Lest We Forget Trivia Quiz

The Vietnam War was a deeply complex and controversial conflict that spanned nearly two decades, with major U.S. involvement beginning in the early 1960s. It was rooted in Cold War tensions, as the United States sought to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia by supporting South Vietnam against the communist North. The war was marked by guerrilla tactics, heavy casualties, and widespread destruction, both in Vietnam and in the public trust back home. As the fighting dragged on, opposition to the war grew, leading to mass protests and a shift in public opinion. The U.S. began withdrawing troops in the early 1970s, and by 1975, North Vietnamese forces had taken control of Saigon, effectively ending the war.

The aftermath of the war left deep scars - physically, emotionally, and politically. Over 58,000 American service members lost their lives, and countless others returned home with lasting trauma. The war also reshaped U.S. foreign policy and led to a more cautious approach in future military engagements. For many veterans, the return home was marked by a lack of recognition and support, further complicating the legacy of the conflict.

To honour those who served and sacrificed, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was unveiled in Washington, D.C., in 1982. Designed by architect Maya Lin, the memorial features a long, black granite wall etched with the names of the fallen. Its minimalist design invites quiet reflection and personal connection, allowing visitors to engage with the memory of those who served. The memorial has become a powerful symbol of healing and remembrance, drawing millions of visitors each year and helping to bridge the gap between past conflict and present understanding.

The Battle of Stalingrad, fought between August 1942 and February 1943, was one of the most brutal and pivotal confrontations of World War II. Taking place in the Soviet city of Stalingrad (now Volgograd), the battle pitted Nazi Germany's forces against the Soviet Red Army in a desperate struggle for control of the city and the strategic Volga River. The fighting was intense and often hand-to-hand, with soldiers battling in bombed-out buildings and rubble-strewn streets. The Soviet defense, bolstered by Stalin's infamous "not one step back" order, held firm despite staggering losses. Eventually, a massive Soviet counteroffensive encircled the German Sixth Army, cutting off supplies and forcing a surrender in early February 1943. The defeat marked a turning point in the war, shifting momentum to the Allies and beginning the long retreat of German forces on the Eastern Front.

To commemorate the immense sacrifice and victory at Stalingrad, the Soviet Union constructed The Motherland Calls, a towering statue unveiled in 1967 atop Mamayev Kurgan, a hill that saw fierce fighting during the battle. Designed by sculptor Yevgeny Vuchetich and architect Yakov Belopolsky, the statue depicts a woman - symbolizing Mother Russia - calling her people to defend the homeland. With a raised sword and flowing garments, the figure stands 85 meters tall, making it one of the tallest statues in the world at the time of its completion. The monument is part of a larger memorial complex that includes plazas, sculptures, and an eternal flame, all dedicated to the memory of those who fought and died in the battle.

The site has become a place of national reflection and pride, drawing visitors from across Russia and beyond. Its scale and symbolism evoke the resilience and unity of the Soviet people during one of the darkest chapters of the war. Over the years, the statue has undergone restoration to preserve its structural integrity, and it remains a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict and the enduring legacy of the Battle of Stalingrad.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge, fought from April 9 to 12, 1917 during World War I, was a significant military engagement involving the Canadian Corps. Positioned in northern France, Vimy Ridge had long been held by German forces and was considered a strategic stronghold. Previous attempts by Allied forces to seize the ridge had failed, but the Canadians approached the challenge with careful planning and coordination. They employed new battlefield strategies, including synchronized artillery fire and detailed reconnaissance, which allowed them to advance effectively under cover. The successful capture of the ridge came at a high cost, with thousands of Canadian casualties, but it marked a turning point in the war and demonstrated Canada's growing military capability.

To honour the soldiers who fought and died at Vimy, Canada constructed the Vimy Memorial on the very site of the battle. Completed in 1936, the monument stands as a solemn tribute to the more than 11,000 Canadian soldiers who died in France with no known grave. The memorial features two towering stone pylons and a series of sculpted figures that evoke themes of sacrifice, mourning, and peace. Surrounding the monument are preserved trenches and tunnels, offering visitors a glimpse into the harsh conditions of trench warfare. The site has become a symbol of national pride and remembrance, reflecting Canada's emergence as a distinct nation through its contributions and sacrifices in the First World War.

The Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953, was a major conflict between North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, backed by United Nations forces (led primarily by the United States). The war began when North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel into South Korea, prompting a swift international response. Though the fighting ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty, the war had a profound impact, resulting in millions of casualties and leaving the Korean Peninsula divided to this day. For many years, it was referred to as the "Forgotten War" due to its overshadowing by World War II and the Vietnam War, despite its significant geopolitical consequences.

To honour the Americans who served in the Korean War, the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. was dedicated on July 27, 1995, marking the 42nd anniversary of the armistice that ended the conflict 1. Located in West Potomac Park near the Lincoln Memorial, the memorial spans 2.2 acres and features a striking arrangement of 19 stainless steel statues representing a diverse group of U.S. military personnel on patrol. These figures, dressed in full combat gear, are set among granite strips and juniper bushes to evoke the rugged terrain of Korea. A reflective black granite wall nearby displays over 2,400 etched images of support personnel and equipment, creating the illusion of 38 soldiers-symbolizing both the 38th parallel and the 38 months of war.

The Battle of the Somme, fought between July 1 and November 18, 1916, was one of the most devastating campaigns of World War I. It took place in northern France and involved British and French forces launching a massive offensive against entrenched German positions. The battle was intended to relieve pressure on the French at Verdun and to break through German lines. However, the Somme offensive quickly became a brutal war of attrition, with soldiers facing relentless artillery bombardments, machine-gun fire, and muddy, cratered terrain. On the first day alone, the British Army suffered nearly 60,000 casualties, making it the bloodiest day in its history. By the end of the campaign, over one million men from both sides were killed, wounded, or missing, with little territorial gain achieved.

To commemorate the immense loss of life, the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme was constructed near the village of Thiepval in Picardy, France. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and inaugurated in 1932, the monument honours more than 72,000 British and South African soldiers who died in the Somme region between 1915 and 1918 and have no known grave. The structure features a series of interlocking arches rising to a height of 43 meters, with names of the missing engraved on Portland stone panels. It also serves as an Anglo-French memorial, symbolizing the alliance between the two nations during the war. Beneath the monument lies a cemetery with 300 British Commonwealth and 300 French graves, many of which are unidentified. The Thiepval Memorial stands not only as a tribute to the fallen, but also as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the enduring need for remembrance and reconciliation.

The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a transformative period marked by the collapse of the monarchy, the rise of radical political movements, and widespread social upheaval. It emerged from deep economic inequality, political discontent, and Enlightenment ideals that challenged the traditional power of the aristocracy and clergy. The revolution led to the execution of King Louis XVI, the Reign of Terror, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who seized power in 1799. Under Napoleon, France transitioned from a republic to an empire, and the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) followed, during which France fought a series of coalitions formed by other European powers. These wars reshaped Europe politically and militarily, with Napoleon's campaigns leaving a lasting legacy on warfare and governance.

To commemorate the military achievements of the French armies during both the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon commissioned the construction of the Arc de Triomphe in 1806 following his victory at Austerlitz. Located at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle in Paris, the monument was designed by Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin and stands 50 meters tall. Although construction was delayed due to political changes, it was completed in 1836 under King Louis-Philippe. The Arc de Triomphe honours those who fought and died for France, with the names of generals and battles inscribed on its surfaces. Beneath the arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I, added in 1920, which further deepens its role as a site of national remembrance. Today, the Arc serves as a powerful symbol of French unity, sacrifice, and historical continuity.

The Battle of Sutjeska, fought from May 15 to June 16, 1943, was one of the most intense and consequential engagements of World War II in Yugoslavia. It was part of the Axis powers' Fifth Offensive, codenamed Operation Schwarz, aimed at encircling and annihilating the Yugoslav Partisan resistance led by Josip Broz Tito. The Partisans, though vastly outnumbered and surrounded by German, Italian, and collaborationist forces, managed a daring breakout across the Sutjeska River. This victory came at a tremendous cost - over 7,500 Partisan fighters were killed, including many wounded from the Central Hospital who were unable to escape. The battle became a symbol of resilience and sacrifice, reinforcing Tito's leadership and contributing to the eventual liberation of Yugoslavia.

To commemorate this heroic struggle, the Tjentiste Monument Complex - also known as the Valley of Heroes - was constructed in Sutjeska National Park in the 1970s. The centerpiece is a striking sculpture by Miodrag Zivković, consisting of two 19-meter-tall white concrete wings that symbolize the Partisan forces breaking through enemy lines. These abstract forms are both monumental and expressive, with faces of fighters subtly carved into their surfaces, evoking both triumph and tragedy. Adjacent to the sculpture is the Spomen-Dom (Memorial House), designed by Ranko Radović, which houses the names of 7,356 fallen Partisans and features powerful frescoes by Krsto Hegedusić and Dusan Plenče. The entire complex is not just a memorial but a landscape of remembrance, blending architecture, nature, and history to honour the sacrifices made during one of the darkest chapters of the war. It remains a profound symbol of unity, endurance, and the human cost of freedom.

Between 1975 and 1979, Cambodia endured one of the most brutal genocides of the 20th century under the Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot. Seeking to transform the country into a classless agrarian society, the regime abolished currency, religion, and education, and forcibly relocated urban populations to rural labor camps. Intellectuals, religious figures, ethnic minorities, and anyone suspected of dissent were targeted. An estimated 1.7 to 2.2 million people - nearly a quarter of the population - died from starvation, forced labor, disease, and execution. One of the most notorious execution sites was Choeung Ek, a former orchard near Phnom Penh, where thousands of prisoners from the infamous S-21 prison were taken to be killed and buried in mass graves.

Today, Choeung Ek is preserved as a memorial site, with its most prominent feature being the Memorial Stupa, a 17-tiered Buddhist structure filled with over 5,000 human skulls exhumed from the surrounding graves. The stupa stands as a haunting tribute to the victims and a stark reminder of the atrocities committed. Visitors to the site encounter visible remnants of the genocide - fragments of bone, teeth, and clothing still embedded in the soil. The memorial also includes educational exhibits and audio tours that recount survivor testimonies and historical context. In 2025, Choeung Ek was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reinforcing its role as a place of remembrance and reflection. It serves not only as a tribute to those lost but also as a warning against the dangers of extremism and unchecked power, urging future generations to remember and learn from Cambodia's painful past.

On August 6, 1945, the city of Hiroshima, Japan, became the site of the first atomic bombing in human history. At 8:15 a.m., the U.S. bomber Enola Gay dropped the bomb known as "Little Boy," which detonated almost directly above the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. The explosion killed approximately 140,000 people and obliterated much of the city. Remarkably, the steel and concrete frame of the Promotion Hall survived the blast due to its proximity to the hypocenter and its vertical structure. This skeletal ruin, later named the Genbaku Dome (Atomic Bomb Dome), became a haunting symbol of the devastation caused by nuclear warfare and the resilience of the human spirit.

Today, the Genbaku Dome stands as the centerpiece of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which was established to honour the victims and promote a message of peace. Preserved in its post-blast condition, the Dome was officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 for its powerful symbolism and historical significance. The surrounding park includes the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, and various monuments dedicated to those lost. Every year on August 6, Hiroshima holds a Peace Memorial Ceremony to remember the victims and advocate for the abolition of nuclear weapons. The Genbaku Dome remains a stark reminder of the destructive power of war and a global call for peace and reconciliation.

The Holocaust, perpetrated by Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1945, was one of the most horrific genocides in human history. It resulted in the systematic murder of approximately six million Jews, along with millions of others including Roma, disabled individuals, political dissidents, and LGBTQ+ people. The genocide was carried out through mass shootings, forced labor, starvation, and extermination camps such as Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Sobibor. The Holocaust not only decimated Jewish communities across Europe but also left a lasting scar on global consciousness, prompting ongoing reflection on human rights, memory, and justice.

To honour the victims and confront this dark chapter of history, Germany established the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, officially opened in May, 2005. Designed by architect Peter Eisenman, the memorial consists of 2,711 concrete slabs or "stelae" arranged in a grid across a 19,000 sq. meter site near the Brandenburg Gate. The slabs vary in height and are set on uneven ground, creating a disorienting and contemplative experience for visitors. Beneath the field lies the "Place of Information," an underground exhibition space that documents the lives and fates of Holocaust victims through personal stories, photographs, and historical records. The memorial's abstract design invites personal interpretation and reflection, challenging conventional forms of remembrance while serving as a powerful symbol of acknowledgment, mourning, and the enduring importance of historical memory.