Incredible Historical Facts Trivia Quiz!

1. A great civilization called Egypt blossomed in the fertile valleys of the Nile River. What does the name 'Egypt' stand for?

The Gift of the Nile

The Present of the Amazon

The Receipt of the Mississippi

The Refund of the Rhine

Just another question where the answer is in the question.

Explanation

Just another question where the answer is in the question.

2. Madame Marie Sklodowska-Curie and her husband discovered radium in 1898. What was her husband's name?

Pierre Curie

Pierce Brosnan

Isaac Newton

Renee Descartes

This question relies on the knowledge that in many culture, the woman takes the last name of the man she marries.

Explanation

This question relies on the knowledge that in many culture, the woman takes the last name of the man she marries.

3. Galileo (1564-1642) published "The Starry Messenger" in what year?

1300

1610

1969

2012

It's conventionally known that ( ) after a name refers to the years of birth and death of that person. And most people publish their work while they're still living, and 1610 is the only year that falls between Galileo's birth and death.

Explanation

It's conventionally known that ( ) after a name refers to the years of birth and death of that person. And most people publish their work while they're still living, and 1610 is the only year that falls between Galileo's birth and death.

4. Sherwood Anderson wrote his 1918 masterpiece "Winesburg, Ohio", inspired by his experience as a young man growing up in what small town?

Salina, Kansas

Grovers Corner, New Hampshire

Clyde, Ohio

Davenport, Iowa

The clue here, of course, is Ohio. Do you remember where Grovers Corner is from?

Explanation

The clue here, of course, is Ohio. Do you remember where Grovers Corner is from?

5. What monarch of England reluctantly signed the 'Magna Carta'?

Pope Leo X

King John

Robin Hood

Sir Lancelot

You should be able to make the connection of Monarch = King.

Explanation

You should be able to make the connection of Monarch = King.

6. The three largest countries that border Belgium are France, Germany, and the Dutch-speaking Netherlands. Which of the following is NOT an official language of Belgium?

Dutch

French

Portuguese

German

It's all about proximity!

Explanation

It's all about proximity!

7. 'Hypo' is the Greek prefix meaning 'beneath.' Which of the following brain structures is directly below the thalamus?

Neocortex

Cerebellum

Hypothalamus

Medulla oblongota

The only excuse for not getting this question right is if you only know a language that has no concept of 'root' 'prefix' or 'suffix'.

Explanation

The only excuse for not getting this question right is if you only know a language that has no concept of 'root' 'prefix' or 'suffix'.

8. Amendment 18 to the US Constitution prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors. Which amendment later repealed Amendment 18?

Amendment 10

Amendment 15

Amendment 17

Amendment 21

To understand this, you must have the concept of cause and effect and chronological order. In order for something to be undone, it has to be done first!

Explanation

To understand this, you must have the concept of cause and effect and chronological order. In order for something to be undone, it has to be done first!

9. Who invented the assault rifle AK-47, and in what year was it patented?

Eugene Stoner, 1959

L. James Sullivan, 1957

Mikhail Kalashnikova, 1947

Samuel Colt, 1872

I did not explain that AK stands for Avtomat (automatic) Kalashnikova, but the 47 should lead you to the right year and, thus, the right answer.

Explanation

I did not explain that AK stands for Avtomat (automatic) Kalashnikova, but the 47 should lead you to the right year and, thus, the right answer.

10. What male author wrote "Encyclopedia Brown," the long-running series about a boy detective hired to solve the town's pettiest crimes?

Gertrude Chandler Warner

Donald J. Sobol

Megan Whalen Turner

Mary Pope Osborne

Donald is the only 'male' first name in the list. Do you know what the other authors wrote?

Explanation

Donald is the only 'male' first name in the list. Do you know what the other authors wrote?

11. Due to an extensive overcast, the pilots of Bockscar could not drop the atomic bomb 'Fat Man' at their original target in Kokura, and opted for their second choice in Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. What Japanese expression is now referred to someone who avoids something unpleasant without their knowing it?

Lucky Hiroshima

Lucky Kokura

Lucky Nagasaki

Lucky-son-of-a-gun

This question does rely somewhat on your world history knowledge. However, since Kokura escaped an atomic bomb because of a the weather...I'd say that's pretty damn lucky.

Explanation

This question does rely somewhat on your world history knowledge. However, since Kokura escaped an atomic bomb because of a the weather...I'd say that's pretty damn lucky.

12. During deep sleep, an EEG picks up the lowest frequency brain wave ranging 1-4 Hz known as the Delta wave. Put the following brain waves in order of increasing frequency.

Alpha, Beta, Delta

Delta, Beta, Alpha

Beta, Alpha, Delta

Beta, Delta, Alpha

Knowing that Delta is the lowest frequency, it must appear first in the order.

Explanation

Knowing that Delta is the lowest frequency, it must appear first in the order.

13. You have 36 to the ¹/₂ power red flowers, four yellow flowers, and positive x number of purple flowers. Which of these do you have most of?

Red flowers

Yellow flowers

Purple flowers

Flowers

This concept is called 'class inclusion.' When shown a poster filled with red and yellow flowers and asked "Are there more yellow flowers or more flowers", children younger than 7 answer incorrectly. So if you get this question wrong, you must have the mental age of a toddler.

Explanation

This concept is called 'class inclusion.' When shown a poster filled with red and yellow flowers and asked "Are there more yellow flowers or more flowers", children younger than 7 answer incorrectly. So if you get this question wrong, you must have the mental age of a toddler.