Tag: US president

  • Miscellany II | Answers

    1. US President Jimmy Carter was a farmer, what type of farming was he involved in?
      • Peanut—Jimmy Carter, the first US president born in a hospital, grew up in Plains, Georgia, and later Archery. He attended the US Naval Academy, graduating in 1946, and served in the Navy until 1953, including a stint in the nuclear submarine programme. After his father’s death, Carter returned to Georgia to take over the family peanut business, facing challenges but eventually becoming successful.
        Amazon, which has the greatest discharge of any river, discharging into the Atlantic Ocean.
        Image NASA/Wikipedia
    2. What the second-largest river on earth by discharge?
      • Ganges—is second at 43,950 m$^3$/s following the Amazon’s 224,000| m$^3$/s. The Yangtze comes fifth with 31,900 m$^3$/s and the Mississippi tenth at 21,300 m$^3$/s.
        Tomb of Merlin, Forest of Paimpont (Brocéliande).
        Image Wikipedia
    3. Brittany’s Brocéliande Forest (aka Paimpont Forest) is the site of the tomb of which legendary magical figure?
      • Merlin—The forest of Brocéliande, first mentioned in Chrétien de Troyes’s Arthurian romance, is associated with Merlin and Morgan le Fay in later works. Its exact location is debated, with theories placing it in Brittany, specifically near Quintin or in Paimpont forest, with the latter being considered most likely.
        Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11, on Lunar Surface wearing an Omega Speedmaster.
        Image Wikipedia
    4. In 1969, the first wrist watch to be worn on the Moon was manufactured by…
      • Omega—Buzz Aldrin became the first person to wear a watch on the Moon, wearing the Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph. Although Neil Armstrong was the first to set foot on the Moon, he left his 105.012 Speedmaster inside the Lunar Module Eagle as a backup because the LM’s electronic timer had malfunctioned. Aldrin wore his Speedmaster, making it the first watch ever worn on the Moon.
        Marionette, is a puppet worked by strings.
        Image Pinterest.
    5. A person who’s actions are controlled by another could be described as a …
      • Quockerwodger—which is best described as follows:

        The term quockerwodger, although referring to a wooden toy figure which jerks its limbs about when pulled by a string, has been supplemented with a political meaning. A pseudo-politician, one whose strings of action are pulled by somebody else, is now often termed a quockerwodger.
        — John Camden Hotten. A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words (1859)

  • Miscellany II

    Full Moon
    Image Wikipedia

    Here are a few questions which have no connections they are simply miscellany.

    1. US President Jimmy Carter was a farmer, what type of farming was he involved in?
      • Avocado
      • Peanut
      • Zucchini
    2. What the second-largest river on earth by discharge?
      • Ganges
      • Mississippi
      • Yangtze
    3. Brittany’s Brocéliande Forest (aka Paimpont Forest) is the site of the tomb of which legendary magical figure?
      • Circe
      • Merlin
      • Witch of Endor
    4. In 1969, the first wrist watch to be worn on the Moon was manufactured by…
      • Bulova
      • Omega
      • Rolex
    5. A person who’s actions are controlled by another could be described as a …
      • Quaalude
      • Quillaja
      • Quockerwodger
    Ancient Greek Terracotta dolls.
    National Archaeological Museum in Athens/Wikipedia

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • Who, What, When, Where, Why and How III | Answers

    (Left to right, per Getty Image crediting): Ed Pollack, Albert Wynn, Thomas A. Dorsey, Ma Rainey, Dave Nelson and Gabriel Washington in 1923.
    Image Wikipedia
    1. Who, born 26 April 1886, in Columbus, Georgia, US; performed as Ma Rainey and was known as the “Mother of the blues”?
      • Gertrude Pridgett—Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, the “Mother of the Blues”, was a pioneering blues singer who began her career in vaudeville. Her powerful voice and flamboyant performances helped popularise the blues, influencing generations of singers.
        Mount Ventoux.
        Image Wikipedia
    2. What best describes Petrarch who climbed Mount Ventoux today in 1336 and, at some point, wrote about it?
      • Poet—Francis Petrarch, a prominent scholar and poet of the early Italian Renaissance, climbed Mont Ventoux in 1336. Inspired by the climb and a reading of Saint Augustine’s “Confessions,” Petrarch reflected on the true nature of wonder, shifting his focus from the external world to the inner soul.
        The seal of the London Company, also known as the Charter of the Virginia Company of London.
        Image Wikipedia
    3. When did the Virginia Company colonists make landfall at Cape Henry?
      • 1607—The Virginia Company, chartered by [Britain’s] King James I in 1606, aimed to colonise America’s eastern coast and established the Jamestown Colony in Virginia. Despite initial challenges, John Rolfe’s introduction of sweeter tobacco strains from the Caribbean improved the company’s prospects. The company also founded America’s first legislature, the General Assembly, in 1619. However, it was dissolved in 1624 after the Great Massacre, leading to Virginia becoming a royal colony.
        Wreckage of Messerschmitt Bf 110D flown by Rudolf Hess, Bonnyton Moor, Scotland.
        Image Wikipedia
    4. Where, during World War II, was senior Nazi Rudolf Hess—born today in 1894—captured?
      • Scotland—Rudolf Hess, a German National Socialist and Adolf Hitler’s deputy, flew to Scotland in 1941 to negotiate a peace between Britain and Germany. His proposals were rejected by both the British government and Hitler, who accused him of “pacifist delusions”. After the war, Hess was tried at the Nuremberg trials, convicted, and sentenced to life imprisonment. He served his sentence at Spandau prison in Berlin, where he was the sole inmate from 1966 onwards.
        The Hull-Ottawa fire, 26 April 1900.
        Image Wikipedia
    5. Why were thousands of people in Canada left without a home on this date in 1900?
      • Fire—In 1900, a fire caused by a defective chimney in Hull, Quebec, spread to Ottawa, Ontario, destroying two-thirds of Hull and one-fifth of Ottawa. The fire, fuelled by wind and lumber, caused significant property damage and loss of life, with seven people being killed in the conflagration which displaced 15,000 people.
    6. How did John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln, die?
      • Gunshot—Following Lincoln’s assassination, John Wilkes Booth fled to southern Maryland, seeking refuge with Confederate sympathisers. After a failed attempt to cross the Potomac, Booth was shot and killed in a tobacco barn by Sergeant Boston Corbett.
    “The killing of Booth, the assassin—the dying murderer drawn from the barn where he had taken refuge, on Garrett’s farm, near Port Royal, Va., April 26, 1865.” (Frank Leslie’s Illustrated News)
    Image Wikipedia
  • Who, What, When, Where, Why and How III

    A “Who, What, When, Where, Why and How” which all relate to today, 26 April.

    Ma Rainey.
    Image Wikipedia
    1. Who, born 26 April 1886, in Columbus, Georgia, US; performed as Ma Rainey and was known as the “Mother of the blues”?
      • Beatrice Rutledge
      • Gertrude Pridgett
      • Hortense Gwinnett
    2. What best describes Petrarch, who climbed Mount Ventoux today in 1336 and, at some point, wrote about it?
      • Poet
      • Politician
      • Pundit
    3. When did the Virginia Company colonists make landfall at Cape Henry?
      • 1557
      • 1607
      • 1657
    4. Where, during World War II, was senior Nazi Rudolf Hess—born today in 1894—captured?
      • Scotland
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
    5. Why were twelve thousand people in Canada left without a home on this date in 1900?
      • Avalanche
      • Fire
      • Flood
    6. How did John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln, die?
      • Hanging
      • Gunshot
      • Drowning
    John Wilkes Booth.
    Image Wikipedia

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • Number Crunching

    See #2 below. RMS Titanic departing Southampton on 10 April 1912. Wikipedia

    Today’s post is all about today’s date, 14 April, and all the answers are numbers.

    1. What two words are missing from this text regarding an April 14, 1881 gunfight: The ___ Dead in ___ Seconds Gunfight?
      • Four and five
      • Five and ten
      • Six and fifteen.
    2. In 1912, the British passenger liner RMS Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic, causing it to begin sinking. Where was it when it struck the iceberg?
      • 220 miles (350 km) south of Iceland
      • 370 miles (600 km) southeast of Newfoundland
      • 590 miles (950 km) northwest of the Azores.
        William Grover-Williams at the 1929 Monaco Grand Prix. Wikipedia
    3. In motor racing, the inaugural Monaco Grand Prix took place on this date when a number of invited participants started the race. In what year did this inaugural race take place and how many drivers participated?
      • 1923 and 10 drivers
      • 1929 and 16 drivers
      • 1934 and 12 drivers.
    4. On 14 April 1865, Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States, was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC. What number President was Lincoln and how many days later was his assassin killed?
      • 14th President and 17 days
      • 15th President and 9 days
      • 16th President and 12 days.
    5. Today in 1986, the heaviest hailstones ever recorded fell on the Gopalganj district of Bangladesh, resulting in fatalities. How heavy were the individual hailstones and how many people died?
      • 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) and 47 persons
      • 0.75 kg (1.65 lb) and 64 persons
      • 1 kg (2.2 lb) and 92 persons.
    6. On this day, Mark Antony was defeated at the Battle of Forum Gallorum. This was some 13 years before his death, so when was the battle?
      • 43 BCE
      • 3CE
      • 43 CE

    Good luck! As usual, I will post answers later today.

  • Cream of the Crop | Answers

    The Dirty Mac.
    Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Mitch Mitchell and Keith Richards performing in the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus in 1968.
    (Director Michael Lindsay-Hogg in the foreground.)
    Wikipedia

    The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below..

    1. The Dirty Mac—The Dirty Mac, a supergroup featuring John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Mitch Mitchell, performed Yer Blues and Whole Lotta Yoko on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus in 1968. The special, featuring other notable acts, was not released until 1996.
    2. Jodie Foster—On 30 March 1981, John Hinckley Jr. shot and wounded US President Ronald Reagan in Washington, D.C. Reagan underwent emergency surgery and recovered, while White House press secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and D.C. police officer Thomas Delahanty were also injured. Driven by erotomania and an obsession with Jodie Foster, Hinckley attempted to assassinate the President to impress her. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and spent time in a psychiatric hospital until 2016, when he was released to the care of his mother and under supervision. He was granted an unconditional release in 2022.
      Alexander II, Emperor of All Russia.
      Wikipedia
    3. Alexander II—In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. The purchase, negotiated by Secretary of State William H. Seward, was ratified by the Senate in May and became effective in October. Despite initial scepticism, Alaska became a state in 1959.
      Glamis Castle.
      Wikipedia
    4. Glamis Castle—Glamis Castle, in Angus, Scotland, is the ancestral home of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. It has been the Lyon family residence since the 14th century, and it holds significant historical importance as the childhood home of Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, better known as Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Notably, it was also the birthplace of her youngest daughter, Princess Margaret in 1930.
    5. Berwick-upon-Tweed—a border town between England and Scotland, changed hands 13 times before being surrendered to England in 1482. Its ramparts, originally built by Edward I and rebuilt by Elizabeth I, are in good repair.
    19th-century engraving of Berwick Castle by William Miller after J. M. W. Turner, with Berwick Old Bridge from 1624 in the background.
    Wikipedia
  • Cream of the Crop

    Eric Clapton.
    Wikipedia

    All of the following have a connection to today, 30 March.

    1. On this day in 1945, British rock musician Eric Clapton was born. In 1968, Clapton appeared in a temporary supergroup with John Lennon. Which of the following was the name of the supergroup?
      • The Dirty Mac
      • The Dirty Look
      • The Dirty Laundry
    2. On this day in 1981, President Ronald Reagan was the victim of a failed assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr. An obsession with whom was the motivation behind Hinckley’s attack on the President?
      • Carrie Fisher
      • Jane Fonda
      • Jodie Foster
    3. William H. Seward, the Secretary of State under U.S. President Andrew Johnson, signed the Alaska Purchase on 30th March. This treaty ceded Russian North America to the United States. Who was the Russian Tsar at the time of the purchase?
      • Alexander II
      • Catherine II
      • Nicholas II
    4. Today in 2025, Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, passed away in her sleep at Windsor at the age of 101. She was the queen consort of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1936 to 1952 and the mother of Queen Elizabeth II. Where was her childhood home and the birthplace of her second daughter, Princess Margaret?
      • Edinburgh Castle
      • Glamis Castle
      • Eilean Donan Castle
    5. On this day in 1296, England’s King Edward I sacked a town that had changed hands over a dozen times from the 12th to the 15th century. Which town was it?
      • Carlisle
      • Kelso
      • Berwick-upon-Tweed
    Edward I of England.
    Wikipedia

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • March 29th Mind Benders: Fart Powder to Firsts in the White House! | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below.

    Jo Nesbø.
    Wikipedia
    1. Jo Nesbø—a Norwegian author and musician, is best known for his crime novels featuring Inspector Harry Hole. He has also written children’s books, including Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder and a retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
      Map of Newfoundland by Vincenzo Coronelli, 1692.
      Library of Congress/Wikipedia
    2. Newfoundland—The British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada were united as the new Dominion of Canada. At the same time, the Province of Canada was split into Ontario and Quebec. Newfoundland did not become a Canadian province until 31 March 1949.
      John Major, 1993. Wikipedia
    3. John Major—a British politician, served as Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997, leading the Conservative Party and overseeing the UK’s negotiations over the Maastricht Treaty. Despite an economic recovery, his government faced unpopularity and lost the 1997 general election to the Labour Party. His father had been a circus performer and music hall entertainer.
      A terracotta general.
      Wikipedia
    4. 210–209 BCE—The Terracotta Army, a collection of life-size sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, was discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong County, China. The figures, dating from the late 200s BCE, include warriors, chariots, and horses, and are estimated to number over 8,000.
    5. John Tyler—Born on 29 March 1790, John Tyler served as President from 1841 to 1845, taking office upon the death of President William Henry Harrison. Tragically, First Lady Letitia Tyler became the first president’s wife to die in the White House. In 1844, Tyler made history by marrying Julia Gardiner, becoming the first president to marry while in office.
    John Tyler.
    Wikipedia
  • March 29th Mind Benders: Fart Powder to Firsts in the White House!

    Terracotta Army.
    Wikipedia

    All of the following are connected to today’s date, 29 March.

    1. Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder, originally published in 2007, was the first children’s book by which author whose birthday it is today?
      • Henning Mankell
      • Jo Nesbø
      • Dag Solstad
    2. On this day in 1867, the British North America Act united colonies in a new Dominion of Canada. Which of these was NOT included in this new Dominion?
      • Newfoundland
      • Nova Scotia
      • New Brunswick
    3. A former British prime minister who was born this day, wrote a book about the history of cricket, More Than a Game: The Story of Cricket’s Early Years and another about music hall, My Old Man: A Personal History of Music Hall. Who is this prime minister?
      • John Major
      • Tony Blair
      • Gordon Brown
    4. The Terracotta Army, a collection of life-size sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, was discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong County, China. The figures date from when?
      • 210–209 BCE
      • 406–407 CE
      • 1153–1154 CE
    5. A US President born on this day holds the distinction of being connected to two firsts during his tenure in office. Tragically, his wife became the first First Lady to pass away within the White House walls. A few years later, he made history as the first president to marry while in office. Can you identify this president?
      • John Tyler
      • James Buchanan
      • Millard Fillmore
    Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder,
    Front cover (cropped).

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

  • Who, What, When, Where, Why and How II | Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post.

    Calvin Coolidge.
    Wikipedia
    1. Calvin Coolidge—was US President on the 26 March 1925. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th US President, served from 1923 to 1929. He is known for his small-government conservatism, taciturn personality, and support for racial equality. Coolidge oversaw economic growth during the “Roaring Twenties” but is criticised for failing to address economic inequality and for his potential role in the Great Depression.
    2. World War I—The First Battle of Gaza, fought on 26 March 1917, was a British defeat during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War I. The British Desert Column, nearing capture of Gaza, withdrew due to darkness and Ottoman reinforcements.
    3. 2000—Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer, has served as President of Russia since 2012, with previous terms from 2000 to 2008. His rule has been marked by economic growth, military conflicts, authoritarian tendencies, and human rights violations. Putin’s actions have led to international sanctions and a war crimes warrant.
      Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian president Anwar Sadat with U.S. president Jimmy Carter at Camp David in September 1978.
      Wikipedia
    4. Camp David, Maryland—the Camp David Accord was reached the previous September (1978) when President Carter hosted Egypt’s President Sadat and Israel’s Prime Minister Begin at his Maryland retreat.
    5. They believed a spacecraft was arriving to take them as immortal extraterrestrials to a better place
    6. 16-years