History Can Be Colorful Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Black Death

The Black Death, or Bubonic Plague, took the lives of between 75 and 100 million, mostly in Europe (but it also struck Asia and the Middle East). It was transmitted by fleas, carried by rodents such as rats.

Until the 19th century, the outbreak of 1347-53 was referred to as "The Great Plague": it seems that the term "Black Death" was first used c. 1830 and the name has been very popular ever since.

Answer: Redcoats

From 1645 until 1885, British soldiers fought in red or scarlet uniforms. The written term "Redcoat," during the American Revolution, dates to a letter from George Washington in 1775. The Minutemen found that the Redcoats made excellent targets, particularly in wooded areas.

Answer: Brownshirts

The SA ("Storm Detachment" or "Assault Group"), uniformed in brown shirts, was a prime force in Hitler's rise to power, protecting Nazi party meetings, disrupting meetings of opponents, and intimidating such groups as labor unions and Jews. In 1934 many of its functions were taken over by the SS.

Answer: Orange-Nassau

In 1544, William of Nassau-Dillenburg inherited the lands of his cousin René Chalon-Orange. William of Orange (also known as William the Silent) founded the House of Orange-Nassau.

Answer: Yellow Fever

In 1901, Dr. (Major) Walter Reed proved in his experiments in Cuba showing that Yellow Fever was transmitted by a particular species of mosquito. His research resulted in a series of actions: Yellow Fever patients were enclosed by "screens" to keep mosquitoes from picking up the virus; every building in Havana was fumigated; collections of water where mosquitoes could breed were drained or had oil spread over them.

As a result, there were no reported cases of Yellow Fever in 1902. A similar program in Panama permitted the Panama Canal to be built (1904-1914).

Answer: Gold

The six major gold rushes were in California (1849), Australia (1851), New Zealand (1861), South America (c. 1883), South Africa (c.1886), and the Klondike (1896). (The less well known gold rush in South America occurred in the western part of Tierra Del Fuego between 1883 and 1906, after the French ship "Arctique" ran aground and the rescue expedition discovered gold in a place called Zanja a Pique.)

Answer: Iran

Through these reforms, the Shah of Iran hoped to win the support of the common people and turn Iran into a global economic and industrial power. However, the reforms were met with angry opposition, particularly from the clergy and landowners. The end result was the later deposition of the Shah in 1979 and the establishment of an Islamic Republic.

Answer: Blackshirts

The "Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale" ("Voluntary Militia For National Security") was formed originally as a paramilitary wing of the National Fascist party in 1923, though its roots were older. Commonly known as the "Blackshirts," they were loyal to Benito Mussolini and used violence and intimidation against Il Duce's opponents.

In 1943, the MSVN was integrated into the Italian army.

Answer: The Red Army

The RKKA was shortened in Russian to KA. KA in English stand for the "Red Army." It was only after World War II - in February, 1946 - that the Red Army was officially renamed the Soviet Army.

Answer: The Orange Order

The name "The Orange Order" is a tribute to the Dutch Protestant King William of Orange who defeated the forces of the English Catholic King James II at the Battle of Boyne in 1690. The Order purports to defend Protestant civil and religious liberties. Noted for its marches, the biggest of which is held on July 12th, its members are called Orangemen.