It Happened On April 9th Trivia Quiz

Answer: Henry V

Henry was born in Monmouth in September 1386. His father was Henry IV, also known as Henry Bollingbroke. When his father was exiled in 1398 Henry, aged 12, was taken into the protection of Richard II who was not unkind to the boy. The following year Henry's father reclaimed the throne and made him Prince of Wales and Duke of both Lancaster and Cornwall.

He is probably best remembered, due in part to Shakespeare, for his victory at Agincourt.

Answer: Verdun

The Battle of Verdun lasted from February to December 1916 and resulted in a victory for France. It took place in the hills to the north of Verdun-sur-Meuse in northeastern France. The battle left over a quarter of a million dead and twice that number wounded. It was the longest single battle of the war. It has been likened to the battles for both Stalingrad and Gettysburg.

Answer: Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge was designed and built in the latter part of the 19th century and was the result of a public competition to design a new river crossing that would still allow river traffic access to The Pool of London. By the time of Tower Bridge's design and construction Brunel had already died.

Answer: Carl Perkins

Perkins was born into a family of sharecroppers near Tiptonville, Tennessee. He grew up listening to gospel music sung in both church and the cotton fields. From the age of six he was attending school followed by several hours working in the fields for 50 cents per day.

When he was around the age of 14 his family moved home and ended up close to Memphis. It was this move which, finally, led to a meeting of Perkins and Presley.

Answer: Francis Bacon

Born in 1561 Bacon would, eventually, go on to be Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England. His rise was, in part, due to his friendship with Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex. In later years Bacon would be involved in the prosecution of Essex for treason. Bacon was knighted by King James I in 1603 and created Viscount St. Alban in 1621.

His public career ended in the same year when he was charged with several counts of corruption. The last few years of his life were devoted to writing and study.

Answer: Robert de La Salle

Born in Rouen, Normandy, in 1643 he became, for a time, a Jesuit priest. He spent seven years in the order, leaving in 1667. He traveled to Canada and learned the Iroquois language. He heard about a 'great river' which flowed into the Mississippi. This was the Ohio.

In 1682 La Salle set forth on an expedition down the Mississippi which finally led to the discovery of it's mouth. He claimed the whole Mississippi basin for France and named it in honour of his King. He called it Louisiana.

Answer: Frank Lloyd Wright

Born Frank Lincoln Wright he changed his name, to honour his mother's Welsh ancestry, when he was 18 years old and his parents had divorced. As the only remaining male in the family he took on the reponsibilty of providing for his mother and two sisters. Around 1887 he moved to Chicago and became involved in architecture.

In 1893 Wright was asked to leave the firm he worked for, because he was accepting private commissions. He then set up his own practice. He continued to design projects for many years.

In 1991 the American Institute of Architects recognised him as 'the greatest American architect of all time'.

Answer: Vimy Ridge

Vimy Ridge took place between the 9th and 12th of April 1917. The Canadian Corps was pitted against three divisions of the German sixth Army. It was charged with taking the German held high ground. The Canadian success has been attributed to meticulous planning, artillery support and extensive training.

This was the first time that all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together. For this reason Vimy Ridge hold a special place in Canada's memory.

Answer: Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother

The Queen Mum was born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon on August 4th, 1900. She married Albert, Duke of York in 1923. Little did she know what fate had in store for her. In 1936 she was thrust into the limelight when her brother-in-law Edward VIII abdicated and her beloved Bertie became King George VI.

Answer: 2003

Concorde was the world's first supersonic jet airliner. She entered service in 1976 and was a very costly project. Only 20 aircraft were built and only British Airways and Air France flew them. Following Concorde's only crash in July 2000, flights ceased in November 2003.