Quizology.Online

Tag: music

  • Hawaii Five-0

    The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

    Official portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1959.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    On August 21st, Hawaii was officially proclaimed the 50th US state. Can you name the president who made this proclamation?

    Answer: Dwight D. Eisenhower

    Hawaii was officially proclaimed the 50th US state by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on 21 August 1959. Hawaii is an island state in the Pacific Ocean, consisting of 137 volcanic islands. It is the only US state not on the North American mainland and is known for its diverse culture, influenced by North American, East Asia and indigenous Hawaiian heritage. Hawaii’s economy, historically based on agriculture, has diversified to include tourism and military defence.

    Mona Lisa.
    Image Wikipedia

    Two

    Where was the Mona Lisa stolen from on this day in 1911?

    Answer: The Louvre

    The Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre in 1911 by Vincenzo Peruggia, who believed it should be returned to Italy. After keeping it for two years, Peruggia attempted to sell it and was caught, leading to the painting’s return to the Louvre in 1914.

    Count Basie, Blazing Saddles, 1974.
    Image

    Three

    Born 21 August 1904, an American musician who will, 70 years later, feature in a desert scene from Blazing Saddles. Who is he?

    Answer: Count Basie

    Count Basie plays himself in Mel Brooks 1974 film Blazing Saddles. He and his orchestra play April in Paris in the middle of the desert as Bart (Cleavon Little) rides towards Rock Ridge to assume the post of sheriff.

    Princess Margaret, 1950.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Born on this day in 1930 at Glamis Castle, Scotland, this princess’s 1960 marriage would be the first royal wedding to be televised. Who is she?

    Answer: Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon

    Princess Margaret, born in 1930, was the second daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, who, following the abdication of Edward VIII, became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Known for her independent spirit, she famously renounced her engagement to Peter Townsend due to his divorce. A celebrated socialite, she was the Countess of Snowdon and had a glamorous lifestyle with notable romances. Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1978, marking the first royal divorce in 400 years.

    Dumbarton Oaks, Washington D.C., 1999.
    Image US Library of Congress via Wikipedia

    Five

    The Dumbarton Oaks Conference, opening on 21 August 1944, was instrumental in the founding of what?

    Answer: United Nations

    The ‘Allied Big Four’ (UK, US, USSR, Republic of China) formulated the new international organisation at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference in 1944. The Yalta Conference in 1945 and further negotiations with the Soviet Union resolved all issues.

  • Hawaii Five-0

    All the questions are related to today, August 21st.

    Flag of Hawaii.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    On August 21st, Hawaii was officially proclaimed the 50th US state. Can you name the president who made this proclamation?

    Two

    Where was the Mona Lisa stolen from on this day in 1911?

    Three

    Born 21 August 1904, an American musician who, 70 years later, will feature in a desert scene from Blazing Saddles. Who is he?

    Four

    Born on this day in 1930 at Glamis Castle, Scotland, this princess’s 1960 marriage would be the first royal wedding to be televised. Who is she?

    Five

    The Dumbarton Oaks Conference, opening on 21 August 1944, was instrumental in the founding of what?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today.

  • Roanoke—Answers

    Virginia Dare by Maria Louisa Lander, 1859. Imaginatively portrayed as an adult Indian princess.
    Elizabethan Gardens, Manteo, NC, US.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    The person who sent ships and colonists to set up a fort at Roanoke in what is now North Carolina, US is described by Wikipedia as an ‘English statesman, soldier, writer and explorer’. Who is he?

    — Answer: Sir Walter Raleigh

    The Roanoke Colony, established by Sir Walter Raleigh, refers to two attempts to found a permanent English settlement in North America. The first colony, established in 1585, was abandoned due to supply shortages and strained relations with local tribes. The second colony, known as the ‘Lost Colony’, was established in 1587 but found abandoned in 1590, with the word ‘CROATOAN’ carved into a palisade. Virginia Dare was never seen again, and her fate remains unknown.

    Two

    Which Elton John song, released in 1997, remained in the Canadian Singles Charts for three years. What was that song?

    — Answer: Candle in the Wind 1997

    Elton John and Bernie Taupin, who had originally written Candle in the Wind as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, rewrote it for the 1997 funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. 

    Three

    Zupaysaurus. Image Wikipedia

    Zupaysaurus, ‘devil lizard’ from the Queshua word supay meaning ‘devil’ and sauros, ‘lizard’, is an early theropod dinosaur. In what country was this discovered?

    — Answer: Argentina

    Zupaysaurus (/ˌzuːpeɪˈsɔːrəs/; “ZOO-pay-SAWR-us”) is an extinct genus of early theropod dinosaurliving during the Norian stage of the Late Triassic in what is now Argentina. Fossils of the dinosaur were found in the Los Colorados Formation of the Ischigualasto-Villa Unión Basin in northwestern Argentina. Although a full skeleton has not yet been discovered, Zupaysaurus can be considered a bipedalpredator, up to 4 metres (13 ft) long. It may have had two parallel crests running the length of its snout.

    —Wikipedia 

    Abel Tasman.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Tasmania, an island state of Australia, is named after Dutch seafarer and explorer Abel Tasman. In 1642, Tasman became the first reported European to sight the island. What name did Tasman give the island?

    — Answer: Anthony van Diemen’s Land

    Tasmania, named after Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, was originally called Anthony van Diemen’s Land after his sponsor. The British shortened it to Van Diemen’s Land, and it was officially renamed Tasmania in 1856.

    Male Alpine ibex (Capra ibex).
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    An ibex is any of several species of wild…

    What is the next word in the above quote from the Wikipedia article on the ibex?

    —Answer: Goat

    Ibex are wild goats with large, recurved horns, found in Eurasia, North and East Africa.

  • Roanoke

    The first question refers to the colony where Virginia Dare, the first child born in the Americas to European parents, was born on 18 August 1587. The other questions are random and have no connection to the date.

    Baptism of Virginia Dare, wood engraving 1880.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    The person who sent ships and colonists to set up a fort at Roanoke in what is now North Carolina, US is described by Wikipedia as an ‘English statesman, soldier, writer and explorer’. Who is he?

    Two

    Which Elton John song, released in 1997, remained in the Canadian Singles Charts for three years. What was that song?

    Three

    Zupaysaurus, meaning ‘devil lizard’ from the Queshua word supay meaning ‘devil’ and the Greek sauros meaning ‘lizard’, is an early theropod dinosaur. In which country was it discovered?

    Four

    Tasmania, an island state of Australia, is named after Dutch seafarer and explorer Abel Tasman. In 1642, Tasman became the first reported European to sight the island. What name did Tasman give the island?

    Five

    An ibex is any of several species of wild…

    What is the next word in the above quote from the Wikipedia article on the ibex?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • Where on Earth—Answers

    Ross’s Antarctic expedition.
    HMS Erebus and Terror in the Antarctic by John Wilson Carmichael.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    On 16 August 1923, the UK named the Ross Dependency. On what continent is the Ross Dependency?

    — Answer: Antarctica

    The Ross Dependency, claimed by New Zealand, is a region of Antarctica defined by specific longitudes and latitude. While New Zealand’s claim is recognised by a few countries, the 1961 Antarctic Treaty holds all claims in abeyance. The Dependency, named after Sir James Clark Ross, includes the Ross Sea, Ross Ice Shelf, and several islands.

    Two

    Born in 1888, a military strategist and archaeological scholar also authored Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Who is he, and what by-name is he commonly known?

    — Answer: T.E. Lawrence aka Lawrence of Arabia

    T.E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a British Army officer, archaeologist, and writer. He gained fame for his role in the Arab Revolt during the First World War and his subsequent work with Emir Faisal. Lawrence published his autobiography, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and later served in the Army and RAF before his death in a motorcycle accident in 1935. His life was dramatised in the 1962 film Lawrence Of Arabia.

    1834 portrait of James Buchanan at age 42–43 by Jacob Eichholtz.
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    On 16 August 1858, a new transatlantic telegraph cable was inaugurated. The inaugural event involved an exchange of greetings between the Heads of State of the United Kingdom and the United States. Who were these two Heads of State?

    — Answer: Queen Victoria and President James Buchanan

    The Atlantic Telegraph Company, led by Cyrus West Field, constructed the first transatlantic telegraph cable. On that day, the first official telegram to cross two continents was a congratulatory letter from Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom to President James Buchanan of the United States. Despite initial success, the cable’s poor signal quality and subsequent destruction after three weeks undermined confidence and delayed restoration efforts.

    Madonna, 2020.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Madonna, the singer and actress, celebrates her birthday on August 16th. In which city and state was she born?

    — Answer: Bay City, Michigan

    Madonna, the ‘Queen of Pop’, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and actress. She is the best-selling female recording artist of all time, with numerous accolades including seven Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Madonna is also a successful businesswoman, philanthropist and advocate for gender equality and LGBT rights.

    Richard Wagner, 1871.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    On this day in 1876, Richard Wagner’s penultimate opera in his Ring cycle premiered at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus. What was the name of the opera?

    — Answer: Siegfried

    Siegfried is the third of Richard Wagner’s four epic music dramas, Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung). It premiered at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus on 16 August 1876, marking the first complete performance of the cycle.

    Written over twenty-six years, from 1848 to 1874. The Ring cycle comprises:

    • Das Rheingold (The Rhinegold)
    • Die Walküre (The Valkyrie)
    • Siegfried
    • Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods)

  • Where on Earth

    One

    On 16 August 1923, the UK named the Ross Dependency. On what continent is the Ross Dependency?

    Two

    Born in 1888, a military strategist and archaeological scholar also authored Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Who is he, and what by-name is he commonly known?

    Three

    On 16 August 1858, a new transatlantic telegraph cable was inaugurated. The inaugural event involved an exchange of greetings between the Heads of State of the United Kingdom and the United States. Who were these two Heads of State?

    Four

    Madonna, the singer and actress, celebrates her birthday on August 16th. In which city and state was she born?

    Five

    On this day in 1876, Richard Wagner’s penultimate opera in his Ring cycle premiered at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus. What was the name of the opera?

  • A Spoonful of Sugar | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

    One

    On 9 August 1942, Dmitri Shostakovich’s 7th symphony premiered in a besieged city. Can you name that city?

    Answer: Leningrad

    Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7 was premiered in Leningrad on 9 August 1942 during the Nazi siege. Despite the musicians’ starvation and the orchestra’s limited rehearsal time, the performance was a success, bolstered by a Soviet military offensive and broadcast to German lines.

    Two

    Construction of the campanile of the Cathedral of Pisa, also known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, began on this day. In which century did this construction commence, and approximately how long did it take to complete?

    Answer: 12th Century and 199 years (two centuries) to complete

    The Leaning Tower of Pisa, a freestanding bell tower in Pisa, Italy, is known for its nearly four-degree lean due to an unstable foundation. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, receiving over 5 million visitors annually.

    Three

    Answer: Jesse Owens and long jump

    Jesse Owens, an exceptionally gifted athlete, won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, defying Adolf Hitler’s hopes of showcasing Aryan supremacy. Owens’ achievements, which also include setting three world records in one hour in 1935, remain unparalleled.

    Four

    Born in Maryborough, Queensland, on 9 August 1899, this writer is best known for her Mary Poppins books. Who is she?

    Answer: P.L. Travers

    P.L. Travers, an Australian-English writer, authored the Mary Poppins books, a series of eight children’s books illustrated by Mary Shepard. The books follow the magical nanny Mary Poppins and her adventures with the Banks children. Walt Disney adapted the books into two musical films: Mary Poppins (1964) and its sequel, Mary Poppins Returns (2018). A stage musical, created by Disney Theatrical and Sir Cameron Mackintosh, ran on Broadway from 2006 to 2013.

    Five

    On this day in 1945, Bockscar sealed a place in history. Who or what was Bockscar?

    Answer: Boeing B-29 Superfortress

    Bockscar, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber, dropped the second nuclear weapon on Nagasaki during WWII. It was one of 15 Silverplate B-29s used by the 509th Composite Group.

  • A Spoonful of Sugar

    A few questions related to events connected to today, August 9th.

    One

    On 9 August 1942, Dmitri Shostakovich’s 7th symphony premiered in a besieged city. Can you name that city?

    Two

    Construction of the campanile of the Cathedral of Pisa, also known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, began on this day. In which century did this construction commence, and approximately how long did it take to complete?

    Three

    On 9 August 1936, at the Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, Jesse Owens of the USA won his fourth gold medal of the games in the 4 x 100m sprint relay. He also won gold medals in the 100m dash and 200m sprint. In what other event did he win gold at these games?

    Four

    Born in Maryborough, Queensland, on 9 August 1899, this writer is best known for her Mary Poppins books. Who is she?

    Five

    On this day in 1945, Bockscar sealed a place in history. Who or what was Bockscar?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • We Have All the Time in the World | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

    One

    Burkina Faso, an African country, changed to that name on August 4, 1984. What was its name prior to that?

    Answer: Republic of Upper Volta

    This landlocked West African country, which had been a French colony, gained full independence in 1960 and changed its name to Burkina Faso on this day in 1984.

    Two

    On this day in 1944, following a tip from an informer the Gestapo search a warehouse and find and arrest Jewish diarist Anne Frank, her family, and four others. In what city was the warehouse located?

    Answer: Amsterdam

    Diarist Anne Frank (Annelies Marie Frank), a German-born Jewish girl, documented her life in hiding during the German occupation of the Netherlands in a diary. After being arrested by the Gestapo and transported to concentration camps, Anne and her sister Margot died in Bergen-Belsen, likely from typhus. Her diary, published posthumously by her father Otto, became a global bestseller and a powerful testament to the Holocaust. The warehouse, offices and secret annex are now a museum, Anne Frank House.

    Three

    An actor born today in 1955, played Dan Truman, a NASA executive, in Armageddon (1998) and Davy Crockett in The Alamo (2004). Who is he?

    Answer: Billy Bob Thornton

    Billy Bob Thornton is an American actor, filmmaker, singer, and songwriter. He gained international attention for his work in Sling Blade and has since appeared in numerous films and television series, winning several awards including an Academy Award and Golden Globes. Thornton is also a musician, having released four solo albums and performing with the Boxmasters.

    Four

    The last Empress of India was born 4 August 1900 in England. What was here name, and her primary title between December 1936 and February 1952?

    Answer: Elizabeth and Her Majesty the Queen

    Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, born on 4 August 1900, reigned as Queen of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 to 6 February 1952, as the wife of King George VI.  She held the title of Empress of India from 1936 until the dissolution of the British Raj on 15 August 1947. Following her husband’s passing, she was officially known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother to distinguish her from her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II.

    Five

    A man described by Encyclopædia Britannica as…

    a prolifically gifted natural musician and the leading trumpeter in jazz history

    …was born 4 august 1901. Almost seven decades later he sang We Have All the Time in the World in a Bond film. Who was he?

    Answer: Louis Armstrong

    Louis Armstrong, a highly influential American jazz trumpeter and vocalist, was born in New Orleans and rose to prominence in the 1920s. He shifted jazz’s focus from collective improvisation to solo performance and became an international icon by the 1950s. We Have All the Time in the World” was featured on the soundtrack of the James Bondfilm _On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

  • We Have All the Time in the World

    These are all linked by today’s date, August 4th.

    One

    Burkina Faso, an African country, changed to that name on August 4, 1984. What was its name prior to that?

    Two

    On this day in 1944, following a tip from an informer the Gestapo search a warehouse and find and arrest Jewish diarist Anne Frank, her family, and four others. In what city was the warehouse located?

    Three

    An actor born today in 1955, played Dan Truman, a NASA executive, in Armageddon (1998) and Davy Crockett in The Alamo (2004). Who is he?

    Four

    The last Empress of India was born 4 August 1900 in England. What was her name, and her primary title between December 1936 and February 1952?

    Five

    A man described by Encyclopædia Britannica as…

    a prolifically gifted natural musician and the leading trumpeter in jazz history

    …was born 4 August 1901. Almost seven decades later he sang We Have All the Time in the World in a Bond film. Who was he?

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.