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#1 The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 were held in Hong Kong.
Explanation
The Tiananmen Square protests took place in Beijing, China, not Hong Kong. The student-led demonstrations in Tiananmen Square lasted from April to June 1989 and were centered in China's capital city.
#2 Which country was Josef Stalin born in?
Explanation
Josef Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia in 1878. Georgia was then part of the Russian Empire, but it is a distinct country in the Caucasus region between Europe and Asia.
#3 In what year did the Wall Street Crash take place?
Explanation
The Wall Street Crash occurred on October 29, 1929, known as 'Black Tuesday.' This stock market crash marked the beginning of the Great Depression, the worst economic downturn in modern history.
#4 What was the name commonly given to the ancient trade routes that connected the East and West of Eurasia?
Explanation
The Silk Road was a network of trade routes connecting East and West from the 2nd century BCE to the 18th century. It was named after silk, one of the most valuable commodities traded along these routes between China and the Mediterranean.
#5 Which German field marshal was known as the `Desert Fox`?
Explanation
Erwin Rommel earned the nickname 'Desert Fox' for his brilliant tactical leadership of the Afrika Korps during World War II's North African campaign. His cunning strategies and swift maneuvers against Allied forces made him one of Germany's most respected military commanders.
#6 Who was among those killed in the 2010 Smolensk, Russia plane crash tragedy?
Explanation
Polish President Lech Kaczyński and 95 other high-ranking Polish officials died in the April 10, 2010 plane crash near Smolensk, Russia. They were traveling to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre.
#7 What country joined the EU in 2013?
Explanation
Croatia became the 28th member of the European Union on July 1, 2013. Bulgaria joined in 2007, Slovenia in 2004, and Turkey remains a candidate country for EU membership.
#8 In which country was the Statue of Liberty built and exported to the United States of America?
Explanation
The Statue of Liberty was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built in France before being shipped to New York. It was a gift from France to the United States in 1886 to celebrate America's centennial and freedom from slavery.
#9 The United States was a member of the League of Nations.
Explanation
Although President Woodrow Wilson proposed the League of Nations, the U.S. Senate rejected membership due to concerns about sovereignty and foreign entanglements. The United States never joined the League, which weakened the organization's effectiveness.
#10 How long did World War II last?
Explanation
World War II lasted approximately 6 years, from September 1, 1939 (Germany's invasion of Poland) to September 2, 1945 (Japan's formal surrender). The war involved most of the world's nations and was the deadliest conflict in human history.
#11 Who rode on horseback to warn the Minutemen that the British were coming during the U.S. Revolutionary War?
Explanation
Paul Revere made his famous midnight ride on April 18, 1775, to warn colonial militia of approaching British forces. His warning helped prepare the Minutemen for the battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the start of the American Revolution.
#12 Who discovered Penicillin?
Explanation
Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 when he noticed that a mold had contaminated one of his bacterial culture plates and killed the surrounding bacteria. This accidental discovery revolutionized medicine and saved millions of lives.
#13 Former United States Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died within hours of each other.
Explanation
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence. Adams died in the afternoon and Jefferson in the evening, marking one of the most remarkable coincidences in American history.
#14 The French Kingdom helped the United States gain their independence over Great Britain during the Revolutionary War.
Explanation
France provided crucial military and financial support to the American colonies during the Revolutionary War. French aid included weapons, naval support, and troops, significantly contributing to the American victory over Britain.
#15 Which of the following African countries was most successful in resisting colonization?
Explanation
Ethiopia successfully resisted European colonization, maintaining its independence except for a brief Italian occupation (1936-1941). Emperor Menelik II's victory over Italy at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 secured Ethiopia's sovereignty during the Scramble for Africa.
#16 Which famous world leader is famed for the saying, "Let them eat cake", yet is rumored that he/she never said it at all?
Explanation
Marie Antoinette is famously attributed with saying 'Let them eat cake' when told peasants had no bread, but historians believe she never actually said this. The quote was likely propaganda used to portray her as out of touch during the French Revolution.
#17 Who was the first president of the United States?
Explanation
George Washington served as the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797. As the leader of the Continental Army during the Revolution and president of the Constitutional Convention, he was unanimously chosen as the nation's first chief executive.
#18 Which of the following countries was not an axis power during World War II?
Explanation
The Soviet Union was not an Axis power; it was initially neutral but became a major Allied power after Germany's invasion in 1941. The main Axis powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan, who formed military alliances against the Allies.
#19 In what year did the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl melt down?
Explanation
The Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred on April 26, 1986, when reactor 4 exploded during a safety test. It was the worst nuclear accident in history, releasing radioactive material across Europe and forcing the evacuation of nearby areas.
#20 The United States of America declared their independence from the British Empire on July 4th, 1776.
Explanation
The Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, formally announcing the thirteen American colonies' separation from British rule. This date is celebrated annually as Independence Day in the United States.
#21 Which game was the Game of the Year in 2018?
Explanation
God of War (2018) won the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards 2018. The PlayStation exclusive reimagined the franchise with Norse mythology and a father-son story between Kratos and Atreus.
#22 How old was Adolf Hitler when he died?
Explanation
Adolf Hitler died by suicide on April 30, 1945, at age 56. Born on April 20, 1889, he killed himself in his bunker in Berlin as Allied forces closed in on the German capital during the final days of World War II.
#23 King Henry VIII was the second monarch of which European royal house?
Explanation
Henry VIII was the second Tudor monarch, succeeding his father Henry VII who founded the dynasty in 1485. The Tudor house ruled England from 1485 to 1603, ending with Elizabeth I's death.
#24 Which of the following was Brazil was a former colony under?
Explanation
Brazil was a Portuguese colony from 1500 to 1822. The Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral claimed the territory for Portugal in 1500, and it remained under Portuguese rule until gaining independence in 1822.
#25 In World War ll, Great Britian used inflatable tanks on the ports of Great Britain to divert Hitler away from Normandy/D-day landing.
Explanation
Operation Fortitude was a massive deception campaign that used inflatable tanks, fake radio traffic, and dummy installations to convince Germans that the D-Day invasion would occur at Pas-de-Calais rather than Normandy, contributing to the operation's success.
#26 The original Roman alphabet lacked the following letters EXCEPT:
Explanation
The original Roman alphabet contained the letter X, which was inherited from the earlier Greek alphabet. The letters W, U, and J were later additions - W evolved from VV, U was separated from V, and J was distinguished from I during medieval and Renaissance periods.
#27 Which one of these was not a beach landing site in the Invasion of Normandy?
Explanation
The five D-Day landing beaches were code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. 'Silver' was not one of the actual beach codenames used during Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944.
#28 Which of the following ancient peoples was NOT classified as Hellenic (Greek)?
Explanation
The Illyrians were a distinct Indo-European people inhabiting the western Balkans, not part of the Hellenic (Greek) family. The Dorians, Achaeans, and Ionians were all major Greek tribal groups that contributed to ancient Greek civilization.
#29 In what year was the M1911 pistol designed?
Explanation
The M1911 pistol was designed by John Browning and adopted by the U.S. Army in 1911, hence its name. This .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol served as the standard U.S. military sidearm for over 70 years.
#30 What was William Frederick Cody better known as?
Explanation
William Frederick Cody earned the nickname 'Buffalo Bill' for his work as a buffalo hunter supplying meat to railroad workers. He later became famous for his Wild West shows that toured America and Europe, showcasing frontier life.
#31 Who was the first ruler of Haiti after the country had gained its independence?
Explanation
Jean-Jacques Dessalines declared Haiti's independence from France on January 1, 1804, and became the country's first ruler as Governor-General, later crowning himself Emperor Jacques I. He was a key leader in the successful Haitian Revolution.
#32 Which of these countries remained neutral during World War II?
Explanation
Switzerland maintained its traditional policy of armed neutrality throughout World War II, avoiding direct involvement in the conflict. The UK and France were Allied powers, while Italy initially joined the Axis before switching sides in 1943.
#33 Who was the first prime minister of Canada?
Explanation
Sir John A. Macdonald became Canada's first Prime Minister when the Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. He served from 1867-1873 and again from 1878-1891, playing a crucial role in Canadian Confederation.
#34 The United States of America was the first country to launch a man into space.
Explanation
The Soviet Union was the first country to launch a human into space. Yuri Gagarin completed the first human spaceflight on April 12, 1961, aboard Vostok 1, marking a major victory for the Soviet space program during the Space Race.
#35 The idea of Socialism was articulated and advanced by whom?
Explanation
Karl Marx, along with Friedrich Engels, developed the modern theory of socialism and communism in the mid-19th century. His works, including 'Das Kapital' and 'The Communist Manifesto,' laid the theoretical foundation for socialist movements worldwide.
#36 The majority of people that lived under the Byzantine Empire called themselves Romans.
Explanation
Citizens of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) continued to call themselves Romans throughout its existence until 1453. They viewed themselves as the legitimate continuation of the Roman Empire, despite speaking Greek and having distinct cultural practices.
#37 To what political party did Abraham Lincoln belong when elected POTUS?
Explanation
Abraham Lincoln was a member of the Republican Party when elected President in 1860. The Republican Party was formed in the 1850s primarily as an anti-slavery party, making Lincoln the first Republican president in U.S. history.
#38 Who was the first American in space?
Explanation
Alan Shepard became the first American in space on May 5, 1961, during the Mercury-Redstone 3 mission. His 15-minute suborbital flight came just three weeks after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's historic orbital flight.
#39 In 1720, England was in massive debt and became involved in the South Sea Bubble. Who was the main mastermind behind it?
Explanation
John Blunt was the main architect of the South Sea Bubble, one of history's first major stock market crashes. As a director of the South Sea Company, he promoted wildly speculative investment schemes that led to financial disaster when the bubble burst in 1720.
#40 Vikings were the first Europeans to discover North America.
Explanation
Vikings led by Leif Erikson reached North America around 1000 CE, nearly 500 years before Columbus. Archaeological evidence at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland confirms Norse settlement in what they called Vinland.
#41 Adolf Hitler was tried at the Nuremberg trials.
Explanation
Adolf Hitler was not tried at the Nuremberg trials because he committed suicide on April 30, 1945, before the war ended. The Nuremberg trials (1945-1946) prosecuted other major Nazi war criminals and leaders still alive after Germany's surrender.
#42 In 1453, which important city fell?
Explanation
Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire on May 29, 1453, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire. Sultan Mehmed II conquered the city, which had been the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire for over 1,000 years.
#43 Kublai Khan is the grandchild of Genghis Khan?
Explanation
Kublai Khan was indeed the grandson of Genghis Khan. He was the son of Tolui, one of Genghis Khan's sons, and became the fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire and founder of the Yuan dynasty in China.
#44 When was Google founded?
Explanation
Google was founded on September 4, 1998, by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were PhD students at Stanford University. The company began as a research project called BackRub before becoming the world's leading search engine.
#45 The United States Department of Homeland Security was formed in response to the September 11th attacks.
Explanation
The Department of Homeland Security was established in 2002 as a direct response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It consolidated 22 federal agencies to better coordinate national security efforts and protect against future terrorist threats.
#46 The Cold War ended with Joseph Stalin's death.
Explanation
The Cold War did not end with Stalin's death in 1953; it continued for nearly four more decades. The Cold War officially ended around 1991 with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of communist rule in Eastern Europe.
#47 These two countries held a commonwealth from the 16th to 18th century.
Explanation
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569-1795) was one of the largest and most populous countries in 16th and 17th century Europe. This dual monarchy was a unique political system that combined the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
#48 What year did World War I begin?
Explanation
World War I began in 1914, triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary on June 28, 1914. The war officially started when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.
#49 What is the historical name of Sri Lanka?
Explanation
Sri Lanka was historically known as Ceylon during British colonial rule. The country was called Ceylon from 1815 until 1972, when it was renamed Sri Lanka upon becoming a republic. Myanmar is the historical name of Burma.
#50 How many manned moon landings have there been?
Explanation
There have been six successful manned moon landings, all by NASA's Apollo program: Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 between 1969 and 1972. Twelve astronauts total have walked on the lunar surface during these missions.