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Specialized History Trivia

Specialized History Trivia Quizzes

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Do you have a favorite history topic that doesn't quite fit into the other sub-categories? Come search for it here, or if it isn't here, how about creating a quiz of your own?
542 Specialized History quizzes and 7,588 Specialized History trivia questions.
1.
Stop Poisoning My Name
  Stop Poisoning My Name   best quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
This quiz is filled with swastikas. No, really. Wanna guess how people use them?
Average, 10 Qns, nautilator, Nov 22 15
Average
nautilator
840 plays
2.
  History of the Dutch East India Company (VOC)    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
What do you know about the history of the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie? Explore the fascinating era of the Dutch East India Company with 15 questions. Good luck.
Average, 15 Qns, piet, Sep 15 23
Average
piet gold member
Sep 15 23
114 plays
3.
  Ten Afflictions That Changed History   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Sometimes we think we are in control and find out that the fates have other ideas. The same can be said for every civilization, empire and country that has ever existed on our planet.
Average, 10 Qns, alexis722, Jul 03 20
Average
alexis722
Jul 03 20
3054 plays
4.
  Delayed Reactions of History   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Not every historical event is immediately noticed for what it means. Can you identify these events that led to some unexpected consequences?
Average, 10 Qns, CmdrK, Apr 01 16
Average
CmdrK gold member
1239 plays
5.
Trade Routes
  Trade Routes    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Throughout history, trade routes played an important role in the establishment and stability of many empires. Here is a quiz on ten of these trade roads.
Average, 10 Qns, Joepetz, Oct 29 16
Average
Joepetz gold member
520 plays
6.
  Book Burning Party! editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
"Where they burn books, they will in the end also burn people" is a quote from the German poet Heinrich Heine (1797-1859). Unsurprisingly, the Nazis burnt his books, too. This quiz is about some of history's most notorious book burnings.
Average, 10 Qns, AlonsoKing, Dec 01 12
Average
AlonsoKing
1975 plays
7.
  A Time of Innocence   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many adults try to preserve a child's innocence by shielding them from some of the horrors of the "grown-up" world. This quiz will focus on children that became involved with traumatic events throughout history.
Average, 10 Qns, RedHook13, Mar 07 20
Average
RedHook13 gold member
Mar 07 20
694 plays
8.
  This is Why We Can't Have Historical Things   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
History is a rich topic and, luckily, people have a tendency to preserve artifacts to chronicle our time on this planet. This quiz is about what was lost not to the ages, but to the idiots, because there's always someone willing to destroy that stuff.
Tough, 10 Qns, kyleisalive, Aug 16 17
Tough
kyleisalive editor
Aug 16 17
2206 plays
9.
  Bodyguards   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Throughout history political leaders and the office they hold have been protected by bodyguards and special protection organisations. How much do you know about these units?
Tough, 10 Qns, mstanaway, Feb 17 11
Tough
mstanaway
1326 plays
10.
  The Bowels of History   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
Here is a quiz on some notably gruesome and often scatalogical Historical facts. Test your knowledge on a few items not often mentioned in History class.
Difficult, 20 Qns, jane6677, Aug 31 13
Difficult
jane6677
6390 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Who is credited with desecrating the ruins of the Ancient City of Babylon, mainly by rebuilding it and etching his name throughout?

From Quiz "This is Why We Can't Have Historical Things"




11.
  Historical Survey of Computing   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The history of computing spans many centuries. I will ask you to identify people, devices and events regarding early computers and computing.
Easier, 10 Qns, christopherm, Jan 13 13
Easier
christopherm gold member
878 plays
12.
  Stop the Presses!   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
If it's in the paper it has to be true, right? Not always! Over the years, many news flashes have turned out to be false. See what you remember about these times when it would have been better to do some fact checking before crying, "Stop the Presses!"
Average, 10 Qns, shuehorn, Apr 01 12
Average
shuehorn gold member
870 plays
13.
  Embargoing, Going, Gone!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Embargoes have been placed throughout history for various reasons. This quiz will test your knowledge on some of them. Thank you to kyleisalive for the quiz title. Best of luck!
Easier, 10 Qns, Triviaballer, Mar 20 15
Easier
Triviaballer gold member
771 plays
14.
  Seven Ate Nine   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Eating your own kind is taboo. That doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. The following incidents certainly did not involve a vegetarian, unless they were the victim.
Tough, 10 Qns, pollucci19, Feb 15 11
Tough
pollucci19 gold member
817 plays
15.
  Look Who's Talking    
Ordering Quiz
 10 Qns
History of Talking Films
Today we tend to take movies with sound for granted. But they were a very ingenious invention that revolutionized films and the film industry! Here are ten questions about the evolution of "talking pictures" and facts pertaining thereto.
Difficult, 10 Qns, lordprescott, Jan 25 23
Difficult
lordprescott gold member
Jan 25 23
133 plays
16.
  X Marks The Shot   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I challenge you to a duel. Choose you second, bring your weapon and prepare to meet your fate. Well, perhaps a battle to the death is a little dramatic. Instead, how about playing this quiz on the history of dueling and personal combat.
Average, 10 Qns, adam36, Feb 26 15
Average
adam36 gold member
414 plays
17.
  Oh, the Things That They'll Tax   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Is there nothing more noble than the pursuit of other peoples' money? As it turns out, the world's most inevitable profession can be incredibly creative.
Average, 10 Qns, nautilator, Oct 26 14
Average
nautilator
456 plays
18.
  The Clock is Ticking    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Events from the famous "Doomsday Clock"
Created and maintained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Science and Security Board, the Doomsday Clock represents a multi-scale assessment of the probability of global disaster. Match the clock settings to the reasons given for them!
Average, 10 Qns, WesleyCrusher, Dec 07 22
Average
WesleyCrusher editor
Dec 07 22
320 plays
19.
  Types of Sources for History   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is about the characteristics of things like primary, secondary, reliable and unreliable sources. It does *not* tell you where to find materials for quizzes.
Average, 10 Qns, bloomsby, Jan 14 14
Average
bloomsby gold member
650 plays
20.
  Weather or Not    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How the Weather has Rained on History's Parade, with a grateful nod to Laura Lee's book "Blame It on the Rain", and to the Weather Channel for inspiration.
Tough, 10 Qns, sidnobls, Jan 21 08
Tough
sidnobls
2662 plays
21.
  Overview of Jewish History   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz covers Jewish history from Biblical times all the way up to the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. The questions refer mostly to major events, the Diaspora, and Zionism. Good luck.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Headrock, Aug 22 09
Difficult
Headrock
950 plays
22.
  Battles over The Bible (in English)   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You don't have to be either a Christian or a theologian to do this quiz, because it's about translators and their work, not about the Bible itself. Have fun.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Cymruambyth, Aug 20 14
Difficult
Cymruambyth gold member
1352 plays
23.
  "...and Suddenly the Sun Turned Black!"   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It's a sign! An omen! The end is nigh! No, wait: it's just an eclipse. Throughout history, eclipses have often seemed to bring with them dread omens and momentous events. Let's visit some of them!
Average, 10 Qns, bszpak, Apr 12 13
Average
bszpak
506 plays
24.
  You Need To Grow a Thicker Skin! - Body Armour    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz takes a broad view of the types of body armour used from the time of the ancient Greeks through to the modern day.
Average, 10 Qns, SisterSeagull, Mar 02 15
Average
SisterSeagull gold member
222 plays
25.
  17th-20th Century Resistance to Colonialism   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All of these groups have ties to the Americas.
Average, 10 Qns, Yana63, Sep 15 18
Average
Yana63
Sep 15 18
250 plays
26.
  "Miner" History    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a general quiz on mining and mineral discovery. Some questions are easy and some not so easy. I hope you will find it informative and entertaining.
Average, 10 Qns, prof_electro, Oct 13 06
Average
prof_electro
551 plays
27.
  Cloak & Dagger    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Secret messages, signals and codes throughout history
Average, 10 Qns, russalka, Sep 04 15
Average
russalka
375 plays
28.
  The United States of Ametrica    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Learn all the reasons behind and implications of the United States staying away from the metric system.
Difficult, 10 Qns, illiniman14, Mar 17 13
Difficult
illiniman14 gold member
522 plays
29.
  Vandelay Industries    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
As "Seinfeld" fans know, George told his unemployment insurance investigator that he was interviewing with Vandelay Industries as a latex salesman. This quiz will explore what George might be expected to learn if he actually got the job.
Average, 10 Qns, abechstein, Dec 24 09
Average
abechstein
318 plays
30.
  Just How Old is That Computer?    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
Being of a generation that learned math by rote and did not fold, staple or mutilate, I was enchanted by a "Scientific American" article on Computing in the September 09 issue. Did you read it?
Tough, 20 Qns, CariM0952, Dec 11 20
Tough
CariM0952 gold member
Dec 11 20
448 plays
31.
  Khalifat Capitals    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
This quiz is about the various caliphates scattered across the Middle East and North Africa - and, most importantly, their capitals.
Tough, 20 Qns, SalamKhan, May 03 10
Tough
SalamKhan
462 plays
32.
  History of Greek Philosophy and Math   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It is probable to be fun.
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Jul 23 02
Very Difficult
thejazzkickazz gold member
996 plays
33.
  Famous 'Footnotes'    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some people are remembered in connection with specific incidents. Other people who were also involved are somewhat less famous.
Average, 10 Qns, robert362, May 03 14
Average
robert362
3075 plays
34.
  Fun History VI: History of Writing    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a short quiz on the history of writing. It should be easy if you know the subject; a little bit of knowledge gained if you don't. Please have fun and enjoy.
Difficult, 10 Qns, trojan11, Nov 04 06
Difficult
trojan11
697 plays
35.
  Medals and Awards    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This quiz has questions about 15 awards, both military and civil, through the ages.
Difficult, 15 Qns, mortifer, Jul 14 03
Difficult
mortifer
761 plays

Specialized History Trivia Questions

1. Which year was the Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC) established?

From Quiz
History of the Dutch East India Company (VOC)

Answer: 1602

The VOC was founded on March 20, 1602, by the States-General of the Netherlands. It was granted a monopoly on trade in Asia and became the world's first multinational corporation. The VOC played a significant role in Dutch colonial expansion, and its activities spanned from Africa to Asia.

2. How old was John F. Kennedy, Jr. when he gave his father a salute during the slain president's funeral procession in November 1963?

From Quiz A Time of Innocence

Answer: 3

On November 22, 1963, American president John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald while traveling in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. The funeral for the fallen president was held three days later on November 25, which also happened to be John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s third birthday. The young Kennedy famously saluted his father as the casket departed the church in Washington, D.C. Five years later John, Jr. would have to live through another family tragedy when his uncle Robert was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for President of the United States. John, Jr. himself would die at age 38 in a plane crash that occurred in 1999 near the island of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.

3. An argument between soldiers and an unruly mob may have been the spark for the foundation of the United States. By what name do we know it?

From Quiz Delayed Reactions of History

Answer: Boston Massacre

The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770. Boston citizens had been critical of British rule for years, leading to British troops being dispatched to Boston in 1768. They were disliked but there was no open resistance. But in 1770, some Bostonians threw snowballs and sticks at some British troops on State Street in Boston. More troops were called to calm the disturbance but the soldiers eventually fired into the mob, killing five. Though three of the British, including Captain Thomas Preston, the commander of those involved in the State Street shooting, were acquitted, the die had been cast. The troops were removed from Boston for a few years and the locals agitated more strongly for representation in the British Parliament, or independence. On April 19, 1775, years after the British had returned, the battles at Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts occurred, resulting in deaths on both sides and the start of the American Revolution.

4. How did the Greeks announce their victory at Troy to the people back home? What did they use?

From Quiz Cloak & Dagger

Answer: Fires

Aeschylus in "Agamemnon" tells us that a watchman, on the roof of the royal palace at Argos, spied a beacon flashing: this was the prearranged signal announcing the fall of Troy to the Greek armies. He immediately rushed to Queen Clytemnestra with the great news.

5. Although they can be controversial, an embargo is considered a legal barrier to trade. What other type of trade barrier is often considered an act of war and involves cutting off supplies and communications to/from an area by force?

From Quiz Embargoing, Going, Gone!

Answer: Blockade

An embargo is defined as one country (or group) prohibiting trade with another country or region whereas a blockade involves military power being used to restrict all of a country's incoming/outgoing trade. Throughout history blockades have been utilized at sea, on land, and in the air.

6. The most famous duel in American history involves the events of July 11, 1804 when the sitting US Vice President Aaron Burr shot and killed former Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. What was the cause of the fight between the two men?

From Quiz X Marks The Shot

Answer: Hamilton's political opposition to Burr

In the aftermath of the American Revolution, strong political differences arose between the men who had forged the nation. Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, both from New York, were leaders of opposing parties. During the Presidential election of 1800, in accord with then US law, the President was the top vote getter and the Vice President the second highest candidate. Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied with 73 electoral votes. The election of the President was determined by a vote of the US House of Representatives where (on the 36th ballot) due in large part to the efforts of Alexander Hamilton, Jefferson was elected over Burr. In 1804 Burr, despite being Vice President decided to run for Governor of New York. Hamilton again used all of his influence to publicly denounce Burr's character. The feud boiled over in the spring of 1804, and the two men met outside New York City (Weehawken New Jersey) where they each fired a pistol. Hamilton's shot missed, but Burr's did not mortally wounding Hamilton. Burr was charged with murder but was acquitted. He served out the remainder of his term as Vice President but was no longer a viable force in American politics. Ironically, In 1801 Alexander Hamilton's son, Phillip, had also died from injuries suffered from a duel. Both Hamiltons died from wounds inflicted by the same pistol.

7. Pecunia non olet! What acrid substance did Roman emperor Vespasian tax after gathering it from the Cloaca Maxima and selling it to tanners?

From Quiz Oh, the Things That They'll Tax

Answer: urine

Vespasian was one of Rome's emperors during the first century AD. At the time, the Roman Empire had just emerged from a civil war and was in dire need of cash. One of the many ways that Vespasian raised money was to tax the urine that was gathered from public urinals. At the time, urine was important for the process of tanning and creating many textiles. The urine tax wasn't popular, and Vespasian's son, Titus, was among its disparagers. It was to him that Vespasian explained "pecunia non olet," or "money does not smell." The saying is sometimes used today with the connotation that money is money, regardless of its source.

8. Early analysis of space and time was chronicled in a book called "On Sphere-Making", a work created by Archimedes. You can't read it though. Why is that?

From Quiz This is Why We Can't Have Historical Things

Answer: The only copy was lost when the Library of Alexandria burned

Though Archimedes was famous for several different inventions, theories, and works in the third century BC, only a few ever chronicled the fact that his manuscript, "On Sphere-Making", was actually in existence. Though his other more mathematical works "On the Sphere and the Cylinder", "On the Measurement of a Circle" and "On Spirals" survived through the years and hinted at the immense understanding of science and math the Greeks had in his day, "On Sphere-Making" was most likely lost in Egypt's Library of Alexandria when it was burned down in 48 BC, making it one of countless books that the Romans simply decided to torch. Had it survived it could have had an immense impact on science as we know it today-- many believe it contained clues to the purpose and construction of the Antikythera mechanism, a device unseen in history for another sixteen centuries after Archimedes' death. Thanks Ancient Romans. Thanks. Many historical paintings depict the building being burnt down, so it's not like they can get out of it either. Sigh.

9. Ancient Greek art often depicted soldiers in their distinctive crested helmets. Greek helmets of this period were of a design that took its name from Corinth, a major Hellenic city. From which material were these helmets made?

From Quiz You Need To Grow a Thicker Skin! - Body Armour

Answer: Bronze

The basic Corinthian style helmet proved to be very popular for many centuries; the early Romans used this style of helmet and, as late as the 16th century in Italy, a similar style of helmet known as a Barbuta was still in common use. Corinthian style helmets would be hand beaten and shaped from a single sheet of thick bronze. Bronze was less brittle than iron and could be formed into the most beautiful armours. Although bronze was extremely useful as a material for making armour due to its superior strength and light weight, its use in the manufacture of weapons was less effective; bronze is better suited to weapons designed for thrusting as opposed to weapons that use their cutting edges to wound or kill.

10. The use of this early computing device resembles a frame with sliding beads. What is the name of this device?

From Quiz Historical Survey of Computing

Answer: abacus

It's somewhat difficult to pinpoint the exact date of the invention of the abacus, but it certainly dates back to the second century B.C. It is worth noting that the abacus still thrives today in some cultures. It is purported that a skilled abacist can make calculations faster than someone using a modern electronic calculator.

11. At the council of Nicaea in 325 CE a branch of Christianity called Arianism was declared heretical and all copies of the Thalia, the teachings of its leader Arius, were burned. Who was the emperor who had convened the council of Nicaea?

From Quiz Book Burning Party!

Answer: Constantine I

In 325 CE Roman emperor Constantine I convened an ecumenical council to deal with a number of theological issues. The most important dispute was between Trinitarians and Arians and concerned the nature of 'God the Father' and 'the Son'. Arianism claimed that Jesus Christ the Son was created by God and is therefore distinct from God the Father, whereas Trinitarianism teaches that the Son, the Father and the Holy Spirit coexist in unity. After two months of heated debate it was decided that God is one divine being consisting of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The council of Nicaea proved to be pivotal for the direction Christianity would go the next centuries to come. Being declared heretical didn't immediately root out Arianism, and it continued to thrive for several centuries. Even two later Roman emperors were Arians. It wasn't until the 8th century that supporters of Arianism were crushed in a number of military and political confrontations.

12. Victor Biaka-Boda was a witch doctor and a member of the Rassemblement Democratique Africain Party in Cote d'Ivoire. Not long after he'd been elected into which Senate did word filter through that he had supposedly been eaten by his constituents?

From Quiz Seven Ate Nine

Answer: French

Tips for touring deepest, darkest Africa (number one) - make sure your car is in good condition and not likely to break down. Biaka-Boda was on a tour of his electorate in early 1950 to see his constituents who had been complaining for some time (ironically) of food shortages. His car broke at a place called Bouafle' (population of about 1,000 people) where he instructed his chauffer to repair it. Tips for touring deepest, darkest Africa (number two) - do not wander off into the jungle on your own. Victor did and was never seen again. Several months later a set of charred bones were found in the area. These were sent to Paris, examined and identified as those belonging to Biaka-Boda, with the popular belief that he'd found his way onto somebody's menu. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,889084,00.html

13. While 'computers' go back to (almost) prehistory (in particular, machines to calculate the orbits of the heavens), it was Napoleon who prompted the beginning of the modern computing age. What was his objective?

From Quiz Just How Old is That Computer?

Answer: the change to the metric system

The introduction of the metric system meant a need for new mathematical tables - the books of computations used to save people from having to work out the equations time and time again. In this case the need was prompted by Napoleon's desire for a new set of maps in order to reallocate property taxes, commissioned by the French Ordnance Survey. And you thought I was going to say the French government did it just for the love of science, didn't you!

14. Art Vandelay wants his employees to know a little something about the history of rubber. Where did rubber originate?

From Quiz Vandelay Industries

Answer: the Americas

Many sources report pre-Columbian civilizations using rubber in a variety of ways, including a Mayan ball game which utilized a 15-pound rubber ball. The rubber used in Mexico probably came from Castilloa elastica, a different species than the tree commercially cultivated in modern rubber plantations.

15. What was the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate?

From Quiz Khalifat Capitals

Answer: Baghdad

The Abbasid Caliphate was one of the greatest civilizations of all time! Because of the Abbasids, Christian Europe gained ideas from the Abbasids' vast body of knowledge and thought. This facilitated the Renaissance in Europe. Baghdad was at the centre of all of this. It was there that the "House of Wisdom" stood, and practically all knowledge from known world was here. In some ways it was like the Library of Alexandria.

16. Who was the first King of Israel?

From Quiz Overview of Jewish History

Answer: King Saul

Saul was a farmer's son, who had gone to find his father's runaway donkeys. He met the prophet Samuel, who anointed him King of Israel. Over the years, Saul's reign was characterized by much bravery and successful military campaigns. However, as the story goes, he committed a grave sin by allowing his people to pillage their enemies, against the will of God. For this he was cursed, and later went mad with power. In this madness he sought to kill the young David, who was his household 'squire' at the time, and who he thought was plotting to overthrow him. Saul eventually died in battle by falling on his own sword, after his son Jonathan was killed. King David wrote a song of lamentation for both these fallen men.

17. According to a story by Socrates, who was the Egyptian God that invented writing?

From Quiz Fun History VI: History of Writing

Answer: Thoth

In Socrates's story Thoth approached the king of Egypt seeking his royal blessing for his invention. The king said to Thoth, "You, who are the father of letters, have been led by your affection to ascribe them a power of the opposite to that which they really possess. You have invented an elixir not of memory, but of reminding; and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom, not true wisdom, for they will read many things without instruction and will therefore seem to know many things, when they are for the most part ignorant." Bearing in mind how long ago they were written, some might consider those words to have quite a contemporary sound.

18. In 1859, the Comstock Lode drew thousands of miners to western Nevada. What was the 'big bonanza'?

From Quiz "Miner" History

Answer: silver

In 1857, Ethan and Hosea Grosh searched for gold in western Nevada. They both died before their claims could be recorded. In 1859, Henry T.P. Comstock (also known as 'Old Pancake') took possession of the brother's cabin to search for gold. He was not very sucessful until the bluish sand found in the area was discovered to be silver. The bonanza boomed but declined in the 1870s due to wasteful mining methods and the demonitization of silver. By 1898 the Comstock was almost totally abandoned.

19. People have been translating bits and pieces of the Bible into English for centuries. Many of the early English translations were not full translations, but glosses. What's a gloss?

From Quiz Battles over The Bible (in English)

Answer: An explanatory note in the margin

A gloss is a margin note in English, translating the Latin text for those priests whose grasp of Latin was somewhat shaky. One of the more famous glosses is found in the Lindisfarne Gospels, added by one Aldred, some time between 950 and 970. One can only hope that any priest with lousy Latin reading this gloss had a decent understanding of the Northumbrian dialect in which it was written. Here's an example (it's Matthew 6:9-13, which is Matthew's version of the Lord's Prayer, by the way): "Suae oonne iuih gie bidde fader urer ou aro ou bist in heofnum + in heofnas; sie gehalgad noma oin; to-cymeo ric oin, si willo oin suae is in heofne J in eoroo. Hlaf userne oferwistlic sel us to daeg. J forgef us scylda usra suae uoe forgefon scyldgum usum. J ne inloed usih in costunge ah gefrig usich from yfle." (I'm not able to put in all the diacritical marks and the diphthongs, but you get the picture.) I'd rather learn Latin!

20. The Vietnam Medal was awarded to the troops of which countries?

From Quiz Medals and Awards

Answer: Australia and New Zealand

Recipients had to serve one day in country, 28 days at sea or 30 days on official visit, continuous. The Australian version had large capitals spelling Vietnam while the New Zealand version had small capitals. This was the first medal designed and produced in Australia.

21. Who was the first Greek to state the formula for the volume of a cone?

From Quiz History of Greek Philosophy and Math

Answer: Democritus

Democritus stated that the volume of a cone was one-third the cylinder with the same base and height, and the pyramid was one-third of a prism. Not only did this Universal-genius discover that all materiality was composed of a-tomos (atoms), but he also contributed in every field of science. He travelled to India, Babylon and the rest of the known world, consulting with magi and the wisest-people he could find.

22. Custer's defeat at Little Big Horn is commonly associated with Sitting Bull, but another Indian Chief also played a key role in the battle.

From Quiz Famous 'Footnotes'

Answer: Crazy Horse

I guess he didn't have a P.R. man!

23. Who invented the flush toilet?

From Quiz The Bowels of History

Answer: Sir John Harington

Sir John Harington designed the first flush toilet. Wallace Rayburn's 1969 satirical book, 'Flushed With Pride: The Story of Thomas Crapper', is to blame for the commonly held misconception that Crapper designed the toilet - and of course, any factor may be Crapper's name.

24. The Dutch East India Company was primarily involved in which type of trade?

From Quiz History of the Dutch East India Company (VOC)

Answer: Spices

Spices, particularly pepper, cloves, and nutmeg, were the primary commodities traded by the VOC. These spices were highly sought after in Europe, and the VOC's control over their trade brought immense wealth and influence to the Dutch Republic during the 17th century.

25. In 1972, Phan Thi Kim Phuc was photographed running through the streets naked during the Vietnam War. What nickname was this girl given?

From Quiz A Time of Innocence

Answer: Napalm Girl

On June 8, 1972, the South Vietnamese dropped napalm bombs on the Vietnamese town of Trang Bàng, home of Phan Thi Kim Phuc, who was nine years old when the attack occurred. Kim Phuc, who was given the unfortunate nickname "Napalm Girl", was photographed running through her town's streets naked after her clothes had been burned off by the napalm which left her with severe burns on her body. Despite the graphic nature of the photograph, it was posted on the front page of the "New York Times" on June 9, 1972. The photograph was chosen as the World Press Photo of the Year in 1973. Kim Phuc later founded a non-profit organization designed to help children who have suffered physical and psychological trauma as the result of war.

26. Qilombo de Palmares was a famous settlement in NE Brazil in the late 17th century. What was very unusual about this settlement, founded by a descendent from royalty, whose independence had lasted nearly a century during Portuguese colonial rule?

From Quiz 17th-20th Century Resistance to Colonialism

Answer: It was founded by African runaways from slavery and managed to remain autonomous

Zumbi de Palmares was the son of a Congolese princess, whose uncle had established this Qilombo, one of many where runaways took refuge in Brazil. Most only lasted for about 25 years, but Palmares remained free for almost a century. Zumbi battled the Portuguese but lost. Palmares is reputed to be the birthplace of Capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian martial art disguised as a dance.

27. Why did the Greek Histaieus order his secret messenger to shave his head?

From Quiz Cloak & Dagger

Answer: To tattoo a message on his scalp

From Herodotus we learn that Histaieus, governor of Miletus, urged Aristagoras and the Ionians to join him in a revolt against the Persian Darius in 499 B.C. After tattooing the message on the spy's scalp, they had to wait for his hair to grow back and hide it. Not recommended for urgent communications!

28. Not all duels are fought with guns. In 1592, when the Siamese King Naresuan met the Crown Prince of Burma in single combat to end a long war between the two nations, what "battle" animals were used?

From Quiz X Marks The Shot

Answer: Elephants

The Kingdom of Siam (modern Thailand) and the Burma Empire fought a series of conflicts in the 15th and 16th centuries. For much of the mid-16th century Siam was a vassal state of Burma. In 1585, Siamese forces under King Naresuan, who was educated while a hostage in Burma, defeated the Burmese ending their control of Siam. Burmese Crown Prince Minchit Sra returned to Siam in 1590 intent on reacquiring the lost territory. After several years of battle, the two leaders met in single combat near the village of Nong Sarai. The Royals each mounted on battle elephants fought for several hours before the older, and more experienced Naresuan killed his Burmese opponent with a thrown blade. In keeping with rules of middle age chivalry, Naresuan made the nobles serving with Minchit Sra swear allegiance to Siam and allowed their army to live. Thailand, as well as other southeast Asian countries, had a long history of using elephants as war animals. Elaborate armor was created to protect the elephants in combat. Usually, a battle elephant required three men. A warrior of high rank sat at the neck and used spears and blades as attack weapons. A man in the middle served as squire to the warrior while a mahout (elephant trainer) sat at the rear to control the elephant.

29. Attempting to modernize Russia to European standards and even make Russians look like Europeans, Peter the Great introduced a tax on what 'superfluous burden' in 1698?

From Quiz Oh, the Things That They'll Tax

Answer: beards

Even in the 1600s, Russia was not exactly at the forefront of modernization. In an attempt to modernize Russia, Peter the Great introduced a number of sweeping reforms and unusual taxes to help pay for them. Peter's reforms included looking and dressing like Europeans, which is why he introduced a beard tax to encourage the habit of shaving. This tax disproportionately affected Old Believers, Orthodox Christians who considered shaving to be a terrible sin. Those that did pay the tax were given a token as proof of their payment; it stated that "the beard is a superfluous burden."

30. Ernest Hemingway was a prolific writer and one of the most famous in the Modernist era. Unfortunately, many of his works were lost forever when what unfortunate event happened?

From Quiz This is Why We Can't Have Historical Things

Answer: His wife lost them on a vacation in Switzerland

This is why you bring this sort of thing on as a carry-on. When soon-to-be Nobel Prize winner Ernest Hemingway needed to take a break, he and his first of four wives, Elizabeth Hadley, decided to head abroad to Switzerland for the winter. Amongst their travel cases was one piece of luggage containing Hemingway's entire body of work, and with the year being 1922, four years before Hemingway's first novel, "The Sun Also Rises", you can imagine the impact it had on him when it was all lost en route to Geneva. Many believe that the case simply didn't make it onboard; it was lost to the ages. Although we can't possibly know the contents of the case now, it did contain most of what he'd written during and after the First World War. He and his wife split up a few years later. Can't imagine why.

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