Tag: religion

Flying solo | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

Icon from the Mégalo Metéoron Monastery in Greece, representing the First Ecumenical Council of Nikea 325 A.D., with the condemned Arius in the bottom of the icon.
Image Wikipedia

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  1. On 20th May 325, the first council in the history of the Christian church took place. Where did they meet?
    • Nicaea—The First Council of Nicaea, convened by Emperor Constantine I in 325, addressed the Christological issue of the divine nature of God the Son and his relationship to God the Father. The council also constructed the first part of the Nicene Creed, mandated uniform Easter observance, and promulgated early canon law.
      Portrait of Tomás Estrada Palma
      Image Wikipedia
  2. Tomás Estrada Palma became his country’s first President when it gained independence from the United States. Of what country was he president?
    • Cuba—Tomás Estrada Palma was a Cuban politician, serving as the first President of Cuba from 1902 to 1906. He improved Cuba’s infrastructure, communication, and public health during his presidency.
      Vasco da Gama.
      Image Wikipedia
  3. On this day in 1498, an explorer’s fleet arrived in India, marking the discovery of a sea route to India from Europe. Who was the explorer?
    • Vasco de Gama—Vasco da Gama led a fleet from Lisbon in 1497, successfully sailing to Calicut, India, and returning two years later. This voyage, the first direct European route to India, opened up new trade opportunities and is celebrated in Luís de Camões’ epic poem, Os Lusíadas.

      Two questions with a theme next.

      Charles Lindbergh with Spirit of St. Louis
      Image Wikipedia
  4. On this day in 1927 Charles Lindbergh took to the skies in the Spirit of St. Louis on the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Where did he take off from?
    • Long Island, New York—On 20 May 1927, Charles Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field on Long Island, New York, in his Spirit of St. Louis aeroplane. After a 33.5-hour flight across the Atlantic, facing challenges like icing and fog, he landed at Le Bourget Aerodrome near Paris, France, on 21 May 1927. His transatlantic flight made him the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic.
      Amelia Earhart, 1928.
      Image Wikipedia https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Amelia_Earhart_1928.jpg
  5. Five years after Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo flight across the Atlantic, Amelia Earhart also made history on 20th May 1932. She embarked on the world’s first solo nonstop flight by a female pilot, taking off from Newfoundland, Canada. Where did she land?
    • Derry, Northern Ireland—On 20 May 1932, Amelia Earhart flew solo from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland in a Lockheed Vega 5B, facing strong winds, icy conditions, and mechanical problems. After 14 hours and 56 minutes, she landed in a pasture near Derry.

Flying solo

Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, May 20th.

Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis airplane, circa late 1920s.
Image Wikipedia
  1. On 20th May 325, the first council in the history of the Christian church took place. Where did they meet?
    • Constantinople
    • Ephesus
    • Nicaea
  2. Today in 1902, Tomás Estrada Palma became his country’s first President when it gained independence from the United States. Of what country was he president?
    • Aruba
    • Barbados
    • Cuba
  3. On this day in 1498, an explorer’s fleet arrived in India, marking the discovery of a sea route to India from Europe. Who was the explorer?
    • Ferdinand Magellan
    • Fernão do Pó
    • Vasco de Gama

      Two questions with a theme next.

  4. On this day in 1927 Charles Lindbergh took to the skies in the Spirit of St. Loius on the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Where did he take off from?
    • Bar Harbor, Maine
    • Cape Cod, Massachusetts
    • Long Island, New York
  5. Five years after Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo flight across the Atlantic, Amelia Earhart also made history on 20th May 1932. She embarked on the world’s first solo nonstop flight by a female pilot, taking off from Newfoundland, Canada. Where did she land?
    • Derry, Northern Ireland
    • Dumbarton, Scotland
    • Dieppe, France

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

True or false | Answers

Below are the questions from earlier today with the correct answers shown in bold.

Anne Boleyn.
Image Wikipedia
  1. Anne Boleyn was arrested and imprisoned on 2 May 1536. True or false, one of the charges she faced was witchcraft.
    • TRUE—Anne Boleyn was arrested and imprisoned on charges of adultery, incest, treason and witchcraft.
      Baron Manfred von Richthofen. Image Wikipedia
      Oberleutnant Hermann Göring, the final Kommandeur of Jagdgeschwader I. Image Wikipedia
  2. Manfred, Baron von Richthofen, born on 2 May 1892, became Germany’s top fighter ace in World War I until he was killed in action. True or false, he was eventually succeeded as commander of his fighter group by future Nazi leader Hermann Göring.
    • TRUE—Manfred von Richthofen, aka Baron von Richthofen or the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot during World War I. He is considered the ace-of-aces of the war and officially credited with 80 air combat victories. Hermann Göring, himself a veteran World War I fighter pilot ace, served as the last commander of Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG I), the fighter wing—Flying Circus—once led by Manfred von Richthofen. In the above photo Göring is holding a walking stick (the Geschwader-Stock) passed down from von Richthofen.
      A BOAC de Havilland Comet jet airliner, en route to Johannesburg from London, breaks its journey at Entebbe Airport, Uganda. 1952
      Image Wikipedia https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/BOAC_Comet_1952_Entebbe.jpg
  3. On this day in 1952, the first jetliner flight with fare-paying passengers took place. True or false, this flight was from Seattle, Washington to Washington DC.
    • FALSE—The de Havilland DH.106 Comet, the world’s first commercial jet airliner, entered service in 1952 with a flight from London, England to Johannesburg, South Africa. However, within a year, three Comets were lost in catastrophic mid-flight accidents.
      Catherine the Great.
      Image Wikipedia
  4. Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, was born today in 1729. True or false, she was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, which was part of the Holy Roman Empire.
    • TRUE—Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796, was born in Prussia in the Holy Roman Empire. She oversaw a cultural and scientific renaissance, expanding the empire through conquest and diplomacy. Her reign, marked by Enlightenment ideals, saw the founding of new cities, universities, and theatres, as well as the colonisation of Alaska and the annexation of the Crimean Khanate. Despite her modernising efforts, serfdom persisted, leading to rebellions.
      James VI and I.
      (James VI of Scotland and I of England)
      Image Wikipedia
  5. The King James Version of the Bible was first published on 2 May; True or false, the year of this first publication was1661.
    • FALSE—The King James Version, commissioned in 1604 and published in 1611, is an Early Modern English translation of the Christian Bible. It is considered one of the most important books in English culture and a driving force in shaping the English-speaking world.

True of false

Jadstaffel 11: The Red Barons Squadron
Image Wikipedia

Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, 2 May.

  1. Anne Boleyn was arrested and imprisoned on 2 May 1536. True or false, one of the charges she faced was witchcraft.
  2. Manfred, Baron von Richthofen, born on 2 May 1892, became Germany’s top fighter ace in World War I until he was killed in action. True or false, he was eventually succeeded as commander of his fighter group by future Nazi leader Hermann Göring.
  3. On this day in 1952, the first jetliner flight with fare-paying passengers took place. True or false, this flight was from Seattle, Washington to Washington DC.
  4. Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, was born today in 1729. True or false, she was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, which was part of the Holy Roman Empire.
  5. The King James Version of the Bible was first published on 2 May; True or false, the year of this first publication was 1661.

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

A Star is Born | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below.

Poster for A Star is Born.
Image Wikipedia
  1. Barbra Streisand, who was born on 24 April 1942, starred in the 1976 iteration of A Star is Born (1976). How often, up to April 2025, has the film been made?
    • Four times—A Star is Born has been made four times. The original film, released in 1937, starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March and was directed by William A. Wellman. It was followed by a 1954 remake starring Judy Garland and James Mason, directed by George Cukor. Streisand starred with Kris Kristofferson in the 1976 remake, directed by Frank Pierson. The fourth film, released in 2018, starred Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who also directed it.
      Tuthmosis III basalt statue in Luxor Museum.
      Image Wikipedia
  2. On this day in 1479 BCE, Thutmose III ascended to the throne of…
    • Egypt—Thutmose III, the fifth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, ruled Egypt from around 1479 to 1425 BC. Known as the “Napoleon of Egypt,” he led many successful military campaigns, expanding Egypt’s empire, creating its navy and conquering all of Syria. He crossed the Euphrates to defeat the Mitannians and penetrated south along the Nile River to Napata in Sudan. Thutmose III was a skilled warrior who brought the Egyptian empire to its zenith and built numerous temples and monuments to commemorate his achievements.
      Pope Benedict XVI.
      Image Wikipedia
  3. Joseph Ratzinger was installed as Pope on 24 April. What papal name did he choose?
    • Benedict XVI—Benedict XVI—born Joseph Ratzinger— served as head of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013. During his tenure, he faced challenges such as declining vocations, church attendance and the sexual abuse scandal. A prominent theologian, he advocated for traditional Catholic values and revived several church traditions. Benedict resigned due to age-related health concerns, becoming the first pope to do so since 1415.
      Francis II of France and Mary, Queen of Scots, aged 14 and 15 respectively.
      Image Wikipedia
  4. On April 24, 1558, fifteen-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots, was married. Where did the wedding take place?
    • Notre-Dame de Paris, France—Mary, Queen of Scots, married Francis, Dauphin of France, at Notre-Dame de Paris in 1558 in a political alliance between Scotland and France, orchestrated by her mother, Mary of Guise, to strengthen their bond. Mary was sent to France at the age of five to be raised at the court of King Henry II, where she grew up to be a Frenchwoman, excelling in hunting, dancing and languages. At 15, she married Francis, the eldest son of Henry and Catherine, in a political union between France and Scotland.
      Portrait of Anthony Trollope by Samuel Laurence, c.1864
      Image Wikipedia
  5. Born on 24 April 1815, this English novelist, essayist and short story writer is credited with introducing Britain’s ubiquitous pillar box (mail box). Who is he?
    • Anthony Trollope—The first British wayside letter boxes were introduced in the Channel Islands in 1852 to address mail collection issues due to irregular sailing times. Designed by Anthony Trollope, the cast iron pillar boxes were an instant success, though initially, they faced rainwater ingress problems.

A Star is Born

Barbra Streisand.
Image Wikipedia

Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, 24 April.

  1. Barbra Streisand, who was born on 24 April 1942, starred in the 1976 iteration of A Star is Born (1976). How often, up to April 2025, has the film been made?
    • Twice
    • Three times
    • Four times
  2. On this day in 1479 BCE, Thutmose III ascended to the throne of…
    • China
    • Egypt
    • Mesopotamia
  3. Joseph Ratzinger was installed as Pope on 24 April. What papal name did he choose?
    • Adrian VI
    • Benedict XVI
    • Clement X
  4. On April 24, 1558, fifteen-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots, was married. Where did the wedding take place?
    • Iona Abbey, Isle of Iona, Scotland
    • Notre-Dame de Paris, France
    • St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland
      British pillar box.
      West Gate, Warwick, Warwickshire, England. (1856 type).
      Image Wikipedia
  5. Born on 24 April 1815, this English novelist, essayist and short story writer is credited with introducing Britain’s ubiquitous pillar box (mail box). Who is he?
    • Charles Dickens
    • Anthony Trollope
    • Rudyard Kipling

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Spin, trials and unlucky 13 | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown, in bold, below.

Martin Luther. Wikipedia
  1. The trial of Martin Luther over his teachings and efforts to reform the theology and practices of the Catholic Church began on 17 April 1521 during the…
    • Diet of Worms—At an Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Emperor in the Imperial Free City of Worms, Martin Luther refused to recant his writings unless proven wrong by Scripture or reason, famously stating, “Here I stand; I can do no other.” The Diet declared Luther a heretic and banned his writings.
    Muttiah Muralitharan. Wikipedia
  2. On this day in 1972, Muttiah Muralitharan, cricketer, was born in…
    • Kandy—(Sri Lanka)—Muttiah Muralitharan, a Sri Lankan cricketer, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He is the only bowler to take 800 Test wickets and over 530 One Day International (ODI) wickets. Muralitharan was a part of the Sri Lankan team that won the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
    Henry Ian Cusick. Wikipedia
  3. Henry Ian Cusick, born today in 1967, who is best known for his role as Desmond Hume in Lost, is described in Wikipedia as…
    • Peruvian-Scottish—Henry Ian Cusick is a Peruvian-Scottish actor known for roles in Lost, The Gospel of John, Scandal, The 100, The Passage, and MacGyver.
    Apollo 13 crew: Commander, James A. Lovell Jr., Command Module pilot, John L. Swigert Jr., and Lunar Module pilot, Fred W. Haise Jr. Wikipedia
  4. The damaged Apollo 13 spacecraft returned to Earth safely today in 1970; the commander was…
    • James A. Lovell Jr.—Jim Lovell, a US astronaut, participated in the Gemini and Apollo space programmes. He commanded the Apollo 13 mission to the Moon in 1970, which faced a critical oxygen tank explosion but successfully returned to Earth. Apollo 13 was his fourth and final spaceflight.
  5. Anneli Jäätteenmäki took office on 17 April 2003 as the first female prime minister of…
    • Finland—
Anneli Jäätteenmäki. Wikipedia

Spin, trials and unlucky 13

Apollo 13 mission insignia. Wikipedia
  1. The trial of Martin Luther over his teachings and efforts to reform the theology and practices of the Catholic Church began on 17 April 1521 during the…
    • Diet of Weeds
    • Diet of Woods
    • Diet of Worms
  2. On this day in 1972, Muttiah Muralitharan, cricketer, was born in…
    • Bonbon
    • Kandy
    • Toffey
  3. Henry Ian Cusick, born today in 1967, who is best known for his role as Desmond Hume in Lost, is described in Wikipedia as…
    • Argentinian-Welsh
    • Chilean-Irish
    • Peruvian-Scottish
  4. The damaged Apollo 13 spacecraft returned to Earth safely today in 1970; the commander was…
    • Fred W. Haise Jr.
    • John “Jack” L. Swigert Jr.
    • James A. Lovell Jr.
  5. Anneli Jäätteenmäki took office on 17 April 2003 as the first female prime minister of…
    • Fiji
    • Finland
    • France

Good luck! I will post the answers later today

April Showers of Knowledge: A Quiz | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below.

Juan Ponce de León. Wikipedia
  1. Juan Ponce de León—a Spanish explorer, founded the first European settlement on Puerto Rico and is credited with being the first European to reach Florida in 1513. He named the region Florida due to its lush vegetation and discovery during Easter.
    A photographic portrait of Hans Christian Andersen by Thora Hallager, 1869. Wikipedia
  2. Hans Christian Andersen—Hans Christian Andersen, a Danish author, is best known for his fairy tales, including The Emperor’s New Clothes and The Little Mermaid. His stories, translated into over 125 languages, have inspired numerous adaptations.
    Richard Strauss, 1894. Wikipedia
  3. Richard Strauss—Strauss’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra is used for the dramatic opening scene of the film depicting an alignment of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon and which has been called the greatest movie opening ever. 2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 film by Stanley Kubrick, based on Arthur C. Clarke’s stories. It explores human evolution, technology and artificial intelligence through a journey to Jupiter involving a malfunctioning computer, HAL 9000, and a mysterious monolith.
    Col. Nicholson, The Bridge on the River Kwai, 1957. Wikipedia
    Prince Faisal, 3rd from left, in Lawrence of Arabia, 1962. Wikipedia
    Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars, 1977. Wikipedia
  4. Alec Guinness—Kwai: played Colonel Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957); Hejaz: Prince Faisal in Lawrence of Arabia (1962); London: George Smiley in both Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979) and Smiley’s People (1982); Tatooine: in the original three Star Wars films, Ben Kenobi—aka Obi-Wan Kenobi. A British actor, he was known for his diverse and acclaimed stage and screen performances. He won an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Tony Award; he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1959.
  5. Quaker—William Penn, seeking a haven for Quakers, secured a charter from King Charles II granting him over 45,000 square miles of land in North America. This land, named Pennsylvania, became a haven for Quakers, guaranteeing religious freedom and other liberties.
William Penn. Wikipedia

April Showers of Knowledge: A Quiz

2001: A Space Odyssey. Wikipedia

All of the following relate to today, 2 April.

  1. On 2 April 1513, an explorer landed on the coast of what is now Florida, he is believed to be the first European to land in Florida. Who was this explorer?
    • Sebastian Cabot
    • Hermenegildo de Brito Capelo
    • Juan Ponce de León
  2. Born this day in 1805, an author who is probably best known for works such as The Red Shoes, The Ugly Duckling and Thumbelina. Who is he?
    • Hans Christian Andersen
    • Jacob Grimm
    • George MacDonald
  3. Today in 1968, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey had its world premiere. The film was noted for its use of classical music such as the dramatic Thus Spoke Zarathustra for the opening scene of the film. Who composed this piece of music?
    • Camille Saint-Saëns
    • Richard Strauss
    • Igor Stravinsky
  4. Born today in 1914, what actor links these film and television locations: River Kwai, Hejaz, London and Tatooine?
    • Peter Cushing
    • Alec Guinness
    • James Earl Ray
  5. On 2 April 1681, England’s King Charles II proclaimed the charter he had granted in March to William Penn for his colony of Pennsylvania in North America. What word best describes this colony?
    • Baptist
    • Puritan
    • Quaker

Good Luck! I will post the answers later today.