You Learn Something New Every Day! #2 Quiz

Answer: 2

Whilst Henry VIII is renowned for being married to six women, four of these marriages were annulled by Henry, and therefore, according to English law at the time, legally never happened.

Henry annulled his marriage to first wife Catherine of Aragon on 23 May 1533, because Catherine had already been married to Henry's brother, Arthur. Henry claimed that this was illegal according to the Bible.

His second (and bigamous) marriage to Anne Boleyn took place on 25 January 1533 (four months before his first 'marriage' was annulled). This marriage was annulled by Henry on 17 May 1536, two days before her execution for adultery, incest and high treason.

His third marriage was to Jane Seymour and was his first 'legal' marriage, which lasted for approximately 18 months until she died of an infection.

Henry's fourth marriage was to Anne of Cleves. It took place on 6 January 1540, but was annulled after six months (9 July 1540) on the grounds of non-consummation. Anne received the title 'The King's Sister', possibly for her consent to the annulment.

Henry's fifth marriage was to Catherine Howard. It took place on 28 July 1540 and was annulled on the grounds of adultery on 23 November 1541. Catherine was executed three months afterwards.

Henry's sixth marriage was to Catherine Parr, and took place on 12 July 1543 and ended with the death of Henry on 28 January 1547.

Answer: 46

Four states of the US are technically "commonwealths" under their constitutions. These four are Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Virginia.

"...the official designation (rather than "State") of four states of the U.S.: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia."

(Quote from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/commonwealth)

Answer: The Angel of Christian Charity

Whilst this statue is known commonly as Eros, the correct name is The Angel of Christian Charity. (http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/icons-timeline/1880-1900) It stands on top of a fountain in Piccadilly, which is correctly known as The Shaftesbury Monument. Designed by Sir Alfred Gilbert and erected in 1892-1893, most people believe that the statue is of Eros, but according to the contemporary records of Westminster City Council, it was intended to depict Eros's brother, Anteros.

It is also claimed to be one of the first statues in the world cast from aluminum and definitely the first in London.

The left leg is solid so it can hold the weight of the statue, whilst the rest of the figure is hollow. (My thanks to queproblema for providing the link and correcting the question)

Answer: Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea rises 13,803 feet above sea level (average, according to the tide) and is one of five volcanoes which form the island of Hawaii. When measured from the base of the mountain (i.e. the sea bed), it measures approximately 30,000 feet making it the *tallest* mountain in the world. Mount Everest at 29,029 feet has the highest elevation above sea level, but as it sits atop the Himalayas, its base to summit height is calculated as being between 11,980 feet and 15,260 feet.

Interestingly, Mount McKinley in the USA is also taller than Mount Everest with a base to summit height of between 17,400 feet to 19,400 feet.

The ambiguity in the 'base to summit' height is due to the differences in the ground base around the mountains and where people decide to measure them from.

Answer: Peyton Randolph

Peyton Randolph was elected as the President of the Continental Congress in 1774. The Continental Congress (or The Congress) was a meeting of representatives of the original 13 states that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution. After 1 March 1781, the Continental Congress was retitled and became The United States in Congress Assembled.

Source: Wikipedia

Answer: At least 7

According to the King James' Bible (Genesis 7:2): "Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens the male and his female". A clean animal was 'kosher' under Jewish law; the ambiguity of the text makes it impossible to determine whether there were 14 animals--seven male and seven female--or only seven animals. It is considered more probable that there was one male and six females.

Answer: Turkey

Saint Nicholas is the name given to Nicholas of Myra (now known as Demre in Turkey), a bishop who acquired a reputation for giving gifts to the poor. He became the model for the modern-day Santa Claus. There are many legends associated with Saint Nicholas, mainly involving children. One story tells how a butcher lured three children to his home, and killed and dismembered them.

Then he placed their remains in a barrel, planning to sell them as hams later on. Saint Nicholas reputedly resurrected the boys through prayer. Saint Nicholas' day is December 6th and is celebrated in many countries in Europe--especially in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Answer: None of the other answers are correct

Contrary to popular belief (and what you were taught in schools), Sir Walter Raleigh did not introduce tobacco to the English. The first report of anybody smoking in England was an un-named sailor in Bristol in 1556, four years before the birth of Raleigh. A Frenchman called Jean Nicot introduced tobacco to France in 1560, and from France tobacco came to England.

Answer: None of these

There is not one man-made object on Earth that can be seen from the moon. Space starts at approximately 100 miles altitude, and from this height it is possible to identify many things, including road networks, cities and even single ships at sea. The moon is 250,000 miles away and it is impossible to make out any man-made objects on Earth from this distance.

The only man-made objects that can be seen from the moon are the detritus left over from the Apollo space missions.

Answer: False

George Washington's false teeth were mainly constructed of hippopotamus and elephant ivory. These were held together with gold springs, human teeth (or parts of horse or donkey teeth), and were usually screwed into the ivory plates to complete the set. Washington started losing his teeth when he was only 22, and by the time he became the president he only had one real tooth left.