The Christmas Day Teaser

Yes, I know, it’s Christmas Day.

And I’m very aware that today’s Teaser is going to be very quiet.

But I also know I’d like to wish you — yes, you — a very Merry Christmas.

After all …

At any rate, just so you know, Simon, bless him, managed 10 out of 10, and the Official First-In-Clap.

All on his lonesome.

Nice seeing you in the High Street, yesterday, by the way, Simon.

Anyway, I know I’ll possibly get a low to non-existent turnout, today, but here’s the Christmas Day Teaser questions, along with the ‘How To’ and License …

Q1) Christmas Day, 800 AD, saw whose coronation?

Q2) Which King of England was crowned, on Christmas Day, 266 years later?

Q3) At the other end of history, which Soviet politician stepped down, on Christmas Day, 1991?

Q4) A few years earlier, 25^th December saw the Queen make her first Christmas Day speech: in which year?

Q5) Day Day, 1977, saw the death of which silent film star?

Q6) Christmas Day, 1914, saw the famed Christmas Day Truce between British and German troops, during World War 1: in which year of World War One?

Q7) More to the point, in which Belgian town did the Truce start?

Q8) During that Truce, the German version of which hymn was famously — and repeatedly — sung?

Q9) Christmas Day, 1950, saw what stolen from Westminster Abbey?

Q10) Christmas Day, 1899, saw the birth of which iconic Hollywood star?

Q11) Christmas Day, 2008, saw the death of which US singer and actress?

Q12) And finally … Which Roman nativity festival took place, on 25^th December?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) Many Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate a pre-Christmas Fast, that ends on the 24^th December: what name is given to this fast?

A1) Paramony, or Nativity Fast.

Q2) What meal is eaten in French speaking parts of the world, on Christmas Eve?

A2) Réveillon.

Q3) In which European country is Christmas Eve called the Wigilia, or Vigil?

A3) Poland.

Q4) Passages from which Psalm was read, by many troops involved in the Christmas Truce, during World War 1?

A4) Psalm 23.

Q5) 24^th December is celebrated by the Serbian Orthodox Church, on which date?

A5) 6^th January. (The Serbian Orthodox Church, as the Ethiopian Church, uses the Julian, rather than the Gregorian, Calendar: which is some 13 days behind.)

Q6) 24^th December, 1777, saw the discovery of Christmas Island, in the Pacific Ocean: what’s its Native name?

A6) Kiritimati.

Q7) Which notoriously right-wing group formed, on 24^th December, 1865?

A7) The Ku Klux Klan.

Q8) 24^th December, 1974, saw which UK junior minister found living in Australia, after — seemingly — pulling a Reggie Perrin, and faking his own death?

A8) John Stonehouse.

Q9) 24^th December, 1945, saw the birth of bassist and singer, Ian Fraser Kilminster: he’s better known how?

A9) Lemmy from Motörhead.

Q10) And finally, 24^th December, 2008, saw the death of which English playwright?

A10) Harold Pinter.

Now, as it’s Christmas, there’s no actual 60-question set, today: I do like some time off, after all.

But one thing I’ll repeat, here, though …

Merry Christmas.

May God as you understand him bless you with what you need.

Rather than want you might want.