Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci (c. 1515–1518), attributed to Francesco Melzi. Royal Collection, United Kingdom. Image Wikimedia Commons
Here are five questions all connected to today, May 2nd.
One
Leonardo da Vinci, artist, architect and engineer, died on this day. In what century, and in what country, did he die?
Two
The King James Version of the Bible was published. In what decade was this, or as second prize, what century?
Three
Anne Boleyn was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Who was her predecessor as Queen and who succeeded her?
Four
On this day, a De Havilland Comet became the first jetliner to carry fare-paying passengers. The flight took place in what year and departed from where, with its destination being where?
Five
Born in 2015, who on their eleventh birthday is third in line of succession to the British throne? Secondly, who is the highest ranked non-titled person to currently appear on the line of succession?
Today’s questions are related to the date, April 29th..
See question two. Prince William and his bride, Catherine, leaving Westminster Abbey after their wedding, April 29, 2011. Image Encyclopædia Britannica
One
In a 1943 British deception plan, a corpse was given the identity of ‘Major William Martin’. The idea for the above operation, which was partly inspired by a plot device in a 1939 novel by Basil Thomson, The …’s Hat Mystery, had first been suggested in a memo.
What was the codename of this operation?
What word for a hat maker is missing from the book’s title?
A future spy novelist—later the creator of a fictional spy which spawned a massive media franchise—worked in British Naval Intelligence during the war where he circulated the memo outlining the above deception tactics. Who was he?
Answers
Operation Mincemeat
Milliner
Ian Fleming
The body was released from the submarine HMS Seraph off Spain, where authorities were known to share intelligence with Germany. The Milliner’s Hat Mystery (a milliner is someone who makes or sells hats) is by Basil Thomson who had himself worked in intelligence and blurred the line between fiction and real espionage long before the war. Ian Fleming’s memo was nicknamed the ’Trout Memo’, comparing deception to fly-fishing—luring the enemy with carefully chosen bait. He went on to create James Bond.
Two
In 2011, Prince William married his longtime girlfriend, Catherine, whom he had met at university.
What is Catherine’s maiden name?
At what university did they meet?
In what church did they marry?
Answers
Middleton
University of St. Andrews
Westminster Abbey
Prince William, heir to the British throne, married Catherine Middleton in 2011. They have three children: George, Charlotte, and Louis.
Three
In 2004, after 107 years of vehicle production, the final … was built in Lansing, Michigan. What make of vehicle is missing from the previous sentence?
Answer: Oldsmobile.
Oldsmobile, an American automobile brand, was established by Ransom Eli Olds in 1897 as Olds Motor Vehicle Company and produced over 35 million vehicles. Despite peaking sales in the 1980s, the brand faced declining sales in the 1990s and was discontinued in 2004.
Four
On this day in 2018, a U.S. TV series became the longest-running scripted prime-time show, overtaking a Western that had aired from 1955 to 1975. Name both these shows.
Answer: The Simpsons; Gunsmoke.
The record-breaking episode was the show’s 636th, surpassing Gunsmoke’s long-standing total.
Five
Also on this day, in 1770, which British explorer made his first recorded landing on the east coast of Australia, at Botany Bay?
Answer: James Cook.
Cook’s voyage aboard the HMS Endeavour was originally intended to observe the transit of Venus before turning to exploration.
The Man Who Never Was
The Man Who Never Was (1956) is a British espionage thriller directed by Ronald Neame, starring Clifton Webb and Gloria Grahame. Based on Lieutenant Commander Ewen Montagu’s book, it depicts Operation Mincemeat, a 1943 British intelligence operation to mislead the Axis about the Allied invasion of Sicily. It was featured at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival. Nigel Balchin’s screenplay received the BAFTA award for that year.
Today’s questions are related to the date, April 29th..
See question two. Prince William and his bride after their wedding, April 29, 2011. Image Encyclopædia Britannica
One
In a 1943 British deception plan, a corpse was given the identity of ‘Major William Martin’. The idea for the above operation, which was partly inspired by a plot device in a 1939 novel by Basil Thomson, The …’s Hat Mystery, had first been suggested in a memo.
What was the codename of this operation?
What word for a hat maker is missing from the book’s title?
A future spy novelist—later the creator of a fictional spy which spawned a massive media franchise—worked in British Naval Intelligence during the war where he circulated the memo outlining the above deception tactics. Who was he?
Two
In 2011, Prince William married his longtime girlfriend, Catherine, whom he had met at university.
What is Catherine’s maiden name?
At what university did they meet?
In what church did they marry?
Three
In 2004, after 107 years of vehicle production, the final … was built in Lansing, Michigan. What make of vehicle is missing from the previous sentence?
Four
On this day in 2018, a U.S. TV series became the longest-running scripted prime-time show, overtaking a Western that had aired from 1955 to 1975. Name both these shows.
Answer: The Simpsons; Gunsmoke.
The record-breaking episode was the show’s 636th, surpassing Gunsmoke’s long-standing total.
Five
Also on this day, in 1770, which British explorer made his first recorded landing on the east coast of Australia, at Botany Bay?
All of these questions are related to today’s date, April 25th.
One
In 1959, the St. Lawrence Seaway was officially opened. What canal, part of the Seaway, extends from Port Weller to Port Colborne, and in what country is this canal located?
Answer: Welland Canal; Canada.
Part of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Welland Canal in Ontario, Canada, connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, bypassing Niagara Falls. It facilitates 3,000 ships annually, transporting 40 million tonnes of cargo. First opened in 1829, the Welland Canal has undergone four reconstructions, with the current version featuring eight locks, allowing ships to pass in opposite directions.
Two
In 1926, Turandot premiered some sixteen months after the death of the opera’s composer. Who, pictured above, was the composer?
Answer: Giacomo Puccini.
Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924) was an Italian composer renowned for his operas, including La bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot. Puccini’s final opera, Turandot, was left unfinished at the composer’s death, and Franco Alfano completed the last two scenes using sketches from the composer. Turandot boasts several memorable arias, including the iconic Nessun dorma.
Three
In 1792, the louisette was first used in France. Originally named after its inventor, Antoine Louis, a surgeon and physiologist, it became more commonly known by the name used today. What is it now known as?
Answer: Guillotine.
The guillotine, introduced in France in 1792, was a device for capital punishment by decapitation, consisting of two upright posts and a weighted angled blade. Legislation promoted by Joseph-Ignace Guillotin to ensure equality and minimise suffering, it was first used on 25 April 1792. Originally called the louisette, it became infamous during the French Revolution and Reign of Terror, executing thousands including Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. Use declined after the 1960s, with it last being used in 1977, and France abolishing both capital punishment and the guillotine in 1981.
Four
As a precursor to licence or registration plates, what did New York State require that motor vehicle owners must display on the back of their vehicle from 1901?
Answer: Owners initials.
France introduced vehicle registration plates in 1893, followed by Germany in 1896. The Netherlands issued national plates in 1898. In the U.S., New York required that the owner’s initials be clearly visible on the back of the vehicle from 1901, and licence plates displayed from 1903.
Five
British and French engineers broke ground in 1859 at the site of a canal which has a terminus at Port Tewfik. What canal is it, and what rugged, arid peninsula is situated to the east of this canal?
Answer: Suez Canal; Sinai Peninsula.
The Suez Canal, a 193.30-kilometre-long waterway in Egypt, connects the Mediterranean Sea at Port Said with the Red Sea at Port Tewfik, Suez, separating Africa and Asia. Built in 1869 by Ferdinand de Lesseps’ Compagnie de Suez, it was nationalised in 1956. A new side channel opened in 2016, enhancing its role in global trade and military strategy.
There is Only One Cure for Grey Hair
Today’s title There is Only One Cure for Grey Hair, a reference to the answer to question three, is from a P.G. Wodehouse quote —
There is only one cure for grey hair. It was invented by a Frenchman. It is called the guillotine. — P.G. Wodehouse
All of these questions are related to today’s date, April 25th.
One
In 1959, the St. Lawrence Seaway was officially opened. What canal, part of the Seaway, extends from Port Weller to Port Colborne, and in what country is this canal located?
Two
In 1926, Turandot premiered some sixteen months after the death of the opera’s composer. Who, pictured above, was the composer?
Three
In 1792, the louisette was first used in France. Originally named after its inventor, Antoine Louis, a surgeon and physiologist, it became more commonly known by the name used today. What is it now known as?
Four
As a precursor to licence or registration plates, what did New York State require that motor vehicle owners must display on the back of their vehicle from 1901?
Five
British and French engineers broke ground in 1859 at the site of a canal which has a terminus at Port Tewfik. What canal is it, and what rugged, arid peninsula is situated to the east of this canal?
In 2019, the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris was very badly damaged by fire. On what island is the cathedral located?
Answer: Île de la Cité.
Notre-Dame de Paris, a medieval Catholic cathedral on Île de la Cité, in the River Seine, exemplifies French Gothic architecture with its rib vaults, flying buttresses, and rose windows. Construction began in 1163, completed by 1260, and it underwent restorations, notably after Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame inspired interest. Damaged in a 2019 fire, it reopened in 2024. A symbol of Paris, it was a minor basilica since 1805 and attracts 12 million visitors annually. Owned by the French government, it houses significant relics.
Two
On this day, the RMS Titanic sank two hours and forty minutes after hitting an iceberg. During her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York, USA, which two ports did she visit?
Answer: Cherbourg, France, and Queenstown, Ireland (now Cobh).
The RMS Titanic sank on 15 April 1912 after hitting an iceberg on 14 April, during her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. With over 2,200 on board, up to 1,635 died, making it a deadly maritime disaster. Despite seven ice warnings, Titanic travelled at 22 knots. Her inadequate lifeboat system left many without refuge. RMS Carpathia rescued 710 survivors. The tragedy led to global outrage and the 1914 SOLAS convention for maritime safety.
Three
What event prompted the opening of parts of Buckingham Palace to the public for paid tours?
Answer: Windsor Castle fire (1992).
On 20 November 1992, a major fire broke out in Windsor Castle, affecting over 100 rooms, including St George’s Hall and the Grand Reception Room. Over 200 firefighters controlled the blaze after 15 hours. While much of the Royal Collection was saved, some significant works were lost. The fire led to public debate on royal funding, prompting Queen Elizabeth II to pay income tax. Restoration, completed in 1997, cost £36.5 million and was led by Donald Insall Associates. The fire occurred during what the Queen later described as her annus horribilis.
Four
In 1626, 20,000 people died when a factory in Wanggongchang, China exploded destroying part of the city. What was the factory manufacturing?
Answer: Gunpowder.
The Wanggongchang Explosion occurred on May 30, 1626, in Beijing, killing around 20,000 people. Located 3 km southwest of the Forbidden City, it was a major gunpowder production centre. The cause remains uncertain, but it was a key storage facility for the Shenjiying defending the capital.
Five
During what 1979 yachting race, with a course of 605 miles, did a storm in the Celtic Sea cause 21 fatalities?
Answer: Fastnet Race.
The 1979 Fastnet Race, the 28th edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s event, was a 605-nautical-mile course from Cowes to Fastnet Rock and Plymouth, marking the Admiral’s Cup climax. A severe windstorm on the third day caused chaos, resulting in 21 fatalities—15 yachtsmen and 6 spectators—on 14 August in the Celtic Sea. The largest peace-time rescue operation involved 4,000 people, including the Irish Naval Service, lifeboats, commercial boats, and helicopters.
Annus Horribilis
The post title is related to how Queen Elizabeth II referred to 1992. Not only was Windsor Castle the scene of a large fire but she also had the domestic problems of three of her children to contend with and said
1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis.
In 2019, the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris was very badly damaged by fire. On what island is the cathedral located?
Two
On this day, the RMS Titanic sank two hours and forty minutes after hitting an iceberg. During her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York, USA, which two ports did she visit?
Three
What event prompted the opening of parts of Buckingham Palace to the public for paid tours?
Four
In 1626, 20,000 people died when a factory in Wanggongchang, China exploded destroying part of the city. What was the factory manufacturing?
Five
During what 1979 yachting race, with a course of 605 miles, did a storm in the Celtic Sea cause 21 fatalities?
In 1838, the SS Great Western, the earliest regular and first purpose-built transatlantic steamer, embarked on its first transatlantic voyage. Between what U.K. and U.S. ports did she sail on this voyage?
Answer: Bristol, U.K. to New York City, U.S.
SS Great Western, a wooden-hulled paddle-wheel steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was the largest passenger ship in the world from 1837 to 1839. Her maiden transatlantic voyage took 15 days, which was half the time taken by sailing ships. She served as a model for successful wooden Atlantic paddle-steamers and was scrapped in 1856 after serving as a troopship during the Crimean War.
Two
Born in 1938, who was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations to be elected from within UN staff?
Answer: Kofi Annan.
Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian diplomat and civil servant, served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006. He was the first Secretary-General elected from within the UN staff and shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. After his tenure, Annan founded the Kofi Annan Foundation, was chairman of the Elders, and served as a UN envoy for various conflicts.
Three
On this date in Japan, the birth of Buddha is celebrated. In what century was Buddhism founded?
Answer: 6th or 5th centuries BCE.
Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, was a religious teacher who founded Buddhism in the 6th or 5th century BCE. He taught a Middle Way between indulgence and asceticism, summarised in the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Buddhism evolved into various traditions and spread beyond India, becoming prominent in Southeast and East Asia. Buddha, an enlightened being who achieved freedom from suffering, is celebrated by Buddhists for events in his life, including his birth, enlightenment, and nirvana, with festivals like Wesak and Hanamatsuri.
Four
In 2014, Windows XP reached its ‘End of Life’ and would not be supported. What product released in 2007 was the successor to Windows XP?
Answer: Windows Vista.
Windows XP, released in 2001, was the first consumer edition of Windows not based on the Windows 95 kernel. A successor to both Windows 2000 and Windows Me, it received critical acclaim for its performance, stability, and user interface.
Five
Born in 1902, this British mountaineer and his climbing partner vanished near the summit of Mount Everest during the 1924 British expedition. Who were these two mountaineers?
Answer: Andrew Irvine and George Mallory.
Andrew ‘Sandy’ Irvine was the British mountaineer born on this day. He participated in the 1924 British Mount Everest expedition, the third British attempt to conquer the world’s highest mountain. Irvine and his climbing partner, George Mallory, vanished somewhere high on the mountain’s Northeast Ridge and were last seen alive at an uncertain distance from the summit. Mallory’s body was discovered in 1999, while Irvine’s partial remains were found in 2024. To this day, it is not known if they reached the summit or not.
In 1838, the SS Great Western, the earliest regular and first purpose-built transatlantic steamer, embarked on its first transatlantic voyage. Between what U.K. and U.S. ports did she sail on this voyage?
Two
Born in 1938, who was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations to be elected from within UN staff?
Three
On this date in Japan, the birth of Buddha is celebrated. In what century was Buddhism founded?
Four
In 2014, Windows XP reached its ‘End of Life’ and would not be supported. What product released in 2007 was the successor to Windows XP?
Five
Born in 1902, this British mountaineer and his climbing partner vanished near the summit of Mount Everest during the 1924 British expedition. Who were these two mountaineers?
Here are five questions that are related to today’s date, April 3rd. There is also a bonus question at the end.
One
The United States Pony Express, inaugurated in 1860, commenced its first run from one city to another. Can you name both cities in the order of travel of this first run?
Answer: St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California.
The Pony Express was a mail delivery system that operated between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, from April 1860 to October 1861. Utilising horse-and-rider relays, the service significantly reduced mail delivery time from 24 days to about 10 days. Despite its efficiency, the Pony Express was a costly venture and ceased operations with the completion of the transcontinental telegraph system.
Two
On this day the first flight over Mount Everest took place. In what decade did this occur?
Answer: 1930s.
In April 1933, two Westland aircraft piloted by Lord Clydesdale and David McIntyre, with observers Stewart Blacker and Sidney Bonnett, became the first to fly over Mount Everest. The expedition, funded by Lucy, Lady Houston, aimed to promote British aviation and gather information for a planned summit attempt. Despite challenges with oxygen supply and weather conditions, the team successfully completed the flight, capturing valuable photographs of the terrain.
Three
The first public handheld mobile (cellular) phone call was made on this day. In what year did this occur and what telecommunications company made the call?
Answer: 1973; Motorola.
Motorola’s Martin Cooper made the first handheld mobile phone call in 1973. The prototype, nicknamed ‘the Brick’, weighed 2 kilograms and offered 30 minutes of talk time.
Four
In 2007, a conventional-train world record was set by a TGV train. In what country was this record set, and to the nearest 5 mph (5 km/h) what was the record-setting speed achieved?
Answer: France; 355 mph (575 km/h).
In 2007, a French TGV train on the LGV Est high-speed line set a new world speed record, achieving 357.2 mph (574.8 km/h) or 159.6 m/s. This was part of Operation V150, a series of high-speed trials that culminated in the record-breaking speed on 3 April 2007. The top speed was reached near the village of Le Chemin, between the Meuse and Champagne-Ardenne TGV stations, where the most favourable profile exists, 12 minutes and 40 seconds after leaving Prény from a standstill, covering 71 km.
Five
Sir Robert Walpole is regarded as the first prime minister of Great Britain. In what decade did he assume this office?
Answer: 1720s.
The office of prime minister in Britain emerged in the 18th century, with Sir Robert Walpole recognised as the first de facto prime minister, serving from 1721 to 1742. Walpole’s financial expertise, peaceful foreign policy, and adept management of Parliament established his authority and set the foundation for the modern Cabinet system. However, he faced criticism for bribery and corruption and resigned following a failed war with Spain.
Ride ‘Em Cowboy
Today’s title alludes to the riders employed by the Pony Express but it was also the title of a 1942 comedy. What duo starred in it?
Answer: Abbott and Costello.
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello star as peanut vendors at a rodeo show who are forced to flee their boss, they hide on a train, and become cowboys on a dude ranch despite lacking experience whatever.
