Give me your Tired, Boring Questions Quiz

Answer: Limitations to taxation and payment to the crown by barons

The feudal barons and King John met at Runnymede, a location relatively equidistant from Windsor Castle and the rebel forces at Staines. The Magna Carta provided protection from illegal imprisonment, protected church rights, and limited taxation and payments to the king.

Although the Magna Carta is viewed as a starting point for democratic governance, many other kings before and after 1215 had signed similar documents that defined the powers of the monarchy.

Answer: Unpolished American inherits estate and meets aristocratic family

"Our American Cousin" was a popular English play written by Thomas Taylor. Debuting in London in 1858, it told the tale of an unpolished American, who met his aristocratic relatives when he went to inherit his estate. The English family, the Trenchards, were amused and irritated by the American Asa Trenchard.

An unscrupulous businessman attempted to steal the family estate by hiding papers that showed the family debts had been paid by Asa's father. Several subplots dealt with schemes to force the marriage of many family members. The noble American forfeited his inheritance and married a distant, poor cousin; and everyone ended up happy.

Answer: New York City

The United States had several capitals during the Revolutionary War, moving to avoid superior British forces. The new country was governed under the Articles of Confederation from 1781-1788, and the Senate selected a President with limited powers. The United States Constitution established a new framework for governing the country, and Washington was the first president under its rules.

The Constitution defined the rules for the capital, and Washington D.C. was eventually selected. Until the government buildings were completed, New York City served as the center of government in 1789 and 1790.

Congress passed the Residency Act that established Washington DC as the new Capital in 1790. From 1790 until 1800, when the new Capitol was ready, Philadelphia served as the center of the US government.

Answer: Ability to scratch or cause fissure in lower-numbered minerals

The Mohs Scale was introduced by Friedrich Mohs in 1812 to define the hardness of minerals on a scale of 1 through 10. The baseline reference minerals on the Mohs scale are:

1 Talc (softest)
2 Gypsum
3 Calcite
4 Flourite
5 Apatite
6 Feldspar
7 Quartz
8 Topaz
9 Corundum
10 Diamond (hardest)

Other minerals are given a hardness rating based on the highest rated mineral it can scratch and the lowest rank mineral that can cause a scratch on it. Use of the ten reference minerals gives a rough hardness estimate and more extensive baseline reference minerals that given intermediary values (e.g. 4.1 and 4.2 for other minerals) are used to refine the number.

Other, more sophisticated measurements, such as the Vickers Scale, have been developed to measure the hardness of minerals.

Answer: Another team had failed on the first attempt

The successful ascent of Mount Everest, led by Colonel John Hunt, was funded by the Joint Himalayan Committee, which relied heavily on the Royal Geographic Society.

China had closed access to Everest from Tibet, and Nepal had restricted expeditions to one attempt per year. The British had its opportunity in 1953 with France and Switzerland in line for the following two years. Failure to reach the summit would have meant the next British opportunity would be in 1956.

Hunt had planned for three possible attempts to reach the summit. Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans would make the initial attempt. Hillary and Tenzing Norgay would make the next attempt, if needed. The third assault party would have been Wilf Noyce and Mike Ward.

The attempt by Bourdillon and Evans came within 100 meters of the summit, but they were forced to turn back due to problems with their oxygen tanks. The second attempt by Hillary and Norgay was successful.

Answer: Kokura

In April 1945 a committee identified five possible targets for the atomic bombs:

Hiroshima for its large military center and important port.
Niigata for its steel, aluminum, and oil factories.
Yokohama for its aircraft, docks, and oil refineries.
Kokura for its munitions plant and
Kyoto for being a major industrial center.

Secretary of State Henry Stimson lobbied for the removal of Kyoto from this list of potential targets. He believed that the historical, religious, and cultural significance of the city should be preserved for the future (and not because he had honeymooned in the city as some claimed). Nagasaki was added due to its significant naval shipbuilding and munition production to replace Kyoto.

When the bomber and its escort planes lifted off on August 9th with the Fatman bomb, Kokura was the primary target and Nagasaki was the alternate. When scout planes reached Kokura, fog and smoke from previous bombing runs limited the ability for a visual drop. Due to weather and heavy anti-aircraft fire, the planes turned to their alternate target of Nagasaki.

Answer: Joshua

The Old Testament follows the people of Israel from the time of creation in chronological order. At the conclusion of the Pentateuch or first five books of the Bible Moses has died and the people are at the edge of the Promised Land.

The book of Joshua depicts the conquest of Canaan by Joshua, the successor to Moses. The book includes descriptions of many battles that were fought, including the fall of Jericho. It ends with the division of land between the twelve tribes of Israel.

Samuel 1 is the ninth book of the Bible. Psalms and Proverbs are the 19th and 20th books.

Answer: Gebhard von Blücher

Wellington and Napoleon were in an even battle at Waterloo before the Prussian army under von Blücher arrived and broke Napoleon's right flank. The combined efforts of both armies defeated the French.

Alexander I had been defeated badly by Napoleon at Austerlitz and Friedland, leading to the Treaty of Tilsit and a temporary alliance with the victor.

Von Clausewitz fought in the Napoleonic Wars and was Chief of Staff to one of the Prussian generals. He became a noted military tactician, rather than a command officer.

Charles Gordon, noted for his defense of Khartoum, was born after the Battle of Waterloo.

Answer: Bakery in Pudding Lane

The Great Fire of London started in the early hours of September 2nd in Thomas Farriner's bakery in Pudding Lane. Neighbors attempted to douse the fire, and local constable determined that neighboring houses needed to be destroyed for a firebreak. The Lord Mayor Thomas Bloodworth delayed the demolition of local houses and businesses, allowing the fire to spread rapidly.

Although wooden structures and thatched roofing had been banned in London for a long time, a large number of combustible structures existed in the city. Strong winds accelerated the fire, and it spread from the poorer neighborhoods on the riverfront to wealthier areas and the centers of businesses. The destruction of the fire led to chaos, large-scale flight from the city, and accusations that foreigners and Catholics had started the fire.

After four days, winds started to die down and firebreaks took effect to allow the fire to be controlled.

Answer: Anne of Cleves

Catherine of Aragon was married to Henry VIII for the longest time (1509-1533).

Anne Boleyn was married to Henry for three years (1533-1536) before her death.

Jane Seymour had an 18 month marriage (1536-1537) before dying during childbirth.

Anne of Cleves was married for six months before Henry sought a prettier bride.

Catherine Howard was married to him between 1540 and 1541 before being executed.

Catherine Parr was married to Henry from 1533 until his death in 1547.