Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - January 28
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. The world's two closest neighbors as capital cities (besides Rome and Vatican City) are what two African capitals, which sit less than a mile apart on opposite banks of a major river? major river - Nile, Niger, Zambezi. That clue does not help. I don't have a mental picture of a map of African countries with two capital cities so close together.
2. What German sports hero, the greatest in his sport's history, retired in 2012 and is currently in a coma from a recent skiing injury? Michael Schumacher
3. What actor is named for the painter whose work his pregnant mother was looking at in Florence's Uffizi Gallery in 1974 when she first felt him kick? Florence --> Italian artist --> Leonardo DiCaprio? If that is correct, I really like this question
4. Edward I was crowned king of England in 1274 after leading his army in the ninth and last of what wars? Crusades?
5. In 1972, the 15,007,034th of what car rolled off the assembly line, finally passing the Model T as the most-produced model in history? A car with 15 million sold would have been around for a loooong time, 20-25 years. VW Beetle?
6. Sir Bedivere of the Round Table and the Norse war-god Tyr are both mythical heroes missing what body part? one eye?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these novels? Devil in a Blue Dress, From Russia with Love, The Hunt for Red October, Lost Horizon, Lush Life, The Middle Temple Murder, Netherland, Prayers for Rain, The Virginian. The only slim connection I can find is that some have been popular with US presidents. Cannot verify them all.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The host of public radio's This American Life often scores the show with the music of what modern composer, his first cousin once removed? Ira Glass and Philip Glass are cousins. Does this make you feel better about your nerdy family? correct
2. In what southern French city would you find the medieval Gothic fortress called the Palais des Papes, the "Papal Palace"? During the Catholic schism of the 14th century, the (or at least "a") pope lived in Avignon. incorrect at first, correct with 2nd guess
3. Spain's Josep Maria Sert and Missouri's Thomas Hart Benton are most closely associated with what large art form? Both painted murals. correct
4. What TV show awards its winners the Mirror Ball Trophy? It's a miniature disco ball with the "Dancing with the Stars" logo on it. correct
5. There are six U.N. member states that are not officially recognized by one or more of their fellow U.N. members. What two U.N. members each have more than a dozen nations that don't recognize them? There are 21 U.N. members that don't recognize China (the ones that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan) and 32 that don't recognize Israel. 1/2 correct
6. The 1999 Eiffel 65 dance hit often called "Da Ba Dee" actually has what color as its official title? I'm "Blue," as the singer confesses before all the "da ba dee" stuff. Alex knew this, but I had no recollection of ever hearing this song before.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Muhammad Ali, Tim Berners-Lee, Bjork, Jackie Chan, Placido Domingo, Wayne Gretzky, Etta James, Sophia Loren, Olivia Newton-John, Seiji Ozawa, Mitt Romney, J. K. Rowling. All participated in Olympics opening ceremonies. Maybe I should have saved this one in the hopper for three more weeks. good get, Alex!
1. The world's two closest neighbors as capital cities (besides Rome and Vatican City) are what two African capitals, which sit less than a mile apart on opposite banks of a major river? major river - Nile, Niger, Zambezi. That clue does not help. I don't have a mental picture of a map of African countries with two capital cities so close together.
2. What German sports hero, the greatest in his sport's history, retired in 2012 and is currently in a coma from a recent skiing injury? Michael Schumacher
3. What actor is named for the painter whose work his pregnant mother was looking at in Florence's Uffizi Gallery in 1974 when she first felt him kick? Florence --> Italian artist --> Leonardo DiCaprio? If that is correct, I really like this question
4. Edward I was crowned king of England in 1274 after leading his army in the ninth and last of what wars? Crusades?
5. In 1972, the 15,007,034th of what car rolled off the assembly line, finally passing the Model T as the most-produced model in history? A car with 15 million sold would have been around for a loooong time, 20-25 years. VW Beetle?
6. Sir Bedivere of the Round Table and the Norse war-god Tyr are both mythical heroes missing what body part? one eye?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these novels? Devil in a Blue Dress, From Russia with Love, The Hunt for Red October, Lost Horizon, Lush Life, The Middle Temple Murder, Netherland, Prayers for Rain, The Virginian. The only slim connection I can find is that some have been popular with US presidents. Cannot verify them all.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The host of public radio's This American Life often scores the show with the music of what modern composer, his first cousin once removed? Ira Glass and Philip Glass are cousins. Does this make you feel better about your nerdy family? correct
2. In what southern French city would you find the medieval Gothic fortress called the Palais des Papes, the "Papal Palace"? During the Catholic schism of the 14th century, the (or at least "a") pope lived in Avignon. incorrect at first, correct with 2nd guess
3. Spain's Josep Maria Sert and Missouri's Thomas Hart Benton are most closely associated with what large art form? Both painted murals. correct
4. What TV show awards its winners the Mirror Ball Trophy? It's a miniature disco ball with the "Dancing with the Stars" logo on it. correct
5. There are six U.N. member states that are not officially recognized by one or more of their fellow U.N. members. What two U.N. members each have more than a dozen nations that don't recognize them? There are 21 U.N. members that don't recognize China (the ones that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan) and 32 that don't recognize Israel. 1/2 correct
6. The 1999 Eiffel 65 dance hit often called "Da Ba Dee" actually has what color as its official title? I'm "Blue," as the singer confesses before all the "da ba dee" stuff. Alex knew this, but I had no recollection of ever hearing this song before.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Muhammad Ali, Tim Berners-Lee, Bjork, Jackie Chan, Placido Domingo, Wayne Gretzky, Etta James, Sophia Loren, Olivia Newton-John, Seiji Ozawa, Mitt Romney, J. K. Rowling. All participated in Olympics opening ceremonies. Maybe I should have saved this one in the hopper for three more weeks. good get, Alex!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - January 21
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. The host of public radio's This American Life often scores the show with the music of what modern composer, his first cousin once removed? host Ira Glass --> composer Philip Glass
2. In what southern French city would you find the medieval Gothic fortress called the Palais des Papes, the "Papal Palace"? Aix en Provence
3. Spain's Josep Maria Sert and Missouri's Thomas Hart Benton are most closely associated with what large art form? I know Benton as a painter. Large art form? I can only think of one for painters - murals
4. What TV show awards its winners the Mirror Ball Trophy? Dancing With the Stars
5. There are six U.N. member states that are not officially recognized by one or more of their fellow U.N. members. What two U.N. members each have more than a dozen nations that don't recognize them? Israel has to be one. Could the other be a recent, disputed country like East Timor? South Sudan has to be too new to have gained admittance to the UN. Or is the other non-recognized member state religiously-affiliated like Vatican City?
6. The 1999 Eiffel 65 dance hit often called "Da Ba Dee" actually has what color as its official title? I have never heard of this song so a complete guess - white
7. What What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Muhammad Ali, Tim Berners-Lee, Bjork, Jackie Chan, Placido Domingo, Wayne Gretzky, Etta James, Sophia Loren, Olivia Newton-John, Seiji Ozawa, Mitt Romney, J. K. Rowling. an accomplished group of people. Are they each in a Hall of Fame somewhere?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Canada's second longest river is named for which of its thirteen provinces and territories? As long as you count the Alaskan stretch of its length, the Yukon River is Canada's second-longest. correct
2. On average, food spends about three-quarters of the time of digestion in which of your internal organs? Food is in the mouth for a matter of seconds and in the stomach and small intestine for a matter of hours, but it can spend a day or two in the large intestine. correct
3. Two of the biggest movie stars of their time named nonprofits--one for filmmakers, one for sick kids--in honor of their roles in a 1969 film. What was that film? Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camps and Robert Redford's Sundance Institute (which is holding a little film festival this week) are both named for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Hey, I just realized there was another Newman-Redford question on the quiz just a month or so ago. Oops. I was not familiar with the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps. But of course the answer is so clear now. I knew that the movie could not have been Midnight Cowboy.
4. The so-called "West Coast Offense" was developed by Bill Walsh while he was coaching what football team? Those were the pass-happy San Francisco 49ers coached by Walsh and his disciples. correct although I think that KJ has mis-identified where the West Coast offense was developed
5. What royal house ruled France for over two hundred years after the 1589 coronation of Henry IV? The Bourbons would stay on the French throne until the Revolution removed them. And their heads. correct
6. Who is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur'an? "Maryam," as she's called in the Qur'an, is Jesus's mother, Mary. shoot, I thought it would be Mary or Fatima and I guess wrong
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these songs? "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode, "Here There and Everywhere" by the Beatles, "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure, "Last Exit" by Pearl Jam, "One More Try" by George Michael, "Running to Stand Still" by U2, "Square One" by Coldplay, "Up the Junction" by Squeeze, "Virginia Plain" by Roxy Music, "Wasn't Born to Follow" by the Byrds. All these pop songs use an unusual device: the title doesn't appear in the lyrics until the very, very end. (In each case, the title comprises the last words of the song.) This was (very briefly) a subject of discussion on Ken-Jennings.com seven or eight years ago, so a few of you OLD-timers might have had an edge here. But I hope not. correct
1. The host of public radio's This American Life often scores the show with the music of what modern composer, his first cousin once removed? host Ira Glass --> composer Philip Glass
2. In what southern French city would you find the medieval Gothic fortress called the Palais des Papes, the "Papal Palace"? Aix en Provence
3. Spain's Josep Maria Sert and Missouri's Thomas Hart Benton are most closely associated with what large art form? I know Benton as a painter. Large art form? I can only think of one for painters - murals
4. What TV show awards its winners the Mirror Ball Trophy? Dancing With the Stars
5. There are six U.N. member states that are not officially recognized by one or more of their fellow U.N. members. What two U.N. members each have more than a dozen nations that don't recognize them? Israel has to be one. Could the other be a recent, disputed country like East Timor? South Sudan has to be too new to have gained admittance to the UN. Or is the other non-recognized member state religiously-affiliated like Vatican City?
6. The 1999 Eiffel 65 dance hit often called "Da Ba Dee" actually has what color as its official title? I have never heard of this song so a complete guess - white
7. What What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Muhammad Ali, Tim Berners-Lee, Bjork, Jackie Chan, Placido Domingo, Wayne Gretzky, Etta James, Sophia Loren, Olivia Newton-John, Seiji Ozawa, Mitt Romney, J. K. Rowling. an accomplished group of people. Are they each in a Hall of Fame somewhere?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Canada's second longest river is named for which of its thirteen provinces and territories? As long as you count the Alaskan stretch of its length, the Yukon River is Canada's second-longest. correct
2. On average, food spends about three-quarters of the time of digestion in which of your internal organs? Food is in the mouth for a matter of seconds and in the stomach and small intestine for a matter of hours, but it can spend a day or two in the large intestine. correct
3. Two of the biggest movie stars of their time named nonprofits--one for filmmakers, one for sick kids--in honor of their roles in a 1969 film. What was that film? Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camps and Robert Redford's Sundance Institute (which is holding a little film festival this week) are both named for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Hey, I just realized there was another Newman-Redford question on the quiz just a month or so ago. Oops. I was not familiar with the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps. But of course the answer is so clear now. I knew that the movie could not have been Midnight Cowboy.
4. The so-called "West Coast Offense" was developed by Bill Walsh while he was coaching what football team? Those were the pass-happy San Francisco 49ers coached by Walsh and his disciples. correct although I think that KJ has mis-identified where the West Coast offense was developed
5. What royal house ruled France for over two hundred years after the 1589 coronation of Henry IV? The Bourbons would stay on the French throne until the Revolution removed them. And their heads. correct
6. Who is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur'an? "Maryam," as she's called in the Qur'an, is Jesus's mother, Mary. shoot, I thought it would be Mary or Fatima and I guess wrong
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these songs? "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode, "Here There and Everywhere" by the Beatles, "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure, "Last Exit" by Pearl Jam, "One More Try" by George Michael, "Running to Stand Still" by U2, "Square One" by Coldplay, "Up the Junction" by Squeeze, "Virginia Plain" by Roxy Music, "Wasn't Born to Follow" by the Byrds. All these pop songs use an unusual device: the title doesn't appear in the lyrics until the very, very end. (In each case, the title comprises the last words of the song.) This was (very briefly) a subject of discussion on Ken-Jennings.com seven or eight years ago, so a few of you OLD-timers might have had an edge here. But I hope not. correct
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - January 14
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. Canada's second longest river is named for which of its thirteen provinces and territories? Yukon?
2. On average, food spends about three-quarters of the time of digestion in which of your internal organs? large intestine?
3. Two of the biggest movie stars of their time named nonprofits--one for filmmakers, one for sick kids--in honor of their roles in a 1969 film. What was that film? is this a reference to the Make A Wish Foundation? I have gone through a lot of movies in my head but none seem to fit. I would need another hint.
4. The so-called "West Coast Offense" was developed by Bill Walsh while he was coaching what football team? KJ is probably looking for 49ers but the concepts really developed when he was an assistant at Cincinnati and then as a head coach at Stanford
5. What royal house ruled France for over two hundred years after the 1589 coronation of Henry IV? Bourbon?
6. Who is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur'an? Fatima?
7. What What unusual distinction is shared by all these songs? "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode, "Here There and Everywhere" by the Beatles, "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure, "Last Exit" by Pearl Jam, "One More Try" by George Michael, "Running to Stand Still" by U2, "Square One" by Coldplay, "Up the Junction" by Squeeze, "Virginia Plain" by Roxy Music, "Wasn't Born to Follow" by the Byrds. the title of the song is not sung until the last line of the song
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What character represents the digit "15" in hexadecimal numbers? In hexadecimal notation, used sometimes by computer nerds, the digits after 9 are represented by the letters A-F. 15 is F. correct
2. The hit 1980s sitcoms ALF and Full House both followed families with what last name in common? Tanner. Do you prefer the Danny Tanners or the Willie Tanners? Personally, I hated them all! not correct
3. What nation was born 100 years ago last week, with a January 1, 1913 declaration by the British uniting the (mostly Muslim and Hausa) north with the (mostly Christian and Yoruba) south? Nigeria is celebrating its centennial this month. not correct, but as I said I really like this question
4. What geometric shape is a piece of Crispix cereal? They're little hexagons. That's how you know they're better than Chex: they have six sides. That's, like, two better. correct
5. What daily newspaper for members of the U.S. military dates back to a Civil War-era paper published in Bloomfield, Missouri? U.S. servicemen today STILL do the daily Jumble in the pages of the Stars and Stripes. (Or, for Marines, the Junior Jumble.) (This joke courtesy of the ghost of Bob Hope.) correct
6. Brisés, battements, bourrées, and balancés are elements of what art form? These are all ballet moves. "art form"? that term probably misled me a bit
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these terms? Axis of evil, cyberspace, Generation X, global village, kerosene, midlife crisis, palliative care, peacekeeping. All were coined by Canadians. In a few cases, there are precedents, but it's pretty clear, that, for example, pre-Douglas Coupland uses of "generation X" don't have the modern sense. Ditto for pre-William Gibson stories mentioning "cyberspace," etc. Marshall McLuhan was Canadian? get out of town! Do the Jeopardy writers know about this? Jeopardy loves Canada questions.
1. Canada's second longest river is named for which of its thirteen provinces and territories? Yukon?
2. On average, food spends about three-quarters of the time of digestion in which of your internal organs? large intestine?
3. Two of the biggest movie stars of their time named nonprofits--one for filmmakers, one for sick kids--in honor of their roles in a 1969 film. What was that film? is this a reference to the Make A Wish Foundation? I have gone through a lot of movies in my head but none seem to fit. I would need another hint.
4. The so-called "West Coast Offense" was developed by Bill Walsh while he was coaching what football team? KJ is probably looking for 49ers but the concepts really developed when he was an assistant at Cincinnati and then as a head coach at Stanford
5. What royal house ruled France for over two hundred years after the 1589 coronation of Henry IV? Bourbon?
6. Who is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur'an? Fatima?
7. What What unusual distinction is shared by all these songs? "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode, "Here There and Everywhere" by the Beatles, "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure, "Last Exit" by Pearl Jam, "One More Try" by George Michael, "Running to Stand Still" by U2, "Square One" by Coldplay, "Up the Junction" by Squeeze, "Virginia Plain" by Roxy Music, "Wasn't Born to Follow" by the Byrds. the title of the song is not sung until the last line of the song
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What character represents the digit "15" in hexadecimal numbers? In hexadecimal notation, used sometimes by computer nerds, the digits after 9 are represented by the letters A-F. 15 is F. correct
2. The hit 1980s sitcoms ALF and Full House both followed families with what last name in common? Tanner. Do you prefer the Danny Tanners or the Willie Tanners? Personally, I hated them all! not correct
3. What nation was born 100 years ago last week, with a January 1, 1913 declaration by the British uniting the (mostly Muslim and Hausa) north with the (mostly Christian and Yoruba) south? Nigeria is celebrating its centennial this month. not correct, but as I said I really like this question
4. What geometric shape is a piece of Crispix cereal? They're little hexagons. That's how you know they're better than Chex: they have six sides. That's, like, two better. correct
5. What daily newspaper for members of the U.S. military dates back to a Civil War-era paper published in Bloomfield, Missouri? U.S. servicemen today STILL do the daily Jumble in the pages of the Stars and Stripes. (Or, for Marines, the Junior Jumble.) (This joke courtesy of the ghost of Bob Hope.) correct
6. Brisés, battements, bourrées, and balancés are elements of what art form? These are all ballet moves. "art form"? that term probably misled me a bit
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these terms? Axis of evil, cyberspace, Generation X, global village, kerosene, midlife crisis, palliative care, peacekeeping. All were coined by Canadians. In a few cases, there are precedents, but it's pretty clear, that, for example, pre-Douglas Coupland uses of "generation X" don't have the modern sense. Ditto for pre-William Gibson stories mentioning "cyberspace," etc. Marshall McLuhan was Canadian? get out of town! Do the Jeopardy writers know about this? Jeopardy loves Canada questions.
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - January 7
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What character represents the digit "15" in hexadecimal numbers? F
2. The hit 1980s sitcoms ALF and Full House both followed families with what last name in common? I don't know much about either show. Is Full House the show with Alan Thicke and Kirk Cameron? One of them was Mike Seaver. Is that the answer - Seaver?
3. What nation was born 100 years ago last week, with a January 1, 1913 declaration by the British uniting the (mostly Muslim and Hausa) north with the (mostly Christian and Yoruba) south? this is a good question. Sudan?
4. What geometric shape is a piece of Crispix cereal? hexagon
5. What daily newspaper for members of the U.S. military dates back to a Civil War-era paper published in Bloomfield, Missouri? Stars and Stripes
6. Brisés, battements, bourrées, and balancés are elements of what art form? fashion design? is that an art form? or are those architectural components?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these terms? Axis of evil, cyberspace, Generation X, global village, kerosene, midlife crisis, palliative care, peacekeeping were all of them Words of the Year at one time? kerosene is really an outlier in this group
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. American Indian environmental activist Winona LaDuke is best-known for serving as the running mate of what presidential candidate during both of his two most successful campaigns? She was Ralph Nader's running mate in 1996 and 2000. correct
2. The original stadium used by baseball's New York Giants was first built to host what other sport? The Giants played at the Polo Grounds--which were, yup, built for polo. I would have answered this correctly if I had taken the time to actually read the question instead of rushing through it
3. The title of what mega-selling young adult novel by John Green is a nod to Cassius's claim in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar that humans are helpless "underlings" to cosmic fate? "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves," according to Shakespeare. The John Green novel (soon to be a major motion picture!) is The Fault in Our Stars. never heard of it
4. In physics, a collision between two objects in which no overall kinetic energy is lost is said to be "totally" what? These are totally elastic collisions. Boooooing. In totally INelastic collisions, the two bodies stick together like Silly Putty. correct
5. Shona, Swahili, and Zulu are the most widely spoken languages of what branch of the Niger-Congo language family? Most Niger-Congo language speakers speak one of the Bantu languages. correct
6. For what 2013 movie was Samantha Morton cast as the title character but then replaced--remarkably--AFTER principal photography was already complete? Scarlet Johansson is the new voice of the title operating system in Her. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these famous people? Alexander the Great, Ludwig van Beethoven, Truman Capote, Charlie Chaplin, Che Guevara, Franz Haydn, Abraham Lincoln, Groucho Marx...and St. Nicholas himself. All these people had their bodies/remains stolen from their final resting place after death. In some cases, like Lincoln's, the desecrations were politically motivated. In others, like Chaplin's, they were extortion schemes. St. Nicholas's bones were stolen by Italian pirates in 1087 for religious reasons: the holy skeleton was said to exude myrrh! The government of Turkey, Santa's original resting place, has recently petitioned Italy for the return of the remains. wow. Abraham Lincoln's remains were stolen?!?
1. What character represents the digit "15" in hexadecimal numbers? F
2. The hit 1980s sitcoms ALF and Full House both followed families with what last name in common? I don't know much about either show. Is Full House the show with Alan Thicke and Kirk Cameron? One of them was Mike Seaver. Is that the answer - Seaver?
3. What nation was born 100 years ago last week, with a January 1, 1913 declaration by the British uniting the (mostly Muslim and Hausa) north with the (mostly Christian and Yoruba) south? this is a good question. Sudan?
4. What geometric shape is a piece of Crispix cereal? hexagon
5. What daily newspaper for members of the U.S. military dates back to a Civil War-era paper published in Bloomfield, Missouri? Stars and Stripes
6. Brisés, battements, bourrées, and balancés are elements of what art form? fashion design? is that an art form? or are those architectural components?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these terms? Axis of evil, cyberspace, Generation X, global village, kerosene, midlife crisis, palliative care, peacekeeping were all of them Words of the Year at one time? kerosene is really an outlier in this group
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. American Indian environmental activist Winona LaDuke is best-known for serving as the running mate of what presidential candidate during both of his two most successful campaigns? She was Ralph Nader's running mate in 1996 and 2000. correct
2. The original stadium used by baseball's New York Giants was first built to host what other sport? The Giants played at the Polo Grounds--which were, yup, built for polo. I would have answered this correctly if I had taken the time to actually read the question instead of rushing through it
3. The title of what mega-selling young adult novel by John Green is a nod to Cassius's claim in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar that humans are helpless "underlings" to cosmic fate? "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves," according to Shakespeare. The John Green novel (soon to be a major motion picture!) is The Fault in Our Stars. never heard of it
4. In physics, a collision between two objects in which no overall kinetic energy is lost is said to be "totally" what? These are totally elastic collisions. Boooooing. In totally INelastic collisions, the two bodies stick together like Silly Putty. correct
5. Shona, Swahili, and Zulu are the most widely spoken languages of what branch of the Niger-Congo language family? Most Niger-Congo language speakers speak one of the Bantu languages. correct
6. For what 2013 movie was Samantha Morton cast as the title character but then replaced--remarkably--AFTER principal photography was already complete? Scarlet Johansson is the new voice of the title operating system in Her. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these famous people? Alexander the Great, Ludwig van Beethoven, Truman Capote, Charlie Chaplin, Che Guevara, Franz Haydn, Abraham Lincoln, Groucho Marx...and St. Nicholas himself. All these people had their bodies/remains stolen from their final resting place after death. In some cases, like Lincoln's, the desecrations were politically motivated. In others, like Chaplin's, they were extortion schemes. St. Nicholas's bones were stolen by Italian pirates in 1087 for religious reasons: the holy skeleton was said to exude myrrh! The government of Turkey, Santa's original resting place, has recently petitioned Italy for the return of the remains. wow. Abraham Lincoln's remains were stolen?!?
