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Famous Dates Trivia

Famous Dates Trivia Quizzes

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Many dates and events from history are forever etched in our minds. What do you remember about these events? Find out right now.
367 Famous Dates quizzes and 5,138 Famous Dates trivia questions.
Sub-Categories:
1.
  History in Calendar Order    
Ordering Quiz
 10 Qns
Can you order these events NOT in chronological order, but in calendar order from January 1 to December 31? No hints!
Difficult, 10 Qns, AdamM7, Dec 09 23
Difficult
AdamM7 gold member
Dec 09 23
276 plays
2.
When a Day Gets a Nickname
  When a Day Gets a Nickname   top quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Several days have made such impression they got known by a nickname. What do you know about these iconic days? Most of the images may point you to the right answer.
Easier, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Jul 24 19
Recommended for grades: 11,12
Easier
JanIQ gold member
Jul 24 19
1647 plays
3.
Heres An End To All That
  Here's An End To All That   great trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
With the help of the photographs, work out the historical ending associated with the date given in the questions.
Easier, 10 Qns, darksplash, Jul 18 20
Easier
darksplash
Jul 18 20
1496 plays
4.
Take Your Head Out of the Sand
  Take Your Head Out of the Sand!   top quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
All of these scandalous or disastrous events occurred as a result of neglect, or because someone ignored the warning signs. (Don't worry, you won't find any more Titanic questions here!)
Easier, 10 Qns, AcrylicInk, Jan 27 19
Recommended for grades: 11,12
Easier
AcrylicInk gold member
Jan 27 19
1294 plays
5.
  A Date Quiz You May Actually Love   top quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Can you match the famous times with the event in United States history? Have fun and enjoy!
Easier, 10 Qns, linkan, Sep 12 20
Recommended for grades: 8,9,10
Easier
linkan gold member
Sep 12 20
1185 plays
6.
  Where Were You When...?   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Since radio became the first mass medium in the second quarter of the 20th century, when striking events have happened, people recall where they were when they heard the news. Here are ten examples. How many are crystalized in your memory?
Very Easy, 10 Qns, Jdeanflpa, Aug 27 19
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8
Very Easy
Jdeanflpa
Aug 27 19
2002 plays
7.
History Never Repeats
  History Never Repeats...   popular trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Player Pollucci19 gave me this title that at first sight seemed incorrect to me. But adding an extra element may be enough to prove the validity of the title.
Average, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Aug 18 20
Average
JanIQ gold member
Aug 18 20
666 plays
8.
  Key Days in History    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
While every day is important to those who are living it, some days are known for being especially important for some famous people. Your job is to match the person with the day related to a historical event.
Easier, 10 Qns, andymuenz, Sep 30 22
Easier
andymuenz gold member
Sep 30 22
524 plays
9.
Its a Date
  It's a Date!   popular trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
In this quiz, you'll be given dates to match to events - or events to match to dates. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, austinnene, Mar 13 24
Average
austinnene
Mar 13 24
1238 plays
10.
  It's a Date Ending in 66   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Some interesting things that happened in years ending 66. Nine are AD and one is BC. Match the event with the month/year.
Easier, 10 Qns, Upstart3, Jul 27 22
Easier
Upstart3 gold member
Jul 27 22
496 plays
trivia question Quick Question
14 July 1789 AD. "Is it a revolt?" "No sire, it's not a revolt; it's a revolution." To whom did the Duke Rochefoucauld-Liancourt give that reply?

From Quiz "Dates Etched in Memory"




11.
  Historical Events I Remember 1   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
You know how you remember exactly where you were for certain events? These are the memorable happenings in my life.
Average, 15 Qns, nyirene330, Sep 14 16
Average
nyirene330
6102 plays
12.
  April Fooling    
Classification Quiz
 11 Qns
One of the events in this quiz takes place in April, but all of the rest take place either just before or just after the fourth calendar month. See if you can decide which events fall before or after, and which one might just be fooling you. Good luck!
Average, 11 Qns, kyleisalive, Apr 02 23
Average
kyleisalive editor
Apr 02 23
113 plays
13.
  What Happened on this Day? Quite a Lot!   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz looks at pairs of quite different historical events that share the same anniversary.
Average, 10 Qns, agentofchaos, Jul 05 21
Average
agentofchaos gold member
Jul 05 21
1016 plays
14.
  Memorable Times   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Do you know when things happened or what happened in history? Let's test your knowledge of famous dates. Good Luck!
Average, 10 Qns, shazy95, Nov 17 10
Average
shazy95
5987 plays
15.
My First 30 Years Part 1
  My First 30 Years (Part 1)    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
I turned 30 last year, and surprise, nothing monumental happened to me personally. However much happened in the world in my first 30 years on the planet. These questions relate to events from 1985 to 1994. Quiz is part 1 of 3.
Average, 10 Qns, Shadowmyst2004, Aug 14 16
Average
Shadowmyst2004
824 plays
16.
  10 When Was That? Questions   great trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Ten famous events from history. Just match them with the correct date.
Easier, 10 Qns, EnglishJedi, Apr 14 16
Easier
EnglishJedi gold member
1799 plays
17.
  It All Started That Day   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
This quiz is in response to an author challenge. Just match the event with the date on which it began. It covers a wide range of categories. Have fun and good luck!
Easier, 10 Qns, Bob9491, Jan 27 19
Recommended for grades: 11,12
Easier
Bob9491
Jan 27 19
781 plays
18.
  2009 Anniversaries   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
2009 saw many landmark events in UK history celebrate landmark anniversaries. From the descriptions given can you tell what event is celebrating what anniversary?
Average, 10 Qns, Snowman, Nov 17 09
Average
Snowman gold member
1704 plays
19.
  Are You Sure That Calendar Is Right? editor best quiz   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Dates are interesting to look at, as things often happen on them. But can you answer these questions about dates you might have heard of, and dates you probably haven't?
Average, 10 Qns, Red_John, Jun 12 22
Average
Red_John
Jun 12 22
332 plays
20.
  The Years of the Rats   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Great Plague of London took place in 1665-66. What else was going on while the rats and their fleas infected with bubonic plague ran round England's capital city?
Average, 10 Qns, flopsymopsy, Feb 14 11
Average
flopsymopsy editor
1780 plays
21.
  Now! What Was That Date Again!   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Can you identify these events and dates that had a significant impact on our world during the 20th Century.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, zambesi, Jan 13 17
Recommended for grades: 8,9,10
Very Easy
zambesi
1453 plays
22.
  Dates Etched in Memory   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Ten events that have had great impact in the History of the world.
Easier, 10 Qns, gme24, Jun 29 15
Recommended for grades: 11,12
Easier
gme24 gold member
1343 plays
23.
  Black Days in History    
Match Quiz
 15 Qns
Not to be confused with 'Black History', in this quiz you will need to match the described turbulent historical events with the 'Black' day of the week ascribed to them.
Average, 15 Qns, reedy, Nov 18 20
Average
reedy gold member
Nov 18 20
473 plays
24.
  Historical Events I Remember 2   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Son of Part 1 about events remembered when they actually happened (21st century edition). Do you remember these memorable happenings?
Average, 10 Qns, nyirene330, Jul 30 15
Average
nyirene330
932 plays
25.
  A Caveman's Radio & Other 'Eventful' Anachronisms   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You have two tasks: first determine the date described then work out which artefacts could not possibly be used at that particular time. These are anachronisms. An example would be the Pharoah's sunglasses.
Average, 10 Qns, 1nn1, Jul 05 17
Average
1nn1 gold member
Jul 05 17
548 plays
26.
  It's Back: Dating With a Twist!   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Anachronisms are details which are in the wrong time-frame, e.g. fighter jets in 1775. Can you spot which of these statements are anachronisms? Have fun.
Average, 10 Qns, Fiachra, Jul 14 12
Average
Fiachra
5172 plays
27.
  Happy Quadricenternary: the 1610s   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Continuing a series that I began with my 100th quiz on FT, for my 400th quiz here we look back at the people and events celebrating their 400th anniversary in the 2010s
Average, 10 Qns, EnglishJedi, Oct 04 16
Average
EnglishJedi gold member
605 plays
28.
  The Year of the Ox   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
in the second of this series of 12 quizzes, we look at events that occurred during the Chinese Year of the Ox. In the Vietnamese calendar, the Ox is replaced by the Water Buffalo.
Average, 10 Qns, EnglishJedi, Jun 17 15
Average
EnglishJedi gold member
465 plays
29.
  Every Calendar's Days Are Numbered   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Quick, how many months have 28 days? If you said 12, you're right, they all do. Let's take a look back and see what happened around the world on the 28th day of various months and years.
Average, 10 Qns, paulmallon, Mar 07 14
Average
paulmallon gold member
1003 plays
30.
  Tomorrow Never Dies   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All past doomsday predictions have one thing in common: they were all wrong. No matter how sure various 'authorities' are that the world will end, tomorrow just never dies.
Average, 10 Qns, illiniman14, Dec 16 12
Average
illiniman14 gold member
1097 plays
31.
  Independence Day    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A valiant struggle for freedom! Pride and glory! Each of these countries fought for and won (or declared) their independence from colonial or occupying powers... can you name them all?
Tough, 10 Qns, reedy, Sep 22 13
Tough
reedy gold member
807 plays
32.
  1492: A Turning Point in History   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Columbus' discovery of America in 1492 marked the end of the Middle Ages and the start of the Age of Exploration. Find out more about Columbus' voyage and a couple of other important events of this remarkable year.
Average, 10 Qns, AlonsoKing, Apr 30 19
Average
AlonsoKing
Apr 30 19
290 plays
33.
  In My Life: Part 1    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I am in that part of life usually referred to as "The Golden Years", which means that a great many things have happened while I have been resident on this planet. Can you match the event in my life with the year in which there was a major world event?
Average, 10 Qns, Cymruambyth, Mar 23 19
Average
Cymruambyth gold member
Mar 23 19
380 plays
34.
  '98   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is a quiz about some historic events which contain the number "98". Good luck.
Average, 10 Qns, mrgrouchy, Jan 26 17
Average
mrgrouchy
1858 plays
35.
  Ya Wanna Date? #1    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Well, here are some for you. But what does each lot have in common? See if you can guess ...
Difficult, 10 Qns, anselm, Nov 25 10
Difficult
anselm
1933 plays
36.
  When is This Going to be Over?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
We often remember the dates that historical events/eras began...the end dates, though, often seem harder. Here then are ten events throughout history that will have you asking, "When is this going to be over?"
Average, 10 Qns, NovaLuna, Jul 07 17
Average
NovaLuna
Jul 07 17
508 plays
37.
  Happy Tercentenary: the World in 1715    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Continuing a series I began with my 100th and 200th FT quizzes, for this, my 300th, we take a look at the world 300 years ago, in 1715.
Tough, 10 Qns, EnglishJedi, Jul 25 15
Tough
EnglishJedi gold member
341 plays
38.
  As the Century Turns    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is to meet a quiz author challenge. They all happened around the turn of a century, can you tell which one?
Average, 10 Qns, yitz420, Jan 02 18
Average
yitz420 gold member
Jan 02 18
1382 plays
39.
  What Time Was It?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is a part of Author challenge. Lets see how much you know about the world history. Hope you will learn something new.
Average, 10 Qns, The_Rubiks, Jan 31 19
Average
The_Rubiks
Jan 31 19
422 plays
40.
  Various 16th Century   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Come one, come all! My first quiz shouldn't be to hard, but i just hope it's entertaining and enlightening.
Difficult, 10 Qns, XavieX, Apr 17 18
Difficult
XavieX
Apr 17 18
1692 plays
41.
  The Year of the Rat    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The first in a series of twelve quizzes highlights events occurring during the Chinese Year of the Rat. Traits of those born under the Rat include ambitious, intelligent, god like, vindictive, selfish, ruthless and narcissistic.
Average, 10 Qns, EnglishJedi, Apr 11 19
Average
EnglishJedi gold member
Apr 11 19
339 plays
42.
  A Calendar In Time    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz will focus on famous days in history where something interesting or extraordinary happened. There will be one correct answer and three incorrect ones. The question will be a date and year and you tell which one is correct.
Average, 10 Qns, foil7, Jan 18 19
Average
foil7
Jan 18 19
535 plays
43.
  Counting to Ten    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
We're going to count up to 10, history-style. Each of the following is an event that happened in the years 1, 2, 3 ...
Average, 10 Qns, nautilator, Feb 04 17
Average
nautilator
447 plays
44.
  When the Year Ends in 13    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is a mixture of questions about events that happened in years ending in 13.
Tough, 10 Qns, Dizart, Dec 18 13
Tough
Dizart gold member
612 plays
45.
  The 60s Across the Centuries    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Something about the decade of the 60s brought out the desire for change- like the urge to rearrange the living room every half century or so.
Difficult, 10 Qns, sidnobls, Oct 17 16
Difficult
sidnobls
1255 plays
46.
  The Big Story Today Is...    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
If our dedicated news team, Nessa, Edgar, Wes and Sharon presented these stories at the top of the hour, how many would you recognise?
Average, 10 Qns, fiachra, Jun 03 11
Average
fiachra
2993 plays
47.
  The 70s Across the Centuries   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The 70s ... It was the "me decade" that gave rise to outrageous personal expression and equally outrageous reactions.
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, sidnobls, Jul 04 15
Very Difficult
sidnobls
1648 plays
48.
  Notable 2013 Anniversaries    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here are a selection of anniversaries for you. Let's see if you know how long ago before 2013 (the year when this quiz was written) these events took place.
Average, 10 Qns, suomy, Sep 25 13
Average
suomy
375 plays
49.
  Dating - With a Twist!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
An anachronism is something in the wrong time-frame: one sometimes finds them in fantasy fiction and fantasy films, for example firearms in a story set in Ancient Rome. Can you identify which of the following statements are anachronisms?
Tough, 10 Qns, Fiachra, Feb 11 05
Tough
Fiachra
2919 plays
50.
  The 90s Across the Centuries    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The final decade before the turn of the century nudged the world to explore its own spirituality in a variety of ways. How much do you know about people's attempts to know just where they stood in the grand scheme of things?
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, sidnobls, Aug 28 10
Very Difficult
sidnobls
1477 plays
51.
  Dateline: 1783    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The year 1783 was an eventful one. See how much you know about this year's events in this quiz.
Tough, 10 Qns, bullymom, Apr 25 02
Tough
bullymom
1293 plays
52.
  Dateline: 1576    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
See how much you know about the spirit of '76 - 1576, that is!
Difficult, 10 Qns, bullymom, May 12 06
Difficult
bullymom
1511 plays
53.
  Dateline: 1779    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
1779 was a busy year- see how much you know about it.
Difficult, 10 Qns, bullymom, Jun 27 02
Difficult
bullymom
1520 plays
54.
  It Didn't Happen That Day    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I'll give you four events, three of which happened on the same day of the year and I'll ask you which one happened on a different day.
Tough, 10 Qns, andymuenz, Sep 19 15
Tough
andymuenz gold member
334 plays
55.
  Death Takes a Holiday    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
When Death takes a holiday, he really "takes" a holiday. Death checks in to wreak havoc on days normally reserved for celebration. Take a historical look from natural to man made causes.
Tough, 10 Qns, alexKmahns, Mar 15 12
Tough
alexKmahns
846 plays
56.
  Dateline: 1665    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here's the latest Dateline quiz.
Difficult, 10 Qns, bullymom, Jun 24 02
Difficult
bullymom
1559 plays
57.
  The 10s Across the Centuries    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Those embattled teens ... seems like the second decade of every century, we are angst filled enough to whack out some other dynasty. How much do you know about conquest between '10 and '19?
Difficult, 10 Qns, sidnobls, May 08 08
Difficult
sidnobls
558 plays
58.
  Days of the Year in Common    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Can you guess which is the common day of the year that three separate events all happened on?
Average, 10 Qns, Spugsy, Sep 03 09
Average
Spugsy
558 plays
59.
  When Was That?: 10 Questions    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is a quiz of famous dates. Think you can do it?
Difficult, 10 Qns, chucknorris2, Mar 06 13
Difficult
chucknorris2
1811 plays
60.
  Dateline: 1630    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here's the latest in my Dateline series. Enjoy!
Difficult, 10 Qns, bullymom, Feb 06 16
Difficult
bullymom
747 plays
61.
  World Dates and Events    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is not to be taken lightly ...
Difficult, 10 Qns, Monk12, Nov 06 10
Difficult
Monk12
2257 plays

Famous Dates Trivia Questions

1. Beware the Ides of March! Advice that Julius Caesar disregarded at his peril, as he was assassinated on March 15, 44 BCE. March 15 was also an unfortunate date for what European country that was invaded by Germany in 1939?

From Quiz
What Happened on this Day? Quite a Lot!

Answer: Czechoslovakia

Caesar had been warned by several people not to go to the senate on the Ides (15th) of March, including his wife, who had several frightening dreams. One of the conspirators persuaded him not to put stock in such things as women's dreams or "idle gossip by stupid men" about a conspiracy against him, and convinced him that it would be an insult to the Senate not to attend. He should have listened to his wife! On the same day in 1939, Hitler threatened to bomb Prague unless the Czech President Emil Hacha granted his troops free passage into Czech borders. Hacha was cowed by the threat and German troops entered without resistance, leading to the occupation of the entire country and not just the Sudetenland that he had claimed rightfully belonged to Germany.

2. It took the shine off Christmas rather abruptly. On 26 December 2004 many celebrations were spoiled by word that tens of thousands of people had been killed in the space of a few hours. Do you recall when you heard about ...?

From Quiz Where Were You When...?

Answer: the Boxing Day tsunami

The Boxing Day tsunami killed nearly a quarter million people and spawned a worldwide relief effort. The distractor answers either occurred before the origin of electromagnetic media or in the case of the Kinshasa epidemic, never happened (thankfully). The Shansi, China earthquake of 1566 may have been the deadliest natural disaster in history with around 800,000 dead. The Peshtigo, Wisconsin wildfire was the deadliest fire in US history (2,000 dead) but is known almost exclusively by disaster buffs. It occurred on 8 October 1871, the same day the Great Chicago Fire (300 dead) started, which got all the coverage.

3. In which year did the world's first airplane flight take place?

From Quiz What Time Was It?

Answer: 1903

The Wright brothers invented the first airplane and on December 17, 1903, Orville Wright took it for its first flight, which lasted 12 seconds. The "Dayton Journal" refused to publish the story, as they said that the flight was too short to be important. But soon they get famous for being the first person to fly an airplane.

4. Known as a war that pitted brother against brother, the American Civil war remains the bloodiest that the US has ever been a part of, meaning it couldn't end quickly enough. What year did it eventually end?

From Quiz When is This Going to be Over?

Answer: 1865

Beginning in 1861, the American Civil War was fought by the northern armies (known colloquially as 'Yankees' or 'Billy Yanks'), who fought to keep certain states from seceding, and the southern armies (known as 'Rebs' or 'Johnny Rebs'), who fought for that right among others. While it would become popular to consider slavery as the root cause of the war - a view that was only strengthened by the Emancipation Proclamation - the reality was that a host of reasons, including state's rights, slavery, and economic growth/stagnation finally came to a head, and conflict erupted. The first shots were fired by Lt. Henry Farley, under the command of P.T Beauregard, at Fort Sumter. The war was officially brought to an end on May 9th, 1865, with a declaration by President Andrew Johnson.

5. January 2, 1492: on the second day of the year history was already being written. The Catholic Kings of Spain finished the Reconquista when they conquered the last Moorish stronghold on the Iberian peninsula. Which city was this?

From Quiz 1492: A Turning Point in History

Answer: Granada

In 711 CE Muslim invaders conquered the Visigoth kingdom and brought most of the Iberian peninsula under Muslim rule. The Reconquista is a period of almost 800 years of on and off wars in which a number of emerging Christian kingdoms in the north tried to retake the Iberian peninsula from the Muslim invaders (also called Moors or Saracens). Since the 13th Century only the Kingdom of Granada remained in Moorish hands. The final stage of the reconquista took place between 1482 and 1492, when the united forces of Aragon and Castile (Isabella of Aragon and Ferdinand of Castile were married in 1469) defeated the internally divided Moors. Granada only surrendered after an eight month siege. All of Granada's lands were annexed by Castile. This ended all Islamic rule in Andalusia.

6. 1: "Laudably Declarable Lord Ni" is the first of many posthumous titles given to what famous philosopher?

From Quiz Counting to Ten

Answer: Confucius

Confucius lived about 2,500 years ago, towards the end of the Spring and Autumn period of China. He rose to prominence as society declined around him, becoming a philosopher and politician. Most of his ideas were preserved through the work known as the Analects. He has accumulated numerous titles in the centuries since his death and is most commonly referred to as Kongzi in modern-day China.

7. September 12, 490 BC. "Pheidippides, run as fast as you can and take the joyous message of victory to our brethren in Athens". The order was given by General Miltiades after which famous battle?

From Quiz Dates Etched in Memory

Answer: Marathon

In the battle of Marathon the Greeks, led by the Athenians, defeated the invading Persian army. The battle was a tactical victory for Miltiades. He lined up his soldiers in a straight line and ordered his troops to attack the Persians head-on. The middle of his line was forced back by the Persians, but the two wings converged, trapping the enemy. In the slaughter that followed 6,400 Persians and 192 Greeks died. The run of Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens is the inspiration for the modern day Marathon race. The battle of Thermopylae was fought in 480 BC. The battles of Granicus and Issus took place more than 150 years later during Alexander's campaign against the Persians.

8. December 5th, 2013, saw the passing of one of the most significant political figures of the late 20th/early 21st century, Nelson Mandela. His funeral took place 10 days later in which town?

From Quiz When the Year Ends in 13

Answer: Qunu

Mandela was brought up in Qunu, Eastern Cape, and he personally stated that he wished to be buried there when the time came. Around 4,500 people attended his funeral, including Bill Clinton, Prince Charles and Oprah Winfrey.

9. The year 2013 marked an anniversary of the run made by the locomotive 'Mallard' to become holder of the record as the fastest steam locomotive in the world at just over 200 km/h. How many years previously had this record been set?

From Quiz Notable 2013 Anniversaries

Answer: 75 years

'Mallard' was built in 1938, was retired from service in 1963 and is now at the National Railway Museum in York, UK. A number of other steam locomotives have achieved similar speeds. Both diesel and electric trains had gone faster than this before 1938. The fastest conventionally-wheeled train at the end of the first decade of the 2000s was the French TGV which reached just under 575 km/h.

10. Which world leader was brutally killed on Halloween in 1984?

From Quiz Death Takes a Holiday

Answer: Indira Gandhi

India's long serving female prime minister was assassinated by her bodyguards at the age of 66. Her bodyguards, thought to be Sikh extremists, fired 30 shots into the defenseless woman.

11. At the beginning of what century did Richard Trevithick introduce the first steam locomotive (The Puffing Devil) in Camborne, England?

From Quiz As the Century Turns

Answer: 1800s

The introduction of the steam engine was a key factor in the industrial revolution and the steam locomotive revolutionized transport.

12. In 1665, Robert Hooke published the results of his work using microscopes to study plant and insect life and coined a new word to describe a fundamental biological structure he had observed in tree bark. Which word did he use?

From Quiz The Years of the Rats

Answer: Cell

Robert Hooke's work 'Micrographia' was the first major work published by the Royal Society of London. It included copperplate engravings of 'Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses', including the eye of a fly, a louse, and a flea. Hooke's observations of the structure of tree bark led him to describe the smallest component he could see as a 'cell', because it had walls and reminded him of a monk's cell. Robert Hooke was part of the era of British scientists that included Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle. Hooke became curator of experiments at the newly-formed Royal Society and his work covered microscopy, astronomy, elasticity and gravitation. He also worked with Christopher Wren on plans for the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire.

13. On which day of the year was the importation of slaves into the USA banned, the US Navy SEALs established and the Euro currency introduced?

From Quiz Days of the Year in Common

Answer: January 1

On 1st January 1808, the importation of slaves into the USA was banned, but the internal slave trade continued along with slavery for another six decades. In 1962, the United States Navy Sea, Air and Land Forces were formed, commonly known as the Navy Seals. In 1999, the Euro currency was introduced (as an accouNting currency) and three years later, also on 1st January, the Euro became legal tender in twelve European countries.

14. In 1999, which movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow won the Academy Award for Best Picture?

From Quiz '98

Answer: Shakespeare in Love

The movie "Shakespeare in Love" dominated the 1998 Academy Awards, winning seven Oscars, including Best Picture. Gwyneth Paltrow won an Oscar for Best Actress in her portrayal of Viola de Lesseps. The romantic comedy also won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design. "Shakespeare in Love" was also a popular film at the box office, grossing nearly $300 million.

15. One of my earliest memories growing up in Brooklyn, NY was in the early 1950s when an alarm would sound in elementary school and we had to hide under our desks (facing away from the windows). What were these exercises called?

From Quiz Historical Events I Remember 1

Answer: Take Cover Drills or Shelter Drills

As if is that was likely to protect anyone in the event of nuclear war! I wonder who "they" thought they were kidding. (The names may have varied slightly in different parts of the country).

16. William, Duke of Normandy just defeated King Harold II in England, earning him the name the conqueror in what year?

From Quiz Memorable Times

Answer: 1066

The Normans were led by the Duke of Normandy, William in the battle of Hasting. He later became conqueror after he defeated King Harold II of England. He conquered England after this battle. King Harold II died in battle. This battle took place on Senlac Hill which was 6 miles (10 km) away from Hastings on October 14 of 1066.

17. In the 1990s, burgeoning American religious values brought the former Louis Eugene Walcott into the spotlight as a lightning rod for a new brand of American Islamic experience. By what name was he known by the time of his rise to prominence?

From Quiz The 90s Across the Centuries

Answer: Louis Farrakhan

In 1995 Farrakhan organized a zeitgeist event which was arguably the largest protest march in American history - the 'Million Man March'. The 1990s leader of the self proclaimed "Nation of Islam" was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1933. Originally a member of St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, he attended college in the South, where racist experiences prompted him to abandon his Christian faith and look elsewhere for spiritual strength. The 'Nation of Islam' was founded in the 1930s in Detroit by W.F. Muhammad. El-Shabazz was better known as Malcolm X, a leading figure in American Islam of the 1960s.

18. World War I (1914-1918) left a lasting legacy on the ensuing decades. Which country did NOT achieve or regain independence as a direct consequence of WW1?

From Quiz The 10s Across the Centuries

Answer: Macedonia

Macedonia remained divided among various countries (by the Treaty of Bucharest, 1913), despite the crumbling of virtually of the neighboring Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires.

19. On what day did the great fire of Rome start under the emperor Nero?

From Quiz When Was That?

Answer: July 18

The fire erupted on the night of July 18, and was finally put out on July 19 in the year 64 AD.

20. For which European country were these dates seminal: 1772, 1793, 1795, 1807, 1815, 1918, 1939, 1945?

From Quiz Ya Wanna Date? #1

Answer: Poland

The dates are those of the four partitions of Poland and its various recreations. In 1772 Russia snatched a part of Livonia, Austria a chunk of Galicia and Prussia the core of the subsequent West Prussia. In 1793 Russia gained an enormous area of Belorussia and Ruthenia, while Prussia grabbed Gdansk (Danzig) and a large area around Poznan. In 1795 the country was finally carved up between the three powers who started the partition in 1772, with the largest slice, including most of what later became Lithuania, going to Russia, while Warsaw and the surrounding area became "New Prussia". Napoleon created the Duchy of Warsaw largely from Prussian and Austrian territory in 1807; it lasted until 1813. A smaller Kingdom of Poland was created by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 with the Tsar as King, but it was integrated with Russia following a national uprising in 1830-31. In 1918 Pilsudski became Chief of State ("Naczelnik Panstwa") of a provisionally independent Poland, confirmed by the Treaty of Versailles the following year. In 1939 Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Russia divided up Poland between themselves on the outbreak of World War II, while in 1945 the country was again recreated and shifted a couple of hundred miles west of its 1939 location.

21. What explorer was killed in Hawaii on February 14, 1779?

From Quiz Dateline: 1779

Answer: James Cook

On his third trip to the Pacific, Captain Cook was killed during a skirmish with the Hawaiian natives. Cook was a busy man; along with "discovering" Hawaii, he landed on Antarctica, charted New Zealand, surveyed the east coast of Australia, and sought a Northwest Passage.

22. In 1665, German priest and scientist Athanasius Kircher made news by studying what?

From Quiz Dateline: 1665

Answer: Mt. Vesuvius

He had himself lowered into the Italian crater to observe it in its post-eruption state. The Jesuit priest and scholar, author of the geology textbook "The Subterranean World", believed that the earth had a fiery, turbulent center.

23. The first execution in the British colonies (America) took place on December 1, 1607. What was the crime and what was the method of execution?

From Quiz Dateline: 1630

Answer: Treason - firing squad

The condemned was named George Kendall and the execution, by a firing squad, took place in Virginia. He was convicted of being a spy for Spain.

24. On August 27, the famous painter Tiziano Vecelli died in Venice. What was he better known as?

From Quiz Dateline: 1576

Answer: Titian

Titian, who was in his nineties when he died of the plague, was one of the world's most renowned portrait painters. His specialities were rich colors, paintings of classical myths, and use of the color red.

25. On December 19, 1783, this man became Prime Minister of Britain at the age of 24.

From Quiz Dateline: 1783

Answer: William Pitt

People scoffed when the youngster, who had been an MP for only two years, was appointed Prime Minister by George III.

26. 30 February 1712 - We all know the mnemonic that tells us how many days are in each month, but the year 1712 gave us a unique instance of 30 February, which came during which country's move from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar?

From Quiz Are You Sure That Calendar Is Right?

Answer: Sweden

Following its initial adoption in 1582 by Catholic Europe, the Gregorian calendar was gradually adopted in non-Catholic countries. Most adopted the same practice of simply dropping a number of days from the year. However, Sweden elected to undertake a more gradual process of reform by using its own, specially developed calendar, which would drop all leap days between 1700 and 1740 (a total of eleven days), which would bring Sweden into line with the Gregorian calendar. The plan, adopted in November 1699, was to be implemented from 1700 onwards, and consequently Sweden had no 29 February that year. However, the same year Sweden became embroiled in the Great Northern War against an alliance of Denmark, Russia and other states. As a result of the war, the implementation of the new calendar was not done in either 1704 or 1708, leading to the calendar again becoming out of sync, as an extra day had been added. In 1712, King Charles XII of Sweden decreed that the Swedish calendar would be abandoned, and the country would return to the Julian calendar. To account for the extra day, the king also decreed that Sweden would have an extra leap day in February 1712, which led to 29 February being followed by 30 February. Sweden eventually adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1753.

27. February 19, 197 CE was the date of the historic Battle of Lugdunum, which was said to be the largest and bloodiest of all clashes between Roman forces. On the same day in 1942, the Japanese Air Force bombed what Australian city?

From Quiz What Happened on this Day? Quite a Lot!

Answer: Darwin

The Battle of Lugdunum, which took place in what is now Lyon, France, was an extremely fierce and hard-fought conflict between two rival claimants to the title of emperor that is estimated to have involved over 100,000 combatants. Beginning on February 19, it lasted over two days, which was unusual in an era when battles usually ended within hours. Although the outcome was uncertain during most of the battle, it ended in a decisive victory for Septimius Severus and death for Clodius Albinus. Darwin is the capital of Australia's Northern Territory, and is still the smallest and least populated of Australia's capital cities. Despite its small size, in World War II, it was an important military base and shipping hub for the Australian Navy and Air Force. Japan's attack on the city was the largest single attack against Australia ever and was the first of a series of Japanese bombing raids on Australian soil between February 1942 and November 1943. The attack involved 242 Japanese planes and resulted in an estimated 250-262 Australian fatalities, with over 400 people wounded, as well as major loss of cargo shipping needed to support the war in the Pacific.

28. Just six days after my second birthday, the Second World War began when Germany invaded Poland. When was that?

From Quiz In My Life: Part 1

Answer: September 1, 1939

On August 31, 1939 Nazi operatives disguised as Polish soldiers attacked the radio station in Gleiwitz. Gleiwitz is in Silesia, on the German/Polish border, an area that has changed hands between Germany and Poland several times over the centuries. The attack" on the radio station was the excuse Hitler needed to launch the invasion of Poland on September 1, thus plunging the world into a war that lasted for almost six years. Great Britain declared war against Germany on September 3, and Canada did so on September 10.

29. In which year did the Wall Street Crash occur?

From Quiz What Time Was It?

Answer: 1929

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 was the most devastating stock market crash in the history of United States. It started on October 24 known as black Thursday and continued until October 29 known as black Tuesday, when share prices on the New York Stock Exchange collapsed.

30. Arguably one of Japan's most famous - or infamous - emperors was the man known to most of the outside world as Hirohito. While best remembered for ruling during WWII, in what year did his reign actually end?

From Quiz When is This Going to be Over?

Answer: 1989

While the outside world may remember him as Emperor Hirohito, the 124th emperor is now (posthumously) technically known as Emperor Showa. Born April 29th, 1901, he would become the Prince Regent on November 29th, 1921, and ascend to the Emperor's throne December 25th, 1926. While he and his country had very pronounced differences in life before and after WWII, Hirohito would continue to rule until he died of cancer in 1989 at the age of 87. He was married to Princess Nagako of Kuni, later to be known as the Empress Kojun, and had seven children. His elder son succeeded him as Emperor Akihito.

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