On the Road—Answers

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

The first question directly relates to today’s date, December 9th. The others follow the road traffic theme introduced in the first question.

The Westminster street semaphore, from the Illustrated Times, 16 January 1869. Copyright the British Library Board via the British Newspaper Archive.
Image Londonist.com

One

In 1868, the world’s first traffic light began operation in which city?

Answer: London, United Kingdom

Designed by railway engineer JP Knight and installed at Parliament Square, Westminster, this gas-powered semaphore signal was manually operated by a police officer. However, a gas leak and subsequent explosion led to its removal just a month later. This delay significantly hindered the adoption of traffic lights in Britain.

Two

According to Guinness World Records, which road—stretching over 24,140 km (15,000 miles)—is recognised as the world’s longest motorable road?

Answer: Pan-American Highway

See three below

Three

Continuing from question two, despite being the world’s longest motorable road, driving its entire length isn’t possible. This is because there’s a section at approximately 7.9° north latitude where there’s no road. What’s the common name for this interrupted stretch?

Answer: Darién Gap

Guinness World Records describe the Pan-American Highway as going from Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, to Panama and then—after shipping their vehicles to Colombia or Venezuela—to Santiago, Chile, and then east to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Rio de Janeiro and Brazilia in Brazil.  Wikipedia starts/ends the route at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, United States, to Puerto Montt, Quellón, Chile, or Ushuaia, Argentina.  Encyclopædia Britannica says …from Alaska and Canada to Chile, Brazil, and the southern tip of Argentina.
The Darién Gap is a remote and dangerous rainforest area on the Colombia-Panama border, acting as a natural barrier between North and South America. Its inhospitable terrain, lack of roads or other infrastructure, and presence of criminal enterprises make it a perilous route for travel and migration. Despite these challenges, it has become a major migration route for individuals from Haiti and Venezuela seeking to reach the Mexico-United States border.

Four

Introduced in the UK in 1951 and named after its distinctive striped pattern, which type of pedestrian crossing quickly became a road-safety icon?

Answer: Zebra Crossing

The first official zebra crossing was unveiled in Slough. Its black-and-white design and Belisha beacons dramatically improved pedestrian visibility and contributed to a significant drop in road accidents.

Five

In 1888, the wife of a German inventor made the first long-distance car journey. This German inventor had received a patent in 1886 for what is widely considered the first practical automobile powered by an internal combustion engine. Who was the lady who made the long-distance car journey?

Answer: Bertha Benz (wife of Karl Benz)

In 1888, Bertha Benz embarked on the first long-distance car journey without informing Benz himself. This demonstrated the vehicle’s practicality and effectively staged the world’s first car publicity stunt. Encyclopædia Britannica describes it as…

Benz’s journey with her sons marked the first long-distance journey in an automobile. The trio travelled from Mannheim to Pforzheim in about 13 hours, driving on about 60 miles (96.6 km) of unpaved roads. Karl was notified of the Motorwagen’s success by telegram. During the journey, Bertha made several repairs with simple on-hand items. She used her garter to fix the ignition and her hat pin to unclog a blocked fuel pipe. They even stopped at a pharmacy in Wiesloch to purchase a few litres of Ligroin from a chemist. Ligroin was a cleaning agent that served as petroleum fuel for the single-cylinder engine motor. (To this day, many consider this pharmacy the world’s first fueling station.)

On the journey back, the Motorwagen’s brake blocks wore out. Benz had a cobbler fit the brakes with leather strips, thus inventing brake pads. Through her trip, she proved to naysayers that the Motorwagen had potential and helped make improvements on its design. Along the way, she and her sons had to push the Motorwagen uphill, so she suggested that Karl add a third, lower gear and brake pads to his next model. These suggestions were implemented in all of the following models. — Encyclopædia Britannica

On the Road

The first question directly relates to today’s date, December 9th. The others follow the road traffic theme introduced in the first question.

Image attribution will be shown in the answer post.

One

In 1868, the world’s first traffic light began operation in which city?

Two

According to Guinness World Records, which road—stretching over 24,140 km (15,000 miles)—is recognised as the world’s longest motorable road?

Three

Four

Introduced in the UK in 1951 and named after its distinctive striped pattern, which type of pedestrian crossing quickly became a road-safety icon?

Five

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

All at Sea—Answers

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

Today’s questions focus on abandoned boats and ships. The first question centres on the Mary Celeste, discovered abandoned on December 4th, 1872.

One

When the Mary Celeste was found drifting and abandoned on 4 December 1872, which everyday object—left untouched—helped show the ship had not been ransacked by pirates?
A. The ship’s telegraph terminal
B. A basketball
C. A sewing machine

Answer: A. The ship’s sewing machine

Its presence in perfect condition suggested the crew left suddenly rather than under attack, since pirates would never have ignored valuable portable items.

Two

After HMS Resolute was abandoned in Arctic ice in 1854, how did the United States symbolically return the vessel to Britain after it was recovered?
A. By selling it back to Britain at auction
B. By sailing it back and gifting it to Queen Victoria
C. By towing it to Canada and scuttling it ceremonially

Answer: B. By sailing it back and gifting it to Queen Victoria

Timbers from the ship were later made into the Resolute desk, used by many U.S. Presidents—an enduring symbol of Anglo-American friendship.

Three

What key items were missing when the abandoned Carroll A. Deering was found aground on Diamond Shoals in 1921?
A. The ship’s logbook and navigation equipment
B. All cargo and provisions
C. The entire foremast

Answer: A. The ship’s logbook and navigation equipment

The loss of these items intensified the mystery, especially because the vessel was otherwise intact in the dangerous waters of the ‘Graveyard of the Atlantic’.

Four

Which country was the ghost yacht Kaz II navigating around when it departed from Airlie Beach before its three-man crew mysteriously disappeared in 2007?
A. Australia
B. Belize
C. Canada

Answer: A. Australia

The yacht which was travelling from Queensland to Perth, Western Australia via the north of Australia was found with food set out and the engine running, sparking comparisons to the Mary Celeste because no sign of struggle or storm damage was present.

Five

SS Baychimo became a ‘wandering ghost’ of the Arctic, remaining adrift and being seen numerous times after being abandoned in 1931. For how many years did sightings continue?
A. 18 years
B. 28 years
C. 38 years

Answer: C. 38 years

Sighted intermittently for almost four decades, the Baychimo was finally lost to history—its last confirmed appearance occurring in 1969 when frozen in ice.

All at Sea

Today’s questions focus on abandoned boats and ships. The first question centres on the Mary Celeste, discovered abandoned on December 4th, 1872.

One

Two

Three

Four

Which country was the ghost yacht Kaz II navigating around when it departed from Airlie Beach before its three-man crew mysteriously disappeared in 2007?
A. Australia
B. Belize
C. Canada

Five

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

Walking on the Moon—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions posted earlier.

The questions all relate to today, November 14th.

Alan L Bean prepares to step onto the lunar surface.
Image Wikipedia

One

Apollo 12, launched on 14 November 1969, became the second mission to land on the Moon. Among the three-man crew, who landed and walked on the lunar surface, was which of these: Mr Bean, Mr Hyde or Mr Spock?

Answer: Mr. Bean

Alan L Bean. Apollo 12’s crew consisted of Charles Conrad Jr., Richard F Gordon Jr and Alan L Bean. Alan Bean, an American astronaut, piloted the lunar module during the mission. He made two walks on the lunar surface, totalling eight hours, and later commanded the Skylab 3 mission. After retiring from NASA, Bean became a painter specialising in spaceflight themes.

Two

Is it true or false that Hannibal the Great was crowned pharaoh of Egypt today in 332 BCE?

Answer: False

It was Alexander the Great who was crowned pharaoh of Egypt today in 332 BCE. In Egypt, Alexander was portrayed as the son of Nectanebo II, the final pharaoh before Persian conquest. His victory over Darius was celebrated as Egypt’s salvation, demonstrating that Egypt remained under Egyptian rule.

Three

In Moby-Dick—which was published in the US today in 1851—Captain Ahab offers a gold coin as a reward for spotting the white whale. What real-world coin does he nail to the mast — and from which country does it come?

Answer: A Spanish gold doubloon from Ecuador.

The coin is a gold Spanish doubloon, specifically a sixteen-dollar piece from Ecuador. Its design includes symbols of the sun, zodiac signs, and the Andean mountains, which the crew interprets differently—each seeing their own meaning in it. The coin thus mirrors Ahab’s monomania and the novel’s larger theme of how individuals project their own beliefs and destinies onto the same object or event.

Eugene B. Ely flies his Curtiss pusher airplane from USS *Birmingham* (Scout Cruiser # 2), in Hampton Roads, Virginia, during the afternoon of Nov. 14 1910.
Image General Aviation News

Four

On this date, Eugene Burton Ely achieved the first aircraft takeoff from a ship. In which decade did this happen?

Answer: 1910s

In 1910, Ely took off from a makeshift deck on the USS Birmingham in a Curtiss Pusher aircraft and safely made landfall. A year later he made the first shipboard landing, complete with hooks attached to his Pusher to catch sandbagged ropes to abbreviate the landing roll.

Five

In the television series MASH*, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake, played by McLean Stevenson, was discharged and sent home in the final episode of Season 3. What shocking event was revealed at the end of that episode?

Answer: His plane was shot down over the Sea of Japan, with no survivors.

McLean Stevenson was born on this day in 1927. The twist ending of the episode ‘Abyssinia, Henry’ (1975) was kept secret from most of the cast until filming; their shocked reactions during Radar’s announcement were genuine. It marked one of the most memorable and emotional moments in television history.

Walking on the Moon

The questions all relate to today, November 14th.

Apollo 12 launch, November 14, 1969.
Image Wikipedia

One

Two

Is it true or false that Hannibal the Great was crowned pharaoh of Egypt today in 332 BCE?

Three

Four

On this date, Eugene Burton Ely achieved the first aircraft takeoff from a ship. In which decade did this happen?

Five

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Our House—Answers

Here are the answers to my earlier post.

Four of today’s questions concern November 7th and Canada or Canadians. Question two is included because the house mentioned was owned by a Canadian at the time (she is the answer to question one).

*Déjà Vu*, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
Image

One

Roberta Joan Anderson, who was born at Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada on 7 November 1943, wrote Ladies of the Canyon (released 1970), her third studio album while living at 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, Laurel Canyon. Who is Roberta Joan Anderson better known as?

Answer: Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell’s third studio album, Ladies of the Canyon, was released in 1970 and includes Big Yellow Taxi, Woodstock and The Circle Game.

Two

A follow-on from the previous question regarding 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, Laurel Canyon where singer-songwriter Graham Nash lived with lady referred to in question one. The house is the subject of Our House written by Nash and released in 1970. What group, described by Wikipedia as a ‘folk rock supergroup’, released the song on and album and as a single in 1970.

Answer: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

Joni Mitchell bought the house in the Laurel Canyon district of Los Angeles in 1968 and met Graham Nash shortly after. Their house became a popular hangout for musicians. Our House featured on Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s Déjà Vu album in 1970 and was released as a single the same year.

Three

The ‘Last Spike’ ceremony at Craigellachie on 7 November, marked the completion of Canada’s transcontinental railway. In what decade did the ‘Last Spike’ ceremony take place, and in what Canadian province or territory is Craigellachie?

Answer: 1880s (1885) and British Columbia

At 9:22 a.m. on November 7, 1885, the ceremonial final spike was driven into the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) at Craigellachie, British Columbia. The honor fell to CPR financier Donald Smith, Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal. This historic moment marked the completion of Canada’s first transcontinental railway, bringing to a close years of struggle marked by natural disasters, financial crises, and even rebellion.

Four

Born in Quebec, this songwriter, singer, poet and novelist passed away at 82 on 7 November 2016. A fifteenth studio album Thanks for the Dance was released three years later. Who is this singer?

Answer: Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen, a celebrated Canadian songwriter, singer, poet and novelist, explored faith, mortality and love in his work. He received numerous accolades, including induction into several halls of fame and the Prince of Asturias Award for literature.

Sergeant Edward Holland’s Victoria Cross, for valour at the Battle of Leliefontein, 7 November 1900.
Image Wikipedia

Five

On this date in 1900, at The Battle of Leliefontein, the Royal Canadian Dragoons won three Victoria Cross. During what war did this battle take place?

Answer: Second Boer War

Lieutenant-Colonel François-Louis Lessard led a rearguard action to cover the withdrawal of a larger force. The Royal Canadian Dragoons, supported by artillery and a machine gun, repelled multiple Boer assaults, including a mounted charge. Despite heavy casualties, the Dragoons successfully protected the field guns, earning three of their members—Sergeant Edward Holland, Lieutenant Richard Turner, and Lieutenant Hampden Cockburn—the Victoria Cross for their bravery.

Our House

Four of today’s questions concern November 7th and Canada or Canadians. Question two is included because the house mentioned was owned by a Canadian at the time (she is the answer to question one).

One

Two

A follow-on from the previous question regarding 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, Laurel Canyon where singer-songwriter Graham Nash lived with the lady referred to in question one. The house is the subject of Our House written by Nash and released in 1970. What group, described by Wikipedia as a ‘folk rock supergroup’, released the song on an album and as a single in 1970.

Three

Four

Born in Quebec, this songwriter, singer, poet and novelist passed away at 82 on 7 November 2016. A fifteenth studio album Thanks for the Dance was released three years later. Who is this singer?

Five

On this date in 1900, at The Battle of Leliefontein, the Royal Canadian Dragoons won three Victoria Cross. During what war did this battle take place?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today

Capital Gain—Answers

Here are the answers to my earlier post.

National Mall, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument,
Washington D.C.
Image Wikipedia

One

What decade saw the first time that residents of Washington, D.C. could vote in a U.S. presidential election

Answer: 1960s (1964)

Twenty-Third Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1961, granted D.C. three electoral votes—the same number as the least-populous state. Before this, its residents had no say in electing the president or vice-president.

Two

Today Henry VIII of England became the first Supreme Head of the Church of England. In which century was this?

Answer: 16th century (1534)

The Act of Supremacy officially severed England’s ties with the Roman Catholic Church and papal authority, paving the way for the English Reformation. Henry’s motivations were both political and personal; he desired an annulment from Catherine of Aragon.

Laika in a mock cockpit.
Image Wikipedia

Three

A dog named Laika went into space on this day in 1957. Which of these craft carried her: Soyuz 1, Sputnik 2 or Salyut 3?

Answer: Sputnik 2

Laika, a stray from Moscow’s streets, became a global icon of the Space Race. Sadly, she died within hours due to overheating, although the Soviets initially claimed she survived for several days.

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Four

On this date, the Caribbean island nation of Dominica was first sighted by Europeans. Four hundred and eighty-five years later, it gained independence from a European country. What does the island’s name mean and from which country did it achieve independence?

Answer: United Kingdom; and Sunday

On 3 November 1493, Christopher Columbus sighted Dominica and named it Dies Dominica, meaning ‘the Lord’s Day’. Four hundred and eighty-five years later, on 3 November 1978, Dominica achieved independence after being a British colony and briefly a French one.

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Five

On this day in 1911, a racing driver and engineer, born in 1878, co-founded the American motor car manufacturer Chevrolet, who was he and in what country was he born?

Answer: Louis Chevrolet; Switzerland

Louis Chevrolet’s name lives on in one of America’s most famous car brands, but he sold his stake early and never profited from its later success. Ironically, he died while working for a rival carmaker.

Capital Gain

Here are five questions which are all related to today’s date, November 3rd.

One

What decade saw the first time that residents of Washington, D.C. could vote in a U.S. presidential election

Two

Today Henry VIII of England became the first Supreme Head of the Church of England. In which century was this?

Three

A dog named Laika went into space on this day in 1957. Which of these craft carried her: Soyuz 1, Sputnik 2 or Salyut 3?

⸻

Four

⸻

Five

On this day in 1911, a racing driver and engineer, born in 1878, co-founded the American motor car manufacturer Chevrolet, who was he and in what country was he born?