Women in Power Milestones - Where's Maggie?

The Equalities Office has produced a list of 'milestones' celebrating 'women in power' that didn't name Margaret Thatcher as Britain's first woman Prime Minister. Strangely, for a government 'fact sheet', it did name several prominent Labour politicians...none of whom have been Prime Minister! In itself this isn't really a serious oversight, but if they get it so wrong on trivial matters, how can we be sure that they are right on the serious issues?

Your Thursday questions are: -

1. Which song was first published today in 1814 as a poem, "Defence of Fort McHenry", by Francis Scott Key?

   
   
2. British racing driver Damon Hill (right) was born today in 1960 and won his only Formula 1 World Championship for which team in 1996?

   
   
3. Who was born today in 1901 and circumnavigated the globe, single-handed, in a yacht called 'Gipsy Moth IV'?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. General Motors; 2. Humphrey Bogart & Jason Robards; 3. Marc Bolan

Leicestershire Countryside

Now we're into the second week of our trip it is difficult to predict exactly where we'll be, but its a fair bet that we'll be somewhere in the Leicestershire countryside on the Leicester Section of the Grand Union Canal.

Your Sunday questions are: -

1. Henrik Verwoerd was Prime Minister of which country when he was stabbed to death today in 1966?
   
   
2. Musician Roger Waters (right), born today in 1943, was a founder member of which rock band?

   
   
3. Which company produced its first can of evaporated milk today in 1899?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Beards; 2. James Bond; 3. "On The Road"

The Ashes - First Test Match in Cardiff

Today sees the renewal of an old rivalry when England take on Australia in the first Ashes Test Match at Cardiff. This is the first time a test match has been played on this ground, so it should be interesting as neither side should have any advantage. Let's hope it is as close and as tensely interesting as in 2005!

Your Wednesday questions are: -

1. Which poet drowned today in 1822 off the coast of Italy, aged 29?
   
   
2. Israeli politician Tzipi Livni (right) was born today in 1958 and, in 2008, became Prime Minister as leader of which political party?
   

   
   
3. Which newspaper was first published today in 1889 by Dow Jones & Company of New York?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Pierre Cardin; 2. "Worzel Gummidge"; 3. Sliced Bread

Comic Relief - Red Nose Day - Friday the Thirteenth

Friday the Thirteenth is not actually the unluckiest day of the year...and we've now had two in consecutive months. For me the thirteenth is usually a lucky day and, although I'm not superstitious, I'll keep my fingers crossed for some good fortune!!

It's also Red Nose Day here in the UK. Hopefully loads of money will be raised for good causes in Africa and in Britain.

Your Friday posers : -

1. Which Prime Minister, born today in 1764, has a tea named after him?
   
   
   
2. Science Fiction author L Ron Hubbard (right), who was born today in 1911, was the founder of which religion?
   
   
   
3. In which US city is the airport named after flying ace Edward "Butch" O’Hare (below) who was born today in 1914?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. "On the Road"; 2. The Libertines; 3. Franklin D Roosevelt

Brit Awards 2009

Last night the winners were announced at the 2009 Brit Awards. Welsh singer Duffy was the major winner with three awards and despite being nominated in four categories, Coldplay left empty handed. Aside from that it was the usual mix of showmanship, shambles and champagne - a typically British event.

Your posers this Friday are: -

1. Who married American born actress Connie Booth today in 1968?
   
   
2. Caroline Mikkelsen became the first woman to set foot on which continent today in 1935?
   
   
3. What is the first name of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (below, with Vladimir Putin) who was born today in 1951?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Britt Ekland; 2. "Traffic"; 3. Bridget Jones

The Weekend Is Here!!

Saturday comes around again! Time to relax from the pressures of the week; time for some of us to drink too much; time for some of us to just chill out; or time to just have some simple enjoyment! I've probably rambled a bit too much this week, but not today!

Straight to the questions: -

1. In which UK country was singer Rod Stewart born today in 1945?
   


2. Actor Ray Bolger, who was born today in 1904, played which character in the film “The Wizard of Oz”?
   


3. What was opened in London today in 1863 by Prime Minister Gladstone?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Income Tax; 2. Crystal Gayle; 3. SS Lazio