Historical Happenings Trivia Quiz

The precise date of the construction of Stonehenge is unknown. However, it is thought to have begun around 3100 BC when a circular earthwork enclosure was created. The site was used for burial rituals, with early structures made from wood or stone.

About 500 years later, massive sarsen stones and bluestones were transported from distant locations, including West Woods in England and the Preseli Hills in Wales. This required advanced techniques, teamwork, and knowledge of engineering. The site's purpose remains debated. Some people believe it was used for religious ceremonies, astronomical observations, or as a burial ground.

The legendary founding of Rome is traditionally dated to April 21, 753 BCE, when Romulus and Remus, twin brothers raised by a she-wolf, decided to establish a city. After a dispute, Romulus killed Remus and became the first ruler, naming the city after himself.

However, archaeological evidence suggests that Rome developed gradually from small settlements on the Palatine Hill, with signs of habitation dating back to the 9th century BCE. Over time, these communities merged, influenced by Etruscan and Greek cultures, eventually forming the powerful city-state that would dominate the ancient world.

On the Ides of March, (15th) 44BC, Julius Caesar was assassinated. This was carried out by a group of Roman senators which was led by Brutus, Cassius, and other conspirators, they feared Caesar's growing power and the possibility of him becoming a king, which threatened the Republic.

Inside the Curia of Pompey, Caesar was stabbed 23 times, marking a dramatic turning point in Roman history. Instead of restoring the Republic, his death led to civil war, his posthumous deification, and ultimately the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus.

The Battle of Hastings occurred on October 14, 1066. It was between William, Duke of Normandy, and King Harold II of England. Following the death of Edward the Confessor, Harold claimed the throne. However, William challenged his right to rule.

The battle was fought near Hastings, where Harold's forces formed a strong defensive line. William's army, consisting of archers, cavalry, and infantry, used strategic feigned retreats to weaken the English defences. A Norman victory ensued when Harold was killed in the fighting. This battle marked the beginning of Norman rule in England, reshaping its culture, governance, and language.

On June 15, 1215, King John of England agreed to sign the Magna Carta at Runnymede, under pressure from rebellious barons. The document established that the king was not above the law, guaranteeing certain rights and limiting royal authority. Though initially annulled by the Pope, it was later reissued and became a foundation for legal principles, influencing constitutional law in England and beyond.

The Black Death reached Europe in 1347, arriving through trade routes from Central Asia. It first appeared in Sicily, likely carried by merchant ships with infected rats and fleas. The disease, caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, spread rapidly across cities and villages, killing a significant portion of the population. Over the next few years, Europe faced devastating losses, altering its social structure, economy, and religious beliefs.

The pandemic's impact reshaped medieval society and paved the way for major historical shifts.

Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain with three ships, the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María, on August 3, 1492 in search of a westward route to Asia. Backed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, Columbus believed he could reach the Indies by crossing the Atlantic.

After weeks at sea, the land was sighted on October 12, 1492, and Columbus arrived in what is now the Bahamas, mistakenly thinking he had reached Asia. His voyage was the beginning of European exploration and the colonisation of the Americas and shaped global history for centuries.

On July 14, 1789, a crowd of Parisians stormed the Bastille. The prison was a fortress and political prison that symbolized royal oppression. The attack was fueled by fears that King Louis XVI planned to suppress the newly formed National Assembly.

After hours of fighting, the revolutionaries seized the fortress, freeing its few remaining prisoners and executing its governor. The Bastille was already scheduled for demolition. Despite this, however, its fall became a powerful symbol of the French Revolution, marking the beginning of widespread rebellion against the monarchy.

World War I began on July 28, 1914, after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and declared war, triggering a chain reaction among alliances. Germany, Russia, France, and Britain quickly became involved, leading to a global conflict between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers.

The war was characterised by trench warfare, new military technologies, and immense casualties, lasting until November 11th, 1918.

The Apollo 11 mission saw the first landing of humans on the Moon. On July 20, 1969, Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin piloted the Lunar Module Eagle to the surface, touching down in the Sea of Tranquility. Neil Armstrong stepped out first onto the moon and then delivered the famous words: 'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind'.

The astronauts spent over two hours exploring, collecting samples, and conducting experiments, while Michael Collins remained in orbit aboard the Command Module Columbia. After 21 hours on the Moon, Armstrong and Aldrin lifted off, rejoining Collins for the journey back to Earth. The mission was a historic achievement in space exploration, and it was also a defining moment in the Cold War-era space race.