Special Sub-Topic: May Happenings Click Here To Play: May Happenings

On May 2, 1598, the Treaty of Vervins was signed, ending the war between which two nations?

France and Spain. In the agreement, Philip II of Spain got to keep Flanders, Artois, and Charolais but lost Picardy to Henri IV of France.

On May 26, 1834, the six-year civil war in what country ended?

Portugal. The defeated King Miguel left the country.

On May 11, 330, what city was dedicated as the new capital of the Roman Empire?

Constantinople. Roman Emperor Constantine built his new capital on the site of the ancient Byzantium. The city later became known as Constantipole and then Istanbul.

On May 7, 1915, what ocean liner was sunk off the coast of Ireland?

Lusitania. Of the 1,198 people who died, many were Americans, a fact which prompted the United States into entering World War I.

On May 13, 1981, who was wounded in an asassination attempt?

Pope John Paul II. It occurred in St. Peter's Square in {Rome;} the shooter was a Turkey native named Mehmet Ali Agca. Egyptian president Sadat was killed by assassins on October 6, 1981.

On May 29, 1765, this patriot made an impassioned protest against the Stamp Act in the Virginia House of Burgesses.

Patrick Henry.

On May 25, 1085, King Alfonso of Leon and Castile won back this Spanish city from the Moslems.

Toledo. Toldeo was the capital of Spain, till it was moved to Madrid.

The NAACP was founded on May 1, 1910. Who was its first president?

W.E.B. DuBois. DuBois, who had a PhD from Harvard, was 48 at the time.

On May 18, 1652, Rhode Island passed a law banning ________ in the colonies.

Slavery. The law went mostly unnoticed and doesn't appear to have been enforced.

On May 13, 1846, the United Stated declared war on which nation?

Mexico. The war, which was over the territories of California and New Mexico, ended on September 14, 1847, when the Americans captured Mexico City.

On May 6, 1974, this West German Chancellor resigned after a spy was found working in his office.

Willy Brandt. Willy Brandt was chosen as 'Time's Man of the Year' for 1970 for his innovative 'Ostpolitik' (German for 'Eastern Policy' - detente with Soviet bloc nations).

The first Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky, was run in what year?

1875.

Mt. Pele erupted on May 8, 1902, killing 30,000 people. What island is Pele on?

Martinique. Martinique is in the French West Indies. Its capital and largest city is St. Pierre.

On May 29, 1953, the summit of Mt. Everest was reached for the first time by two men. Most people know that one was Edmund Hillary of New Zealand. Who was the other one?

Tenzing Norgay. Tenzing Norgay was Hillary's guide. It was his eighth attempt at climbing the 29,028 foot mountain.

On May 21, 1932, Amelia Earhart made history when she became the first woman to fly nonstop across the Atlantic solo. Where did her flight begin and end?

Newfoundland, Northern Ireland. The trip took her 16 hours in her Lockheed Vega.