Pete's 'Today In History' Quiz: Barack Obama

Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts

Saturday, 19 September 2009

US NOT to Build Weapons Bases in Eastern Europe

As far as I can see this is a very good decision by President Obama. Not only does it reduce the tension between Russia and the US, but it will also save a fortune which the US can ill afford to spend at the moment with the current debt levels. Russia and America need to be on the same side with the rise of religious fundamentalism and, hopefully, this is a step in the right direction for all of us!

Your Saturday questions are: -

Who sent up the first balloon with live creatures as passengers today in 1783?
Actor Adam West (right) was born today in 1928 and is best known for playing which superhero on TV?
Which model was born Lesley Hornby in London today in 1949?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. United Nations Secretary General; 2. James Boswell; 3. Horse

Tuesday, 4 August 2009

World Leaders Day?

Coincidences are fantastic and make life much more interesting! Today is the birthday of current World Leaders - Barack Obama (USA; 1961), Frederik Reinfeldt (Sweden; 1965) and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (Spain; 1960)! It is also the birth date for former World Leaders - David Lange (New Zealand; 1942) and Abdurrahman Wahid (Indonesia; 1940). Other politicians born today include Ted Strickland (Governor of Ohio; 1941), Vicente Alberto Álvarez Areces (Asturias; 1943), Alberto Gonzales (Former US Attorney General; 1955) and several other lesser lights. Strange, but true!

Tuesday's questions are: -

To what did the African Republic of Upper Volta change its name, today in 1984?
What was the birth name of the Queen Mother (right) who was born today in 1900?
Which athlete was born today in 1958 and tripped over Zola Budd in the 3000 metres at the 1984 Olympic Games?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. PD James; 2. Michael ; 3. Rupert Brooke

Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage
Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it!
Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.

Saturday, 25 July 2009

Politician Admits Mistake - Shock!

No surprise that it wasn't a British politician! Barack Obama again sets the standard for rectifying his mistakes! First he shows that he is human after all by making some ill judged comments and then only two days later expresses his regret and that he should have chosen his words better!

Saturday's questions are: -

Who was the first "Test Tube Baby" born today in 1978?
Actress Estelle Getty (right) was born today in 1923 and played Sophia in which long running TV sitcom?
Which city staged the Olympic Games that opened today in 1992?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Spanish; 2. Atlantic Ocean ; 3. Alexandre Dumas pére

Friday, 5 June 2009

Barack Obama Calls for "New Beginning"

In a keynote speech at Cairo University, Barack Obama spoke about his understanding of the Muslim world and America's desire to interact positively with Islam around the world. This, hopefully, will be the start of a new era where the West and the Muslim world can start to live together in peace and mutual trust! Here is a link to an analysis of what he said.

Your Friday questions are: -

What nationality was revolutionary "Pancho" Villa who was born today in 1878?
American sprinter Tommie Smith (pictured right, centre), who was born today in 1944, gave the Black Power salute from the podium at which Olympic Games?
Who married singer/songwriter Marc Anthony today in 2005 in a quiet home wedding?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Amanda Holden; 2. Poland; 3. Emily Davison

Thursday, 30 April 2009

Barack Obama - 100 Days On

One hundred days in to his presidency and what has Barack Obama achieved? To the casual observer from across the ocean - not very much! But is it fair to judge someone after only 7% of his term in office (assuming he only gets one term)? I'd say it's not really fair, but the journalists like to have something to write...and this is what the BBC came up with. It seems as though he's doing a good job so far, but as I recall, so was George W at the same stage!!

Your Thursday questions are: -

Who committed suicide with his wife of just one day today in 1945?
How did American railroad engineer Casey Jones (right) die today in 1900?
Who was born today in 1982 and has played Mary Jane Watson in the "Spider-Man" movie trilogy?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Joan of Arc; 2. Captain Kathryn Janeway; 3. "Hair"

Sunday, 5 April 2009

Barack Obama Wins British Book Award

Barack Obama won the Tesco Biography of the Year 'Nibbie' at the Galaxy British Book Awards on Friday night! He also narrowly missed out on Author of the Year for his political thesis "The Audacity of Hope". The 'Nibbies' are open to any book published in the UK in the previous year.

Your Sunday questions are: -

Who said today in 1985, "Any man can beat any woman at any sport, especially tennis"?
What was the nickname of "James Bond" film producer Albert R Broccoli (below) who was born today in 1909?
In which country is the world's longest suspension bridge (below) that was opened today in 1998?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Sir Francis Drake; 2. Agent Smith; 3. Linus Yale Jr.

Thursday, 2 April 2009

Gordon Brown Saves Barack Obama?

Don't speak it too loudly, but I gather that an increasing number of influential Americans believe that Barack Obama is out of his depth as US President! This is why, I believe, that he is working so closely with Gordon Brown; namely so that Barack can use Gordon's economic expertise to get the US (and the world) out of the current financial mire. That way he can appear to save the day, look statesmanlike and cement his place as a great American President (whilst Gordon will be quietly dropped at a later date)!

Onto Thursday's questions: -

Who married the "millionaire" magician Paul Daniels today in 1988?
Hungarian international footballer Ferenc Puskás (right), who was born today in 1927, also played four times for which other country?
Which prolific author of fairy tales was born today in 1805 in Denmark?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Wm Wrigley Jr. Company; 2. Suriname; 3. Spaghetti Harvest in Switzerland

Wednesday, 18 March 2009

Barack Obama is Irish (Partly)!

On St Patrick's Day Barack Obama (or should it be O'Bama?) reminded us that his great-great-great grandfather hailed from the Irish county of Offlay. I was also reminded of the song by the Irish band Hardy Drew and the Nancy Boys "There's No-one as irish as Barack Obama"! (link here)

Your Wednesday questions are: -

What sentence did the 'Tolpuddle Martyrs' receive today in 1834?
What nationality is jazz saxophonist Courtney Pine (right) who was born today in 1964?
Which financial services company was founded today in 1850 in Albany, New York by Henry Wells, William Fargo and John Butterfield?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Rudolf Nureyev; 2. "The Bold and the Beautiful" ; 3. Julius Caesar

Wednesday, 21 January 2009

The Pound in Your Pocket = $1.40

On the day that Barack Obama is inaugurated, the British currency slides to a new low point against the Dollar and Yen. It also fell again versus the Euro. As someone said on the radio a few days ago, lenders look at the UK and consider it to be a poorer investment than McDonald's! That's some comedown in 150 years; from world superpower to being less viable than a hamburger restaurant!

No sense in getting too depressed....here are today's posers: -

Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar, who married today in 2005, co-star in which spoof TV chat show?
Geena Davis, who was born today in 1956, played the US President in the TV series "Commander in Chief". What was the President's name?
Which airliner entered commercial service with its first scheduled flights today in 1976?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Joe Swash; 2. Sophie, Countess of Wessex; 3. The 'Final Solution' to the Jewish Problem; Bonus Answer - Barack Hussein Obama

Tuesday, 20 January 2009

Barack Hussein Obama II - 44th US President

Well, there can only be one story today - Barack Obama is being inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America - and the first African American to hold the post. Today is truly an historic day!

It is frustrating to realise that, because of the way our electoral system works here in the UK, it is almost impossible for something similar to happen here! (Except, of course, we've had a woman as our elected leader long before the USA!)

Today's questions are: -

Which actor was born today in 1982 and won the 2008 series of "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!"?
What is the official title of Sophie Rhys-Jones who was born today in 1965?
What was agreed at the Wannsee Conference in Berlin today in 1942?

And a final, bonus, question: -

What was the name of Barack Obama's father?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Jensen Button; 2. 6 (Australian, Wimbledon, US Open Twice Each); 3. CBSO (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra)