History Trivia

7

between 1839 and 1860 China and the Western world engaged in military clashes over what intoxicant?

9

This town in southern France is a health resort, famous for its mineral springs and its bottled drinking water. During World War II, it was the headquarters of the French Nazi-collaborators. What is the name of this town?

10

Which two combating forces battled in the fifth century B.C. Peloponnesian War?

12

He was a warlike and despotic Aztec emperor from the 15th century. His own people despised him and rebelled against him, and the Spanish conquerors stole fabulous treasures from him and his people. What was his name?

11

Near what body of water, not far from what town, did Henry David Thoreau build a cabin in 1845 and live for more thatn two years?

9

Of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence, about two-thirds of these men were lawyers, judges, and merchants, but about ten of them had what down-to-earth vocation?

4

What space shuttle exploded on take off, on January 28, 1986, and which two female astronauts died on board?

5

A total of fifteen U.S. Presidents were born in just two states. Which ones?

18

The earliest account of European travel to the far east was provided by what Venetian traveler who explored Asia from 1271 to 1295?

12

Which Norman conqueror proclaimed himself King of England after defeating the English King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066?

11

Around 4000 years BC, in the lower Tigris and Euphrates valley, the Sumerians developed a form of writing using hundreds of wedge-like strokes and characters, which were symbols for words and syllables. What was this writing called?

11

After the American Civil War, 15,000 freed slaves emigrated to what African country?

18

Which Frenchman is credited with having laid out and designed the city of Washington, D.C.?

16

BONUS: In 399 BC, at the age of 70, Socrates was convicted and sentenced to death by drinking poison, for what crime?

9

Which royal person went to the Place de la Revolution on January 21, 1793, where he had his head removed by guillotine?