Junk Drawer of Random Trivia Trivia Quiz

Answer: Boston Harbor

On December 16, 1773, a group of American colonists, some dressed as Native Americans, boarded three British ships (the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver) anchored in Boston Harbor. They proceeded to throw 342 chests of tea into the water, an event that became known as the Boston Tea Party.

The tea, valued at approximately £9,659 (equivalent to around $1.7 million in 2025), belonged to the British East India Company. This action led to significant financial losses for the company. Although only one individual, Francis Akeley, was arrested in connection with the event, its consequences were far-reaching.

In 1774, the British Parliament responded by passing the Coercive Acts, referred to as the Intolerable Acts by many colonists. These measures included closing Boston Harbor and limiting colonial self-governance. These actions further escalated tensions, contributing to the convening of the First Continental Congress and setting the stage for the American Revolution.

Answer: Quartz

Quartz is very durable and can be found in a variety of vibrant colors and forms, all thanks to trace impurities and structural variations. Its diversity is what gives rise to stunning varieties like amethyst, known for its purple hue; citrine, with its golden-yellow tint; jasper, displaying earthy tones and patterns; and onyx, with its dark, layered bands.

Answer: Agoraphobia

Literally, the "fear of the marketplace", agoraphobia is more than just a fear of open spaces as often believed. It's a complex anxiety disorder that often stems from the fear of being in situations where escape might feel impossible or help might not be available during a panic attack or other distressing event. People with agoraphobia might avoid crowded places, public transportation, or even leaving their homes altogether.

Answer: The Austro-Hungarian Empire

The United States declared war on Germany in April 1917 and Austria-Hungary in December 1917 during World War I. These declarations were driven by a combination of direct provocations, strategic priorities, and diplomatic considerations, while the U.S. avoided conflict with other Central Powers such as the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria.

Austria-Hungary only became a belligerent following its severance of diplomatic ties with the United States and its resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare. Prior to this, the U.S. had shown limited interest in the struggling Austro-Hungarian Empire. Regardless, there was never any actual combat between the two countries.

Regarding the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria, the United States did not pursue military intervention. Bulgaria was already nearing collapse, and President Woodrow Wilson's approach to the Ottoman Empire focused primarily on humanitarian efforts, including relief for Armenians suffering under Ottoman rule.

Answer: Mayfly

The animal with the shortest lifespan is generally considered to be the mayfly. Adult mayflies live for less than 24 hours, with some species surviving only a few hours. They have no functional mouthparts and no digestive system. Their brief existence is dedicated entirely to reproduction. The incorrect answers generally live for years, with the glass sponge believed to live for many thousands of years.

Answer: Calvin Coolidge

In 1927, President Calvin Coolidge ordered the deployment of U.S. Marines to Nicaragua amidst a violent civil war between liberal and conservative factions, led by Juan Bautista Sacasa and Adolfo Diaz, respectively. Coolidge defended the intervention as necessary to safeguard American lives and economic interests, including investments in bananas, mining, and the National Bank of Nicaragua.

However, there was definitely more at play here, including fears of regional instability potentially jeopardizing the Panama Canal, a vital U.S. asset since 1914, and increasing the risk of European interference in Central America.

Answer: Idiopathic

Idiopathic diseases have no known cause. Derived from the Greek meaning "one's own suffering," the term itself speaks to the challenge of diagnosing conditions without identifiable causes. Patients facing idiopathic conditions often endure uncertainty, as the lack of a clear origin can complicate both treatment and understanding.

Examples of such conditions include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which scars the lungs for no known cause, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension, marked by increased pressure in the brain.

Answer: UCLA

Under the leadership of Coach Wooden, the UCLA Bruins became a dynasty in college basketball. Between 1964 and 1975, they clinched an impressive 10 NCAA National Championships in 12 years, a feat that remains unmatched in the sport. This era included an astounding 88-game winning streak from 1971 to 1974.

Answer: Pearl Buck

Pearl S. Buck made history in 1938 when she became the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, and only the fourth woman overall, following Selma Lagerlöf (1909), Grazia Deledda (1926), and Sigrid Undset (1928). Her emotional portrayal of Chinese rural life, drawn from her own experiences living in China for nearly four decades, earned her global acclaim.

Buck's most celebrated novel, "The Good Earth" (1931), tells the story of a farmer Wang Lung, as he and his family endure hardship, resilience, and eventual prosperity across generations. It was a bestseller and earned Buck the Pulitzer Prize in 1932.

Beyond her literary achievements, Buck was a strong advocate for human rights, particularly for mixed-race and marginalized children. She founded Welcome House in 1949, the first international interracial adoption agency, and later the Pearl S. Buck Foundation to support children in need.

Answer: Caelus

In Roman mythology, Caelus (also spelled Coelus) was the primordial god of the sky, serving as a counterpart to the Greek god Uranus. Despite this connection, Caelus held a more relaxed role within Roman religion compared to the prominence of Uranus in Greek mythology.

While Jupiter (Zeus) embodied the dynamic and stormy heavens, Caelus symbolized the vast, cosmic dome of the sky, a distant and impersonal natural force. His name is derived from the Latin word "caelum", meaning "sky" or "heaven." He was often portrayed as a bearded figure draped in a starry cloak, holding a celestial globe.