Historical Events Trivia Questions
Total Questions: 137
Which U.S. city experienced a fire in 1906 that took 3 days to extinguish and burned 512 blocks?
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san francisco
What famous fleet was defeated 400 years before 1988?
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spanish armada
On June 27, 1950, the U.N. Security Council voted to deploy troops to protect the independence of which country?
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south korea
In 1968, what ship was seized by North Korea on January 23, with its crew held until December 22?
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pueblo
Which country experienced both the February Revolution and the October Revolution?
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russia
Which heiress was kidnapped in 1974 by the Symbionese Liberation Army, who demanded food for the poor as ransom?
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patty hearst
Which Syrian territory, captured by Israel in 1967, was annexed by Israel in 1981?
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golan heights
On December 1, 1988, Carlos Salinas was sworn in as president of which country, where he later lived in Ireland in 1998?
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mexico
What fleet did England first encounter off Plymouth on July 31, 1588?
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spanish armada
In 1985, whose bones were suspected to have been dug up in South America, leading Time to ask 'Is this the Nazi doctor?'
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josef mengele
On which holiday is Washington's crossing of the Delaware reenacted near Trenton, New Jersey every year?
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christmas
Which 1773 event is associated with a DAR chapter in Massachusetts possessing one of its chests?
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boston tea party
Who resigned as president of Czechoslovakia in 1992 after Slovakia's parliament declared sovereignty?
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václav havel
Which country renounced all claims to the West Bank on August 31, 1988, leaving its future to the PLO?
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jordan
Who was the notorious gangster whose gang, dressed as policemen, gunned down 7 of Bugs Moran's men in 1929?
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al capone
Across which river did painter Charles Willson Peale cross as part of a battalion on December 27, 1776 during the American Revolution?
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delaware
Which Soviet premier's death on March 5, 1953 likely sped up the conclusion of the Korean War?
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joseph stalin
What substance was the cause of two wars that led to the ceding of Hong Kong to Great Britain in China?
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opium
What fleet was Sir Francis Drake preparing for in 1588 after being alerted by spies while he was bowling?
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spanish armada
On Sept. 9, 1974, the news included the pardon of which man and 'Knievel Safe As Rocket Falls'?
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richard nixon
Who was hanged, drawn, and quartered in front of Parliament on January 31, 1606, making it a notoriously bad day for him?
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guy fawkes
As Secretary of State under Polk, which island did James Buchanan try to buy from Spain for $120 million dollars?
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cuba
Which country was involved in the espionage scandal that led to Chancellor Willy Brandt's resignation in 1974 due to a close aide being accused of spying?
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east germany
Which leader's life was saved by a heavy oak table from a briefcase bomb on July 20, 1944?
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adolf hitler
Which country has twice exiled Norodam Sihanouk and twice crowned him king?
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cambodia
What 6,000-pound structure segment was put on display at the Reagan Library in 1991?
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berlin wall
How many days were the 52 American hostages held in captivity before being released by Iran on January 20, 1981?
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444
In 1891, an attack on American sailors in Valparaiso almost led the U.S. to go to war with which country?
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chile
In what year did China invade Vietnam, the Soviets invade Afghanistan, and Iranians invade the U.S. Embassy?
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1979
Which Mexican bandit raided Columbus, New Mexico in 1916, resulting in the deaths of about 16 people because the U.S. supported a rival?
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pancho villa
In what country was Terry Anderson held captive for almost 7 years until his release on December 4, 1991?
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lebanon
In which city did John Paul II tour around in his 'Papabus' on January 22, 1999?
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mexico city
Who resigned as prime minister of Israel in September 1983, paving the way for the Shamir government to take office in October?
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menachem begin
In what year was Richard Nixon reelected as President of the United States?
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1972
Which countrys 15-year history ended in 1980 while ex-PM Ian Smith was speaking in South Africa?
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rhodesia
At which New York site did John Paul II ask on October 2, 1979, 'Are the children to receive the arms race from us?'
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united nations
In which village did the Wright Brothers make their first powered flight on December 17, 1903?
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kitty hawk, north carolina
In 1988, after 32 years in power, Janos Kadar was ousted as first secretary of the Communist Party of which country?
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hungary
During the May-June 1940 evacuation, fishing and pleasure boats were part of the flotilla used to evacuate from which port?
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dunkirk
In which French port were about 40,000 men left after the last evacuation ship departed on June 4, 1940?
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dunkirk
Which Caribbean nation did Clinton dispatch troops to in September 1994 during his first term?
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haiti
In 1991, Marlin Fitzwater announced the beginning of the liberation of which country on January 16?
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kuwait
In 1632, which country's king, named Gustavus Adolphus, was killed in the Battle of Lutzen?
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sweden
What major historical event began in Australia in 1851, two years after it began in California?
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gold rush
Which strategic Iberian promontory did Britain capture in 1704?
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gibraltar
What classified documents did defense analyst Daniel Ellsberg release to the press in 1971?
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pentagon papers
At 9:59 PM EST on October 18, 1931, all non-essential lights in the U.S. were dimmed in memory of which famous inventor?
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thomas edison
In which year did the U.S. recognize the Soviet Union, Prohibition was repealed, and Hitler was appointed German chancellor?
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1933
Which foreign general angered Woodrow Wilson by raiding Columbus, New Mexico in 1916?
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pancho villa
Which Caribbean island was invaded by American forces in 1983, showcasing their might and valor?
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grenada
What is the name of the incident that occurred on March 5, 1770, after a British soldier was taunted at the Boston Customs House?
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boston massacre
What Jewish holiday coincides with the attack by Egypt and Syria on Israeli forces on October 6, 1973?
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yom kippur
In what year did Columbus' first voyage to the new world end?
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1493
In 1857, after what significant rebellion did Britain take direct control of India from a specific company?
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east india company
Which Iberian country seized ports on India's West Coast in the early 1500s?
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portugal
Which Asian nation celebrates the fall of Ferdinand Marcos on February 25th every year, commemorating the events of 1986?
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philippines
In which city did the 1759 British victory on the Plains of Abraham help them conquer Canada?
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quebec city
In what year did France lose the battle of Dien Bien Phu and see the beginning of the revolution in Algeria?
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1954
Who was the Mexican bandit ambushed along with several of his men while driving in 1923?
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pancho villa
What major war featured the Battle of Balaklava in 1854?
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crimean war