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Quiz about Heavens Gate Apocalyptic Suicides
Quiz about Heavens Gate Apocalyptic Suicides

Heaven's Gate: Apocalyptic Suicides Quiz


At the close of the 1990s, many waited with anxiety for the new millennium's arival. For some the beginning of the millennium signified the apocalypse, and they felt compelled to commit suicide. What do you know about the group called Heaven's Gate?

A multiple-choice quiz by Federation. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
Federation
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
187,392
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
1229
Last 3 plays: Guest 118 (10/10), Guest 92 (7/10), Guest 168 (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Heaven's Gate was a group of people who believed among other things that with the coming of the millennium came the total annihilation of earth. Where was the group Heaven's Gate based? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The founder of Heaven's Gate was a former music professor at a Texas College. His name was: Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Members of Heaven's Gate believed that the world would end with the coming of the new millennium. In what year did the mass suicide of Heaven's Gate occur? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. The members of Heaven's Gate believed that by killing themselves they would be able to go to heaven. Once dead, how would they get to heaven? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. How many people died in the suicide? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Before their suicide, many of the cult members underwent a painful process. What was it? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. The details of the suicide was very precise, right down to the kind of shoes worn by the cult members. What kind of shoes were they? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. When the bodies were found, it was initially believed that all of the dead were men. What was it about the bodies that made it seem like all of the cult members were men? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. The bodies were found with one of two things over their heads. What were they and who wore them? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Over how many days is it believed that the suicide took place? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 03 2024 : Guest 118: 10/10
Feb 14 2024 : Guest 92: 7/10
Feb 12 2024 : Guest 168: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Heaven's Gate was a group of people who believed among other things that with the coming of the millennium came the total annihilation of earth. Where was the group Heaven's Gate based?

Answer: San Diego, California, USA

Specifically, the group Heaven's Gate was located in Rancho Santa Fe, a very affluent neighborhood in San Diego.
2. The founder of Heaven's Gate was a former music professor at a Texas College. His name was:

Answer: Marshall Herff Applewhite

Marshall Herff Applewhite, the leader of the group was 66 when he died. As one of the leaders of the group, it is believed that he was one of the last ones to commit suicide.
3. Members of Heaven's Gate believed that the world would end with the coming of the new millennium. In what year did the mass suicide of Heaven's Gate occur?

Answer: 1997

The mass suicide took place on March 26, 1997, which was about the same time that the comet Hale-Bopp was passing by earth, and could be easily seen by the human eye.
4. The members of Heaven's Gate believed that by killing themselves they would be able to go to heaven. Once dead, how would they get to heaven?

Answer: A spacecraft which followed a comet would carry them there

Heaven's Gate members believed that in the tail of the comet Hale-Bopp, which was passing by earth at that time was a spaceship which would allow them to make it to heaven. As a result of this, they would be able to escape the apocalypse, which was to occur once the millennium arrived.
5. How many people died in the suicide?

Answer: 39

Of the 39, there were 21 women and 18 men. Their ages ranged from the 20s to 72 years old, though most were in their 40s.
6. Before their suicide, many of the cult members underwent a painful process. What was it?

Answer: Castration

Approximately 6 of the 18 male members of the cult underwent castration, including the founder, Marshall Herff Applewhite. Within the cult, sensuality was considered a major sin.
7. The details of the suicide was very precise, right down to the kind of shoes worn by the cult members. What kind of shoes were they?

Answer: Nike tennis shoes

The significance of the Nike tennis shoes was that the Nike logo looks very similar to a comet. This of course tied in with the group's belief that a spaceship trailing the Hale-Bopp comet would take them to heaven.
8. When the bodies were found, it was initially believed that all of the dead were men. What was it about the bodies that made it seem like all of the cult members were men?

Answer: Their hair was cut very short

It is believed that the cult members' hair was cut short to imitate the hair style of monks, which many members likened themselves unto.
9. The bodies were found with one of two things over their heads. What were they and who wore them?

Answer: Plastic bags over their heads, purple triangles covering their faces

The two members with plastic bags over their faces were thought to be the last two to die. All of the members were dressed in Nike shoes and black athletic wear.
10. Over how many days is it believed that the suicide took place?

Answer: 3

It is believed that the suicide took place over the course of three days, and it three "waves". The first and second waves of suicides consisted of 15 people each, with the third wave composed of the remaining nine individuals. It is believed that the cause of death was a mixture of poisonous substances mixed in with pudding or applesauce, and/or suffocation. I hope you liked this quiz!
Source: Author Federation

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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