This week I'm going to gently, yet effectively, place a recent game here for your trivia pleasure, or pain. Many of the questions pertain to May 19 but there are a few general May questions thrown in for good measure.
For those who are new, I have all the faith in the world that you will catch on quickly because, let's face it, you are BRILLIANT, after all.
Now that I've removed the barn boots, I shall press on with the game.
One: This “across the pond” person, who performed “windmills” on stage, was born on May 19, 1945.
Two: On May 19, 1925, this individual was born in Omaha Nebraska. Years later he would change his last name from “Little,” which he considered to be a slave name, to just one letter, which signified his lost tribal name. Not only was he assassinated when he was 39, but his father had been murdered many years before.
Three: The author of The Scarlet Letter died on May 19, 1864. Who is he?
Four: On May 19, 1780 in the middle of the day, a darkness descended upon New England, which possibly caused massive pearl clutching or something similar. There was something unfolding in Canada that led to the darkness in New England. What was this something?
Five: “Across the pond” in 2007: United States treasure hunters discovered a shipwreck off the coast of __________ in the UK. The wreck was found in the Atlantic Ocean just outside the English Channel. The answer puts one in the mind of a grain that is oft' mistakenly called a veggie and something that President Trump wants to build.
Six: On May 19 of 1987 - A patent (#4,666,425) for keeping this body part alive, was issued to Chet Fleming.
Seven: A murder in Paris and cryptic clues in some of a famous painter's creations, lead to the discovery of a religious mystery. For 2,000 years a secret society closely guards information that -- should it come to light -- could rock the very foundations of Christianity. Of what movie do I speak? It was released on May 19, 2006.
Eight: On May 19, 1900, Simplon, one of the world's longest railroad tunnels opened. It linked Switzerland with ____________.
Nine: Most working people do not look forward to this. Say it twice and you will have a hit by the Mamas and the Papas from May of 1966.
Ten: “With a little bit of THIS we can help it out, we can make this whole damned thing work out” said Wings with their number one song in May of 1978.
Eleven: What “May Holiday” is most closely associated with trade unionists/socialists/communists? No pearl clutching permitted.
Twelve: The entire month of May is Ichthyosis Awareness month. What part of the body is affected when one has this disease?
Thirteen: The first Saturday in May is world _______ gardening day. Good gravy, I hope there aren't thorns in that garden it could be dangerous. (Think of the song “the streak” from the 70s)
Fourteen: On May 19, 1953, an atomic bomb was tested in Nevada but the prevailing winds saw some of the fallout landing near St George Utah. Two years later a movie was filmed there called The Conqueror. Many of the actors later died of cancer and this person was one of them. He is associated with westerns and having a girl's name at birth.
Fifteen: What is the birthstone for May?
Sixteen: Across the pond: According to the official historical time line, on May 19, 1536, something rather hideous took place at the Tower of London. The reason stated for this “event” was due to adultery, incest and treason. Think of a man associated with turkey legs.
Seventeen: In May of 1819: The first ___________ called swift walkers, were introduced to the United States in New York City. Think of one that is built for two.
Eighteen: May 19, 1977: Former U.S. President Richard Nixon responded to the question of legality of his actions as president, "Well, when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal." What person was interviewing him when he said this?
Nineteen: On May 19, 1910, the earth passed through the tail of this.
Twenty: “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,” according to which one of these people: 1) Shelly 2) Frank Zappa or 3) Shakespeare.
Thank you for taking part in the shenanigans again this week and I hope you get all of the answers correct!
THE END (Interstate Crosscheck, “War is a Racket,” by General Smedley Butler, “Where Did the Towers Go?” by Dr. Judy Wood)
Answers: One, Pete Townshend of The Who.
Two, Malcom X.
Three, Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Four, Forest Fires/Fires/Wild Fires. A bit more info: That morning, a combination of thick smoke and heavy cloud cover caused complete darkness to fall on Eastern Canada and the New England area of the United States candles were needed by noon, and it not disburse until the following evening, causing New England's Dark Day.
Five, Cornwall.
Six, Head.
Seven, Da Vinci Code.
Eight, Italy.
Nine, Monday, Monday.
Ten, Luck.
Eleven, May Day More info: The origin of May Day is connected in a big way with the struggle for the shorter workday – a demand of major political significance for the working class. This struggle is manifest almost from the beginning of the factory system in the United States. Already at the opening of the 19th century workers in the United States made known their grievances against working from "sunrise to sunset," the then prevailing workday.
Fourteen, sixteen and even eighteen hours a day were not uncommon. During the conspiracy trial against the leaders of striking cordwainers in 1806, it was brought out that workers were employed as long as nineteen and twenty hours a day.
Twelve, The Skin. More info Peter Pot NL 420 died from complications associated with this disease and we try to remember him as much as possible here in the lounge. (My YouTube show is called “Lounging with Lisa” and this whole column is based on a live game that we played recently on that
Thirteen, Naked.Fourteen, John Wayne. Marion Morrison real name.
Fifteen, Emerald.
Sixteen, Beheading of Anne Boleyn the second wife of King Henry VIII.
Seventeen, Bicycles.
Eighteen, David Frost.
Nineteen, Halley's Comet.
and Twenty, 3) Shakespeare.