Vitali Schnikers (Germany) achieved 48 continuous Thomas Flairs within the confines of a circle measuring 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in diameter, at the studios of Guinness – Der Show Der Rekorde, Munich, Germany on 23 February 2002.
The most complete costume changes demanded for a lead theatrical role are 29 achieved by Michael Jibson (UK) during his performance of ‘Joe Casey’ in the West End musical Our House, directed by Matthew Warchus (UK) at the Cambridge Theatre, Covent Garden, London, UK, from 28 October 2002 – 16 August 2003. The quick-change costumes and illusion effects were designed by Paul Kieve (UK) allowing the fastest change to take just 4 seconds on stage. Assisted in the wings by principle dresser Murray Lane (UK),
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In terms of the number of independent nations for which the same person is lawfully Head of State at the same time is 16 and belongs to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II (UK) – possibly the most powerful woman in the world. Whilst the Queen’s role is nominal and ceremonial (excerising no political powers), over 128 million people in 15 Commonwealth states (plus the UK) recognise her as their monarch. These 16 are: Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand,
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The most couples hugging simultaneously is 5,369 and was achieved by Omar Villalobos Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito “Santa María Magdalena” at the Estadio Ciudad de Cumana del Instituto Peruano del Deporte, in Ayacucho, Perú, on 14 February 2012 The 10,738 people were present for a festival of music and the record attempt, the hug was symbolic and a message to people in Perú and the world that Ayacucho is no longer a place of violence (it was a Shining Path stronghold in the 90s)
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Since accurate sales records were introduced in the US in 1991, both Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood (both USA) have amassed 10 chart-toppers.
Jim Rogers and Paige Parker (both USA) visited 111 countries and three territories by car between 1 January 1999 and 5 January 2002. They covered more than 245,000 km (152,000 miles) across six continents in their custom-built Mercedes off-road vehicle and trailer. Three territories are: Western Sahara, French Polynesia and Gibraltar.
The most countries visited by fixed wing aircraft in 24 hrs is 11 and was achieved by James van der Hoorn and Iain Macleod (both UK) in their Piper PA28 aircraft on 9 August 2010. The pair departed from Krakow, Poland and stopped at the following airports on their way home to Southend, UK: Brno Turany, Czech Republic; Bratislava, Slovakia; Gyor Per, Hungary; Krems Langenlois, Austria; Vilshofen, Germany; St Gallen, Switzerland; Haguenau, France; Noertrange, Luxembourg; Limburg Regional, Belgium; Maastricht Aachen, Netherlands.
The most countries to support an ally in war is 67 and was achieved by nations supporting the Republic of Korea during the Korean War of 1950-1953. This included military and non-military support of the United Nations-backed Republic of Korea. The war began on 25 June 1950 and ended on 27 July 1953.
The most countries to participate in an international military tattoo performance is 13 at the Brunei Darussalam International Tattoo 2006 which was organised by the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Brunei Darussalam from 29 July – 1 August 2006. The performance was a special event to mark the 60th birthday celebration of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
Before 1914, the UK exercised authority over one fifth of the world’s entire population with the British Empire made up of 88 million subjects. In 1939, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand were the first to be given independence within the Commonwealth. Since then a total of 62 countries have gained independence from the United Kingdom. This is followed by France with 28, Spain with 17, The Soviet Union with 16, Portugal with 7 and the USA with 5.