The Daily Teaser — 19-10-2012

Argh … !

I know I’m not working, at the mo … 

And I’m also perfectly aware I really don’t have to be up[ at any given time.

But I hate sleeping through my alarm, I really do: I like a structure to the day, and — for me — that involves trying to get up at a set time … !

Hmmm … 

Let’s get moving on, shall we?

Not that I WANT to rush … 

»»·««

With Debbi off at the Austin film festival, yesterday’s Teaser saw no-one putting in their answers.

Let’s see who we can persuade to try today’s questions, shall we?

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

Q1) 19th October, 1914, during World War 1, saw the start of the First Battle of where … ?

Q2) More to the point, in which year of World War 1 was the fifth — and last — Battle of that name … ?

Q3) In which European country was that first battle … ?

Q4) Moving on … 19th October, 202 BC saw the Battle of Zama, the last battle of the 2nd Punic War: this saw Roman general, Scipio Africanus defeat whom … ?

Q5) 19th October, 1956, saw two countries issue a Joint Declaration, ending their World War 2 hostilities.   Name either of those countries.

Q6) And finally … 19th October, 1812, saw whose French forces retreat from Moscow … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 18th October, 1922, saw the founding of the BBC.   What did the Beeb first transmit: radio, or television … ?

A1) Radio.

Q2) More to the point, who was the BBC’s first General Manager … ?

A2) John Reith, 1st Baron Reith.

Q3) When the the BBC re-organized itself in 1927, what title did the General Manager get … ?

A3) Director-General.

Q4) More to the point, which secure British organisation shares the same title … ?

A4) MI5.

Q5) Moving on … 18th October is — officially — Necktie Day.   In which European country … ?

A5) Croatia.

Q6) 18th October, 1954, saw the Regency TR1, the world’s first transistor radio, introduced: by which Dallas based company … ?

A6) Texas Instruments.

Q7) And finally … 18th October, 1860, saw the signing of the treaty that ended which war … ?

A7) The Second Opium War.

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with this rather Divine tune.

And with this quote from John Le Carré* …

“I use the furniture of espionage to amuse the reader, to make the reader listen to me, because most people like to read about intrigue and spies. I hope to provide a metaphor for the average reader's daily life.”

John Le Carré, born born 19 October 1931

*        And you can’t get more different than that … !