Historical Events Trivia Questions
Total Questions: 637
On September 1, 1939, citizens of which country found out that their nation had been invaded by the Nazis, marking the beginning of WWII?
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poland
Which country had all its treaties with the United States repealed by Congress following the XYZ Affair in 1797?
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france
In 1945, what iconic building was struck by a bomber according to a New York Times headline?
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empire state building
Which South American country elected Alberto Fujimori as president in June 1990?
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peru
In 1974, the premier of which European country, Marcello Caetano, was deposed and exiled to Madeira?
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portugal
In 1958, in which neighboring country of Jordan was King Hussein's cousin overthrown and killed?
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iraq
In the Black Patch War of 1906-09, what product's growers tried to break monopolies?
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tobacco
In 1999, e-mails circulated about naming Saint Isidore of Seville as the patron saint of what global system?
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internet
During the French Revolution, which month lasted from July 19 to August 17 and was so hot that it was said you could cook a lobster on the sidewalk?
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thermidor
What annual rodeo event, organized by American Guy Weadick in 1912, takes place in Calgary, Alberta?
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calgary stampede
In which year were 'Rock Around The Clock' recorded, Roger Bannister ran a sub-4-minute mile, and Henri Matisse passed away?
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1954
Which European country's explorers were attacked by female warriors in 1542, leading to the naming of the Amazon?
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spain
Who sailed the Ranger into Nantes, France, on December 2, 1777, marking the first time the U.S. flag flew in a foreign port?
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john paul jones
In which month in 1777 did Congress resolve that the flag should have 13 stripes alternating red and white?
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june
Who was sentenced to 99 years in prison in 1969 for the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?
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james earl ray
Which Bosnian capital's airport reopened for commercial flights on August 15, 1996, after being closed for 4 years?
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sarajevo
In 1512, on which island did Bartolome de las Casas become the first priest ordained in the New World?
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hispaniola
Which country was the Saar territory reunited with in 1935?
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germany
In 1970, the civil war in which African nation ended with the capitulation of Biafra in January?
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nigeria
Which country did Shah Jahan's son attempt to purge of vice and non-Muslim elements when he took over in 1658?
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india
What famous structure did Steve Brodie leap from into the East River on July 23, 1886, making headlines?
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brooklyn bridge
Which country, founded in the 13th century by the Kirghiz, adopted its constitution on May 5, 1993?
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kyrgyzstan
Which country signed the final armistice of its 1948 war of independence with Syria on July 20, 1949?
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israel
Which country did the U.S. assist in seceding from Colombia in 1903, ultimately making a treaty with it?
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panama
Which Bosnian capital did the U.S. open its new embassy in on July 4, 1994 during a cease-fire?
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sarajevo
In August 1974, a 40-year-old ban on private ownership of what was lifted in the U.S.?
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gold
In which country did a rebellion occur on November 3, 1903, leading to its independence from Colombian rule?
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panama
Which people turned to the USSR for help after losing 1 million individuals during WWI due to actions by Turkey?
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armenians
Which country celebrated a historic bicentennial in July of 1989?
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france
In which country was King Haakon I killed in battle while fighting Erik Bloodax's sons?
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norway
On Groundhog Day in 1986, the Pope met with which exiled Buddhist leader during his visit to India?
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dalai lama
In which U.S. city did representatives from 50 nations meet in 1945 to draw up the U.N. charter?
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san francisco
What is the name of the North Korean capital that U.N. forces captured on October 19, 1950 during the Korean War?
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pyongyang
Whose U-2 reconnaissance plane was shot down over Russia on May 1, 1960?
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francis gary powers
Which girl's diary was defended by a Dutch court in December 1998, banning any publication that questioned its veracity?
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anne frank
Which island became a self-governing kingdom united with Denmark on December 1, 1918?
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iceland
To which country did Transylvania transfer from Austria-Hungary in 1918?
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romania
Which peninsular country did Emperor Akihito express regret over Japan's occupation of from 1910-1945 on May 24, 1990?
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korea
Which river did David Farragut order his fleet to ascend in April of 1862?
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mississippi river
In 1991, which capital city was taken over by the United Somali Congress after they overthrew the Siad Barre regime?
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mogadishu
Who was executed by a French firing squad as a spy on October 15, 1917?
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mata hari
Which protracted conflict concluded with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648?
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thirty years' war
In which year did Barcelona host the Olympics and Jay Leno become the permanent host of 'The Tonight Show'?
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1992
Who was crowned on December 25th in the year 800?
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charlemagne
In 1949, which city saw the conclusion of the Allied airlift that had delivered over 2 million tons of supplies by September 30?
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berlin
In what year was the Spanish Armada defeated?
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1588
Which country was offering $8.2 million in November 1987 for the solution to the murder of its prime minister, Olof Palme?
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sweden
What type of plane did the U.S. claim was a weather plane on May 5, 1960?
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u2
What is the name of the conspiracy that Guy Fawkes was involved in?
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gunpowder plot
What major city did the British occupy after their 1777 victory at Brandywine Creek during the American Revolution?
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philadelphia
Which city, now known for its beer hall festivals, was the site of the Beer Hall Putsch in 1923?
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munich
Which Italian city's bridges, except for the Ponte Vecchio, were destroyed in 1944?
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florence
Which nation experienced a military takeover in July 1977, leading to Gen. Zia ul-Haq becoming chief martial law administrator?
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pakistan
What anti-pollution day did millions of Americans observe on April 22, 1970?
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earth day
On July 2, 1976, which country's national assembly proclaimed its own reunification?
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vietnam
In what year did the French Revolution begin?
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1789
In which country did Bob Dole receive his near-fatal war wounds while leading an assault during WWII?
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italy
Which Caribbean island was invaded by U.S. forces in October 1983?
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grenada
Which U.S. state had a battleship named after it that was sunk on February 15, 1898?
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maine
Which country withdrew from the League of Nations in 1933 after being condemned for its attacks on China?
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japan