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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Idéfix Mon Oct 08, 2012 10:05 pm

I am going to be busy tomorrow, so I am posting this a day early.

We have hit a bit of a lull in weekly trivia -- I hope we can get back to the weekly cycle.

Same rules as usual -- no googling please!

1. In the last trivia I posted, we had a question regarding the prime meridian on earth. In the case of earth, the location of the prime meridian is rather arbitrary, and many cities have enjoyed that place of geographical privilege throughout history. However, in the case of the moon, the prime meridian is an easy choice. How is the prime meridian for the moon defined?

2. Most educated Indians know about the speech that Swami Vivekananda made to the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1893 in Chicago, opening with the words, “Sisters and Brothers of America.” The Parliament of the World’s Religions was organized as part of a much larger event. The larger event itself was conducted to mark a major anniversary of one of history’s biggest turning points. What was the larger event, and what did it commemorate?

3. There are about 20 elements in the periodic table that do not naturally occur in earth. These synthetic elements were first put together primarily in the United States and Europe. One Asian country has a claim to synthesizing element 113, a claim that was strengthened recently. Which country is it?

4. He was born of Indian parents in Nairobi, Kenya, and grew up in today’s Pakistan. He ran away from home twice at the ages of 8 and 12, and was expelled from school at 13 as “unteachable.” On his third attempt at running way, he reached England, and was appointed a reader at the British Museum before he had turned 18. At the age of 25, he was foreign correspondent for Reuters, Associated Press and The Times of India. He translated the name of a prominent Indian leader as "Fascination-Slave Action-Moon Grocer." Name him and the Indian leader whose name he translated.

5. This company is headquartered in Lausanne in Switzerland and was founded in Zin, the Czech Republic. The name of the company is pronounced ‘baca in its native language. It has a retail presence in over 70 countries, and manufacturing facilities in 27 countries. Its entire historical production volume is twice the human population today. The company has an eponymous town in the South 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal. Name the company.

6. Its Latin name means “rock oil.” Its first documented use was in Babylon, where it was used to build towers and city walls. Before it became available in industrial quantities, whale oil provided the best substitute to this product. Industrial whaling came to an end thanks to the availability of this product in massive quantities. Name this product.

7. The Electoral College in the United States has 538 members and is responsible for electing the president. Each state sends to the Electoral College a number equal to the sum of the number of members it has in the two houses of Congress. Curiously, the House of Representatives has 435 members, and the Senate has 100 members, which accounts for 535 of the 538 members of the Electoral College. Where do the other three members of the Electoral College come from?

8. The modern British Parliament passes laws in English. In medieval times, laws used to be passed in French (after the Norman Conquest). However, just one law was passed in both English and French in 1982 – the first law passed with French text since the Middle Ages. What was the purpose of this law?

9. Many international airlines have a subsidiary company with the name “Asia” in it. All of them serve just one purpose for their parent airlines. Examples include Japan Asia Airways (subsidiary of Japan Airlines), Air France Asie (Air France), KLM Asia (KLM), British Asia Airways (British Airways), Swissair Asia (Swissair), Australia Asia Airways (Qantas). What do these subsidiaries do for their parent airlines?

10. This pivotal battle in the history of India was fought on June 23 in a small village on the banks of the Bhagirathi river. The battle was a small part of a global Seven Years’ War between Britain and France (known as the French and Indian War to Americans). The British forces numbered around 3,000 including over 2,000 Indian soldiers. The opposing side had over 50,000 men in arms, including French artillery. In 1998, the Khaitain Group, which has a sugar factory in the vicinity, tried to change the name of the village to Khaitan Nagar, but gave up the idea after popular opposition. What is the name of the village, and in which year did the battle occur?

11. The name of this airline literally means “Royal Aviation Company.” It is now the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. It is the flag carrier of a European country, but it merged with another flag carrier in 2004. For several years in the 1930s, this airline operated the world’s longest scheduled air route. In 1946, it became the first airline from mainland Europe to launch a scheduled transatlantic service to the United States. Name this airline.

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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Kris Mon Oct 08, 2012 10:31 pm

panini press wrote:I am going to be busy tomorrow, so I am posting this a day early.




3. There are about 20 elements in the periodic table that do not naturally occur in earth. These synthetic elements were first put together primarily in the United States and Europe. One Asian country has a claim to synthesizing element 113, a claim that was strengthened recently. Which country is it?

>>>Japan?

4. He was born of Indian parents in Nairobi, Kenya, and grew up in today’s Pakistan. He ran away from home twice at the ages of 8 and 12, and was expelled from school at 13 as “unteachable.” On his third attempt at running way, he reached England, and was appointed a reader at the British Museum before he had turned 18. At the age of 25, he was foreign correspondent for Reuters, Associated Press and The Times of India. He translated the name of a prominent Indian leader as "Fascination-Slave Action-Moon Grocer." Name him and the Indian leader whose name he translated.

>>>The Indian leader was MK Gandhi

5. This company is headquartered in Lausanne in Switzerland and was founded in Zin, the Czech Republic. The name of the company is pronounced ‘baca in its native language. It has a retail presence in over 70 countries, and manufacturing facilities in 27 countries. Its entire historical production volume is twice the human population today. The company has an eponymous town in the South 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal. Name the company.

>>>>Bata

6. Its Latin name means “rock oil.” Its first documented use was in Babylon, where it was used to build towers and city walls. Before it became available in industrial quantities, whale oil provided the best substitute to this product. Industrial whaling came to an end thanks to the availability of this product in massive quantities. Name this product.

>>>Candlewax

7. The Electoral College in the United States has 538 members and is responsible for electing the president. Each state sends to the Electoral College a number equal to the sum of the number of members it has in the two houses of Congress. Curiously, the House of Representatives has 435 members, and the Senate has 100 members, which accounts for 535 of the 538 members of the Electoral College. Where do the other three members of the Electoral College come from?

>>>>Puerto rico, guam and american samoa?

8. The modern British Parliament passes laws in English. In medieval times, laws used to be passed in French (after the Norman Conquest). However, just one law was passed in both English and French in 1982 – the first law passed with French text since the Middle Ages. What was the purpose of this law?


>>>>something to do with the chunnel?


9. Many international airlines have a subsidiary company with the name “Asia” in it. All of them serve just one purpose for their parent airlines. Examples include Japan Asia Airways (subsidiary of Japan Airlines), Air France Asie (Air France), KLM Asia (KLM), British Asia Airways (British Airways), Swissair Asia (Swissair), Australia Asia Airways (Qantas). What do these subsidiaries do for their parent airlines?

>>>>allow them to fly between asian countries?

10. This pivotal battle in the history of India was fought on June 23 in a small village on the banks of the Bhagirathi river. The battle was a small part of a global Seven Years’ War between Britain and France (known as the French and Indian War to Americans). The British forces numbered around 3,000 including over 2,000 Indian soldiers. The opposing side had over 50,000 men in arms, including French artillery. In 1998, the Khaitain Group, which has a sugar factory in the vicinity, tried to change the name of the village to Khaitan Nagar, but gave up the idea after popular opposition. What is the name of the village, and in which year did the battle occur?

>>>Battle of Seringapatam?

11. The name of this airline literally means “Royal Aviation Company.” It is now the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. It is the flag carrier of a European country, but it merged with another flag carrier in 2004. For several years in the 1930s, this airline operated the world’s longest scheduled air route. In 1946, it became the first airline from mainland Europe to launch a scheduled transatlantic service to the United States. Name this airline.

>>>KLM?


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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Kris Mon Oct 08, 2012 10:50 pm

4. He was born of Indian parents in Nairobi, Kenya, and grew up in today’s Pakistan. He ran away from home twice at the ages of 8 and 12, and was expelled from school at 13 as “unteachable.” On his third attempt at running way, he reached England, and was appointed a reader at the British Museum before he had turned 18. At the age of 25, he was foreign correspondent for Reuters, Associated Press and The Times of India. He translated the name of a prominent Indian leader as "Fascination-Slave Action-Moon Grocer." Name him and the Indian leader whose name he translated.

>>>The Indian leader was MK Gandhi. The author is Kasani(?) - the author HK had written about recently. Not sure if I got the name right.

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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Guest Mon Oct 08, 2012 11:16 pm

panini press wrote:4. He was born of Indian parents in Nairobi, Kenya, and grew up in today’s Pakistan. He ran away from home twice at the ages of 8 and 12, and was expelled from school at 13 as “unteachable.” On his third attempt at running way, he reached England, and was appointed a reader at the British Museum before he had turned 18. At the age of 25, he was foreign correspondent for Reuters, Associated Press and The Times of India. He translated the name of a prominent Indian leader as "Fascination-Slave Action-Moon Grocer." Name him and the Indian leader whose name he translated.
ha ha ha! yes, kris is right. G. V. Desani and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. this factoid (translation of gandhi's name and gandhi's picture) was added in wikipedia by me! sweet. desani was fiercely opposed to gandhi's ideology. i don't know why.

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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Idéfix Mon Oct 08, 2012 11:20 pm

Huzefa Kapasi wrote:
panini press wrote:4. He was born of Indian parents in Nairobi, Kenya, and grew up in today’s Pakistan. He ran away from home twice at the ages of 8 and 12, and was expelled from school at 13 as “unteachable.” On his third attempt at running way, he reached England, and was appointed a reader at the British Museum before he had turned 18. At the age of 25, he was foreign correspondent for Reuters, Associated Press and The Times of India. He translated the name of a prominent Indian leader as "Fascination-Slave Action-Moon Grocer." Name him and the Indian leader whose name he translated.
ha ha ha! yes, kris is right. G. V. Desani and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. this factoid (translation of gandhi's name and gandhi's picture) was added in wikipedia by me! sweet. desani was fiercely opposed to gandhi's ideology. i don't know why.
Hahaha. This is proof that your efforts on Wikipedia do not go to waste.
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Guest Mon Oct 08, 2012 11:26 pm

yes sir. i am indeed humbled. i just googled: http://www.utexas.edu/faculty/council/2002-2003/memorials/Desani/desani.html desani was opposed only to gandhi's non cooperation with britain during WW II:

In marked contrast to Gandhi in India and to Nehru who acceded to Gandhi’s moral authority joining him to urge Indians not to help the British war effort, Desani encouraged Hindus like everyone else to resist German and Japanese enslavement.

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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Guest Tue Oct 09, 2012 1:30 am

panini press wrote:

11. The name of this airline literally means “Royal Aviation Company.” It is now the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. It is the flag carrier of a European country, but it merged with another flag carrier in 2004. For several years in the 1930s, this airline operated the world’s longest scheduled air route. In 1946, it became the first airline from mainland Europe to launch a scheduled transatlantic service to the United States. Name this airline.


KLM

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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Merlot Daruwala Tue Oct 09, 2012 2:22 am

panini press wrote:2. Most educated Indians know about the speech that Swami Vivekananda made to the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1893 in Chicago, opening with the words, “Sisters and Brothers of America.” The Parliament of the World’s Religions was organized as part of a much larger event. The larger event itself was conducted to mark a major anniversary of one of history’s biggest turning points. What was the larger event, and what did it commemorate?

Exhibition of the World or something like that?

panini press wrote:5. This company is headquartered in Lausanne in Switzerland and was founded in Zin, the Czech Republic. The name of the company is pronounced ‘baca in its native language. It has a retail presence in over 70 countries, and manufacturing facilities in 27 countries. Its entire historical production volume is twice the human population today. The company has an eponymous town in the South 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal. Name the company.

Bata

panini press wrote:6. Its Latin name means “rock oil.” Its first documented use was in Babylon, where it was used to build towers and city walls. Before it became available in industrial quantities, whale oil provided the best substitute to this product. Industrial whaling came to an end thanks to the availability of this product in massive quantities. Name this product.

Petroleum

panini press wrote:9. Many international airlines have a subsidiary company with the name “Asia” in it. All of them serve just one purpose for their parent airlines. Examples include Japan Asia Airways (subsidiary of Japan Airlines), Air France Asie (Air France), KLM Asia (KLM), British Asia Airways (British Airways), Swissair Asia (Swissair), Australia Asia Airways (Qantas). What do these subsidiaries do for their parent airlines?

Treatment as a local airline (and therefore liable for lower aiport fees etc) at Changi airport in Singapore?

panini press wrote:10. This pivotal battle in the history of India was fought on June 23 in a small village on the banks of the Bhagirathi river. The battle was a small part of a global Seven Years’ War between Britain and France (known as the French and Indian War to Americans). The British forces numbered around 3,000 including over 2,000 Indian soldiers. The opposing side had over 50,000 men in arms, including French artillery. In 1998, the Khaitain Group, which has a sugar factory in the vicinity, tried to change the name of the village to Khaitan Nagar, but gave up the idea after popular opposition. What is the name of the village, and in which year did the battle occur?

Plassey and 1757?
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by indophile Tue Oct 09, 2012 9:02 am

1. The line that separates the visible face of the moon from the never seen face.

2. ??

3. India; “Meson” by Homi Bhaba

4. I don’t know the guy, but the name he translated clearly is – Mohan-Das-Karam-Chand-Gandhi

5. Bata shoe co.

6. Tar

7. D.C and Puerto Rico

8. Finance the “Chunnel,” the tunnel under the English Channel linking England with France.

9. Get business from China

10. Plassey, 1757.

11. KLM

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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Idéfix Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:47 pm

Kris wrote:3. Japan?
Correct.

Kris wrote:4. The Indian leader was MK Gandhi
Correct.

Kris wrote:5. Bata
Correct.

Kris wrote:6. Candlewax
No.

Kris wrote:7. Puerto rico, guam and american samoa?
No. Those territories send delegates to both the conventions of both parties, but they have no say in the national election or in Congress.

Kris wrote:8. something to do with the chunnel?
No.

Kris wrote:9. allow them to fly between asian countries?
No.

Kris wrote:10. Battle of Seringapatam?
No.

Kris wrote:11. KLM?
Correct.
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Idéfix Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:55 pm

blabberwock wrote:
panini press wrote:

11. The name of this airline literally means “Royal Aviation Company.” It is now the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. It is the flag carrier of a European country, but it merged with another flag carrier in 2004. For several years in the 1930s, this airline operated the world’s longest scheduled air route. In 1946, it became the first airline from mainland Europe to launch a scheduled transatlantic service to the United States. Name this airline.


KLM
Correct. I thought this was was going to be hard, but three of you got it!
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Idéfix Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:57 pm

Merlot Daruwala wrote:2. Exhibition of the World or something like that?
Correct, it was the World's Fair in Chicago. What earlier historic event did the fair commemorate?

Merlot Daruwala wrote:5. Bata
Correct.

Merlot Daruwala wrote:6. Petroleum
Correct.

Merlot Daruwala wrote:9. Treatment as a local airline (and therefore liable for lower aiport fees etc) at Changi airport in Singapore?
Good guess, but no.

Merlot Daruwala wrote:10. Plassey and 1757?
Correct.
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Idéfix Tue Oct 09, 2012 9:02 pm

indophile wrote:1. The line that separates the visible face of the moon from the never seen face.??
Good guess, you are almost there.

indophile wrote:3. India; “Meson” by Homi Bhaba
No, that's not an element. The answer is Japan.

indophile wrote:4. I don’t know the guy, but the name he translated clearly is – Mohan-Das-Karam-Chand-Gandhi
Correct. The guy is G.V. Desani.

indophile wrote:5. Bata shoe co.
Correct.

indophile wrote:6. Tar
Almost -- tar was used in Babylon, but it is extracted from "rock oil," literally petroleum.

indophile wrote:7. D.C and Puerto Rico
Almost, but not quite.

indophile wrote:8. Finance the “Chunnel,” the tunnel under the English Channel linking England with France.
No.

indophile wrote:9. Get business from China
Almost, but not quite. It certainly has something to do with China.

indophile wrote:10. Plassey, 1757.
Correct.

indophile wrote:11. KLM
Correct.
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Idéfix Tue Oct 09, 2012 9:05 pm

Here is an update with hints.

1. In the last trivia I posted, we had a question regarding the prime meridian on earth. In the case of earth, the location of the prime meridian is rather arbitrary, and many cities have enjoyed that place of geographical privilege throughout history. However, in the case of the moon, the prime meridian is an easy choice. How is the prime meridian for the moon defined?

Hint: It is defined in reference to the fact that one side of the moon always faces us on earth.

2. Most educated Indians know about the speech that Swami Vivekananda made to the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1893 in Chicago, opening with the words, “Sisters and Brothers of America.” The Parliament of the World’s Religions was organized as part of a much larger event. The larger event itself was conducted to mark a major anniversary of one of history’s biggest turning points. What was the larger event, and what did it commemorate?

Hint: It was at the World's Exposition in Chicago in 1893. What is the turning point of history that the expo commemorated?

7. The Electoral College in the United States has 538 members and is responsible for electing the president. Each state sends to the Electoral College a number equal to the sum of the number of members it has in the two houses of Congress. Curiously, the House of Representatives has 435 members, and the Senate has 100 members, which accounts for 535 of the 538 members of the Electoral College. Where do the other three members of the Electoral College come from?

Hint: Puerto Rico, Guam and other US territories do not have any representation in the Electoral College.

8. The modern British Parliament passes laws in English. In medieval times, laws used to be passed in French (after the Norman Conquest). However, just one law was passed in both English and French in 1982 – the first law passed with French text since the Middle Ages. What was the purpose of this law?

Hint: The law had to do with the constitution of another country.

9. Many international airlines have a subsidiary company with the name “Asia” in it. All of them serve just one purpose for their parent airlines. Examples include Japan Asia Airways (subsidiary of Japan Airlines), Air France Asie (Air France), KLM Asia (KLM), British Asia Airways (British Airways), Swissair Asia (Swissair), Australia Asia Airways (Qantas). What do these subsidiaries do for their parent airlines?

Hint: The purpose has something to do with China.
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Kris Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:23 pm

2. Most educated Indians know about the speech that Swami Vivekananda made to the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1893 in Chicago, opening with the words, “Sisters and Brothers of America.” The Parliament of the World’s Religions was organized as part of a much larger event. The larger event itself was conducted to mark a major anniversary of one of history’s biggest turning points. What was the larger event, and what did it commemorate?

Hint: It was at the World's Exposition in Chicago in 1893. What is the turning point of history that the expo commemorated?

>>>>Steam engine being pressed into service?

7. The Electoral College in the United States has 538 members and is responsible for electing the president. Each state sends to the Electoral College a number equal to the sum of the number of members it has in the two houses of Congress. Curiously, the House of Representatives has 435 members, and the Senate has 100 members, which accounts for 535 of the 538 members of the Electoral College. Where do the other three members of the Electoral College come from?

>>>>>Wild guess: Vice President, President Pro tem adn Speaker of the House


8. The modern British Parliament passes laws in English. In medieval times, laws used to be passed in French (after the Norman Conquest). However, just one law was passed in both English and French in 1982 – the first law passed with French text since the Middle Ages. What was the purpose of this law?

Hint: The law had to do with the constitution of another country.

>>>>>Recognition of Canadian Bilingualism

9. Many international airlines have a subsidiary company with the name “Asia” in it. All of them serve just one purpose for their parent airlines. Examples include Japan Asia Airways (subsidiary of Japan Airlines), Air France Asie (Air France), KLM Asia (KLM), British Asia Airways (British Airways), Swissair Asia (Swissair), Australia Asia Airways (Qantas). What do these subsidiaries do for their parent airlines?

Hint: The purpose has something to do with China.


>>>>Allow flights to taiwan

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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Idéfix Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:46 pm

Kris wrote:Steam engine being pressed into service?
Good guess, but no.

Kris wrote:7. Wild guess: Vice President, President Pro tem adn Speaker of the House
No.

Kris wrote:8. Recognition of Canadian Bilingualism
Close enough. The bill was to amend the constitution of Canada one last time so that in future the parliament of Canada would have full authority over the constitution. Quebec wanted the law to be drafted and passed in both official languages of the country, hence the British parliament passed a law that was drafted in English and French.

Kris wrote:9. Allow flights to taiwan
Correct. The People's Republic of China does not allow national airlines / flag carriers that fly to Taiwan to operate in their country. So if a flag-carrying airline wants to operate to China and Taiwan, they need to have a distinct subsidiary to carry out one of those two activities. Most foreign airlines therefore fly to China under their official name and to Taiwan with a subsidiary.
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Guest Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:53 pm

Kris wrote:2. Most educated Indians know about the speech that Swami Vivekananda made to the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1893 in Chicago, opening with the words, “Sisters and Brothers of America.” The Parliament of the World’s Religions was organized as part of a much larger event. The larger event itself was conducted to mark a major anniversary of one of history’s biggest turning points. What was the larger event, and what did it commemorate?

Hint: It was at the World's Exposition in Chicago in 1893. What is the turning point of history that the expo commemorated?


I thought of Columbus but he landed in 1492 and not 1493.

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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Idéfix Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:57 pm

blabberwock wrote:
Kris wrote:2. Most educated Indians know about the speech that Swami Vivekananda made to the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1893 in Chicago, opening with the words, “Sisters and Brothers of America.” The Parliament of the World’s Religions was organized as part of a much larger event. The larger event itself was conducted to mark a major anniversary of one of history’s biggest turning points. What was the larger event, and what did it commemorate?

Hint: It was at the World's Exposition in Chicago in 1893. What is the turning point of history that the expo commemorated?


I thought of Columbus but he landed in 1492 and not 1493.
That is the correct answer Smile. They celebrated it a year late, like the Indian government often does.
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Idéfix Tue Oct 09, 2012 11:01 pm

Dedication ceremonies for the fair were held on October 21, 1892, but the fairgrounds were not actually opened to the public until May 1, 1893. The fair continued until October 30, 1893. In addition to recognizing the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the New World by Europeans, the fair also served to show the world that Chicago had risen from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire, which had destroyed much of the city in 1871.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World's_Columbian_Exposition
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Idéfix Wed Oct 10, 2012 2:47 pm

Here is an update with more hints.

1. In the last trivia I posted, we had a question regarding the prime meridian on earth. In the case of earth, the location of the prime meridian is rather arbitrary, and many cities have enjoyed that place of geographical privilege throughout history. However, in the case of the moon, the prime meridian is an easy choice. How is the prime meridian for the moon defined?

Hint 1: It is defined in reference to the fact that one side of the moon always faces us on earth.
Hint 2: It is not the line that separates the side facing earth from the other side. It is the other obvious reference line.

7. The Electoral College in the United States has 538 members and is responsible for electing the president. Each state sends to the Electoral College a number equal to the sum of the number of members it has in the two houses of Congress. Curiously, the House of Representatives has 435 members, and the Senate has 100 members, which accounts for 535 of the 538 members of the Electoral College. Where do the other three members of the Electoral College come from?

Hint 1: Puerto Rico, Guam and other US territories do not have any representation in the Electoral College.
Hint 2: All three members are from the only area that is part of the mainland United States but does not have representation in the Senate. Its member in the House has no right to vote.
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Merlot Daruwala Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:30 am

panini press wrote:Here is an update with more hints.

1. In the last trivia I posted, we had a question regarding the prime meridian on earth. In the case of earth, the location of the prime meridian is rather arbitrary, and many cities have enjoyed that place of geographical privilege throughout history. However, in the case of the moon, the prime meridian is an easy choice. How is the prime meridian for the moon defined?

Hint 1: It is defined in reference to the fact that one side of the moon always faces us on earth.
Hint 2: It is not the line that separates the side facing earth from the other side. It is the other obvious reference line.

Running through the center of the side facing the earth?

panini press wrote:7. The Electoral College in the United States has 538 members and is responsible for electing the president. Each state sends to the Electoral College a number equal to the sum of the number of members it has in the two houses of Congress. Curiously, the House of Representatives has 435 members, and the Senate has 100 members, which accounts for 535 of the 538 members of the Electoral College. Where do the other three members of the Electoral College come from?

Hint 1: Puerto Rico, Guam and other US territories do not have any representation in the Electoral College.
Hint 2: All three members are from the only area that is part of the mainland United States but does not have representation in the Senate. Its member in the House has no right to vote.

Oh ok. Washington DC?
Merlot Daruwala
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

Post by Idéfix Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:49 am

Merlot Daruwala wrote:
panini press wrote:Here is an update with more hints.

1. In the last trivia I posted, we had a question regarding the prime meridian on earth. In the case of earth, the location of the prime meridian is rather arbitrary, and many cities have enjoyed that place of geographical privilege throughout history. However, in the case of the moon, the prime meridian is an easy choice. How is the prime meridian for the moon defined?

Hint 1: It is defined in reference to the fact that one side of the moon always faces us on earth.
Hint 2: It is not the line that separates the side facing earth from the other side. It is the other obvious reference line.

Running through the center of the side facing the earth?

panini press wrote:7. The Electoral College in the United States has 538 members and is responsible for electing the president. Each state sends to the Electoral College a number equal to the sum of the number of members it has in the two houses of Congress. Curiously, the House of Representatives has 435 members, and the Senate has 100 members, which accounts for 535 of the 538 members of the Electoral College. Where do the other three members of the Electoral College come from?

Hint 1: Puerto Rico, Guam and other US territories do not have any representation in the Electoral College.
Hint 2: All three members are from the only area that is part of the mainland United States but does not have representation in the Senate. Its member in the House has no right to vote.

Oh ok. Washington DC?
Both are correct. All questions are answered now.
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Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012 Empty Re: Wednesday Trivia #39: Oct 10, 2012

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