Go With a Bang—Answers

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

Today’s questions are all connected to the date, November 27th.

The obverse side of the Nobel Prize medals for physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

One

On this day, the Nobel Prizes were established by a provision in Alfred Nobel’s will. In which capital city was Nobel born in October 1833? What eight-letter word is the name of a Nobel invention from 1867?

Answer: Stockholm, Sweden; Dynamite

Alfred Nobel, inventor of powerful explosives, established the Nobel Prizes, possibly to avoid a negative posthumous reputation. His interests in physics, chemistry, physiology and literature, along with his friendship with pacifist Bertha von Suttner, influenced the prize categories.

Two

An author known for writing 14 novels featuring the fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard died today in 2014. Who was this author?

Answer: PD James

PD James, a British mystery novelist, is best known for her fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh. She wrote 14 Dalgliesh novels, as well as other works including An Unsuitable Job for a Woman and The Children of Men. James was made OBE in 1983 and was named a life peer in 1991.

Three

The king of the Franks from 481 until his death in 511 was the ruler of much of Gaul. Was this Clovis I, Louis I, or Pippin I?

Answer: Clovis I

Clovis I, king of the Franks from 481 to 511, consolidated power in Gaul and expanded his influence through military conquests. His conversion to Catholicism, a pivotal moment in Frankish history, is shrouded in legend and debate, with some suggesting he leaned towards Arianism before his baptism. Clovis’s legacy endures as the founder of France and a significant figure in the spread of Christianity in Europe.

Rock guitarist and singer Jimi Hendrix in his last concert performance, the Open Air Love & Peace Festival on Fehmarn island, Germany, September 6, 1970. Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Four

Jimi Hendrix was born on this date. Which two cities were his birthplace and his place of death? How old was he when he died?

Answer: Seattle, Washington, US; London, UK; 27 years old

Jimi Hendrix, an American rock guitarist, singer and composer, redefined the electric guitar by fusing American blues, jazz, rock and soul with British avant-garde rock. Despite a brief career, Hendrix’s innovative techniques, charismatic performances and genre-defying music made him a highly influential figure in popular music. His impact continues to inspire musicians, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

Five

The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was held in New York City. In what decade did this occur?

Answer: 1920s

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 as a Christmas parade to promote holiday shopping. It features giant balloons, floats, marching bands and performers, with Santa Claus marking the parade’s end. The parade has been televised since 1947, becoming a beloved Thanksgiving morning ritual for millions.

Go With a Bang

Today’s questions are all connected to the date, November 27th.

One

Two

An author known for writing 14 novels featuring the fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard died today in 2014. Who was this author?

Three

The king of the Franks from 481 until his death in 511 was the ruler of much of Gaul. Was this Clovis I, Louis I, or Pippin I?

Four

Jimi Hendrix was born on this date. Which two cities were his birthplace and his place of death? How old was he when he died?

Five

The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was held in New York City. In what decade did this occur?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Over the Air—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions posted earlier.

The first question concerns today’s date, November 13th. The subsequent questions follow a theme based on the first.

Guglielmo Marconi, 1908. See question 2.
Image Wikipedia

One

On 13 November 1965, which critic reportedly became the first person to say the word ‘f**k’ on British television during a discussion on the BBC-1 show BBC-3?

Answer: Kenneth Tynan

The incident caused a storm of controversy, prompting the BBC to issue a public apology. Although later research indicates the word had been used at least twice before, this event is still widely cited as the first major public controversy over profanity on British TV.

Two

Which pioneering inventor is often credited as the ‘father of radio’ or the ‘father of long-distance radio communication’, and in what decade did he transmit the first transatlantic wireless signal?

Answer: Guglielmo Marconi; 1900s

Marconi successfully transmitted the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901 from Cornwall, England, to Newfoundland, Canada — a major leap in global communication.

Three

Which European country launched the world’s first regular television service in 1935?

Answer: Germany

Fernsehsender Paul Nipkow, operated by the Nazi regime, was broadcast from Berlin and featured newsreels and cultural programming shown in ‘television rooms’ for public viewing.

ABBA after winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with the song *Waterloo*.
Image Wikipedia

Four

Could you identify this annual television broadcast? First aired in the 1950s, it’s not a sporting event but a cultural one. It now attracts over 160 million viewers annually. What is it?

Answer: The Eurovision Song Contest

First held in 1956, Eurovision now reaches an audience of over 160 million worldwide and has launched international careers — notably that of ABBA and Celine Dion.

Five

RCA introduced the first mass produced colour television set for sale to the American public. What did the initials RCA stand for, and in what decade did this occur?

Answer: Radio Corporation of America; 1950s

This occurred in 1954 when the RCA CT-100 colour TV cost $1,000 — equivalent to about $11,000 today — and few could afford it, delaying widespread adoption of colour broadcasting.

Over the Air

The first question concerns today’s date, November 13th. The subsequent questions follow a theme based on the first.

Who is this pioneering inventor? See question 2.

One

On 13 November 1965, which critic reportedly became the first person to say the word ‘f**k’ on British television during a discussion on the BBC-1 show BBC-3?

Two

Three

Which European country launched the world’s first regular television service in 1935?

Four

Could you identify this annual television broadcast? First aired in the 1950s, it’s not a sporting event but a cultural one. It now attracts over 160 million viewers annually. What is it?

Five

RCA introduced the first mass produced colour television set for sale to the American public. What did the initials RCA stand for, and in what decade did this occur?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Today’s the Day—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions posted earlier.

All of these questions are related to today, November 12th.

Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando, 1955.
Academy Awards. Image Wikipedia

One

Born on 12 November 1929, this actress won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1954 film The Country Girl. Who is she?

Answer: Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly, an American actress, achieved stardom in Hollywood films before marrying Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. As Princess of Monaco, she focused on charity work, particularly for children and the arts. Kelly passed away at the age of 52 due to injuries from a car crash.

Two

Today in 1990, Emperor Akihito was enthroned in Japan. Tradition dictates that he is the 125th direct descendant of Japan’s legendary first emperor. Who was this legendary first emperor?

Answer: Jimmu

Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan, is said to have ascended the throne in 660 BC. While his existence is debated, his legendary journey from Hyūga to Yamato is celebrated on National Foundation Day.

Three

On this date in 1990, a computer scientist published a formal proposal for the World Wide Web. Who was this scientist and what organisation did they work for at the time?

Answer: Tim Berners-Lee; CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research)

The World Wide Web was invented by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN to address document storage and sharing challenges. He developed a decentralised system with hyperlinks, released it in 1991, and CERN made it royalty-free in 1993. The Web’s popularity surged with the release of graphical browsers like Mosaic and Netscape Navigator, leading to the dot-com bubble and the browser wars.

Four

Born in 1961, this gymnast became the first to score a perfect 10 at the Olympics. Who is this person and in which year’s Summer Olympics did this remarkable feat occur?

Answer: Nadia Comăneci; 1976 (Montreal)

Nadia Comăneci, a retired Romanian gymnast, is the first gymnast to achieve a perfect score of 10.0 at the Olympics. At the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, she secured six more perfect 10s, leading to three gold medals. In Moscow, during the 1980 Summer Olympics, she won two more golds and achieved two more perfect 10s. Throughout her career, Comăneci amassed nine Olympic medals—including five gold—and four World Artistic Gymnastics Championship medals. Widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, she has lived in the United States since 1989.

Ellis Island, New York.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Five

The pictured facility, which ceased to operate today in 1954, is located on what island?

Answer: Ellis Island

The US government established its first federal immigration station on Ellis Island in 1892, replacing the mismanaged Castle Clinton. Initially a wooden station, it processed over 1.5 million immigrants before a fire in 1897 destroyed it. A new fireproof station designed by Edward Lippincott Tilton and William A. Boring opened in 1900 but quickly faced overcrowding necessitating further expansions and improvements. Construction also began on a third island for a contagious diseases ward. However, after the Immigration Act of 1924, the island’s role shifted, leading to its downgrade to a detention centre and eventual closure in 1954 due to declining immigration and high upkeep costs.

Today’s the Day

All of these questions are related to today, November 12th.

One

Born on 12 November 1929, this actress won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1954 film The Country Girl. Who is she?

Two

Today in 1990, Emperor Akihito was enthroned in Japan. Tradition dictates that he is the 125th direct descendant of Japan’s legendary first emperor. Who was this legendary first emperor?

Three

On this date in 1990, a computer scientist published a formal proposal for the World Wide Web. Who was this scientist and what organisation did they work for at the time?

Four

Born in 1961, this gymnast became the first to score a perfect 10 at the Olympics. Who is this person and in which year’s Summer Olympics did this remarkable feat occur?

Five

The pictured facility, which ceased to operate today in 1954, is located on what island?

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

Remember, remember, the fifth of November—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

King James VI of Scotland and James I of England.
Image Wikipedia

One

What event is commemorated in the United Kingdom on November 5th, when effigies of Guy Fawkes are traditionally burned on bonfires? Also, in what year did it occur?

Answer: The Gunpowder Plot of 1605

The failed plot was an attempt by Catholic conspirators to blow up the English Parliament and assassinate King James VI (of Scotland) & I (of England). ‘Remember, remember, the fifth of November’ became a famous rhyme, see below, recording the event.

Two

Which spacecraft, launched on 5 November 2013, was India’s first interplanetary mission?

Answer: The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan)

Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Mangalyaan made India the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit and the first country in the world to do so successfully on its maiden attempt — all on a remarkably low budget.

Flag of Antigua and Barbuda.
Image Wikipedia

Three

On 5 November 1981, a small Caribbean nation achieved independence from the United Kingdom. Its capital is St. John’s. Can you name the country?

Answer: Antigua and Barbuda

The twin-island nation remains a member of the Commonwealth, recognizing the British monarch as its head of state, but governs itself independently.

Four

November 5th is a central date in the storyline of what 2005 film which opens with the line, ‘Remember, remember the fifth of November’?

Answer: V for Vendetta

The film, based on a graphic novel, turned the Guy Fawkes mask into a global symbol of resistance — later adopted by protest movements such as Anonymous and Occupy Wall Street.

Five

On November 5th, Google introduced its first Android-based mobile operating system, signalling the start of a new era in smartphones. In what year did this occur?

Answer: 2007

The Android OS announcement reshaped the mobile landscape — today, Android powers over 70% of the world’s smartphones.

Remember, remember, the 5th of November

Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys
God save the King!

The undercroft beneath the House of Lords.
Image Wikipedia

Remember, remember, the fifth of November

Today’s five questions all relate to the date, November 5th.

One

What event is commemorated in the United Kingdom on November 5th, when effigies of Guy Fawkes are traditionally burned on bonfires? Also, in what year did it occur?

Two

Which spacecraft, launched on 5 November 2013, was India’s first interplanetary mission?

Three

On 5 November 1981, a small Caribbean nation achieved independence from the United Kingdom. Its capital is St. John’s. Can you name the country?

Four

November 5th is a central date in the storyline of what 2005 film which opens with the line, ‘Remember, remember the fifth of November’?

Five

On November 5th, Google introduced its first Android-based mobile operating system, signalling the start of a new era in smartphones. In what year did this occur?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

An Apple a Day—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions posed earlier today.

See question 4. Watercolour portrait of Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, c. 1840, possibly by Alfred Edward Chalon.
Image Wikipedia

One

Is it true or false that Apple launched the iPod in 2006?

Answer: False

The 23 October 2001, was the date the iPod was first launched. Apple’s iPod, a series of portable media players, was sold from 2001 to 2022, with an estimated 450 million units sold. The iPod branding was used for the media player on iPhones and iPads until iOS 5, when it was separated into Music and Videos apps.

Two

Who is considered the ‘father of the computer’?

Answer: Charles Babbage

Charles Babbage is widely recognised as the “father of the computer” for his pioneering work in designing the first mechanical computer, the Difference Engine (1820s). He also conceptualised the Analytical Engine (1830s) incorporating many features of modern computers. His ideas laid the foundation for the development of digital programmable computers.

Three

What does ‘HTTP’ stand for in a web address?

Answer: Hypertext Transfer Protocol

HTTP, proposed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, is a foundational protocol for data exchange on the World Wide Web. It evolved from HTTP/1.0 (1996) to HTTP/1.1 (1997), introducing persistent connections and HTML decompression. HTTP/2 (2015) improved speed with binary data, while HTTP/3 (2022) uses QUIC for lower latency. HTTPS, adding encryption, is used by over 85% of websites. HTTP/3 supports 30.9% of websites as of February 2024.

Four

Who is often regarded as the world’s first computer programmer?

Answer: Ada Lovelace

Ada Lovelace, daughter of the poet Lord Byron, wrote the first algorithm intended for a machine — Babbage’s Analytical Engine — in 1843. She foresaw computers as more than calculating devices, imagining their creative potential over a century before the digital age began.

Mazda Eunos Cosmo, Mazda Museum.
Image Wikipedia

Five

Which manufacturer first offered a production car with a built-in satellite navigation system for public sale, and in what year was it available for purchase?

Answer: Mazda

Released in 1990, the Mazda Eunos Cosmo was the first production car equipped with a GPS-based navigation system. It featured a touchscreen display and digital maps stored on CD-ROMs — revolutionary technology at the time. The Cosmo was a showcase of luxury and innovation, years ahead of its rivals in in-car electronics.

An Apple a Day

The first question is relevant to today’s date, October 23rd. The others follow a theme related to the first.

Various iPod models. From left to right: iPod 5th generation in a case, iPod 4th generation, iPod Mini, iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle.
Image Wikipedia

One

Is it true or false that Apple launched the iPod in 2006?

Two

Who is considered the ‘father of the computer’?

Three

What does ‘HTTP’ stand for in a web address?

Four

Who is often regarded as the world’s first computer programmer?

Five

Which manufacturer first offered a production car with a built-in satellite navigation system for public sale, and in what year was it available for purchase?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.