Quizology.Online

Tag: literature

  • From House Demolition to Dining Out

    Zaphod Beeblebrox.
    Wikipedia

    As the writer and creator of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was born on 12 March 1952, here are some questions on that subject; so from Agrajag to Zem, if you like.

    1. The creator and writer of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was…
      • Douglas Adams
      • Terry Pratchett
      • Isaac Asimov
    2. The character Marvin is known as the…
      • Fraught Robot
      • Paranoid Android
      • Clot Bot
    3. Who, described as “a tragic and piteous creature”, is continually reincarnated and subsequently killed?
      • Agrajag
      • Annie
      • Almighty Bob
    4. The Ameglian Major Cow, which the main characters meet, has a desire to be…
      • Loved
      • Read poetry
      • Eaten
    5. Zem is an affable, yet stupid, swamp-dwelling…
      • Magician
      • Mattress
      • Mannequin
    6. Who, with an automobile-like name, is a main character?
      • Ford Prefect
      • Nissan Micra
      • Vauxhall Viva
    7. What is a type of drive powered the spacecraft Heart of Gold?
      • Infantile Tantrum Drive
      • Infinite Improbability Drive
      • Impractical Inability Drive
    8. This person is a Magrathean who is a designer of planets, his name is…
      • Vroomfondel
      • Slartibartfast
      • Majikthise
    9. The story opens on Earth in the home of…
      • Arthur Dent
      • Brian Bash
      • Charlie Scrape
    10. As what did The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy start out?
      • Novel
      • Radio series
      • Film

    Good luck! The answers will appear later today.

  • Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio—Answers

    Joe DiMaggio.
    Wikipedia
    1. Paul Simon and the song was Mrs Robinson—DiMaggio’s elegant style and sophisticated demeanour inspired nostalgic lines in literature and music, including Paul Simon’s tribute to forgotten heroes in Mrs. Robinson from the film The Graduate:”—
      “Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? 
      A nation turns its lonely eyes to you, whoa, whoa, whoa 
      What’s that you say, Mrs. Robinson? 
      Joltin Joe has left and gone away, hey, hey, hey 
      Hey, hey, hey”
      Queen Anne
      by Michael Dahl
      Wikipedia
    2. Anne—Anne, born on 6 February 1665, in London, became the last Stuart monarch of Great Britain on 8 March 1702, succeeding under the Act of Settlement of 1701. She reigned until her death on 1714, marking the end of the Stuart monarchy. Despite her desire for independent rule, Anne’s health issues and intellectual limitations led her to rely on ministers, who guided the country through the War of the Spanish Succession. Her reign was marked by Whig-Tory rivalries and succession uncertainty. Anne, raised Protestant, married Prince George of Denmark in 1683 and had a significant political relationship with Sarah Jennings Churchill.
      The cover for The Wind in the Willows
      Wikipedia
    3. Kenneth Grahame—Kenneth Grahame, born on 8 March 1859, in Edinburgh, Scotland, was a British author renowned for The Wind in the Willows (1908), a beloved children’s classic featuring animal characters with human traits. Orphaned young, he lived with his grandmother in England and attended St. Edward’s School, Oxford. Financial constraints prevented university attendance, leading him to a career at the Bank of England until his retirement in 1908 due to ill health. Grahame also contributed to journals like the St. James Gazette and published works such as Pagan Papers (1893), The Golden Age (1895), and Dream Days (1898), showcasing his insight into childhood.
      Althing logo.
      Wikipedia
    4. Althing—The Althing, Iceland’s unicameral legislature, is one of the world’s oldest national parliaments, founded around 930 at Thingvellir. It was the first representative assembly in medieval Scandinavia to hold national legislative power. The Althing met at Thingvellir until 1798 and was abolished by the Danish crown in 1800. It was reconvened in Reykjavík in 1845, with a special session at Thingvellir on June 17, 1944, to proclaim Iceland’s republic. Despite its historical interruptions, the Althing continues to serve as Iceland’s legislative body, reflecting its enduring significance in the nation’s political history.
    5. Clove and coconut plantations—1964 Revolutionary government of Zanzibar nationalized all farms and clove and coconut plantations. 
    Flag of independent People Republic of Zanzibar in use between 12 January and 26 April 1964.
    Wikipedia

  • Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio

    Joe DiMaggio
    Wikipedia
    1. In 1999 Joe DiMaggio died. A few decades before he died  he was mentioned in a lament to lost heroes in the line “Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio”—Who wrote the song that contained that line?
      • David Crosby
      • Bob Dylan
      • Paul Simon, and
      • as a bonus what was the song?
    2. On this day in 1702, who became the last Stuart monarch of Great Britain?
      • Anne
      • James VII
      • Charles II
    3. In 1859 the author of The Wind in the Willows was born, who was he?
      • Kenneth Grahame
      • Jerome K. Jerome
      • AA Milne 
    4. In 1844, the parliament of Iceland was reopened after a closure of 45 years, by what name is it known?
      • Althing
      • Storting
      • Folketing
    5. 1964 Revolutionary government of Zanzibar nationalized all…
      • Antimony and arsenic production
      • Banking and betting professions
      • Clove and coconut plantations

    Good luck! The answers will be posted later

  • Hatches and Despatches—Answers

    The answers to the questions posted earlier are shown in bold.

    Bryan Cranston, Comic-Con, San Diego, 2012
    Wikipedia
    1. Bryan Cranston—Bryan Lee Cranston is an acclaimed American actor renowned for his roles as Walter White in Breaking Bad and Hal in Malcolm in the Middle. He has won six Primetime Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards and two Golden Globes, with nominations for an Academy Award and a BAFTA. Cranston’s Breaking Bad performance earned him four Emmys and a Golden Globe, and he also won for Outstanding Drama Series as a producer. On stage, he won a Tony for All the Way and another for Network. Notable films include Trumbo, Saving Private Ryan, and Godzilla.
      Sir Edwin Landseer
      By Francis Grant.
      National Portrait Gallery
      Wikipedia
    2. Edwin Landseer—Landseer, born in London to engraver John Landseer and Jane Potts, was a prodigious artist recognised early on. He studied under his father and Benjamin Robert Haydon, who encouraged dissections to understand animal anatomy. Landseer’s association with the Royal Academy began at 13, exhibiting as an “Honorary Exhibitor,” becoming an Associate at 24, and an Academician in 1831. He was acquainted with Charles Robert Leslie and visited Scotland in 1824, which influenced him. In 1823, he painted Georgiana Russell, Duchess of Bedford, with whom he had an affair. Knighted in 1850, he declined the Royal Academy Presidency in 1866. Suffering from mental health issues, he was declared insane in 1872.
      Crossing of the Strait of Dover by Blanchard and Jefferies, 1785.
      Wikipedia
    3. Jean-Pierre Blanchard—Jean-Pierre Blanchard (1753–1809) was a French inventor and pioneer of gas balloon flight. He achieved fame with a hydrogen balloon flight in Paris in 1784 and later crossed the English Channel in 1785, earning praise from Louis XVI. Blanchard toured Europe, demonstrating balloons and parachutes, using the latter for a successful escape in 1793. In 1792, he conducted the first balloon flight in the Americas, observed by President George Washington. Blanchard married Sophie Blanchard in 1804 and died of a heart attack in 1808. His widow continued balloon demonstrations until her accidental death.
      Rachel Weisz
      Wikipedia
    4. Rachel Weisz—Rachel Weisz is an acclaimed English actress known for her roles in both independent films and blockbusters. She began her career in the early 1990s, gaining recognition with her film debut in Death Machine (1994) and winning a Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Design for Living. Her breakthrough came with The Mummy series (1999-2001). Weisz won an Academy Award for The Constant Gardener (2005) and a Laurence Olivier Award for A Streetcar Named Desire (2009). She continued to excel in films like The Bourne Legacy (2012) and The Favourite (2018),winning a BAFTA for the latter.
      Viv Richards
      Wikipedia
    5. Viv Richards—Sir Vivian Richards is a retired Antiguan cricketer celebrated as one of the greatest batsmen ever. Representing the West Indies from 1974 to 1991, he was pivotal in their 1975 and 1979 World Cup victories and a runner-up in 1983. Richards made his Test debut in 1974 and scored 8,540 runs in 121 matches, becoming the West Indies’ leading run-scorer. Despite eye surgery in 1984, he continued to excel. Knighted in 1999, he was named a Cricketer of the Century by Wisden in 2000 and inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009.
      Ranulph Fiennes at the Celebrating Captain Scott’s Legacy: 100 Years of Discovery and Diplomacy in Antarctica event in London.
      Wikipedia
    6. Ranulph Fiennes—Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes is a renowned British explorer, writer and poet, holding several endurance records. He served in the British Army for eight years, including counter-insurgency work in Oman. Fiennes is celebrated for being the first to visit both the North and South Poles by surface means and the first to cross Antarctica on foot. In 2009, at 65, he summited Mount Everest. Recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1984 as the world’s greatest living explorer, he has authored numerous books on his adventures and explorers like Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton.
      Maurice Ravel
      Wikipedia
    7. Maurice Ravel—Maurice Ravel was a distinguished French composer, pianist, and conductor, often associated with Impressionism alongside Claude Debussy, though both distanced themselves from the label. His work gained international acclaim in the 1920s and 1930s, earning him the title of France’s greatest living composer. Ravel’s compositions are celebrated for their intricate harmonies and innovative orchestration, exemplified in Boléro (1928) and his arrangement of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (1922). Despite facing bias at the Paris Conservatoire, he developed a unique style blending modernism, baroque, neoclassicism and jazz, known for its clarity and experimentation.
      Amanda Gorman steps to the podium to recite her inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” during the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021.
      (DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II)
      Wikipedia
    8. Amanda Gorman—Amanda Gorman is an American poet, activist and model known for addressing issues like oppression, feminism, race, and marginalisation. She was the first National Youth Poet Laureate and published The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough in 2015. Gorman gained global fame in 2021 for her poem The Hill We Climb at Joe Biden’s inauguration, leading to best-selling books and a management contract. She was featured in Time magazine’s 100 Next list and became the first poet to perform at the Super Bowl, delivering Chorus of the Captains at Super Bowl LV.
      Ivan Lendl, 1984.
      Wikipedia
    9. Ivan Lendl—Ivan Lendl is a Czech-American former professional tennis player and coach, celebrated as one of the greatest in the sport. He held the world No. 1 ranking for 270 weeks and won 94 singles titles, including eight majors. Lendl is the only player with a match-winning percentage over 90% in five different years and leads head-to-head against rivals Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. Known as the ‘Father Of Modern Tennis’, he pioneered aggressive baseline power tennis. Post-retirement, he coached Andy Murray to three major titles and a world No. 1 ranking.
    10. Stanley Kubrick—Stanley Kubrick (1928–1999) was an acclaimed American filmmaker known for his meticulous attention to detail, innovative cinematography and dark humour. Born in New York City, he developed an early interest in literature, photography, and film, teaching himself filmmaking after high school. Kubrick’s notable works include The Killing, Paths of Glory, Spartacus, Lolita, Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, The Shining and Full Metal Jacket. He moved to England in 1961, where he maintained artistic control over his films, often using groundbreaking techniques. Kubrick’s legacy includes numerous award nominations and critical acclaim.
    Production photo of director Stanley Kubrick (left, seated) and actor Tony Curtis (right) on the set of the 1960 film Spartacus.
    Wikipedia

  • Hatches and Despatches

    I am…

    See question 10. Poster for the film Spartacus (1960)
    Wikipedia

    Ten questions about people who were either born or sadly died on the 7 March—each answer will follow these two words: “I am…”

    Question 1. The second man to walk on the Moon.
    Wikipedia
    1. Born today in 1956 in Los Angeles, California, I played the second man to walk on the moon in From the Earth to the Moon (1998). I did voice work on the animated series Family Guy, Robot Chicken and SuperMansion. I am…
      • Bryan Cranston
      • Patrick Warburton
      • Hulk Hogan
        Question 2. Monarch of the Glen.
        Wikipedia
    2. Born 7 March 1802, I am British painter and sculptor best known for my paintings of animals such as the Monarch of the Glen (above). I am…
      • Frank Knight
      • Edwin Landseer
      • Langford Monroe
    3. Died today in 1809. I am a French balloonist who, with the American physician John Jeffries, made the first aerial crossing of the English Channel. I am…
      • Jean Pierre Alfred Nadal
      • Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier
      • Jean-Pierre Blanchard
    4. Born today in 1970, I am an actor and appeared as as Evelyn Carnahan in the Hollywood action films The Mummy (1999) and its sequel. I was Tessa Abbott-Quayle in the 2005 film adaptation of John le Carré’s The Constant Gardener. I am…
      • Abigail Cruttenden
      • Olivia d’Abo
      • Rachel Weisz
    5. Born this day in 1952, I am a West Indian cricketer described by Encyclopædia Britannica as “arguably the finest batsman of his generation”. I am…
    6. Born today in 1944, I am a British adventurer and explorer who, as part of the Transglobe Expedition circumnavigated the world via the North and South Pole. I also ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven consecutive days. I am…
      • Benedict Allen
      • Ranulph Fiennes
      • Gino Watkins
        Question 7. Jayne Torville and Christopher Dean, Dancing on Ice, 2011
        Wikipedia
    7. Born 7 March 1875, I am a composer probably best known for
      Boléro (1928) which gained new popular following after featuring in the film 10 (1979) and the 1984 Olympics when used by ice-dancers Torvill and Dean. I am…
      • Antonín Dvořák
      • Maurice Ravel
      • John Philip Sousa
    8. Born this in 1998, I am a poet and activist who gained international fame when I read my poem The Hill We Climb at Joe Biden’s 2021 presidential inauguration. I am…
      • Amanda Gorman
      • Amanda Grayson
      • Amanda Hunsaker
    9. Born today in 1960, I’m a former American tennis player of Czech descent who was very successful in the 1980s and early 1990s. As a right-hander, I was known for my powerful forehand. I won eight Grand Slam titles, including three consecutive US Open championships from 1985 to 1987. I am…
      • Goran Ivanišević
      • Ivan Lendl
      • Ilie Năstase
    10. Died this day in 1999 in England. In 1960, I took over direction of Spartacus, the slave revolt epic set in Ancient Rome; I am also known for my Odyssey. I am…
      • David Lean
      • Stanley Kubrick
      • Otto Preminger

    The births and deaths used in my Hatches and Despatches post were all listed in Encyclopædia Britannica’s Biographies on This Day in History: March 7.

    Good luck! The answers will be posted later today.

  • 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. Fiasco—La 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 Pierce—Hawkeye (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. Amen—Goodbye, Farewell and Amen