Happy Birthday Usain

He did it again! Again I was speechless as Usain Bolt knocked more than ONE TENTH of a second off the 200 metres world record and was almost SEVEN TENTHS of a second ahead of his nearest rival in the World Athletics Championship 200 metres final in Berlin! Today is his 23rd birthday - goodness knows how fast he'll be when he reaches his prime!!

Your Friday testers are: -

1. In which country did Russian Revolutionary Leon Trotsky die today in 1940 following an attack with an ice pick?
   
   
2. Actress Carrie-Anne Moss (right) was born today in 1967 and played Trinity in which sci-fi trilogy?
   
   
3. Who was the singer and co-founder of The Clash that was born today in 1952?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Mars; 2. Spike; 3. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Usain Bolt Smashes World Record

I watched open mouthed as Usain Bolt knocked ONE TENTH of a second off the 100 metres world record at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin! This is the biggest drop in the 100 m world record since electronic timing was introduced in 1977. And to think that he could go even faster in the future - phenomenal!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. In which country is Izmit that was devastated by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake today in 1999?
   

   
   
2. How many Oscars have been won by Robert De Niro (right) who was born today in 1943?
   
   
3. Which American frontiersman and folk hero was born in Tennessee today in 1786?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Manchester; 2. Sean Penn; 3. New York Yankees

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: -

1. Which actor was born today in 1982 and won the 2008 series of "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!"?
2. What is the official title of Sophie Rhys-Jones who was born today in 1965?
3. 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)