A Decade of Difference (9) Trivia Quiz

Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) was a British actor, filmmaker, and composer, born in London, England. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of cinema, especially known for his work during the silent film era. Chaplin created the iconic character "The Tramp," a lovable and comedic figure featured in classics like "City Lights" (1931) and "Modern Times" (1936).

He co-founded United Artists in 1919, giving him creative freedom over his films. Chaplin's work combined humor with social commentary, and he received an honorary Academy Award in 1972.

Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977) was a Russian-American novelist, poet, and professor, born in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He is best known for his novel "Lolita" (1955), a controversial yet highly acclaimed work that showcases his mastery of language and wordplay. Nabokov also wrote other novels, such as "Pale Fire" (1962) and "Ada or Ardor" (1969).

He was a skilled lepidopterist (butterfly expert) and incorporated themes of memory, identity, and art into his writing. After fleeing Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution, Nabokov lived in Europe and later moved to the United States, where he taught literature at Cornell University.

U Thant (1909-1974) was a Burmese diplomat who served as the third Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1961 to 1971. He was born in Pantanaw, British Burma (now Myanmar). U Thant played a significant role in global diplomacy, helping to resolve major international crises, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, where he facilitated communication between the United States and the Soviet Union to prevent nuclear conflict.

He also supported decolonization efforts and peacekeeping missions in places like the Congo.

Jackie Robinson (1919-1972) was an American baseball player who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947 when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was born in Cairo, Georgia. As the first Black player in the MLB, Robinson faced intense racism but excelled on the field, earning Rookie of the Year in 1947 and the National League MVP award in 1949. Over his career, he was a six-time All-Star and helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 1955.

His number, 42, is retired across all MLB teams in his honor.

Anne Frank (1929-1945) was a Jewish girl born in Frankfurt, Germany, who became one of the most well-known victims of the Holocaust through her diary. Her family fled to Amsterdam to escape Nazi persecution but went into hiding in 1942 when the Nazis occupied the Netherlands. During her two years in hiding, Anne documented her experiences, thoughts, and hopes in her diary, which has since been published as "The Diary of a Young Girl." Her writing provides a powerful firsthand account of the hardships of living under oppression and has educated millions about the horrors of the Holocaust. Anne died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

Margaret Atwood (born 1939) is a Canadian author, poet, and literary critic, known for her thought-provoking works that often explore themes of gender, power, and society. She was born in Ottawa, Canada. Atwood's most famous novel, "The Handmaid's Tale" (1985), is a dystopian story that has been adapted into an award-winning television series.

Her other acclaimed works include "The Blind Assassin," which won the Booker Prize in 2000, and "Oryx and Crake," part of her speculative fiction MaddAddam trilogy.

Bruce Springsteen (born 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and rock icon, often nicknamed "The Boss." He was born in Long Branch, New Jersey. Springsteen is known for his powerful lyrics, often capturing the struggles and dreams of working-class Americans.

His 1975 album "Born to Run" launched him to fame, and his 1984 album "Born in the U.S.A." became one of the best-selling albums of all time, with hits like "Dancing in the Dark" and "Glory Days." He has won numerous Grammy Awards, an Academy Award for "Streets of Philadelphia," and a Tony Award for "Springsteen on Broadway."

Hugh Laurie (born 1959) is a British actor, comedian, musician, and writer, born in Oxford, England. He is best known for his role as Dr. Gregory House on the TV series "House" (2004-2012), for which he won two Golden Globe Awards and received multiple Emmy nominations. Before his success in "House," Laurie gained fame in the UK for his comedic work alongside Stephen Fry in shows like "A Bit of Fry & Laurie" and "Jeeves and Wooster."

Steffi Graf (born 1969) is a retired German tennis player, widely considered one of the greatest female athletes in the sport's history. She was born in Mannheim, Germany. Graf dominated tennis in the late 1980s and 1990s, winning 22 Grand Slam singles titles, the most for any player in the Open Era at the time.

In 1988, she achieved a historic "Golden Slam" by winning all four Grand Slam tournaments and the Olympic gold medal in the same year. Known for her powerful forehand, Graf held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 377 weeks.

She retired in 1999.

Heath Ledger (1979-2008) was an Australian actor who gained international fame with roles in films like "10 Things I Hate About You" (1999) and "Brokeback Mountain" (2005), for which he received an Academy Award nomination. He was born in Perth, Australia.

His most iconic role was as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" (2008), a performance that earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Ledger's portrayal of the Joker was praised for its intensity and originality. He passed away at the unfortunate age of 28.