Some astrologers believed that a 1997 planetary alignment with the Sun and Moon, which had not occurred since 1475, indicated the beginning of a new age. What age?
Two
In 1229, Pope Gregory IX first mentioned the town of Aboa in his bull; Aboa is the Latin name of Turku. This date is increasingly considered the founding of Turku. In what modern country is Turku?
Three
In 1957, American inventor Walter Frederick Morrison sold the rights to his disc to the Wham-O toy company. What did they later rename it?
Four
In 1998, which corporation announced the creation of Mozilla, a free software community?
Five
In 1977, the television miniseries Roots debuted in the United States. The series was an adaptation of whose best-selling novel, and what was that novel’s full title?
What actor is pictured above, and what film is the picture taken from?
Answers: Cary Grant; North by Northwest
See after question two for some additional trivia.
Two
Where was the above actor born on this day in 1904, and what was his birth name?
Answers: Bristol, England, United Kingdom; Archibald Leach (or Archibald Alexander Leach)
Cary Grant, born Archibald Alexander Leach in Bristol, England, was a British-born American film actor celebrated for his debonair style and talent in romantic comedies. He gained fame in the 1930s and 1940s, starring in a variety of classic films, including screwball comedies, action-adventures, and suspense thrillers. Grant frequently collaborated with Alfred Hitchcock and received two Academy Award nominations along with an honorary Oscar, though he never won a competitive Oscar for acting. He retired from acting in 1966 and passed away in 1986.
The ‘Where were they born’ theme continues with the following questions.
Three
Where was Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland born?
Answer: Britain (or Roman Britain)
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is credited with bringing Christianity to the country in the 5th century. Born in Roman Britain, he was enslaved in Ireland at 16 but later escaped and returned to spread Christianity. Known for his missionary work and writings, St. Patrick’s legacy is celebrated annually on St. Patrick’s Day, 17 March.
Four
Where was Angus Young, the only continuous member of the hard rock band AC/DC, born?
Answer: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Angus Young, born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1955, is best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of AC/DC. He emigrated to Australia with his family in 1963 and grew up in Sydney, where he developed his musical talents and later became a self-taught guitarist. Young’s early life in Scotland, his family’s musical background, and his move to Australia all played a significant role in shaping his career as a musician.
Five
Where was Christopher Columbus born, between August and October 1451?
Answer: Genoa (Republic of Genoa)
Christopher Columbus, a Genoese explorer from the Republic of Genoa, completed four Spanish-sponsored voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. His expeditions, beginning in 1492, opened the way for European exploration and colonisation of the Americas, though his legacy is now viewed more critically due to the impact on indigenous populations.
In what decade did the television comedy Happy Days premiere in the United States?
Answer: 1970s
Happy Days, a popular American sitcom that aired from 1974 to 1984, depicted an idealised view of 1950s and 60s America. The show’s most memorable character, Fonzie, became a pop culture icon, leading to several spin-off shows and launching the careers of its stars.
Two
The first national public museum in the world, opened in 1759, boasts a collection of over eight million artefacts. What museum?
Answer: British Museum
The British Museum was founded in 1753 and opened its doors in 1759. It was the first national museum to cover all fields of human knowledge, open to visitors from across the world.
Enlightenment ideals and values – critical scrutiny of all assumptions, open debate, scientific research, progress and tolerance – have marked the Museum since its foundation.
The Museum is driven by an insatiable curiosity for the world, a deep belief in objects as reliable witnesses and documents of human history, sound research, as well as the desire to expand and share knowledge. — British Museum
Three
The 2016 film Sully, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger III, depicts his remarkable landing of a crippled aircraft in a river. Which river did the aircraft land in, and who directed the film?
Answer: Hudson River; Clint Eastwood
On 15 January 2009, US Airways flight 1549, an Airbus A320, made an emergency landing in the Hudson River after both engines were damaged by a flock of geese shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport. Captain Chesley Sullenberger successfully ditched the plane, resulting in no fatalities but five serious injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded Sullenberger’s decision to land in the river was appropriate.
Four
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on this date in 1929 and dying at the age of 39 in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, this American religious leader became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Who was this?
Answer: Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent American civil rights activist and Baptist minister who led the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. He advocated for civil rights for people of colour through nonviolent resistance, achieving significant legislative gains like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal. Martin Luther King Day is observed on the third Monday in January and a memorial dedicated to him stands in the National Mall, Washington, DC.
Five
In 2001, Wikipedia saw its debut. The free Internet-based encyclopaedia was initially launched as a feature of Nupedia prior to being relaunched as an independent entity a few days later. Who were the two founders?
Answer: Jimmy Wales; Larry Sanger
Wikipedia, launched in 2001 as a complement to the expert-written Nupedia, quickly grew into the largest encyclopedia ever assembled. While initially experiencing rapid growth, the English Wikipedia’s growth rate in terms of new articles and editors peaked around 2007 and has since stabilised after a period of decline. Despite concerns about a decline in active editors and page views, Wikipedia remains a widely used and influential resource.
Brace for Impact
The title refers to Captain Sullenberger’s announcement to his passengers in the final approach of flight 1549 to the Hudson River, ‘This is the captain. Brace for impact.’
In what decade did the television comedy Happy Days premiere in the United States?
Two
The first national public museum in the world, opened in 1759, boasts a collection of over eight million artefacts. What museum?
Three
The 2016 film Sully, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger III, depicts his remarkable landing of a crippled aircraft in a river. Which river did the aircraft land in, and who directed the film?
Four
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on this date in 1929 and dying at the age of 39 in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, this American religious leader became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Who was this?
Five
In 2001, Wikipedia saw its debut. The free Internet-based encyclopaedia was initially launched as a feature of Nupedia prior to being relaunched as an independent entity a few days later. Who were the two founders?
Something a bit different today. You can earn a total of 55 points by answering all the questions completely. The first question is worth one point and has only one correct answer. The second question is worth two points for two correct answers and so on… until the tenth question which is worth ten points for ten correct answers.
Continuing from yesterday with questions six to ten.
Six
For SIX points, name the members of the comedy troupe, Monty Python.
Answer: Graham Chapman—John Cleese—Terry Gilliam—Eric Idle—Terry Jones—Michael Palin
Seven
For SEVEN points, list the Harry Potter novels. No need to put Harry Potter and…
Answer: Philosopher’s Stone—Chamber of Secrets—Prisoner of Azkaban—Goblet of Fire,—Order of the Phoenix—Half-Blood Prince—Deathly Hallows
Eight
For EIGHT points, starting from 0 degrees and moving clockwise, list the compass points formed by dividing a compass rose into eight segments. (in clockwise order)
For NINE points. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, a group of nine, known as the Company of the Ring or the Fellowship of the Ring, embarked on a mission to destroy the ring. Who were they?
Something a bit different today. You can earn a total of 55 points by answering all the questions completely. The first question is worth one point and has only one correct answer. The second question is worth two points for two correct answers and so on… until the tenth question which is worth ten points for ten correct answers.
Continuing from yesterday with questions six to ten.
Six
For SIX points, name the members of the comedy troupe, Monty Python.
Seven
For SEVEN points, list the Harry Potter novels. No need to put Harry Potter and…
Eight
For EIGHT points, starting from 0 degrees and moving clockwise, list the compass points formed by dividing a compass rose into eight segments. (in clockwise order)
Nine
For NINE points. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, a group of nine, known as the Company of the Ring or the Fellowship of the Ring, embarked on a mission to destroy the ring. Who were they?
Ten
For TEN points, list the world’s ten most populous cities as listed by the UN 2025 Population Estimates.
Something a bit different today. You can earn a total of 55 points by answering all the questions completely. The first question is worth one point and has only one correct answer. The second question is worth two points for two correct answers and so on… until the tenth question which is worth ten points for ten correct answers.
Posted in two parts with the second part following tomorrow.
One
For ONE point, in what country was the composer Franz Liszt born
Answer: Hungary
Two
For TWO points. According to the Bible story, Noah released two birds from the ark to determine whether the flood had abated; what birds?
Answer: Raven—Dove
Three
For THREE points. In Alexandre Dumas’ novel, The Three Musketeers, the title characters meet and befriend d’Artagnan; what are their names?
Answer: Athos—Porthos—Aramis
Four
For FOUR points, list the patron saints of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland.
Answer: Andrew—George—David—Patrick
Five
For FIVE points, list the five boroughs of New York City.
Answer: The Bronx—Brooklyn—Manhattan—Queens—Staten Island
Something a bit different today. You can earn a total of 55 points by answering all the questions completely. The first question is worth one point and has only one correct answer. The second question is worth two points for two correct answers and so on… until the tenth question which is worth ten points for ten correct answers.
Posted in two parts with the second part following tomorrow.
One
For ONE point, in what country was the composer Franz Liszt born
Two
For TWO points. According to the Bible story, Noah released two birds from the ark to determine whether the flood had abated; what birds?
Three
For THREE points. In Alexandre Dumas’ novel, The Three Musketeers, the title characters meet and befriend d’Artagnan; what are their names?
Four
For FOUR points, list the patron saints of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland.
Five
For FIVE points, list the five boroughs of New York City.
Good luck! I’ll post the answers later and part II follows tomorrow.
Here are the answers to the questions posed in my earlier post.
These questions all relate to today’s date, January 6th.
Adoration of the Magi by El Greco (1568), Museo Soumaya, Mexico City. Image Wikimedia Commons
One
In Western Christianity, the Epiphany celebrates the coming of the Magi. Which Gospel or Gospels tell this story?
Answer: Gospel of Matthew
The biblical account in Matthew 2 describes the visit of unnamed ‘wise men’ to the infant Jesus, not on the night of his birth but at an unspecified later time. While artistic conventions often depict this event alongside the nativity, the text specifies that the wise men visited Jesus in a house, not a stable, and the exact timing of their visit is not provided.
Two
In 1994, ‘The Whack Heard Around the World’ involved an attack on an US figure skater by an assailant hired by, or on behalf of, a rival skater. Who was the attacked skater, and who was the rival?
Answer: Nancy Kerrigan; Tonya Harding
On January 6, 1994, figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked by Shane Stant, who was hired by Jeff Gillooly and Shawn Eckardt to prevent her from competing. The incident was later linked to her rival, Tonya Harding, Gillooly’s ex-wife, who was accused of involvement. Despite the attack, Kerrigan recovered and competed in the Lillehammer 1994 Olympic Winter Games, winning a silver medal. Harding, who also competed at the Olympics, faced legal consequences, pleaded guilty to hindering the prosecution, and was banned for life from USFSA events.
Three
In 1540, England’s King Henry VIII married his fourth wife, who was she and what was her fate?
Answer: Anne of Cleves; marriage was annulled
Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII’s fourth wife, ruled England for six months in 1540. Their marriage was annulled, but she remained in England, receiving a generous settlement. She lived to see the reigns of Henry’s children. Ten years after Henry’s death and during Mary I’s reign, Anne died and was interred as a queen in Westminster Abbey.
Four
Born in 1955, this British actor voiced Zazu, an uptight hornbill, in The Lion King (1994). Who was this actor?
Answer: Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson is an English actor, comedian and writer, best known for his roles in Blackadder, Mr. Bean, and Johnny English. He has received numerous awards for his work, including a BAFTA and an Olivier Award, and was appointed CBE in 2013.
Five
In 1900, the besieged fortress at Ladysmith, Natal, successfully repelled an attack and drove the attackers back. During what war did this occur, and in what modern country is this location?
Answer: Second Boer War; South Africa
The Siege of Ladysmith, a crucial engagement during the Second Boer War, lasted from 2 November 1899 to 28 February 1900. The Boer republics invaded Natal, leading to battles and a British retreat to Ladysmith. Despite several relief attempts, the Boers encircled the town until the British forces, led by General Buller, broke through and relieved it. The Battle of Wagon Hill, on 6 January 1900, saw Boer forces attack British positions on Platrand. Initially successful, the Boers were repelled by British counterattacks, resulting in heavy casualties. The siege of Ladysmith continued until 28 February 1900, when the British forces finally broke through the Boer lines and relieved the town.
Quizology.Online 