The Daily Teaser — 4-3-2014: Chicago

Phew … !

Radio Four have just announced that President Vladimir Putin has recalled Russian troops taking part in exercises on the Russian/Ukrainian border, back to base.

That’s something to be pleased about.

I don’t know if that means that Russian — seeming — troops in the Crimea will LIKEWISE be pulling out.

But it’s a step down from Def Con 1.

Which is kind of nice way to start the birthday.

Let’s get a move on, shall we?   I’ve another day in Basildon, in a bit … 

~≈†≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Mr Strict† putting in their answers: with Mr S bagging seven out of ten and Debbi* scoring nine, the day saw Debbi ahead on points.

Let’s see how they — and you — do with today’s Chicago‡ themed questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 4th March, 1837, saw the incorporation of the US city of Chicago: in which US state is Chicago … ?

Q2) It’s also the third most populous city in the US: name either of the cities that have bigger populations.

Q3) Chicago sits on the shores of which of the Great Lakes?

Q4) What’s the tallest building in Chicago … ?

Q5) 2120 South Michigan Avenue was the site of what was once called America's greatest blues label.   Which record company are we talking about … ?

Q6) Who was Chicago’s longest serving mayor?

Q7) Which of the Christian Bale/Christopher Nolan Batman films didn’t have scenes filmed in Chicago?

Q8) Which Chicago set film ends with its two central characters being arrested in Chicago City Hall: after being chased by police, Nazis, a country and western band and Princess Leia?

Q9) During the 1920s, which Brooklyn born mafiosi was head of the Chicago mob … ?

Q10) Finally … which musical opens with the song, All That Jazz … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 3rd March, 1924, saw Abdul Mejid II deposed, when his post was abolished.   What was the post he held: Emir or Caliph?

A1) Caliph.

Q2) Which empire had he been ruler of … ?

A2) The Ottoman Empire.

Q3) That empire’s ruling house was called what: Osman, Osmond or Osbourne … ?

A3) Osman.   (When you think about it Sultan Donny Osmond would be odd.   As for Emir Ozzy?   “SHAAAAAROOOOON!”)

Q4) Who was the first ruler of the empire?

A4) Osman 1st.   (The dynasty’s named for him.)

Q5) What was the official religion of the empire: Judaism, Christianity or Islam … ?

A5) Islam.

Q6) The empire’s army included the Janissaries.   The Janissaries were an elite force of what: infantry, dragoons or cavalry?

A6) Infantry.

Q7) What — by the time the Empire collapsed — was the empire’s capital city … ?

A7) Constantinople.

Q8) What was the empire’s currency: the dinar, lira or dirham?

A8) The lira.

Q9) Which modern country is the successor state of the empire … ?

A9) Turkey.

Q10) Finally … Who was the reformer — and World War 1 Army officer — who founded that modern state … ?

A10) Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

I’ll leave you with Robert Johnson’s original version of Sweet Home Chicago: something I know I found literally hair-raising, the first time I heard it … 

And with the thoughts of a certain Mr Kipling, on his one visit to Chicago …

“I have struck a city — a real city — and they call it Chicago… Having seen it, I urgently desire never to see it again. It is inhabited by savages.”

Rudyard Kipling.

Have a nice day.

*        Actually, Debbi, you should hear the tune I’ve just added to this coming Friday’s Teaser video: there’s a bad pun buried in there … 

†        Oh, Mr S … Did I tell you it’s me birthday … ?

‡        It seems I share my birthday with Chicago … Oh, and Patsy Kensit … Umm …