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.

A Sporting First—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

Althea Gibson, victorious at Wimbledon Ladies Singles in 1957, at parade in her honour, New York. 
Image Wikipedia

One

Answer: Tennis

Althea Gibson was a dominant American tennis player who ruled women’s competition in the late 1950s. She achieved historic milestones as the first Black player to win the French Open (1956), Wimbledon (1957–58) and the US Open (1957–58) singles championships.

Two

Answer: And God Created Woman

Born in Paris, Bardot aspired to be a ballerina before starting her acting career in 1952. She gained international fame in 1957 for her role in And God Created Woman.

Three

Answer: Alexander Fleming

Scottish physician and microbiologist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first broadly effective antibiotic, in 1928. He shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945 for this discovery.

Four

Answer: 16th century

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, the “discoverer” of California, landed near present-day San Diego in 1542, becoming the first European to set foot on the west coast of the future United States.

Five

Answer: Nelson Piquet Jr. and Renault F1 (or Renault)

The 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, the first Formula One race held at night, was won by Fernando Alonso after a controversial incident involving his teammate, Nelson Piquet Jr. Piquet deliberately crashed, bringing out the safety car and benefiting Alonso’s strategy. This incident led to Renault’s disqualification from Formula One, later overturned in court.

A Sporting First

Here are five questions about today, September 28th.

Althea Gibson, 1957.
Image Wikipedia

One

Althea Gibson, aged 76, died on this day in 2003. In the mid-1950s she achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first African-American woman to win titles in what sport?

Two

Brigitte Bardot was born on 28 September 1934.  She gained international recognition in which 1956 film directed by Roger Vadim?

Three

In 1928, a physician and microbiologist observed a mould growth in a laboratory that would later be identified as penicillin.  Who was this individual?

Four

On 28 September, a European ‘discovered’ California. In which century did this happen?

Five

On 28 September 2008 Singapore hosted its inaugural Formula One race, making it the first night race in the sport’s history. Almost a year later allegations emerged of a driver being instructed by his team to crash his car. Who was the driver and which team was he representing?

Good luck! I will post the answers later.

The Tide Is High—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

The Admiral Benbow in Penzance, reportedly an inspiration for Stevenson’s Inn.
Image Wikipedia

One

Answer: Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson

The Admiral Benbow in Penzance is reportedly an inspiration for Stevenson’s Inn from Treasure Island, although the inn in the story was set in a rural location.


Two

Answer: Edward VI and Mary I

Lady Jane Grey, known as the ‘Nine Days Queen’, was proclaimed Queen of England and Ireland in 1553 after Edward VI’s death. However, her reign was short-lived as Mary I was proclaimed queen just nine days later. Jane was later executed for treason in 1554.


Three

Answer: Atlantic Ocean

The Bay of Fundy (French: Baie de Fundy) is a bay located between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and the US state of Maine. It is an arm of the Gulf of Maine and is renowned for its exceptionally high tidal range, making it the highest in the world.


Cnidus Aphrodite.
Marble, Roman copy after a Greek original of the 4th century.
Image Wikipedia

Four

Answer: Aphrodite

Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, beauty and passion, was associated with various symbols and worshipped in several cult centres. Her origins can be traced back to the Phoenician goddess Astarte and the Sumerian goddess Inanna.


Five

a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture. — Oxford English Dictionary

Answer: Ambergris

Ambergris, used in perfumes like musk, has also been used as a flavouring agent in food and drink, including a favourite dish of King Charles II and in Turkish coffee and hot chocolate.

ambergris /ˈambəɡriːs , ˈambəɡrɪs /
▸ noun [mass noun] a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture.
– ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French ambre gris ‘grey amber’, as distinct from ambre jaune ‘yellow amber’ (the resin).
— Oxford English Dictionary

Mother and baby sperm whale.
Image Wikipedia

The Tide Is High

Low and high tide.
Image from Ocean Info.

I have five random questions for you today. They’re unrelated to the date or each other.

One

Which 1883 novel begins at an inn called the Admiral Benbow, and who wrote it?

Two

Lady Jane Grey’s reign of only nine days came between what two other monarchs?

Three

Of what ocean is the Bay of Fundy an arm?

Four

Which ancient goddess of love is a 2010 album by Kylie Minogue named after?

Five

What ‘A’, found in perfumes and food, is defined as follows?

a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture.

— Oxford English Dictionary

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

To Boldly Go

One

On 13 September 1959, the first spacecraft successfully made contact with another celestial body. Which spacecraft and celestial body were involved?

  • Kal-L 1 and Mercury
  • Luna 2 and the Moon
  • Mariner 3 and Mars

Answer: Luna 2 And the Moon

…the Soviets launched their second Cosmic Rocket (later renamed Luna 2) on Sep. 12 and it successfully achieved escape velocity and placed the spacecraft, virtually identical to Luna 1, on an intercept course with the Moon. The upper stage once again released its one kilogram of sodium gas at a distance of 97,000 miles. On Sep. 13, Luna 2 became the first spacecraft to make contact with another celestial body when it impacted the Moon between Mare Imbrium and Mare Serenitatis, about 160 miles from where Apollo 15 would land 12 years later. The spacecraft’s scientific instruments detected no magnetic field or radiation belts around the Moon. Luna 2 deposited Soviet emblems on the lunar surface, carried in two metallic spheres. During his only visit to the United States a few days after the Luna 2 mission, Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev presented a replica of the spherical pennant to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. That sphere is kept at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas, while a copy is displayed at the Kansas Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas.

NASA


Two

The 13 September Japanese release of Super Mario Bros marked the start of the Super Mario series of platforming games.

  • 1985
  • 1991
  • 1997

Answer: 1985

Super Mario Bros. is a 1985 platform game developed by Nintendo for the NES. Players control Mario or Luigi to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser, traversing side-scrolling stages and collecting power-ups. The game is praised for its precise controls and is credited with reviving the video game industry after the 1983 crash.


Three

On 12 September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert set a record as the strongest hurricane in the Western Hemisphere, based on barometric pressure. Which 2005 hurricane surpassed this record?

  • Maria
  • Rita
  • Wilma

Answer: Wilma

Hurricane Gilbert, a Category 5 hurricane in 1988, caused widespread destruction in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. It was the second-most intense Atlantic landfalling hurricane (only behind 2005’s Hurricane Wilma) and the most intense to strike Mexico.


Four

Hannibal Goodwin patented celluloid photographic film on this date. In what decade did this occur?

  • 1890s
  • 1900s
  • 1910s

Answer: 1890s


Five

On 13 September 1899, the first ascent of Batian was achieved. Of what mountain is Batian the highest peak?

  • Mount Erebus
  • Mount Fuji
  • Mount Kenya

Answer: Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya, located near the equator in Kenya, has three highest peaks: Batian, Nelion, and Point Lenana. It is the source of the country’s name.

To Boldly Go

Five multiple choice questions related to today, September 13th.

One

On 13 September 1959, the first spacecraft successfully made contact with another celestial body. Which spacecraft and celestial body were involved?

  • Kal-L 1 and Mercury
  • Luna 2 and the Moon
  • Mariner 3 and Mars

Two

The 13 September Japanese release of Super Mario Bros marked the start of the Super Mario series of platforming games.

  • 1985
  • 1991
  • 1997

Three

On 12 September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert set a record as the strongest hurricane in the Western Hemisphere, based on barometric pressure. Which 2005 hurricane surpassed this record?

  • Maria
  • Rita
  • Wilma

Four

Hannibal Goodwin patented celluloid photographic film on this date. In what decade did this occur?

  • 1890s
  • 1900s
  • 1910s

Five

On 13 September 1899, the first ascent of Batian was achieved. Of what mountain is Batian the highest peak?

  • Mount Erebus
  • Mount Fuji
  • Mount Kenya

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?—Answers

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

United Nations flag.
Image Wikipedia

One

Answer: Noughties (2000s)

Switzerland, fearing for its neutrality status, did not join the United Nations when it was created in 1945. However, in 2002, after a referendum, it became the first country to join based on a popular vote.


Two

Answer: War of 1812

The Battle of Lake Erie, fought on 10 September 1813, saw the US Navy defeat the British Royal Navy, securing American control of the lake and enabling subsequent victories.


Diana and Charles Ingram, 2006.
Image Wikipedia

Three

Answer: Charles Ingram

In 2001, during his appearance on the British TV game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire? contestant Charles Ingram reached the £1 million top prize. However, it was later revealed that he had cheated by listening to coughs from his wife and another contestant. All three were later found guilty of procuring the execution of a valuable security by deception by a court of law.


Four

Answer: Pinkie

Henry VIII’s proposal for an alliance with Scotland through the marriage of his son to Queen Mary was rejected. After Henry’s death, the Duke of Somerset, ruling as Lord Protector, continued the ‘Rough Wooing’ with a military campaign, culminating in the Battle of Pinkie (or Pinkie Cleugh) on 10 September 1547. The English victory, with significant Scottish losses, led to the young Queen Mary being sent to France.


View of the LHC tunnel sector 3-4.
Image Wikipedia

Five

Answers: Large Hadron Collider and Angels & Demons

The novel Angels & Demons, by Dan Brown, involves antimatter created at the LHC to be used in a weapon against the Vatican. In response, CERN published a “Fact or Fiction?” page discussing the accuracy of the book’s portrayal of the LHC, CERN, and particle physics in general. The movie version of the book has footage filmed on-site at one of the experiments at the LHC; the director, Ron Howard, met with CERN experts in an effort to make the science in the story more accurate
Wikipedia

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

Some questions which are related to today, September 10th.

United Nations flag.
Image Wikipedia

One

Switzerland became a full member of the United Nations on 10 September. In what decade did this occur?

Two

On this day, the United States defeated a British fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie. This battle took place during what war?

Three

Who was the former major from the British Army who won £1 million on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire on 10 September 2001, only to be later convicted of cheating and fraud?

Four

The last full-scale military confrontation between Scotland and England took place on 10 September 1547. What was the battle? Was it the Battle of Finger, Pinkie, or Thumb?

Five

In a novel published in 2000, the theft of antimatter created by a device described by the BBC as “the world’s biggest science experiment” was an essential part the plot of the novel and subsequent film. What is the three-word name of the device, and what is the title of the novel and film?

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

Historical Truths (or are they?)—Answers

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

Bayeux Tapestry – Scenes 55 & 56 – Duke William lifts his helmet to be recognized on the battlefield of Hastings.
Image Wikipedia

One

Is it true or false that William the Conqueror died of smallpox on 9 September 1092?

Answer: True

King William of England died on 9 September 1087 at Rouen, France, several weeks after being seriously injured at the Battle of Mantes. In July 1087, while fighting a counter-offensive against the French, the King fell against the pommel of his saddle, severely damaging his intestines.


Two

Is it true or false that Elvis Presley appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time on 9 September 1960?

Answer: False

Presley’s first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show was on 9 September 1956. He made two further appearances over the next four months, but he didn’t appear on the show again after his third appearance.


Mary, Queen of Scots.
Image Wikipedia

Three

Is it true that a Scottish monarch was crowned at the age of nine months on 9 September 1543? If so, who was the monarch?

Answer: True. Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary Stuart became queen at the tender age of six days old in December 1543 upon her father James V’s death. Crowned as Mary, Queen of Scots on 9 September 1543 in Stirling, she remained queen until her forced abdication on 24 July 1567.


Four

Is it true or false that on 9 September 1759, forty-seven nations adopted Sauchie Fraser’s proposal for a standard time and time zones?

Answer: False

On this date in 1885, twenty-five nations adopted Sanford Fleming’s  proposal for standard time and time zones. 


Five

Captain William Bligh FRS RN, born on 9 September 1754, is best known for being cast adrift from HMS Bounty. Is it true or false that between 1806 and 1808, he served as Governor of New South Wales?

Answer: True