Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
Today’s questions focus on individuals born, married or deceased on December 3rd.
One
Which heavy metal band, formed in Birmingham in 1968 and known for pioneering the genre, featured Ozzy Osbourne as its original lead vocalist?
Answer: Black Sabbath
Ozzy Osbourne was born this day in 1948. Black Sabbath’s 1970 self-titled debut album is often cited as one of the first true heavy-metal records, in part because its tritone-based title track was considered unusually dark and ominous for its time.
Two
Which pioneering psychoanalyst, daughter of Sigmund Freud, became one of the founders of child psychoanalysis?
Answer: Anna Freud
During World War II, Anna Freud co-founded the Hampstead War Nurseries in London, providing care for bomb-displaced children and shaping her influential theories on child development. She was born in Vienna, Austria, on this day in 1895.
Three
Which Polish-born British novelist wrote Heart of Darkness, the novella that later inspired the 1979 film Apocalypse Now?
Answer: Joseph Conrad
Conrad did not speak fluent English until his twenties, yet became one of the language’s most celebrated stylists. He was born on this day in 1857.
Which Baroque composer, known for works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, married Anna Magdalena Wilcken on 3 December 1721?
Answer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Anna Magdalena herself was an accomplished singer, and Bach compiled two Notebooks for Anna Magdalena Bach, collections of keyboard pieces for her to study and perform.
Five
Which co-founder of the Jesuit order, famed for missionary work in India, Japan and Southeast Asia, died off the coast of China in 1552?
Answer: St. Francis Xavier
Xavier’s extensive travels—over 60,000 miles by ship—made him one of the most widely travelled religious figures of the 16th century.
The first two questions focus on authors born on November 29th, while the remaining three questions maintain a literary theme but avoid that date.
One
Born in Belfast, Ireland (now Northern Ireland) in 1898, an author wrote a classic children’s literature series of seven fantasy novels published between 1950 and 1956. These novels are often referred to as a collective. Here are seven clues to the individual books in the series; each clue points to a single word in the relative title. They are listed in publication order (1 to 7):
Cat
A landlocked sea
Ship
A piece of furniture
Equus
A relative
An engagement
What is the collective name of the series, and who is the author?
Answer: The Chronicles of Narnia; CS Lewis
For your information the seven clues and the individual books are as follows. NB. The word the clue referred to is in bold in each title.
Cat — The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
A landlocked sea — Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia
Ship — The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
A piece of furniture — The Silver Chair
Equus — The Horse and His Boy
A relative — The Magician’s Nephew
An engagement — The Last Battle
The author was close friends with JRR Tolkien, and the two belonged to an informal Oxford literary group known as the Inklings, where they often read drafts of their work aloud for critique.
An American author born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on this day in 1832, moved to Boston, Massachusetts in her infancy. She’s best known for her children’s book first published in 1868. Though its two-word title is widely recognised, it was originally published with the subtitle ‘Or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy’. Who is this author and what is the title of her book?
Answer: Louisa May Alcott; Little Women
Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was an American novelist, best known for Little Women and its sequels. Raised in New England, she was influenced by transcendentalist intellectuals and began writing at a young age. Alcott was an abolitionist, feminist, and active in reform movements, and her life and work have been widely celebrated. Little Women, a coming-of-age novel, follows the March sisters’ journey from childhood to womanhood. It is considered autobiographical or at least partially autobiographical.
Three
Which American author and adventurer wrote The Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang (1906), novels inspired by his experiences in the Klondike Gold Rush?
Answer: Jack London
Jack London (1876–1916) was one of the first American authors to become a worldwide celebrity. A pioneer of commercial magazine fiction, he was also a political activist and an early advocate of animal welfare. His rugged adventure stories drew heavily on his own harsh experiences working as an oyster pirate, sailor, and prospector. The Call of the Wild was an immediate success and remains one of the most widely read American novels.
⸻
Four
What British crime novelist created detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Mystery’?
Answer: Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie (1890–1976) is the best-selling novelist of all time, with her works having sold billions of copies worldwide. Her play The Mousetrap holds the record as the longest-running play in history. Christie also wrote several novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. Her intricate plots and surprise twists have made her a foundational figure in detective fiction, influencing countless writers.
⸻
Five
A poet born in Saint Louis, Missouri, wrote the iconic poem Because I could not stop for Death and is now regarded as one of the most important figures in American literature. Who is she?
Answer: Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson (1830–1886) wrote nearly 1,800 poems, though fewer than a dozen were published during her lifetime—and those often heavily edited. Known for her distinctive dashes, unconventional capitalization, and compressed style, Dickinson lived much of her life in reclusion. After her death, her sister Lavinia discovered her vast collection of handwritten poems, leading to the posthumous publications that secured her literary legacy.
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 the questions relate to today’s date, November 23rd.
One
At Coal Hill School, teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright have concerns about pupil Susan Foreman, who has an alien outlook on England.
The above quote from the Wikipedia article’s ‘Plot’ section describes the opening episode of which contemporary television series first aired on 23 November 1963?
Answer: Doctor Who
The very first episode was An Unearthly Child—Susan Foreman, played by Carole Ann Ford, being the title character. Doctor Who, a British science fiction television series, follows the adventures of the Doctor, a time-travelling Time Lord from Gallifrey who regenerates into different forms. The Doctor travels through time and space in the TARDIS, battling various evils including the Daleks. Originally airing from 1963 to 1989, the show was revived in 2005 and has featured multiple actors in the title role, with the most recent being Ncuti Gatwa. Doctor Who is a significant part of British popular culture and has influenced generations of television professionals.
The post title 76 Totters Lane is spoken by Barbara Wright in this episode, and is the address of the junkyard where they find Susan and her grandfather in the TARDIS.
Two
What 2009 hit single by Miley Cyrus includes the lyric ‘And a Jay-Z song was on’?
Answer: Party in the U.S.A.
Despite the famous lyric, Miley later revealed she wasn’t actually listening to Jay-Z at the time—the line was written by the songwriters Jessie J, Dr. Luke, and Claude Kelly before she recorded it.
Three
In 1935, an American explorer landed at about 79° S, 102° W. He raised the U.S. flag and ‘claimed’ the land between roughly 80° W and 120° W for the United States. On what continent did this occur, and what is this area of land known as today?
Answer: Antarctica and Ellsworth Land
In 1935, explorer Lincoln Ellsworth landed in Antarctica during his transcontinental flight, raised the U.S. flag, and claimed the territory between about 80°W and 120°W, naming it Ellsworth Land. The U.S. government never formalised this claim, and later overlapping national claims were suspended under the Antarctic Treaty.
Four
Which 1982 novel features characters called The Maidmasher, The Manhugger and The Meatdripper? Secondly, who wrote it?
Answer: The BFG; Roald Dahl
The BFG, a 1982 children’s novel by Roald Dahl, has sold 37 million copies and inspired adaptations including a 1989 animated film and a 2016 Disney live-action film.
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. Image Wikipedia
Five
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the largest religious building in its country, was consecrated in 2004. It is the main cathedral of which autonomous church?
Answer: Georgian Orthodox Church
Georgia’s dominant religious institution is the Georgian Orthodox Church, an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. Its roots stretch back to the 1st and 4th centuries AD, and it is currently led by Patriarch Ilia II. The main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church is the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, also known as Sameba, which was built between 1995 and 2004.
Quizology Online 
