On 21 October Thomas Edison applied for a patent for his design for an incandescent light bulb. In which decade did he make this application?
Two
In 1984, Niki Lauda clinched Formula One’s World Drivers’ Championship for the final time. How many times had he won the title in total?
Three
In 1940, the first edition of Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls was published. In what war was the story set?
Four
The Guggenheim Museum opened in New York on this date in 1959. Which architect designed its iconic spiral building?
Five
The Battle of Trafalgar, fought on 21 October 1805, took place in the …. It was named after a prominent geographic feature: the …. Firstly, what body of water and secondly, what geographic feature fill the two gaps in the previous sentence?
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.
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?
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States. Image Wikipedia
One
The US state of Virginia is in pole position with eight US presidents being born there. What state would be in second place?
Answer: Ohio
Ohio ranks second to Virginia in the number of US presidents born there. These seven presidents hail from Ohio: Ulysses S Grant, Rutherford B Hayes, James A Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft and Warren G Harding.
Two
Which mammal family, common or scientific name, is the wolverine the largest member of?
Answer: Weasels or Mustelidae
The wolverine, the largest member of the Mustelidae family – commonly known as the weasel family – includes other animals like weasels otters martens and badgers. Renowned for their stocky build thick fur and impressive strength relative to their size, wolverines are truly remarkable creatures.
In 1977 Petrus Kartner was commissioned to compose a promotional song for The Smurfs which became a hit single and album. What nationality was Kartner and under what stage name did he perform?
Answer: Dutch and Father Abraham
Dutch musician and record producer Petrus Antonius Laurentius Kartner (1935-2022), known as Vader Abraham, wrote around 1600 songs. He is best known for his Smurf-themed music, including The Smurf Song, which sold 400,000 copies after a repress and a full album that sold 500,000 copies.
Four
In volleyball, a defensive specialist who can’t serve or rotate to the front line and wears a different coloured jersey is known as a …. What six-letter word describes this player?
Answer: Libero
The word originates from Italian and means ‘free’. The libero, is a defensive specialist in volleyball, wearing a different coloured jersey and unable to serve or attack above the net. Libero replacements don’t count against the substitution limit, but can only be made with the original libero. Established in 1998, this position is recognised by most volleyball governing bodies and is credited with lengthening rallies.
Neptune’s Staircase, Caledonian Canal, Scotland, UK. Image Wikipedia
Five
What eventually links Loch Ness to Neptune’s Staircase?
Answer: Caledonian Canal
Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822 the Caledonian Canal is one of Scotland’s most remarkable engineering achievements — a scenic 60-mile (97 km) waterway that cuts through the Great Glen, connecting the east coast at the Beauly Firth near Inverness with the west coast’s Loch Linnhe at Corpach near Fort William. Some 60 miles (97 km) in length with 22 miles (35 km) of man-made canal while the rest is natural lochs which include Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. Neptune’s Staircase is a flight of eight locks near to the Loch Linnhe end of the canal.
The US state of Virginia is in pole position with eight US presidents being born there. What state would be in second place?
Two
Which mammal family, common or scientific name, is the wolverine the largest member of?
Three
In 1977 Petrus Kartner was commissioned to compose a promotional song for The Smurfs which became a hit single and album. What nationality was Kartner and under what stage name did he perform?
Four
In volleyball, a defensive specialist who can’t serve or rotate to the front line and wears a different coloured jersey is known as a …. What six-letter word describes this player?
Five
What eventually links Loch Ness to Neptune’s Staircase?
Bart Mancuso (Scott Glenn), commander USS Dallas, The Hunt for Red October. Image Jack Ryan Fandom
One
American novelist Tom Clancy died today in 2013. The film adaptation (1990) of his novel The Hunt for Red October (1984) featured who in the role of Jack Ryan and what was the name of the American Los Angeles-class attack submarine skippered by Commander Bart Mancuso?
Answer: Alec Baldwin and USS Dallas
The Hunt for Red October chronicles the efforts of CIA analyst Jack Ryan to prove that Soviet submarine Captain Marko Ramius is not attempting to attack the US but is instead defecting to the United States with the Soviet Union’s cutting-edge ballistic missile submarine, the Red October. The story, adapted from Tom Clancy’s novel of the same name, portrays a dangerous geopolitical game of cat and mouse as both the Soviet and American navies attempt to locate the advanced, stealthy submarine, fearing a nuclear confrontation if Ramius’ intentions are misunderstood.
Two
On this date, who became the first queen to rule England in her own right?
Answer: Mary I
Mary I, England’s first queen ruling in her own right, earned the nickname Bloody Mary for her persecution of Protestants to restore Roman Catholicism. Daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, became Queen of England and Ireland in 1553. Her attempts to restore Catholicism, including the Marian persecutions, were largely unsuccessful and her reign ended with her death in 1558.
Three
Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 by the US Congress. Two questions: in what US state is Yosemite National Park located, and what other US National Park in that state straddles the Nevada border?
Answer: California and Death Valley National Park
Yosemite National Park is located in California. Nevada boasts two national parks: Great Basin National Park and Death Valley National Park. Death Valley extends across both California and Nevada.
The ‘Thrilla in Manila‘ was a 1975 prizefight between which two prizefighters?
Answer: Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier
Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier in the 14th round of their third boxing match, the ‘Thrilla in Manila’, on 1 October 1975. The fight, considered one of the greatest in boxing history, was watched by an estimated 1 billion viewers.
Paddy O’Neil (Richard Harris), Patriot Games. Image Jack Ryan Fandom
Five
Which Irish actor, born in 1930, played Paddy O’Neil in Patriot Games (1992) and Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator (2000)?
Answer: Richard Harris
Irish actor and singer Richard Harris, known for his roles in films like This Sporting Life, The Field, and Gladiator, received numerous accolades including a Cannes Film Festival Award and a Grammy Award. He also gained acclaim for his role as Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. He also topped the music charts with MacArthur Park reaching number one in Australia, Canda and Jamaica; and top-ten entries in the UK, US and Ireland.
American novelist Tom Clancy died today in 2013. The film adaptation (1990) of his novel The Hunt for Red October (1984) featured who in the role of Jack Ryan and what was the name of the American Los Angeles-class attack submarine skippered by Commander Bart Mancuso?
Two
On this date, who became the first queen to rule England in her own right?
Three
Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 by the US Congress. Two questions: in what US state is Yosemite National Park located, and what other US National Park in that state straddles the Nevada border?
Four
The ‘Thrilla in Manila‘ was a 1975 prizefight between which two prizefighters?
Five
Which Irish actor, born in 1930, played Paddy O’Neil in Patriot Games (1992) and Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator (2000)?
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961. Image Wikipedia
One
In the 1961 comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn stars as Holly Golightly. Born on this date in 1924, who wrote the novella that inspired the film?
Answer: Truman Capote
Truman Capote’s 1958 novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s is set in 1940s New York City’s Upper East Side. It follows a writer’s recollections of his neighbour Holly Golightly and her life in Manhattan. While based on the novella, the film’s screenplay deviates from the book’s original storyline.
Two
In an attempt to appease Adolf Hitler, Great Britain and France agreed to Hitler’s demand for the annexation of the Sudetenland, a region in what former country?
Answer: Czechoslovakia
The Munich Agreement, signed on September 30, 1938, was a settlement reached by Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy that allowed for the German annexation of the Sudetenland, a region in western Czechoslovakia. This agreement was part of the policy of appeasement, where European powers aimed to prevent war by conceding to some of Adolf Hitler’s territorial demands. The Czechoslovak government was not consulted during the negotiations and was forced to accept the terms. The agreement is often criticized for emboldening Hitler, as it failed to prevent further aggression, leading to the occupation of the rest of Czechoslovakia and eventually World War II.
…professional tennis player who became the youngest person in the “open” era to win a Grand Slam singles title and the youngest to be ranked world number one. In her relatively short, injury-plagued career, she won five Grand Slam singles titles—the Australian Open (1997, 1998, 1999), Wimbledon (1997), and the United States Open (1997).
This quote refers to a tennis player born in 1980 in Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). Who is she?
Answer: Martina Hingis
Martina Hingis, who was named after Martina Navratilova, was introduced to sports by her tennis-playing parents and excelled in skiing and tennis from a young age. After moving to Switzerland, she became the youngest Grand Slam junior titleholder at 12. Hingis turned professional at 14, becoming the youngest player to win a Grand Slam match and the youngest Wimbledon doubles champion. The WTA later restricted participation for young players.
Following World War II, Germany was divided into four zones controlled by the British, French, Americans and Russians. Berlin, completely encircled by the Russian zone, was also partitioned. Image Wikipedia
Four
Today in 1949, an airlift delivering 2,323,738 tons of food, fuel, machinery, and other supplies was officially ended. To what city was this relief supplied?
Answer: West Berlin
The Berlin Blockade (1948-49) was a Soviet attempt to force the Western Allies out of West Berlin by severing all land and water routes. In retaliation, the US and Britain launched the Berlin Airlift to deliver supplies to the city by air. This airlift symbolised the Allies’ unwavering commitment to resisting Soviet expansion. successfully supplying the city for 15 months. The operation, involving over 250,000 flights, underscored the ideological divide between East and West and solidified West Berlin’s alignment with the US and Britain.
Five
An opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart premiered in Austria on this day in 1791. According to Encyclopædia Britannica, ‘It is an allegory of the quest for wisdom and enlightenment presented through Freemasonry symbols’. What is the opera?
The Magic Flute
Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute, is an allegory of the quest for wisdom and enlightenment, rich with Masonic symbolism. The libretto, believed to draw from various sources including medieval romance and Freemasonry, was written by Emanuel Schikaneder, a close friend of Mozart.
See question 4 above. ‘A U.S. Air Force Douglas C-54 Skymaster making a “Little Vittles” candy drop (note the parachutes below the tail of the C-54) on approach to a Berlin airfield. Aircrews dropped candy to children during the Berlin Airlift.’ Image Wikipedia
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961. Image Wikipedia
One
In the 1961 comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn stars as Holly Golightly. Born on this date in 1924, who wrote the novella that inspired the film?
Two
In an attempt to appease Adolf Hitler, Great Britain and France agreed to Hitler’s demand for the annexation of the Sudetenland, a region in what former country?
Three
…professional tennis player who became the youngest person in the “open” era to win a Grand Slam singles title and the youngest to be ranked world number one. In her relatively short, injury-plagued career, she won five Grand Slam singles titles—the Australian Open (1997, 1998, 1999), Wimbledon (1997), and the United States Open (1997).
This quote refers to a tennis player born in 1980 in Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). Who is she?
Four
Today in 1949, an airlift delivering 2,323,738 tons of food, fuel, machinery, and other supplies was officially ended. To what city was this relief supplied?
Five
An opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart premiered in Austria on this day in 1791. According to Encyclopædia Britannica, ‘It is an allegory of the quest for wisdom and enlightenment presented through Freemasonry symbols’. What is the opera?
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
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?
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
Brigitte Bardot was born on 28 September 1934. She gained international recognition in which 1956 film directed by Roger Vadim?
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
In 1928, a physician and microbiologist observed a mould growth in a laboratory that would later be identified as penicillin. Who was this individual?
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
On 28 September, a European ‘discovered’ California. In which century did this happen?
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
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?
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.
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