Quizology.Online

Tag: politics

  • Grand Slam—Answers

    Martina Navratilova, 2011.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    In 1956, Martina Navratilova, who went on to dominate women’s tennis, was born? In what city was she born and how many Grand Slam singles titles did she win?

    Answer: 18 (Grand Slam singles titles)

    Martina Navratilova, a Czech-American former tennis player, dominated women’s tennis in the 1980s. She holds numerous records, including nine Wimbledon singles titles and a career Grand Slam in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Navratilova became a US citizen in 1981 and later reacquired Czech citizenship in 2008.

    Two

    In 1939, the man who would later be accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy — and who himself would be fatally shot two days afterward — was born in New ….
    What was his name and his place of birth?

    Answer: Lee Harvey Oswald and New Orleans

    Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, assassinated President John F. Kennedy on 22 November 1963 and was himself killed by Jack Ruby two days later. The Warren Commission concluded Oswald, who had a troubled past and at one time defected to the Soviet Union, acted alone, a finding supported by multiple investigations, though many Americans remain sceptical.

    Three

    The BBC, a national broadcasting service, was founded in London on this day. Which decade saw this happen?

    Answer: 1920s

    The British Broadcasting Corporation—established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company—is headquartered in London and is the oldest and largest broadcaster in the UK. Funded primarily by a television licence fee, it provides radio, TV, and online services, including the BBC World Service.

    Four

    On this day in 1867, following the US’s approval of the purchase of Alaska from Russia, the American flag was unfurled over the capital for the first time. Where was that capital and how far apart are Alaska and Russia at their closest point, measured in miles?

    Answer: Sitka and 2.4 miles or 3.8 km

    The Alaska Purchase, negotiated by William H. Seward in 1867, was finalised on October 18th with a flag-raising ceremony at Fort Sitka, now celebrated as Alaska Day.

    Anything between 2 and 3 miles or 3 and 4 km is acceptable.

    The Diomede Islands, Little Diomede (Alaska, U.S.) and Big Diomede (Chukotka, Russia), are located in the Bering Strait, between Alaska and Siberia.

    • The distance between the islands is about 2.4 miles (3.8 kilometres).
    • The International Date Line runs between them, making Big Diomede almost one day ahead of Little Diomede; consequently, they are sometimes called ‘Tomorrow Island’ (Big Diomede) and ‘Yesterday Island’ (Little Diomede).

    Five

    The Whale, first published in London on this day in 1851, was written by whom?

    Answer: Herman Melville

    The British edition of The Whale was published on October 18th with only 500 copies printed, a small print run due to slow sales of previous books. The American editions—titled Moby Dick or The Whale was released on November 14th.

  • Grand Slam

    Here are some questions all related to today’s date, October 18th.

    Martina Navratilova, 1980.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    In 1956, Martina Navratilova, who went on to dominate women’s tennis, was born. In what city was she born, and how many Grand Slam singles titles did she win?

    Two

    In 1939, the man who would later be accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy — and who himself would be fatally shot two days afterward — was born in New ….
    What was his name and his place of birth?

    Three

    The BBC, a national broadcasting service, was founded in London on this day. Which decade saw this happen?

    Four

    On this day in 1867, following the US’s approval of the purchase of Alaska from Russia, the American flag was unfurled over the capital for the first time. Where was that capital and how far apart are Alaska and Russia at their closest point, measured in miles?

    Five

    The Whale, first published in London on this day in 1851, was written by whom?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Unsinkable—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    One

    In the film Titanic what were Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet’s fictional characters full names?

    Answer: Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater

    Titanic film poster.
    Image Original Vintage

    Two

    Name the independent countries in Africa that have names beginning with ‘M’?

    Answer: Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco and Mozambique

    Three

    What type of animal was Flipper, the star of the sixties American television series?

    Answer: Bottlenose dolphin

    Bottlenose dolphins.
    Image American Oceans

    Four

    There’s only been one instance of a father and daughter performing a number one song in America. Can you name the song and the performers?

    Answer: Somethin’ Stupid Frank and Nancy Sinatra

    This 1967 hit, which was billed as being by ‘Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra’, was the first and only instance of a father-daughter number-one song in America. Nancy Sinatra has said, ‘Some people call (it) the Incest Song, which I think is, well, very sweet!’

    Five

    Name any US presidents and British prime ministers with the same surname?

    Answer: Woodrow Wilson and Harold Wilson

    Woodrow Wilson, was the 28th President of the United States and was in office from 1913 to 1921.
    Harold Wilson, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and was in office from 1964 to 1970 and 1974 to 1976.

  • Unsinkable

    Today’s questions are random with no connection between them.

    RMS Titanic.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    In the film Titanic what were Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet’s fictional characters full names?

    Two

    Name the independent countries in Africa that have names beginning with ‘M’?

    Three

    What type of animal was Flipper, the star of the sixties American television series?

    Four

    There’s only been one instance of a father and daughter performing a number one song in America. Can you name the song and the performers?

    Five

    Name any US presidents and British prime ministers with the same surname?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Shrouded in Mystery—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions in my earlier post.

    Nero.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Is it true or false that in 1988 the Archbishop of Turin announced that carbon-14 dating of the Shroud of Turin placed its date in the first century CE?

    Answer: False

    He admitted the shroud’s origins date back to the Middle Ages. The Shroud of Turin, traditionally believed to be Jesus’ burial cloth, was radiocarbon dated in 1988 to the period 1260–1390 CE This contradicts its traditional association with Jesus’ crucifixion. While some question the reliability of the 1988 test, no expert has deemed it substantially unreliable.

    Two

    The 1972 Andes flight carrying the Old Christians Rugby Club became international news when it was revealed that the survivors had resorted to cannibalism to survive. Is it true or false that the flight originated from Buenos Aires, Argentina?

    Answer: False

    They were flying from Montevideo, Uruguay to Santiago, Chile. Old Christians Club, a Uruguayan sports club from Montevideo, is known for its rugby union team. The club also has football and field hockey branches. Forty rugby club members and five crew members were on board a plane that crashed in the Argentinean Andes. They endured an avalanche and weeks of starvation, resorting to eating the frozen bodies of the deceased. Sixteen survivors were rescued after two trekked across the mountains to seek help.

    Three

    Is it true of false that in 54 CE the Roman emperor Claudius died from poisoning and was succeeded by his son Caligula, rather than his son with Messalina?

    Answer: False

    He was succeeded by his adoptive son Nero rather than Britannicus, his son with Messalina. Ancient historians believe Claudius was poisoned, likely by his wife Agrippina, to secure Nero’s succession. However, some argue he died from illness or old age, citing his poor health and the lack of evidence against his taster Halotus.

    Four

    Is this statement true or false: In 2010, 33 miners were rescued from South America’s Patagonian Desert after spending a 69 days underground.

    Answer: False

    It was the Atacama Desert in Chile. The 2010 Copiapó mining accident trapped 33 miners 700 metres underground for a record 69 days after a cave-in at the San José mine in the Atacama Desert, Chile. The rescue operation, involving multiple countries and organisations, successfully brought the miners to the surface. The mine’s owner, San Esteban Mining Company, had a history of safety violations and negligence.

    Margaret Thatcher.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    Margaret Thatcher, who was born today in 1925 was the British Prime Minister from 1979 until 1990. Is it true or false that she was Member of Parliament for the constituency of Finchley for more than 32 years?

    Answer: True

    She became the MP for Finchley on 8 October 1959 and held the position until her retirement in the spring of 1992. Thatcher was Europe’s first female prime minister and the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century, also the only one to secure three consecutive terms.

  • Shrouded in Mystery

    Here are five questions which are all related to today, October 13th

    Shroud of Turin.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Is it true or false that in 1988 the Archbishop of Turin announced that carbon-14 dating of the Shroud of Turin placed its date in the first century CE?

    Two

    The 1972 Andes flight carrying the Old Christians Rugby Club became international news when it was revealed that the survivors had resorted to cannibalism to survive. Is it true or false that the flight originated from Buenos Aires, Argentina?

    Three

    Is it true of false that in 54 CE the Roman emperor Claudius died from poisoning and was succeeded by his son Caligula, rather than his son with Messalina?

    Four

    Is this statement true or false: In 2010, 33 miners were rescued from South America’s Patagonian Desert after spending a 69 days underground.

    Five

    Margaret Thatcher, who was born today in 1925 was the British Prime Minister from 1979 until 1990. Is it true or false that she was Member of Parliament for the constituency of Finchley for more than 32 years?

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

  • Lists—Answers

    Today there are five questions relating to various lists.

    Taylor Swift Eras Tour – Arlington Texas, US.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Here’s a chronological list of studio albums released since 2017: Reputation, Lover, … Evermore. Who released these and which album is missing?

    Answer: Taylor Swift and Folklore

    Swift released the studio album Folklore in 2020.

    Two

    …, Aconcagua, Denali. This is the second and third items in a list of seven. What’s the first?

    Answer: Everest

    It is a list of the highest peaks the on seven continents: Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Vinson, Elbrus, Mount Wilhelm. There are variations to this list depending on definition used but the first five peaks remain the same regardless of definition.

    Three

    Which film follows in this list from an ‘official’ film series: Thunderball, You Only Live Twice? Secondly, who played the main protagonist in this film?

    Answer: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and George Lazenby

    This was Lazenby’s only outing as Bond.

    Four

    Out of the 193 member states of the United Nations, nine follow Oman and precede Qatar in alphabetical order. Can you name as many of these nine as you can?

    Answer: Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland and Portugal

    — Wikipedia

    The Rolling Stones in July 1963.
    From left: Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    The Encyclopædia Britannica and Wikipedia agree on the first stable lineup of this group. Listed alphabetically by surname, they are Mick Jagger, …, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman. Who is missing from second place in this list?

    Answer: Brian Jones

    Formed in London as an alliance between Jagger, Richards, and multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones along with Watts and bassist Bill Wyman, the Stones began as a grubby conclave of students and bohemians playing a then-esoteric music based on Chicago blues in pubs and clubs in and around West London. Their potential for mass-market success seemed negligible at first, but by 1965 they were second to the Beatles in the collective affection of teenage Britain. — Encyclopædia Britannica

  • Lists

    Today we have five questions about different lists.

    One

    Here’s a chronological list of studio albums released since 2017: Reputation, Lover, … Evermore. Who released these and which album is missing?

    Two

    …, Aconcagua, Denali. This is the second and third items in a list of seven. What’s the first?

    Three

    Which film follows in this list from an ‘official’ film series: Thunderball, You Only Live Twice? Secondly, who played the main protagonist in this film?

    Four

    Out of the 193 member states of the United Nations, nine follow Oman and precede Qatar in alphabetical order. Can you name as many of these nine as you can?

    Five

    The Encyclopædia Britannica and Wikipedia agree on the first stable lineup of this group. Listed alphabetically by surname, they are Mick Jagger, …, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman. Who is missing from second place in this list?

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

  • Raising the Dead—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    The Raising of Lazarus and the Adoration of the Shepherds
    Regional Museum of Messina, Sicily, Italy
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Which Italian artist born this day in 1571, painted the works above which are displayed in Sicily?

    Answer: Caravaggio

    Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, (known mononymously as Caravaggio) an Italian painter from the late 16th and early 17th centuries, gained fame for his realistic religious works.

    Two

    In 1829 the Metropolitan Police was founded, by what name (two words the first contains eight letters) is the force, especially the Criminal Investigation Department, colloquially known?

    Answer: Scotland Yard

    Through the efforts of Robert Peel, England’s first professional police force, London’s Metropolitan Police (often called Scotland Yard), was founded; it became a model for future police departments in various other countries, including the United States.

    — Encyclopædia Britannica

    Three

    Born in Rome in 1901, who became an associate director of Manhattan Project in 1944?

    Answer: Enrico Fermi

    Enrico Fermi, an Italian-born American scientist, was a pivotal figure in the nuclear age. He developed mathematical statistics for subatomic phenomena, explored neutron-induced nuclear transformations, and directed the first controlled nuclear fission chain reaction, earning the 1938 Nobel Prize for Physics. Fermi is best known for creating the first artificial nuclear reactor, Chicago Pile-1, and for his contributions to the Manhattan Project. His work spanned statistical mechanics, quantum theory, and nuclear and particle physics.

    Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Who was the first woman to hold the office of Prime Minister of Australia?

    Answer: Julia Gillard

    Julia Gillard, born in Wales, served as Australia’s 27th prime minister. She was the first and, as of September 2025, the only woman to hold the position.

    Five

    Following the Challenger disaster in January 1986 and the suspension of NASA’s space shuttle programme, it resumed on this day. In which year and with which shuttle did this happen?

    Answer: 1988 and Discovery

    On January 28, 1986, the Challenger shuttle exploded shortly after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts including schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe. A presidential commission discovered a joint seal in a solid rocket booster had failed due to mechanical design flaws exacerbated by cold weather. Hot gases leaking from the joint ignited the shuttle’s external tank fuel leading to the devastating explosion. As a result, the shuttle fleet was grounded for necessary design corrections and administrative changes. On 29 September 1988, Discovery was the first shuttle to resume flights. Endeavour, a replacement orbiter, finally flew its first mission in 1992.

  • Raising the Dead

    Here are five questions related to today, September 29th.

    The Raising of Lazarus and the Adoration of the Shepherds
    Regional Museum of Messina, Sicily, Italy.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Which Italian artist born this day in 1571, painted the works above which are displayed in Sicily?

    Two

    In 1829 the Metropolitan Police was founded, by what name (two words the first contains eight letters) is the force, especially the Criminal Investigation Department, colloquially known?

    Three

    Born in Rome in 1901, who became an associate director of Manhattan Project in 1944?

    Four

    Who was the first woman to hold the office of Prime Minister of Australia?

    Five

    Following the Challenger disaster in January 1986 and the suspension of NASA’s space shuttle programme, it resumed on this day. In which year and with which shuttle did this happen?

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