FunTrivia History Mix: Vol 30 Trivia Quiz

Answer: a white feather

A white feather, which was considered a sign of cowardice, is the answer here. As the war went on, if a healthy-looking young man was not in uniform, it was assumed he had not served his country in its time of need and was too cowardly or selfish to join up. This was even shown in one episode of the British historical drama, "Downton Abbey."

Question by player TheQueenly1

Answer: Japan and the United States

This battle took place six months after Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbour. This invited the formidable wrath of the US Navy, which comprehensively defeated the Japanese forces at Midway Atoll in June 1942.

Question by player knucmo

Answer: Sputnik 1

The Soviet Union's space program was called Sputnik. Sputnik 1, their first satellite, was not manned. It was launched on October 4, 1957. The launch of this satellite came as a surprise to the USA who had just suffered the failure of their first two attempts to send a satellite into outer space. NASA was formed shortly afterward.

Question by player dcpddc478

Answer: Siam

Known as Siam from the 11th century until 1949, the nation was of little interest during the European expansion of the 1500s. Bangkok is the nation's largest city and capital. Located in southeast Asia, Thailand has become the second largest economy after Indonesia, with tourism and manufacturing the largest components.

The Grand Palace in Bangkok and the temple at Wat Chaiwatthanaram are among the main tourist locales.

Question by player Mountainfree

Answer: Ancient, Medieval, Modern and Contemporary

In History the Ancient, Medieval, Modern and Contemporary ("our days") is studied. Note that other divisions are possible and that in Continental Europe it is customary to divide the Modern period into two: Early Modern up to the French Revolution and Modern. These periods are essentially Eurocentric.

Question by player ludhess

Answer: Launch a nuclear torpedo

During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Vasily Arkhipov played a crucial role in preventing a nuclear catastrophe. As a Soviet naval officer aboard the B-59 submarine, Arkhipov was faced with a critical decision when the submarine was submerged near Cuba and under attack by U.S. naval forces. Despite intense pressure from his fellow officers to authorize the launch of a nuclear torpedo in response to depth charges from American warships, Arkhipov refused to give his consent.

As the commander of the submarine's flotilla, Arkhipov's vote was necessary for the launch to proceed, and he was the lone dissenting voice among the three officers required to authorize the launch. His courageous decision to withhold approval prevented a potentially catastrophic escalation of the crisis and helped avert nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Question by player trident

Answer: Vitus Bering

Vitus Bering, a Dane, was the captain of a Russian ship. His expedition discovered Alaska in 1741. Eric the Red discovered Greenland, Ponce de Leon discovered Florida and William Seward was the US Secretary of State who arranged the purchase of Alaska by the US from Russia in 1867.

Question by player prana

Answer: "Stonewall" Jackson

Stonewall Jackson, one of the South's most important generals during the American Civil War, was seriously wounded by his own troops in the dark at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Jackson, who died a few days later after fever set in, was mourned throughout the South.

His untimely death may have helped lead to the disastrous Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, less than a two months later. His commanding officer, General Robert E. Lee, specifically identified Jackson's death as being a factor in the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, noting that "as far as man could see" the Confederates would have won if Jackson had been with them.

Question by player Dutch2001

Answer: 1939

Following Japan's WWII defeat in 1945, the country's name reverted back to Siam, but was changed back to Thailand in 1949.

Question by player zombipi

Answer: Farmers of Dutch descent

The word 'Boer' means farmer in Dutch. The young Winston Churchill famously served as a war correspondent.

Question by player skumma