Tag: US president

  • Born and Raised—Answers

    The answers to my earlier questions are shown below.

    The following questions relate to people born on 18 March.

    Grover Cleveland.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Born 1980. Actress who links the following roles: Penelope (in 2004), Isolde (2006), Erika (2003 and 2006), Darcy (2014) and Freya (2008). Who is she? 

    1. Rose Keegan
    2. Sophia Myles
    3. Lucy Russell

    Answer: 2. Sophia Myles.

    Sophia Myles, an English actress, who portrayed the following characters in the associated film. Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward in Thunderbirds(2004), Isolde in Tristan & Isolde(2006), Darcy in Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014), Erika in Underworld(2003) and Underworld: Evolution (2006), and Freya in Outlander (2008)”


    Two

    Born 1837, Grover Cleveland, served as the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Where was he born? 

    1. Amherst, New Hampshire 
    2. Brighton, New York 
    3. Caldwell, New Jersey

    Answer: 3. Caldwell, New Jersey.

    Stephen Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, was the first Democrat elected after the Civil War and the first president to serve non-consecutive terms. A Bourbon Democrat, he championed political reform, fiscal conservatism and classical liberalism. His presidency was marked by significant legislation like the Interstate Commerce Act and the Dawes Act, as well as challenges like the Panic of 1893 and the Pullman Strike.


    Three

    Anthem for Doomed Youth was written by a war poet born this day in 1893. Who was he? 

    1. Rupert Brook 
    2. Wilfred Owen 
    3. Siegfried Sassoon

    Answer: 2. Wilfred Owen.

    Wilfred Owen, an English poet and soldier, expressed anger at war’s cruelty and waste through his poetry. Based on his World War I experiences, his war poetry was about the horrors of trenches and gas warfare. At only 25 years of age, he was killed in action at the Battle of the Sambre on 4 November 1918, exactly a week before the war’s end. His best-known works— most of which were published posthumously— are Anthem for Doomed YouthDulce et Decorum estFutility, and Spring Offensive


    Four

    Who is Dana Elaine Owens, born 18 March 1970, a musician and actress, better known as?

    1. Lauryn Hill
    2. Missy Elliott
    3. Queen Latifah 

    Answer: 3. Queen Latifah.

    An American musician and actress, Queen Latifah rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album, All Hail the Queen, which blended diverse styles and feminist themes. The name Latifah is Arabic for ‘delicate’ or ‘sensitive’.


    Five

    Born today in 1869, this British prime minister returned from Germany with a ‘piece of paper’ promising to ‘have brought you back peace — but a peace I hope with honour’. Who was he? 

    1. Stanley Baldwin  
    2. Neville Chamberlain 
    3. Winston Churchill 

    Answer: 2. Neville Chamberlain.

    Prime Minister of the UK from 1937 to 1940 Neville Chamberlain is known for his policy of appeasement towards Hitler’s Germany. He served in various government positions, including Chancellor of the Exchequer, before becoming Prime Minister. Despite signing the Munich Agreement with Hitler in 1938, Chamberlain declared war on Germany less than a year later following the Nazi invasion of Poland.


  • Born and Raised

    The following questions relate to people born on 18 March.

    Grover Cleveland.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Born 1980. Actress who links the following roles: Penelope (in 2004), Isolde (2006), Erika (2003 and 2006), Darcy (2014) and Freya (2008). Who is she? 

    1. Rose Keegan
    2. Sophia Myles
    3. Lucy Russell

    Two

    Born 1837, Grover Cleveland, served as the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Where was he born? 

    1. Amherst, New Hampshire 
    2. Brighton, New York 
    3. Caldwell, New Jersey

    Three

    Anthem for Doomed Youth was written by a war poet born this day in 1893. Who was he? 

    1. Rupert Brook 
    2. Wilfred Owen 
    3. Siegfried Sassoon

    Four

    Who is Dana Elaine Owens, born 18 March 1970, a musician and actress, better known as?

    1. Lauryn Hill
    2. Missy Elliott
    3. Queen Latifah 

    Five

    Born today in 1869, this British prime minister returned from Germany with a ‘piece of paper’ promising to ‘have brought you back peace — but a peace I hope with honour’. Who was he? 

    1. Stanley Baldwin  
    2. Neville Chamberlain 
    3. Winston Churchill 

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • GRANS A MA—Answers

    Here are the answers to my questions from earlier.

    No multiple-choice today as the five trivia questions below start with the answer in the form of an ANAGRAM (in capitals), for example…


    Example 1
    WREN AS what is expected in response to a question.?
    Answer: Answer

    Example 2
    GRANS A MA might give you a clue from the title of this post?
    Answer: Anagrams

    Topkapi Palace.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    AKA EPIC LAPTOP provides an Istanbul residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, last occupied by Mahmut II (1808–39) and now a museum. What is it known as?

    Answer: Topkapi Palace

    ‘AKA EPIC LAPTOP’ is an anagram of Topkapi Palace. Topkapı Palace, a large museum and library in Istanbul, served as the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire from the 1460s to 1856. The palace complex, which expanded over centuries, includes the Imperial Harem, treasury and various buildings used by state officials. Today, the palace is a museum showcasing Ottoman artefacts and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Historic Areas of Istanbul.


    Two

    A CHI TIN is a dry red Italian wine produced in Tuscany. What wine?

    Answer: Chianti

    ‘A CHI TIN’ is an anagram of Chianti. Chianti is an Italian red wine from the Chianti region of Tuscany, primarily made from Sangiovese grapes. The Chianti region was first defined in 1716 and later divided into seven sub-areas in 1932, with Chianti Classico being the most prominent. Chianti must be made with at least 80% Sangiovese grapes, with Riserva and Superiore designations indicating higher quality and stricter production requirements.


    Three

    The German heavy cruiser ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE, 1937.
    Image IWM via Wikimedia Commons

    ARMADA FLEES GRIP of the pursuing ships. What three-word, fifteen letters in total, is the name of the ship being pursued in the South Atlantic Ocean in 1939?

    Answer: Admiral Graf Spee

    ‘ARMADA FLEES GRIP’ is an anagram of Admiral Graf Spee which was a German Panzerschiff, or ‘pocket battleship’, that served during World War II. It was deployed to the South Atlantic before the war, sinking nine vessels before being damaged and then scuttled after the Battle of the River Plate.

    __

    Four

    RED GOLFING is the villain in this Bond movie. What villain?

    Answer: Goldfinger

    ‘RED GOLFING’ is an anagram of Goldfinger. Auric Goldfinger is the title character and main antagonist in both Ian Fleming’s novel and the 1964 film adaptation. The character, portrayed in the film by red-haired Gert Fröbe, was voted the most sinister James Bond villain, and his line ‘No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die’ was voted the best moment in the franchise.


    Five

    ARRANGED LOAN allows a governor to became a president of the United States. Who is he?

    Answer: Ronald Reagan

    ‘ARRANGED LOAN’ is an anagram of Ronald Reagan. A governor of California, Ronald Reagan served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. A prominent figure in the American conservative movement, his presidency, known as the Reagan era, was marked by economic policies like “Reaganomics,” increased military spending, and a shift in Cold War policy. Reagan’s impact on American conservatism and his role in ending the Cold War are widely recognised.


  • GRANS A MA

    No multiple-choice today as the five trivia questions below start with the answer in the form of an ANAGRAM (in capitals), for example…


    Example 1
    WREN AS what is expected in response to a question.?
    Answer: Answer

    Example 2
    GRANS A MA might give you a clue from the title of this post?
    Answer: Anagrams

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    AKA EPIC LAPTOP provides an Istanbul residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, last occupied by Mahmut II (1808–39) and now a museum. What is it known as?


    Two

    A CHI TIN is a dry red Italian wine produced in Tuscany. What wine?


    Three

    Image Imperial War Museum via Wikimedia Commons

    ARMADA FLEES GRIP of the pursuing ships. What three-word, fifteen letters in total, is the name of the ship being pursued in the South Atlantic Ocean in 1939?

    __

    Four

    RED GOLFING is the villain in this Bond movie. What villain?


    Five

    ARRANGED LOAN allows a governor to became a president of the United States. Who is he?

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


  • Communicator—Answers

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

    These questions all relate to today’s date, January 9th.

    First generation iPhone.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    What year was the first iPhone released?

    1. 2007
    2. 2008
    3. 2009

    Answer: 1. 2007

    iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007, and went on sale later that year. It transformed the phone into a handheld computer, fusing communication, entertainment and internet access. Since its release, it has evolved with improved cameras, faster processors, and new features like face recognition.


    Two

    In 1982, Catherine, princess of Wales was born. What was her maiden surname?

    1. Middleditch
    2. Middlesmyth
    3. Middleton

    Answer: 3. Middleton

    Catherine, Princess of Wales, born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, is the consort of Prince William, heir apparent to the British throne. She became Princess of Wales in 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Catherine is known for her warmth and relatability, and is actively involved in various charities, particularly those focused on children and mental health.


    Three

    Which traditional American folk song, recorded by Joan Baez on her 1960 debut album, became one of her signature performances and helped spark the 1960s folk revival?

    1. This Land Is Your Land
    2. Silver Dagger
    3. John Henry

    Answer: 2. Silver Dagger

    Joan Baez was born this day in 1941. Her first album, Joan Baez (1960), was recorded in just a few days and featured only her voice and acoustic guitar. Despite its simplicity, it became a landmark folk record and influenced countless artists—including a young Bob Dylan—by bringing traditional ballads like Silver Dagger to a wide, modern audience.


    Four

    In 1816, Humphrey Davy tested what device at Hebburn Colliery in England?

    1. Safety fuse
    2. Safety helmet
    3. Safety lamp

    Answer: 3. Safety lamp

    The Davy lamp, invented in 1815 by Sir Humphry Davy, is a safety lamp used in flammable atmospheres, particularly coal mines. It consists of a wick lamp enclosed in a mesh screen, acting as a flame arrestor to prevent explosions. Despite its initial promise, the Davy lamp’s unreliability and the false sense of security it provided contributed to an increase in mine accidents, highlighting the need for improved ventilation and safer practises.


    Five

    Born in 1913, Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States. During his presidency Nixon became associated with what group of tradesmen?

    1. Carpenters
    2. Mechanics
    3. Plumbers

    Answer: 3. Plumbers

    The Watergate Plumbers, a covert group formed during Richard Nixon’s presidency, aimed to suppress leaks of classified information, especially the Pentagon Papers. Their most notorious involvement was the Watergate break-in, which ultimately led to Nixon’s resignation.


  • Communicator

    These questions all relate to today’s date, January 9th.

    First generation iPhone.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    What year was the first iPhone released?

    1. 2007
    2. 2008
    3. 2009

    Two

    In 1982, Catherine, princess of Wales was born. What was her maiden surname?

    1. Middleditch
    2. Middlesmyth
    3. Middleton

    Three

    Which traditional American folk song, recorded by Joan Baez on her 1960 debut album, became one of her signature performances and helped spark the 1960s folk revival?

    1. This Land Is Your Land
    2. Silver Dagger
    3. John Henry

    Four

    In 1816, Humphrey Davy tested what device at Hebburn Colliery in England?

    1. Safety fuse
    2. Safety helmet
    3. Safety lamp

    Five

    Born in 1913, Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States. During his presidency Nixon became associated with what group of tradesmen?

    1. Carpenters
    2. Mechanics
    3. Plumbers

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • First—Answers

    All of these questions are connected to today, December 20th, and all contain the word ‘first’.

    See question 3. Abraham Lincoln, 1863.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    ((First voice) I owe everything to George Bailey. Help him, dear Father.

    (Second voice) Joseph, Jesus and Mary. Help my friend Mr. Bailey.

    (Third voice) Help my son George tonight.

    (Fourth voice) He never thinks about himself, God; that’s why he’s in trouble.

    (Fifth voice) George is a good guy. Give him a break, God.

    (Sixth voice) I love him, dear Lord. Watch over him tonight.

    (Seventh voice) Please, God. Something’s the matter with Daddy.

    (Eighth voice) Please bring Daddy back.

    The individuals quoted praying above form the first lines in a classic film which premiered today in 1946. What was the film?

    Answer: It’s a Wonderful Life

    It’s a Wonderful Life, a 1946 Christmas film directed by Frank Capra, stars James Stewart as George Bailey. Initially a box office disappointment, the film later became a Christmas classic and is now considered one of the greatest films of all time.


    Two

    The first tale in an 1812 collection of fairy tales was The Golden Bird. Who published this collection?

    Answer: Brothers Grimm

    German folklorists Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, known for Grimm’s Fairy Tales, significantly contributed to folklore study and popularised classic tales. Jacob also made notable contributions to historical linguistics and Germanic philology.


    Three

    On this date in 1860, following Abraham Lincoln’s election as US president, which state became the first to secede from the Union?

    Answer: South Carolina

    South Carolina seceded from the Union in 1860, joining the Confederacy and sparking the Civil War. After the war, Reconstruction brought military occupation and disenfranchisement, leading to the rise of Wade Hampton and the ‘Bourbon era’. The conflict between the Up Country and Low Country culminated in the election of Benjamin R. Tillman, who championed agrarian reform, white supremacy, and the disenfranchisement of African Americans.


    Four

    In what decade was Ethiopia first declared a socialist state under the leadership of Mengistu Haile Mariam?

    Answer: 1970s

    On 20 December 1974, Mengistu Haile Mariam, an Ethiopian army officer, overthrew the monarchy and established a communist regime. He ruled with an iron fist, implementing the ‘Red Terror Campaign’ and facing armed rebellions, droughts and famines. Facing mounting challenges and dwindling support, Mengistu fled to Zimbabwe in 1991.


    Five

    In 1996, the horror classic Scream was first released in the United States. Who was the director, and who played the role of Sidney Prescott?

    Answers: Wes Craven; Neve Campbell

    Scream is a 1996 American slasher film directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson. The film, which satirises slasher genre clichés, was a critical and commercial success, grossing approximately $173 million worldwide. It revitalised Craven’s and Drew Barrymore’s careers and spawned a successful franchise.


  • First

    All of these questions are connected to today, December 20th, and all contain the word ‘first’.

    See question 3. Abraham Lincoln, 1863.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    ((First voice) I owe everything to George Bailey. Help him, dear Father.

    (Second voice) Joseph, Jesus and Mary. Help my friend Mr. Bailey.

    (Third voice) Help my son George tonight.

    (Fourth voice) He never thinks about himself, God; that’s why he’s in trouble.

    (Fifth voice) George is a good guy. Give him a break, God.

    (Sixth voice) I love him, dear Lord. Watch over him tonight.

    (Seventh voice) Please, God. Something’s the matter with Daddy.

    (Eighth voice) Please bring Daddy back.

    The individuals quoted praying above form the first lines in a classic film which premiered today in 1946. What was the film?


    Two

    The first tale in an 1812 collection of fairy tales was The Golden Bird. Who published this collection?


    Three

    On this date in 1860, following Abraham Lincoln’s election as US president, which state became the first to secede from the Union?


    Four

    In what decade was Ethiopia first declared a socialist state under the leadership of Mengistu Haile Mariam?


    Five

    In 1996, the horror classic Scream was first released in the United States. Who was the director, and who played the role of Sidney Prescott?

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

  • Little Sparrow—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post.

    See question 5. Artist pression of ESA’s Gaia satellite observing the Milky Way, with a background image of the sky compiled from data from more than 1.8 billion stars.
    Image ESA via Wikipedia

    One

    … was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that.

    Published for the first time on this date in 1843, what begins with the quote above and whose surname is missing from the start?

    Answer: A Christmas Carol; Marley

    A Christmas Carol, a novella by Charles Dickens, recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation after visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. The novella, published in 1843, was inspired by Dickens’s experiences and the Victorian revival of Christmas traditions. It has never been out of print and has been widely adapted.


    Two

    Born on this day in 1906, what Soviet leader, along with US President Jimmy Carter, signed the unsuccessful SALT II treaty in Vienna in 1979?

    Answer: Leonid Brezhnev

    Leonid Brezhnev, a Soviet statesman, led the Soviet Union for 18 years. He prioritised foreign and military affairs, implementing the Brezhnev Doctrine to justify Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia and expanding the Soviet military-industrial complex. While achieving parity with the US in nuclear weapons and space programmes, Brezhnev’s focus on defence led to economic decline, impacting agriculture, consumer goods and healthcare.


    Three

    A singer born in Paris, France, on 19 December 1915, came to be known as ‘little sparrow’. Who was she?

    Answer: Edith Piaf

    Edith Piaf, a French singer and actress, gained international fame for her interpretation of the chanson. Her life, marked by tragedy and hardship, deeply influenced her music, which often reflected themes of loss and love. Despite her struggles with health and addiction, Piaf’s powerful voice and dramatic style captivated audiences, leaving a lasting legacy.


    Four

    On this day in 1606, Christopher Newport, in command of the Discovery, the Godspeed, and the Susan Constant, sailed from London, England. The following April, they entered a bay—the largest estuary in the United States—and went on to set up the first permanent English settlement in North America. What was the name of the bay and the colony?

    Answer: Chesapeake Bay; Jamestown

    Newport, a member of the colony’s governing body, led a total five voyages between Virginia and England, bringing supplies and settlers to the Jamestown colony between 1606 and 1611.


    Five

    In 2013, the European Space Agency launched a spacecraft that could be described as a space telescope or astronomical observatory. Named after the personification of Earth in Greek mythology, what was its name?

    Answer: Gaia

    Gaia, the Greek personification of Earth, is the mother of Uranus, Pontus, the Titans, Cyclopes and Giants.

    From 27 July 2014 to 15 January 2025, Gaia has made more than three trillion observations of two billion stars and other objects throughout our Milky Way galaxy and beyond, mapping their motions, luminosity, temperature and composition. Gaia’s extraordinarily precise three-dimensional map will provide the data needed to tackle an enormous range of important questions related to the origin, structure and evolutionary history of our galaxy.

    European Space Agency

  • The Glimmer Twins—Answers

    The Glimmer Twins. See question five.
    Image Atlas Obscura

    Today’s questions are all related to events that occurred on December 18th.

    One

    How many US presidents have been impeached, and who are they?

    Answer: Three; Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump (twice)

    On 18 December 2019 Donald Trump became the third US president to be impeached. He was impeached a second time in January 2021. Impeachment is a congressional check on presidential power, requiring a simple majority vote in the House and a two-thirds majority in the Senate for conviction and removal from office. Despite being impeached, none of these presidents were convicted or removed from office. In 1974, in a bid to avoid being impeached Richard Nixon, became the first president to resign.


    Two

    In 1892, Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker was first presented at which theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia

    Answer: Mariinsky Theatre

    The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s final ballet, premiered in December 1892. Despite initial criticism of the choreography, scenery, and performance, it has become the most frequently performed ballet and a popular introduction to classical music. Though initially not as successful as the earlier Nutcracker Suite, it gained popularity and is now performed by many ballet companies, especially in North America.


    Three

    Born on this day in 1946, this director directed Richard Dreyfuss as Matt Hooper in a 1975 film and as Roy Neary in a 1977 one. Who is the director and what are the films?

    Answer: Steven Spielberg; Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind

    Steven Spielberg, the highest-grossing director of all time, is renowned for pioneering the modern blockbuster with films like Jaws and Schindler’s List. He co-founded Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures, producing numerous successful films and TV series. Spielberg’s filmmaking journey began in childhood, leading to early successes. His breakthrough with Jaws (1975) established him as a leading director and created the summer blockbuster genre. He is also celebrated for diverse works, including Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.


    Four

    The TV special How the Grinch Stole Christmas! premiered in 1966 and was an adaptation of a 1957 children’s book written under a pen name. Could you tell me what that pen name was and what is the author’s real name?

    Answer: Dr. Seuss; Theodor Seuss Geisel

    Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was an American children’s author and illustrator. He wrote and illustrated over 60 books, including classics like The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham, selling over 600 million copies worldwide. His work has been adapted into numerous television specials, films, and a Broadway musical. His birthday, March 2nd, is marked annually as National Read Across America Day


    Five

    Born on this day in 1943, one half of ‘The Glimmer Twins’. This British musician and guitarist met a singer, his musical and songwriting ‘twin’ at a railway station in 1961. Their chance encounter ultimately led to their becoming key figures in the formation of a legendary rock band. Who was the musician born on this day?

    Answer: Keith Richards

    Born in Dartford, Kent, in 1943, Keith Richards is a celebrated British musician, guitarist, songwriter and record producer. His innovative chord-heavy playing style, influenced by early blues, has been a key factor in the Rolling Stones’ immense success. He is best known as a founding member and guitarist of the Rolling Stones, with a successful songwriting partnership with Mick Jagger. *Rolling Stones *magazine’s ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time’ list included fourteen songs written by Richards and Jagger.


    The Glimmer Twins

    The post title refers to a name used by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger who have produced Stones’ albums under the pseudonym ‘The Glimmer Twins’ starting with It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (1974).