Pete's 'Today In History' Quiz: USA

Showing posts with label USA. 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

Friday, 18 September 2009

Pause in Arctic Melting

This summer the Arctic ice sheet has not shrunk as far as in previous years (good news), but the long term trend is still downwards (bad news). But, what does long term mean? I've quickly scanned through the report from the US National Snow and Ice Data Center and, as far as I can tell, long term means going back to 1979! Thirty years may be quite a while in human terms, but on a global geological scale it's nothing! I do wish scientists would put things in their proper perspective!

Your Friday questions are: -

What post was held by Swedish diplomat Dag Hammerskjöld who died in a plane crash today in 1961?
Who wrote the famous 1791 biography of Dr Samuel Johnson (right) who was born today in 1709?
Today in 1830, the first steam locomotive built in the USA raced a horse over a nine-mile stretch. Which won?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. "Star-Spangled Banner"; 2. Williams; 3. Sir Francis Chichester

Saturday, 1 August 2009

Hacker Loses Extradition Appeal

In 2001 and 2002 Gary McKinnon gained access to the Pentagon and NASA computers looking for evidence of UFO's! There were no firewalls nor any password protection. Each time he gained access he left messages telling people that he had been there! Now the USA has gained the right to extradite him to stand trial with the chance of 70 years in jail. This is justice gone mad! He admits to his wrongdoing and is prepared to stand trial here in Britain where the offences took place. It is very wrong that British citizens can quite easily be extradited to the USA, but the reverse is almost impossible!

Saturday's questions are: -

Which French fashion designer was born today in 1936 in Algeria?
What derogatory nickname has been acquired by England goalkeeper David James (right), who was born today in 1970?
What was the first video shown on MTV today in 1981?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. JK Rowling; 2. Superman ; 3. Tokyo

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!

England in the snow is a wondrous place! For many parts of the country it is the worst snowfall since 1991. Fortunately I didn't have to venture far yesterday, but today I'll be at the mercy of our rail network to get to Coventry. I then have a 25 minute walk, which under normal circumstances is great exercise, but in these conditions it could be a bit tricky!!

I'll never understand the people who moan about how other countries cope better than us! This is a once in 18 YEARS event, places like Germany, Canada, Norway or USA get this or worse EVERY YEAR so naturally they are better prepared and equipped. (And in those countries, the authorities also get overwhelmed by nature!)

Anyway, your treats for today are: -

What is the profession of Henry Heimlich who was born today in 1920 in Wilmington, Delware?
Which Economic Union in Europe was created today in 1958?
Innovative German engineer Hugo Junkers, who was born today in 1859 (and died today in 1935), was best known for designing what?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Nicolas Sarkozy; 2. Punxsutawney Phil; 3. Colombia

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)

Thursday, 8 January 2009

Five Presidents for Lunch

Can you imagine it, five US Presidents around the same lunch table! I for one would want to be a fly on the wall of that room. (I wonder if anyone asked Bill, "How's Hillary?")

That's another reason that the phrase 'Only in America' is so apt; could you really see Gordon Brown, Tony Blair, John Major and Margaret Thatcher sitting down at the same table together with David Cameron (once he'd been elected as the next Prime Minister)? I'd like to think it could happen, but don't think it will.

Today's questions: -

What does the R stand for in the name of singer R Kelly who was born today in 1967?

Who is this snooker player (right) that was born today in 1978 in Hong Kong?

Which famous painting was first exhibited in the USA today in 1962 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Golf; 2. Liberal Democratic Party; 3. Galileo Galilei

Saturday, 3 January 2009

Celebrity Big Brother is Back!!

From the sublime to the ridiculous - the Cuban Revolution to Celebrity Big Brother! That's how a decent quiz works, it is the only time where you will go from talking about a significant world event to a piece of useless trivia within seconds...and you'll enjoy both! (and everything in between!)

I won't watch much of CBB2009, but I'll be interested in the outcome; similarly, I'm not that fussed about the minutiae of the Cuban Revolution, but the outcome is of interest. That's the curse of the quizzer - the surface of any topic is interesting, but too much detail and we can't be bothered with it!

Anyway, on to the trivia: -

Who unsuccessfully tested a flying machine today in 1496?
Who married Jason Allen Alexander today in 2004, the marriage being annulled 2 days later?
What became the 49th State of the USA today in 1959?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Andrews Sisters; 2. Lord Byron; 3. Peter Sutcliffe (Yorkshire Ripper)