The Daily Teaser — 2-1-2014

Did I tell you I like having the radio on, when I’m doing these posts?

I didn’t … ?

Well, I do: it’s good to have a human voice in the background, and frankly … ?

Well, frankly, Radio 4*— my default station, and one that’s possibly unique on the planet — is preferable to the usual reprobates on TV.

It’s very, very, very civilised.

Well … 

As civilised as listening to John Humphrys savaging a politician can be …

With that in mind, let’s get a move on … 

~≈Â≈~

Yesterday’s saw Debbi† putting in her answers: along with reinforcing what she’d said about Robert Crais, the day before, also scored seven out of seven.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?   Here they are, along with the ‘How To,’ License and video … 

Q1) 2nd January, 1911, saw the start of the Siege Of Sidney Street.   That gun battle got the UK’s then Home Secretary into a lot of trouble: who was that Home Secretary?

Q2) 2nd January, 1967, saw which actor sworn in as Governor of California?

Q3) 2nd January, 1981, saw the arrest of killer, Peter Sutcliffe: otherwise known as who … ?

Q4) 2nd January, 2011, saw the death of actor, Pete Postlethwaite.   In which 1993 film did he play Giuseppe Conlon … ?

Q5) Finally … 2nd January, 1914, saw the birth of wartime heroine, Noor Inayat Khan, GC.   Which wartime British agency had she been working for, when killed by the Nazis … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 1st January is New Year’s Day: which the ancient Romans dedicated to which god … ?

A1) Janus, the Roman god of gates, door and new beginnings: the month of January is named after him.

Q2) Oshōgatsu is the Japanese New Year’s Day: on which day is it celebrated … ?

A2) 1st January.

Q3) New Year’s Day under the Nanakshahi calendar is (usually) on 14th March.   Which religion uses the Nanakshahi calendar … ?

A3) Sikhism.

Q4) 1st Muharram is which religion’s New Year’s Day … ?

A4) Islam’s.

Q5) Until 1751, New Year’s Day, in England, took place on 25th March.   Which is also known as Lady Day: and the Feast of the what … ?

A5) The Feast of the  Annunciation.

Q6) The Jewish New Year is variously called Rosh Hashanah, Yom Teruah and the Feast of Trumpets.   What’s traditionally blown on the day … ?

A6) A ram’s horn trumpet, or shofar.

Q7) Finally … what’s your star sign, if you’re celebrating your birthday, today … ?

A7) Capricorn.

I’ll leave you with this thought from the late Dr Isaac Asimov … 

“Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.”

Isaac Asimov, January 2, 1920 – April 6, 1992.

And this song.

Have a good day.

*        One point that’s had a mention, on today’s edition of the Today programme, was simply the the UK’s National Health Service is considered by the World Health Organization to be the best on the planet.   I know it’s not perfect: and that the NHS can be turned into a bloody great political football, sometimes … but that’s good to know … !

†        I might just have to put him next to Harry Turtledove’s Southern Victory series, Debbi: you’ve got to love an alternative history story, haven’t you … ?