Quizology.Online

“There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge.”

— Bertrand Russell

Tag: politics

  • Yet More What ‘*’ — Answers

    Expedition ship Terra Nova during the British Antarctic Expedition, c.1911.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s Answers

    Day 4 of our continuing theme.

    One

    What ‘P’ links a creature from Greek myth and Bénouville Bridge, Normandy?

    Answer: Pegasus.

    Pegasus is a winged white stallion in Greek mythology, sired by Poseidon and born from Medusa after she was decapitated by Perseus. He later ascended to heaven to serve Zeus by bringing lightning and thunder from Olympus.

    Pegasus Bridge, originally the Bénouville Bridge, is a historic road crossing over the Caen Canal in Normandy. Built in 1934, it became famous during the Second World War when a British glider-borne force captured it intact on 6 June 1944 to limit German counter-attacks after the Normandy invasion. Renamed in honour of the operation and the shoulder emblem worn by British airborne forces, the original bridge is now a war memorial at the Memorial Pegasus museum, having been replaced by a modern bascule bridge in 1994.

    Two

    What ‘Q’ is a capital city; sits on the equator; and is amongst the highest capitals by elevation? Of what country is this city the capital, and what other country’s two capitals vie with this one as highest capitals?

    Answers: Quito, Ecuador; Bolivia.

    Quito, formally known as San Francisco de Quito, serves as the capital and second-largest city of Ecuador. Its population is estimated at 1.7 million within the city and 2.8 million across the metropolitan area. Situated in a valley on the eastern slopes of the active stratovolcano Pichincha in the Andes at 2,850 metres (9,350 ft), Quito ranks as either the highest or second-highest national capital globally, depending on whether La Paz or Sucre is regarded as Bolivia’s capital.

    Three

    Which ‘R’ was somewhat of a maverick before becoming a saint, then adopted a licence to kill on seven occasions? Who is the actor, and in which television production did Tony Curtis appear as a co-star?

    Answers: Roger Moore; The Persuaders!.

    Sir Roger George Moore was an English actor best known as the third actor to portray James Bond, starring in seven feature films between 1973 and 1985. On television, he played the lead role of Simon Templar in The Saint, starred in the American Western Maverick, and appeared alongside Tony Curtis in The Persuaders!.

    Four

    What ‘S’, in 1991, superseded SALT, which dated from the sixties? The answers are both an acronym and its meaning.

    Answers: START; Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

    The START I treaty, proposed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan, led to the removal of about 80% of strategic nuclear weapons by late 2001. Following the Soviet Union’s collapse, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan agreed to its terms. After START I there were START II, III and then the New START Treaty in 2010, which extended nuclear weapon reductions until its expiration in February 2026, despite Russia suspending its participation in 2023.

    Five

    What ‘T’ was Captain Robert F. Scott’s ship on his ill-fated trip to Antarctica? Which explorer beat him to the South Pole by a few weeks?

    Answers: Terra Nova; Roald Amundsen.

    Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his party of five reached the South Pole on January 17, 1912, only to find Roald Amundsen had arrived first. On their return journey, a planned meeting with supporting dog teams failed, and the entire party died from exhaustion, starvation, and extreme cold just miles from their next supply depot. When their bodies were discovered, they were found with the first Antarctic fossils, which later proved the continent was once forested and connected to other landmasses.

  • Yet More What ‘*’

    See question five. Expedition ship … during the British Antarctic Expedition, c.1911.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Day 4 of our continuing theme.

    One

    What ‘P’ links a creature from Greek myth and Bénouville Bridge, Normandy?

    Two

    What ‘Q’ is a capital city; sits on the equator; and is amongst the highest capitals by elevation? Of what country is this city the capital, and what other country’s two capitals vie with this one as highest capitals?

    Three

    Which ‘R’ was somewhat of a maverick before becoming a saint, then adopted a licence to kill on seven occasions? Who is the actor, and in which television production did Tony Curtis appear as a co-star?

    Four

    What ‘S’, in 1991, superseded SALT, which dated from the sixties? The answers are both an acronym and its meaning.

    Five

    What ‘T’ was Captain Robert F. Scott’s ship on his ill-fated trip to Antarctica? Which explorer beat him to the South Pole by a few weeks?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Gallimaufry IX — Answers

    Today’s Answers

    Jupiter in true colour, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in January 2024.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today is obviously is a disconnected collection of questions but don’t count on it.

    One

    In 2026, the EU, the European Union, has 27 members, butt is the successor organisation to what was originally the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The ECSC was founded in 1952 by the six signatories of the Treaty of Paris: what were these six nations?

    Answers

    • Belgium
    • France
    • Italy
    • Luxembourg
    • the Netherlands
    • West Germany

    Two

    What are the first names of the von Trapp Children from the 1965 film The Sound of Music? (Including von Trapp is not necessary.)

    Answers

    • Liesl
    • Friedrich
    • Louisa
    • Kurt
    • Brigitta
    • Marta
    • Gretl

    Three

    What are the names of the US states which begin with ‘M’?

    Answers

    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana

    Four

    List the Star Wars films in release order with episode number, whether or not it was shown as part of the title; and subtitle, including the later added subtitle for the original film. (Including Star Wars is not necessary.)

    Answers

    • *Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
    • Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    • Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
    • Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
    • Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
    • Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
    • †(E(EpisodeII) The Force Awakens (2015)
    • †(Episode VIII) The Last Jedi (2017)
    • †(Episode IX) The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

    Note

    • Subtitle was added at a later date.
      † The sequel trilogy used the subtitle without the episode numbers.

    Five

    Starting with the largest, list in order of size (based on the equatorial diameter) each planet plus the two largest dwarf planets in the Solar System.

    Answers

    According to NASA
    Planets (1 to 8) and Dwarf Planets (9 & 10)

    1. Jupiter
    2. Saturn
    3. Uranus
    4. Neptune
    5. Earth
    6. Venus
    7. Mars
    8. Mercury
    9. Pluto
    10. Eris

    Gallimaufry IX

    The ninth edition of Gallimaufry — a confused jumble, a hodgepodge, or a heterogeneous mixture of things — so, simply an unconnected assortment of questions

    .

  • Gallimaufry IX

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today is obviously is a disconnected collection of questions but don’t count on it.

    One

    In 2026, the EU, the European Union, has 27 members, butt is the successor organisation to what was originally the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The ECSC was founded in 1952 by the six signatories of the Treaty of Paris: what were these six nations?

    Two

    What are the first names of the von Trapp Children from the 1965 film The Sound of Music? (Including von Trapp is not necessary.)

    Three

    What are the names of the US states which begin with ‘M’?

    Four

    List the Star Wars films in release order with episode number, whether or not it was shown as part of the title; and subtitle, including the later added subtitle for the original film. (Including Star Wars is not necessary.)

    Five

    Starting with the largest, list in order of size (based on the equatorial diameter) each planet plus the two largest dwarf planets in the Solar System.

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

    .

  • With One Accord — Answers

    Today’s Answers

    Signing the Oslo II Accords.
    U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton signing the Oslo II Accords flanked by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (left) and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat (right) at the White House. September 28, 1995.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Today’s theme centres on the date alone: five unrelated questions linked only by 28 September.

    One

    On this day, The Oslo II Accords, formally known as the Israeli–Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which outlined the extension of Palestinian self-rule to additional population centres beyond Gaza and Jericho were signed at the White House. Who are the three people seated at the table in the above photograph?

    Answers: Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (left), US President Bill Clinton and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat (right).

    This image captures the signing of the Oslo II Accord in September 1995. The accords, which represented a major step in the peace process, were first signed in Taba, Sinai, Egypt, on September 24, 1995, between Israel and the PLO. The highly visible signing on September 28, 1995, in Washington D.C., saw Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat formally execute the agreement, witnessed by US President Bill Clinton, along with representatives from key international guarantors including Russia, Egypt, Jordan, Norway, and the European Union.

    Two

    In tennis, Althea Gibson was the first African American to win a Grand Slam championship in the 1950s. Who became the next non-white woman to do so, and in what decade did she do so?

    Answers: Evonne Goolagong; 1970s.

    Althea Gibson, who was born on this day, won the French Open (1956), Wimbledon (1957 and 1958), and US National (1957 and 1958) (now the U.S. Open). Evonne Goolagong Cawley, an Australian Aboriginal, won the French Open in 1971, the Australian Open (1974, ‘75, ‘76 and ‘77) and Wimbledon (1971 and 1980).

    Three

    The actress Brigitte Bardot, who was born on this day, starred in a 1956 film which…

    … is widely recognised as the vehicle that launched Bardot into the public spotlight and immediately created her “sex kitten” persona.

    — Wikipedia

    What film, and who was the film’s director?

    Answer: And God Created Woman; Roger Vadim.

    After retiring from acting in 1973, Brigitte Bardot dedicated herself to animal rights, establishing her own foundation and receiving accolades from the UN and PETA. However, she has also been a controversial figure due to her far-right political views and has faced multiple fines for inciting racial hatred and making public insults against Muslims in France and residents of Réunion.

    Four

    On what day in 1066 was the Norman ruler William crowned king of England, following his conquest of the country after landing on the south coast on this day in 1066; and what English king was defeated at Hastings?

    Answer: Christmas Day (or 25 December); Harold Godwinson (or Harold II).

    After securing his hold on England by 1075, William I spent much of his remaining years moving between England and Normandy. His final years were marked by family disputes, threats of invasion and the great Domesday survey of 1085–86. When he died in 1087, Normandy passed to his eldest son Robert, while England went to his second son, William Rufus.

    Five

    On this day California was ‘discovered’ by a European who became the first such to stand on the west coast of America. Who was he, and in what decade did he first stand on this coast?

    • Francisco de Orozco
    • Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
    • Hernán Cortés

    Answer: Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. 1540s.

    Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo was a Portuguese maritime explorer who investigated the west coast of North America for the Spanish Empire. He is best known as the first European to explore present-day Alta California, navigating its coast between 1542 and 1543.

  • With One Accord

    Signing the Oslo II Accords at the White House. September 28, 1995.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Today’s theme centres on the date alone: five unrelated questions linked only by 28 September.

    One

    On this day, The Oslo II Accords, formally known as the Israeli–Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which outlined the extension of Palestinian self-rule to additional population centres beyond Gaza and Jericho were signed at the White House. Who are the three people seated at the table in the above photograph?

    Two

    In tennis, Althea Gibson was the first African American to win a Grand Slam championship in the 1950s. Who became the next non-white woman to do so, and in what decade did she do so?

    Three

    The actress Brigitte Bardot, who was born on this day, starred in a 1956 film which…

    … is widely recognised as the vehicle that launched Bardot into the public spotlight and immediately created her “sex kitten” persona.

    — Wikipedia

    What film, and who was the film’s director?

    Four

    On what day in 1066 was the Norman ruler William crowned king of England, following his conquest of the country after landing on the south coast on this day in 1066; and what English king was defeated at Hastings?

    Five

    On this day California was ‘discovered’ by a European who became the first such to stand on the west coast of America. Who was he, and in what decade did he first stand on this coast?

    • Francisco de Orozco
    • Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
    • Hernán Cortés

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • The Naming Of Cats Is A Difficult Matter — Answer

    Today’s Answers

    Charlie Parker, 1947.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s first question relates to the date 26 September, but the remainder are not date-related. They do, though, follow on a theme from the first.

    One

    On this day in 1939 Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats was published. Who was this ‘Old Possum’?

    Answer: T.S. Eliot.

    In 1939, T.S. Eliot released a collection of light verse titled Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, with ‘Old Possum’ being Ezra Pound’s affectionate nickname for him. The first edition featured an illustration of the author on the cover. In 1954, composer Alan Rawsthorne arranged six poems for speaker and orchestra in a piece called Practical Cats. Following Eliot’s death, the book became the foundation for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats, which premiered in the West End in 1981 and opened on Broadway the following year.

    Two

    What American singer, born in 1980, has been referred to as the ‘Voice of a Generation’?

    Answer: Christina Aguilera

    Christina María Aguilera, born 18 December 1980, in New York City, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. Known for a four-octave range and reinventions, Rolling Stone ranked her among the greatest singers; her work draws acclaim and controversy.

    Three

    What high-ranking politician from the first couple of decades of the 21st century was given the nickname ‘Mutti’?

    Answer: Angela Merkel.

    Angela Merkel served as Germany’s chancellor from 2005 to 2021, making her the first woman and second longest-serving leader in that role. She was a key figure in European politics, advocating for austerity during the euro-zone debt crisis and maintaining open borders during a major refugee crisis. Her steady leadership navigated Germany through significant global challenges.

    Four

    Eric Clapton joined a band in 1963 which had a name which may have come from Jack Kerouac’s novel On the Road. This name was also the nickname of a legendary jazz saxophonist. What was the band’s name; and who was the sax player?

    Answer: The Yardbirds; Charlie ‘Yardbird’ Parker.

    Formed in London in 1963, the Yardbirds featured Keith Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty and Anthony Topham. Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page played lead guitar before the 1968 split. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
    Charles Parker Jr., nicknamed Bird or Yardbird, was an influential American alto saxophonist, bandleader and composer central to bebop. He introduced revolutionary rhythms and harmonies and became an icon for hipsters and the Beat Generation as an uncompromising artist.

    Five

    In September 2026, there are seven reigning monarchs in Europe who are all descended from the same person. Who was that person, and what nickname was bestowed on them relating to earlier descendant rulers?

    Answers: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom; Grandmother of Europe.

    Seven reigning monarchs descended from Queen Victoria: King Charles III of the United Kingdom; King Frederik X of Denmark; King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands; King Philippe of Belgium; King Felipe VI of Spain; King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden; and King Haakon VIII of Norway.

    The Naming Of Cats Is A Difficult Matter

    The post title is from Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and thought relevant as the questions are about names, not cats’ names but nicknames.

  • The Naming Of Cats Is A Difficult Matter

    Charlie Parker, 1947.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s first question relates to the date 26 September, but the remainder are not date-related. They do, though, follow on a theme from the first.

    One

    On this day in 1939 Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats was published. Who was this ‘Old Possum’?

    Two

    What American singer, born in 1980, has been referred to as the ‘Voice of a Generation’?

    Three

    What high-ranking politician from the first couple of decades of the 21st century was given the nickname ‘Mutti’?

    Four

    Eric Clapton joined a band in 1963 which had a name which may have come from Jack Kerouac’s novel On the Road. This name was also the nickname of a legendary jazz saxophonist. What was the band’s name; and who was the sax player?

    Five

    In September 2026, there are seven reigning monarchs in Europe who are all descended from the same person. Who was that person, and what nickname was bestowed on them relating to earlier descendant rulers?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Spider Murphy Played The Tenor Saxophone — Answers

    Today’s Answers

    Konstantin Chernenko, 1984.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to 24 September.

    One

    Who, on this day, became the first player to win a Grand Slam title in tennis; and in what decade did this take place?

    Answers: Don Budge; 1930s.

    The year was 1938. The term ‘Grand Slam’ originally comes from the card game contract bridge, and was first used in tennis by New York Times columnist John Kieran in 1933 when describing Jack Crawford’s attempt to win all four major tournaments in a single calendar year.

    Two

    The Battle of Shiroyama saw the Imperial Japanese Army decisively defeat what revolution; and in what decade did this occur?

    Answers: Satsuma Rebellion; 1870s.

    The Battle of Shiroyama on 24 September 1877, marked the final stand of the Satsuma Rebellion, where Saigō Takamori and a few hundred remaining samurai fought against 30,000 Imperial Japanese Army troops, effectively ending the samurai era in Japan.

    Three

    A single released this day by Elvis Presley became the Billboard Song of the Year in 1957. What song?

    Answer: Jailhouse Rock.

    Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Elvis Presley recorded Jailhouse Rock for the film of the same name. RCA Victor released it in 1957; it topped US charts and gained recognition from the Grammy Hall of Fame and American Film Institute.

    Four

    Born on this day, this General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union succeeded Yuri Andropov and preceded Mikhail Gorbachev. Who was he?

    Answer: Konstantin Chernenko.

    Konstantin Chernenko, a Siberian-born Soviet politician, led the Soviet Union from February 1984 until his death on 10 March 1985. Elected General Secretary and Chairman, his rule relied on an unofficial triumvirate due to poor health and was succeeded by Mikhail Gorbachev.

    Five

    Operation On Wings of Eagles ended on this day after transporting 45,000 Yemenite Jews to Israel. What Biblical book inspired the operation’s name; and by what nickname was it commonly known?

    Answers: Book of Exodus; Operation Magic Carpet.

    Operation On Wings of Eagles, known as Operation Magic Carpet, brought approximately 49,000 Yemenite Jews to Israel between 1948 and 1950. Supported by the United Kingdom and United States, flights from Aden Colony included Alaska Airlines.

    Spider Murphy Played The Tenor Saxophone

    The post title, ‘ Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone’, is the opening line of the second verse of Jailhouse Rock.

  • Spider Murphy Played The Tenor Saxophone

    Konstantin Chernenko, 1984.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to 24 September.

    One

    Who, on this day, became the first player to win a Grand Slam title in tennis; and in what decade did this take place?

    Two

    The Battle of Shiroyama saw the Imperial Japanese Army decisively defeat what revolution; and in what decade did this occur?

    Three

    A single released this day by Elvis Presley became the Billboard Song of the Year in 1957. What song?

    Four

    Born on this day, this General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union succeeded Yuri Andropov and preceded Mikhail Gorbachev. Who was he?

    Five

    Operation On Wings of Eagles ended on this day after transporting 45,000 Yemenite Jews to Israel. What Biblical book inspired the operation’s name; and by what nickname was it commonly known?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.