The Daily Teaser …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’ve got Yesterday on in the background.

And they’re showing Andrew Mar series, The Making Of Modern Britain: the episode at the moment … ?

Is covering World War 1.

Now is it me, or was WW1 possibly the most bonkers war in history … ?

I know that’s is a simplification.

But with WW2 we can point at Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime, and say we were fighting a great evil. Even the two Gulf wars, we could claim to be trying to topple Saddam Hussein al-Tikriti, if we’re feeling idealistic, or say “We’re securing our oil interests”, if we’re feeling cynical. I usually feel cynical about the Gulf Wars, I should add.

But WW1 … ?

Well …

That struck me personally as senseless …

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes …

»»•««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi — all on her ownsome — putting in her answers and scoring 5 out of 5: lets see how she — and you — do with today’s. Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …

Q1) 23rd March, 1775, saw American Revolutionary, Patrick Henry, give a famous speech that included the line “Give me liberty or give me” … what … ?

Q2) 23rd March, 1981, saw the UK government ban the transport of animals, in order to contain an outbreak of which disease … ?

Q3) 23rd March, 1889, saw the opening of the Woolwich Ferry, across the River Thames: in which London Borough is Woolwich … ?

Q4) 23rd March, 1996, saw which country hold its first direct elections … ?

Q5) And finally … 23rd March, 1910, saw the birth of which noted Japanese director … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 22nd March, 1630, saw the Massachusetts Bay Colony ban … what … ?

A1) Cards, dice and gaming tables: gambling, in other words.

Q2) 22nd March, 2006, saw which group declare a permanent ceasefire … ?

Q2) The Basque nationalist group, Euskadi Ta Askatasuna: better known as ETA.

Q3) 22nd March, 1979, saw Sir Richard Sykes, assassinated outside his home: where was he British Ambassador to, at the time … ?

A3) The Netherlands.

Q4) 22nd March, 1997, saw which comet makes its closest approach to Earth … ?

A4) Hale-Bopp.

Q5) And finally … 22nd March, 1931, saw the birth of which member of the cast of Star Trek … ?

A5) William Shatner.

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with some words from Siegfried Sassoon …

Suicide in the Trenches

I knew a simple soldier boy …

Who grinned at life in empty joy,

Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,

And whistled early with the lark.

In winter trenches, cowed and glum,

With crumps and lice and lack of rum,

He put a bullet through his brain.

And no one spoke of him again.

You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye

Who cheer when soldier lads march by,

Sneak home and pray you'll never know

The hell where youth and laughter go.