6th May Quiz

1. The world's first adhesive postage stamp became valid for use on 6 May 1840. Name the stamp, and the man behind postal reform.

2. On 6 May 1937, a German airship burst into flames while landing in New Jersey. Name the airship. What famous words did the radio reporter cry out?

3. On 6 May 1954, a medical student ran the first mile in under four minutes. Name him, the Oxford track where he did it, and his time.

4. The tunnel from your 1 December round was officially opened on 6 May 1994 by two heads of state. Name both.

5. On 6 May 1889, a world's fair opened in Paris, with a brand-new iron tower as its entrance arch. What was the fair called, and what was the tower?

6. Which British king died on 6 May 1910, and who succeeded him?

7. On 6 May 1527, mutinous troops of Emperor Charles V sacked Rome. Which papal guard made a heroic last stand that day? What still happens every 6 May in its honour?

8. On 6 May 1997, five days after Labour's election win, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer gave the Bank of England control of setting interest rates. Who was the Chancellor?

9. On 6 May 2023, which king and queen were crowned in Westminster Abbey?

10. The founder of psychoanalysis, from your 23 September round, was born on 6 May 1856. In which present-day country was he born?

11. A leader of the French Revolution, the "Incorruptible", was born in Arras on 6 May 1758. Who was he?

12. An American explorer who claimed to have reached the North Pole in 1909 was born on exactly the same day as question 10, 6 May 1856. Who was he?

13. An Italian-born silent film heart-throb was born on 6 May 1895. Who was he?

14. An American director born on 6 May 1915 made "Citizen Kane", and earlier caused panic with a radio play about a Martian invasion. Name him and the radio play.

15. An American actor born on 6 May 1961 starred in "ER" and the "Ocean's" films. Who is he?

16. A British prime minister was born in Edinburgh on 6 May 1953, and came to power almost exactly 44 years later. Who was he?

17. A French author born on 6 May 1868 wrote the novel behind the hit musical from your 22 March round. Name the author and the novel.

18. The author of "Walden", from your 12 July round, died on 6 May 1862. Who was he?

19. The explorer from your 14 September round died in Berlin on 6 May 1859, while still writing his great work "Kosmos". Who was he?

20. The German film star from your 27 December round died in Paris on 6 May 1992. Who was she?

ANSWERS

1. The Penny Black. The postal reformer was Rowland Hill.

The Penny Black was issued on 1 May 1840, but could not be used until 6 May. A few covers exist with the stamp used before the official date.

2. The Hindenburg. The reporter, Herbert Morrison, cried "Oh, the humanity!"

3. Roger Bannister, at Iffley Road, in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds

4. Queen Elizabeth II and President François Mitterrand

5. The Exposition Universelle. The tower was the Eiffel Tower.

6. Edward VII. He was succeeded by George V.

7. The Swiss Guard. New recruits are sworn in every 6 May.

8. Gordon Brown

9. Charles III and Queen Camilla

10. The Czech Republic (in Příbor, then called Freiberg, in Moravia)

11. Maximilien Robespierre

12. Robert Peary

Peary's claim to have reached the North Pole in 1909 has long been disputed, and many historians now think he fell short. That's why the question says "claimed".

13. Rudolph Valentino

14. Orson Welles, "The War of the Worlds"

15. George Clooney

16. Tony Blair

17. Gaston Leroux, "The Phantom of the Opera"

18. Henry David Thoreau

19. Alexander von Humboldt

20. Marlene Dietrich

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