December 6th

All of these questions are related to today, December 6th.

One

In 1998, Hugo Chávez was victorious in presidential elections in what country?


1897 Bersey Electrical Cab.

Two

In 1897, which capital city became the first in the world to host licensed self-propelled motorised taxicabs?


Three

In 1969, the ill-fated Altamont festival, a free one-day rock festival, at the Altamont Speedway, Livermore, California, United States, was put on by an act as a thank-you gesture to their fans? The haphazardly organised festival was put on by what act?


Four

In 1912, a bust of a queen of Egypt was discovered during excavations at Tell el-Amarna, Egypt. Who was this queen from the 14th century BCE?


Five

On this day in 1933, a US Federal judge declared a book featuring Stephen Dedalus, Leopold and Molly Bloom not obscene.  Can you name the book and its author?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Hatches, Matches and Despatches Part Deux—Answers

Apocalypse Now. See question 3.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

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.


Johann Sebastian Bach.
Image Wikipedia

Four

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.

Hatches, Matches and Despatches Part Deux

Apocalypse Now. See question 3.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

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?


Two

Which pioneering psychoanalyst, daughter of Sigmund Freud, became one of the founders of child psychoanalysis?


Three

Which Polish-born British novelist wrote Heart of Darkness, the novella that later inspired the 1979 film Apocalypse Now?


Four

Which Baroque composer, known for works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, married Anna Magdalena Wilcken on 3 December 1721?


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?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Mixed Up—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

Unscramble the capitalised ANAGRAM to find the answer in each of the following questions phrases and clues.

See question four. Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris).
Image Wikipedia

Example

Washington DC is the capital of the ESTATE NUDIST

Answer: United States


One

A quote from the BBC in which the first ANAGRAM is a band name, the second and third are a singer’s name.

When the ITCHY SERUM scored their first global hit in the early 1980s all eyes were on ONLINE ANNEX, the singer whose powerful androgynous look defied the male gaze.

and

The video accompanying the single, in which ONLINE ANNEX appeared with closely cropped orange hair and wearing a man’s business suit, was both striking and surreal. …extraordinary image was at odds with her female contemporaries.

BBC

What is the band (One word) and who is the singer? (First name and surname)

Answer: Eurythmics; Annie Lennox

In 1983, the Eurythmics achieved global chart success, topping the US charts with their hit Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This). Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox achieved international success with Dave Stewart in the Eurythmics in the 1980s. She embarked on a successful solo career in 1992, releasing six studio albums and winning numerous awards, including eight Brit Awards and four Grammy Awards. Lennox is also a prominent political and social activist, raising awareness for HIV/AIDS and women’s empowerment.


Two

This Oxford English Dictionary definition for pewter has what element mixed up: ‘a grey alloy of tin with copper and MY NATION.’ (One word)

Answer: Antimony

Antimony (Sb), a lustrous grey metal or metalloid, is primarily sourced from stibnite (Sb2S3). It is used in alloys, flame retardants, semiconductors, and historically in medicine and cosmetics. Historically, pewter was an alloy of tin with up to 40% lead.


Argentinian tennis player Guillermo Vilas at the 1974 Dutch Open tournament.
Image Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 nl
File:Guillermo Vilas.jpg Created: 14 July 1974

Three

In 1977, this Argentinian tennis player set a record of a 53-match winning streak on clay courts, which stood until it was surpassed by Rafael Nadal in 2006. He will be found in VILLAGE RUM SILO. (First name and surname)

Answer: Guillermo Vilas

Guillermo Vilas is an Argentine former professional tennis player. Argentine Guillermo Vilas, a former professional tennis player, was ranked world No. 1 in the Grand Prix seasons of 1974, 1975 and 1977. He won 62 singles titles, including four majors, and is renowned for his dominance on clay courts, holding the record for most clay court match wins. Despite studies suggesting he should have been ranked No. 1 for seven weeks, the ATP has not officially recognised this.


Four

A species of thrush (see picture at the top of this post): DEAF RIFLE

Answer: Fieldfare

The fieldfare is a migratory thrush found in northern Europe and the Palearctic. It breeds in woodland and scrub, and winters in the UK, Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.


A sign on the Eyre Highway indicating that an RFDS emergency airstrip is ahead. There are three such strips on the highway.
Image Wikipedia

Five

This sign for a Flying Doctor Service emergency airstrip is on what Australian road which crosses the Nullarbor Plain: GEE HAIRY WHY (two words)

Answer: Eyre Highway

Eyre Highway, a 1,664-kilometre highway, links Western Australia and South Australia via the Nullarbor Plain. Constructed during World War II, it was initially named Forrest Highway before being officially named after explorer Edward John Eyre.


Mixed Up

Unscramble the capitalised ANAGRAM to find the answer in each of the following questions phrases and clues.

See question four.
Image Wikipedia (Attribution link in answer post)

Example

Washington DC is the capital of the ESTATE NUDIST

United States


One

A quote from the BBC in which the first ANAGRAM is a band name, the second and third are a singer’s name.

When the ITCHY SERUM scored their first global hit in the early 1980s all eyes were on ONLINE ANNEX, the singer whose powerful androgynous look defied the male gaze.

and

The video accompanying the single, in which ONLINE ANNEX appeared with closely cropped orange hair and wearing a man’s business suit, was both striking and surreal. …extraordinary image was at odds with her female contemporaries.

BBC

What is the band (One word) and who is the singer? (First name and surname)


Two

This Oxford English Dictionary definition for pewter has what element mixed up: ‘a grey alloy of tin with copper and MY NATION.’ (One word)


Argentinian tennis player VILLAGE RUM SILO at the 1974 Dutch Open tournament.
Image Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 nl
(Attribution links in answer post)

Three

In 1977, this Argentinian tennis player set a record of a 53-match winning streak on clay courts, which stood until it was surpassed by Rafael Nadal in 2006. He will be found in VILLAGE RUM SILO. (First name and surname)


Four

A species of thrush (see picture at the top of this post): DEAF RIFLE


A sign on the GEE HAIRY WHY indicating that an RFDS emergency airstrip is ahead. There are three such strips on the highway.
Image Wikipedia (Attribution link in answer post)

Five

This sign for a Flying Doctor Service emergency airstrip is on what Australian road which crosses the Nullarbor Plain: GEE HAIRY WHY (two words)

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Go With a Bang—Answers

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.


Go With a Bang

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?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

76 Totters Lane—Answers

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.


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.


76 Totters Lane

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?


Two

What 2009 hit single by Miley Cyrus includes the lyric ‘And a Jay-Z song was on’?


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?


Four

Which 1982 novel features characters called The Maidmasher, The Manhugger and The Meatdripper? Secondly, who wrote it?


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?

Good luck! As usual the answers will be posted later.

Now You See It, Now You Don’t—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

Today’s Question 1 concerns the revocation of an award on this date, November 19th. The subsequent questions explore a similar theme, focusing on disqualification, revocation or stripping of awards, medals and other honours.

Grammy Award.
Image Recording Academy

One

Which pop duo had their 1989 Grammy Award for Best New Artist revoked on 19 November 1990 after it was revealed they had not actually sung on their album?

Answer: Milli Vanilli

This remains the only time in Grammy history that an award has been formally withdrawn.


Two

Which professional cyclist had all of his Tour de France titles stripped after a major doping investigation, and how many titles were involved?

Answer: Lance Armstrong; seven (1999–2005)

Armstrong was stripped of seven titles (1999–2005). After his disqualification, race organisers chose not to award his vacated titles to anyone else.


Three

In 2024, the arrest and subsequent conviction of a multi-BAFTA award winner forced the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) to amend its procedures to include the power to retrospectively strip future award winners should they be convicted of a crime. Whose arrest and conviction led to this change?

Answer: Huw Edwards

Huw Edwards, a Welsh news presenter, was the lead presenter of BBC News at Ten from 2003 to 2023. He resigned from the BBC in 2024 after pleading guilty to child pornography offences.


Ben Johnson, 2017.
Image Wikipedia

Four

Which Canadian sprinter was stripped of his 1988 Olympic gold medal in the 100 metres after testing positive for steroids?

Answer: Ben Johnson.

His world-record-breaking time of 9.79 seconds was erased, and the gold medal was reassigned to American runner Carl Lewis.


Five

What event in 1966 saw the competitors who finished in the first four places disqualified because of a single filament bulb?

Answer: Monte Carlo Rally

In 1966, the Monte Carlo Rally was marred by controversy when the winning Minis were disqualified for using an illegal lighting system with non-standard bulbs. Despite the disqualification, the incident generated significant publicity for the Minis and the rally, ultimately leading to a Mini victory in 1967. The event highlighted the growing professionalism of rallying and the complexities of navigating evolving regulations.