Tag: UK

Here are the answers to my questions which were posted earlier.

All of these questions relate to today’s date, February 25th.

One

The painter of the above self-portrait was born in Limoges, France, on 25 February 1841. He became an early Impressionist but later adopted a more traditional style. Who is he?

Answer: Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was a French artist and leading Impressionist painter. He later developed a more disciplined technique, focusing on portraits and figure paintings, particularly of women.

Two

This author, best known by a pen name but also using another — Joseph Kell, was born John Burgess Wilson on this day in 1917 in an inner-city suburb of Manchester, England. After wartime service, he left the British army in 1946 with the rank of sergeant-major. His most famous work, a dystopian satire published in 1962, was adapted into a controversial film in 1971. What is his best-known pen name?

Answer: Anthony Burgess.

Anthony Burgess (1917-1993) was an English novelist, critic, and man of letters renowned for his fictional explorations of modern dilemmas. He wrote over 50 books, including novels, literary criticism, biographies, and musical compositions. Burgess’s works often combined linguistic ingenuity, witty erudition, and sharp social satire. He is best known for his dystopian satire A Clockwork Orange and was also a versatile linguist and literary critic, writing numerous novels, librettos and screenplays.

Three

In 1986, after claiming victory in a fraudulent election which led to a military coup and revolution, President Ferdinand Marcos fled his country. Of what country was Marcos president, and which opposition leader replaced him as president?

Answers: Philippines; Corazon Aquino.

Ferdinand Marcos fled the Philippines on 25 February 1986, seeking refuge in Hawaii with his family and a vast fortune, in part consisting of 22 crates of cash valued at $717 million, 300 crates of assorted jewellery, $4 million worth of unset precious gems, 65 Seiko and Cartier watches, a 12 by 4 ft box full of pearls, a 3 ft solid gold statue covered in diamonds and other precious stones, $200,000 in gold bullion, nearly $1 million in Philippine pesos, and deposit slips to banks in the United States, Switzerland, and the Cayman Islands worth $124 million. While enjoying a lavish lifestyle, Filipinos back home grappled with the economic consequences of his rule. Amongst other things, Imelda Marcos, the ousted First Lady, was found to have a collection of 2,700 pairs of shoes. The revolution that ousted Marcos was fuelled by widespread discontent, with protests erupting not only in Manila but also in the provinces and islands. Source: Wikipedia.

Four

Born in 1943, this musician was a prominent figure in the music world during the swinging sixties. He was originally part of a band where he wrote hits like Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. His sitar teacher was singer Norah Jones’ father. He later enjoyed a successful solo career. Who was he and who taught him to play the sitar?

Answers: George Harrison; Ravi Shankar.

George Harrison, lead guitarist of the Beatles, was known for his significant contributions to the band’s musical direction and his successful solo career. He incorporated non-Western musical influences, particularly Indian classical music, into the Beatles’ sound and later established himself as a solo artist with hits like My Sweet Lord. Harrison was also a prolific music and film producer, co-founding HandMade Films and producing acts for Apple Records. He produced the Monty Python’s troupe’s comedy film The Life of Brian (1979).

Five

In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated the English monarch from the Roman Catholic Church. Who was this monarch?

Answer: Elizabeth I.

Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, ruled England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603. Her reign, marked by religious tolerance and cautious foreign policy, saw the establishment of the Church of England and the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Despite numerous courtships, Elizabeth remained unmarried, earning her the moniker ‘Virgin Queen’.

All of these questions relate to today’s date, February 25th.

One

The painter of the above self-portrait was born in Limoges, France, on 25 February 1841. He became an early Impressionist but later adopted a more traditional style. Who is he?

Two

This author, best known by a pen name but also using another — Joseph Kell, was born John Burgess Wilson on this day in 1917 in an inner-city suburb of Manchester, England. After wartime service, he left the British army in 1946 with the rank of sergeant-major. His most famous work, a dystopian satire published in 1962, was adapted into a controversial film in 1971. What is his best-known pen name?

Three

In 1986, after claiming victory in a fraudulent election which led to a military coup and revolution, President Ferdinand Marcos fled his country. Of what country was Marcos president, and which opposition leader replaced him as president?

Four

Born in 1943, this musician was a prominent figure in the music world during the swinging sixties. He was originally part of a band where he wrote hits like Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. His sitar teacher was singer Norah Jones’ father. He later enjoyed a successful solo career. Who was he and who taught him to play the sitar?

Five

In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated the English monarch from the Roman Catholic Church. Who was this monarch?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.