.
Interior of dome, St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. Wikipedia
In Vatican City, the cornerstone of the current St. Peter’s Basilica was laid on this day in…
1506—Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, a renowned Italian Renaissance church designed by Bramante, Michelangelo and Maderno, is considered one of the holiest Catholic shrines and the largest church in the world by interior measure. Believed to be the burial site of Saint Peter, it was begun in 1506 and completed in 1615. The basilica, designed as a Latin cross with a prominent dome, serves as a major pilgrimage site and the church of the popes. Its construction involved several architects, including Michelangelo, who designed the iconic dome, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who designed the elliptical piazza in front of it.
The publication, on 18 April 1938, of Action Comics #1 saw the debut of…
Superman—Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938. He is the archetypal superhero, fighting crime as a vigilante with extraordinary abilities and popularised the superhero genre.
Today in 2018, King Mswati III announced that his country’s name would change to Eswatini. The name it changed from was…
Swaziland—Eswatini, formerly Swaziland— is a landlocked country in Southern Africa bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. It has a lower-middle income economy, with agriculture and manufacturing as the main employment sectors. The country is an absolute monarchy ruled by King Mswati III since 1986 and faces significant health challenges, including high HIV/AIDS rates. Its capital is Phondvo, while Mbabane serves as the administrative centre.
On 18 April 1942, Pierre Laval became Prime Minister of…
Vichy France—Vichy France, established in 1940 under Marshal Philippe Pétain, governed the unoccupied zone of France after the Nazi German defeat. Initially collaborating with Germany, the regime shifted towards a corporatist state, emphasising “Work, family, fatherland”. However, after the Allied invasion of North Africa and the German occupation of the entire country, Vichy became increasingly subservient to Germany, ultimately collapsing with the Allied liberation in 1944. They were known as “Vichy France” as that city was the seat of their government.
Marshal Philippe Pétain meeting Hitler in October 1940. Wikipedia
See #2 below. Laphroaig Distillery, Islay, Scotland. Geograph UK/Wikipedia
As usual, the answers to my earlier questions are in bold below. But in a change from normal, I have decided to include the questions as well but will strike out the incorrect alternative answers. I am not sure if it will be permanent or not.
(V) In which state is Naulakha, the home built for Rudyard Kipling in 1892-93?
Veracruz, Mexico
Vermont, US—Naulakha, a historic Shingle Style house in Dummerston, Vermont, was built in 1893 and served as Rudyard Kipling’s home until 1896. During this time, Kipling wrote several notable works, including Captains Courageous and The Jungle Book. The house, named after the Naulakha Pavilion in Lahore, is now owned by the Landmark Trust and available for rent.
Whisky—Malt whisky is made from malted barley and can be single malt if produced at a single distillery. Other malted grains can be used, but the whisky is then specified by the grain. Caol Ila and Laphroaig are both from the Isle of Islay, Scotland; Rosebank is a malt from the Scottish lowlands.
(X) Which of these words is omitted from this poem’s opening lines?
Xagacía
Xai-xai
Xanadu—the quote is below and the complete poem is at the bottom of the post.
In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea.
(Y) Which former Soviet republic capital is located on the Hrazdan River?
Yaounde
Yaren
Yerevan—the capital of Armenia, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Founded in 782 BC as the fortress of Erebuni, it has served as Armenia’s capital since 1918. Yerevan is a cultural and industrial centre, home to numerous landmarks, museums and theatres.
(Z) What activity consisting of rolling downhill inside an orb, typically made of transparent plastic, pictured, is taking place here?
Zooming
Zorbing—or globe-riding, involves rolling downhill inside a transparent plastic orb. There are two types of orbs: harnessed for one to two riders and non-harnessed for up to three riders.
In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea. So twice five miles of fertile ground With walls and towers were girdled round; And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills, Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree; And here were forests ancient as the hills, Enfolding sunny spots of greenery.
But oh! that deep romantic chasm which slanted Down the green hill athwart a cedarn cover! A savage place! as holy and enchanted As e’er beneath a waning moon was haunted By woman wailing for her demon-lover! And from this chasm, with ceaseless turmoil seething, As if this earth in fast thick pants were breathing, A mighty fountain momently was forced: Amid whose swift half-intermitted burst Huge fragments vaulted like rebounding hail, Or chaffy grain beneath the thresher’s flail: And mid these dancing rocks at once and ever It flung up momently the sacred river. Five miles meandering with a mazy motion Through wood and dale the sacred river ran, Then reached the caverns measureless to man, And sank in tumult to a lifeless ocean; And ’mid this tumult Kubla heard from far Ancestral voices prophesying war! The shadow of the dome of pleasure Floated midway on the waves; Where was heard the mingled measure From the fountain and the caves. It was a miracle of rare device, A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice!
A damsel with a dulcimer In a vision once I saw: It was an Abyssinian maid And on her dulcimer she played, Singing of Mount Abora. Could I revive within me Her symphony and song, To such a deep delight ’twould win me, That with music loud and long, I would build that dome in air, That sunny dome! those caves of ice! And all who heard should see them there, And all should cry, Beware! Beware! His flashing eyes, his floating hair! Weave a circle round him thrice, And close your eyes with holy dread For he on honey-dew hath fed, And drunk the milk of Paradise.
Portrait of Samuel Pepys by John Hayls. Wikipedia See #3.
Q) Question mark—The question mark, used to indicate questions in many languages, has a history dating back to the 5th century. Its modern form, a curved mark, emerged in the 13th century and was standardised in the 15th century. The term “question mark” was first used in the 1850s. Rebecca book cover. Wikipedia
(R) Rebecca—Rebecca is a 1938 Gothic novel by Daphne du Maurier about a young woman who marries a wealthy widower haunted by his late first wife. The novel, a bestseller, has been adapted for stage, screen and as a musical.
(S) Samuel Peyps—Eleanor Gwyn, also known as Nell Gwyn, was an English actress and mistress of King Charles II, celebrated for her comic performances and as a folk heroine of Restoration England. She had two sons with the King, Charles and James Beauclerk. Known for her frank recklessness, generosity and good temper, Nell rose from humble beginnings as an orange-girl to become a leading comedienne in the King’s Company, performing in plays by John Dryden and James Howard. After becoming Charles II’s mistress in 1669, she retired from the stage, lived extravagantly, entertained the king and his friends and secured titles for her sons. Inland Taipan aka Fierce snake. Wikipedia
(T) Taipan—Taipans are large, fast-moving, highly venomous snakes endemic to Australia and New Guinea. There are three recognised species, with the coastal taipan having two subspecies. Taipan refers to foreign-born senior business executives or entrepreneurs operating in China or Hong Kong. The term also refers to influential business families in the Philippines. Tai-Pan, a 1966 novel by James Clavell, is the second book in his Asian Saga and introduces the Struan family.
(U) Uranus—Gustav Holst’s The Planets is a seven-movement orchestral suite depicting the planets as astrological symbols. The suite premiered in 1918 and quickly became popular.
Uranus on 1986-01-23 formula NASA’s Voyager 2 probe. Wikipedia
Quizology Online 