23rd April Quiz Medium
- 20 questions
- about 25 minutes to run
- published 7 Oct 2024
- updated
1. 23 April is St George's Day. In which Spanish region is it a day when people traditionally give each other books and roses?
2. St George is also the patron saint of which country in the Caucasus?
3. William Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616, and is traditionally said to have been born on 23 April 1564. In which church is he buried?
4. UNESCO's World Book Day falls on 23 April, because Shakespeare and which great Spanish novelist died at about the same time in 1616?
5. William Wordsworth died on 23 April 1850. In his most famous poem, what does he see "fluttering and dancing in the breeze"?
6. J.M.W. Turner said he was born on 23 April 1775. Which Bank of England note has carried his portrait since 2020?
7. The Order of the Garter is traditionally said to have been founded on St George's Day 1348. Which king founded it?
8. Charles II was crowned on 23 April 1661. Why did a whole new set of crown jewels have to be made for his coronation?
9. At the Battle of Clontarf on 23 April 1014, the forces of the High King of Ireland defeated a Leinster and Viking army, but the king himself was killed. Who was he?
10. On 23 April 1516, Bavaria issued its famous beer purity law, the Reinheitsgebot. Which three ingredients did it allow?
11. On 23 April 1985, which company launched a new formula of its famous drink, only to bring back the original 79 days later after a public outcry?
12. The first video was uploaded to YouTube on 23 April 2005. Called "Me at the zoo", it shows co-founder Jawed Karim talking about which animals?
13. The poet Rupert Brooke died on 23 April 1915 on his way to Gallipoli. On which Greek island is he buried?
14. A German physicist born in Kiel on 23 April 1858 founded quantum theory. Who was he?
15. A Russian composer born on 23 April 1891 wrote "Peter and the Wolf". Which instrument plays the duck?
16. A child film star born on 23 April 1928 later became a diplomat. She was US ambassador to which country during the Velvet Revolution in 1989?
17. An American singer born on 23 April 1936 had a 1964 hit that gave its name to a 1990 film starring Julia Roberts. What was it?
18. An English actor born on 23 April 1990 made his name in which E4 teen drama before starring in "Slumdog Millionaire"?
19. An American actor born on 23 April 1939 played the bionic astronaut Steve Austin in which TV series?
20. A New Zealand crime writer born on 23 April 1895 was one of the "Queens of Crime". What is the name of her gentlemanly Scotland Yard detective?
ANSWERS
1. Catalonia (the festival of Sant Jordi)
2. Georgia
The English name Georgia is often linked to St George, but it probably comes from a Persian name for the Georgians, "gurj".
3. Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
Only Shakespeare's baptism, on 26 April 1564, is recorded. 23 April as his birthday is a tradition that conveniently matches St George's Day and the date of his death.
4. Miguel de Cervantes
Cervantes actually died on 22 April 1616 and was buried on 23 April. Spain was using the Gregorian calendar and England the Julian, so the two writers did not die on the same day.
5. Daffodils ("a host of golden daffodils")
6. The £20 note
7. Edward III
The founding date is not certain; 1348 and St George's Day are traditional. The story that the king picked up a garter dropped by a countess at a ball is probably a legend.
8. The old regalia had been melted down or sold under the Commonwealth (after Charles I's execution)
9. Brian Boru
10. Water, barley and hops
Yeast was not listed because its role in brewing was not yet understood. 23 April is now the "Day of German Beer".
11. Coca-Cola (New Coke)
12. Elephants
13. Skyros
14. Max Planck
15. The oboe (Sergei Prokofiev)
16. Czechoslovakia (Shirley Temple Black)
17. Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)
18. Skins (Dev Patel)
19. The Six Million Dollar Man (Lee Majors)
20. Roderick Alleyn (Ngaio Marsh)
How was this quiz?
Thank you, that helps Paul balance future quizzes.