A Decade of Difference (3) Trivia Quiz

Rube Goldberg (1883-1970) was an American cartoonist, engineer, and inventor best known for his humorous illustrations depicting overly complicated machines designed to perform simple tasks. Born in San Francisco, Goldberg studied engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.

He gained fame for his "invention cartoons," which satirized the trend towards technology and automation. Goldberg's work inspired the term "Rube Goldberg machine," referring to any contraption that accomplishes a simple task in a convoluted and absurdly intricate way.

Mao Zedong (1893-1976) was a Chinese communist revolutionary and politician, born in Shaoshan, Hunan Province, China. He rose to prominence as the founding father of the People's Republic of China and served as its Chairman from 1949 until his death. Mao led the Communist Party of China to victory in the Chinese Civil War against the Nationalist Kuomintang, establishing communist rule in mainland China.

He implemented various social and economic reforms, including land redistribution and the Great Leap Forward, aimed at rapidly industrializing China's economy. Mao's policies also led to widespread famine and political turmoil, most notably during the Cultural Revolution.

George Orwell (1903-1950) was an English writer born in Motihari, India (which was then part of British India). He is best known for his novels "Animal Farm" (1945) and "Nineteen Eighty-Four" (1949), which are powerful critiques of totalitarianism, censorship, and the abuse of political power. Orwell's experiences as a colonial police officer in British Burma and his observations of social injustice greatly influenced his writing.

He was also known for his essays, journalism, and outspoken defense of democratic socialism.

Rosa Parks (1913-2005) was an African American civil rights activist born in Tuskegee, Alabama. She is best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-1956. Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, sparking a citywide boycott of the bus system led by Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders.

This boycott eventually led to the desegregation of public transportation in Montgomery and served as a catalyst for the broader civil rights movement in the United States.

Shimon Peres (1923-2016) was an Israeli statesman born in Wiszniew, Poland (now Vishnyeva, Belarus). He played a significant role in Israeli politics for over seven decades, serving as Prime Minister and President of Israel, among other key positions. Peres was instrumental in negotiating peace agreements, including the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, which aimed to establish peace between Israel and Palestine.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994, along with Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat, for his efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

Carol Burnett (born April 26, 1933) is an American actress, comedian, and singer, born in San Antonio, Texas. She gained widespread acclaim for her groundbreaking variety show, "The Carol Burnett Show," which aired from 1967 to 1978. The show featured sketch comedy, musical performances, and recurring characters. Burnett's comedic timing and ability to embody a wide range of characters made her a beloved figure in American television. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards and honors, including multiple Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

Keith Richards (born December 18, 1943) is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the rock band the Rolling Stones. Born in Dartford, Kent, England, Richards is renowned for his influential guitar playing style and songwriting contributions to the band.

He has been a central figure in the rock music scene since the 1960s, with the Rolling Stones achieving immense commercial success and cultural impact. Richards is known for his rebellious image, distinctive guitar riffs, and enduring partnership with Mick Jagger, the band's lead vocalist. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Rolling Stones in 1989.

Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007) was a Pakistani politician and stateswoman, born in Karachi, Pakistan. She was the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority country, serving as Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996. Bhutto came from a prominent political family; her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, also served as Prime Minister of Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto faced challenges during her tenure, including political instability, allegations of corruption, and opposition from conservative forces.

However, she was widely admired for her efforts to promote democracy, women's rights, and education in Pakistan. Tragically, Bhutto was assassinated in 2007 while campaigning for reelection.

Garry Kasparov (born April 13, 1963) is a Russian chess grandmaster and former World Chess Champion, born in Baku, Azerbaijan (then part of the Soviet Union). He is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players in history, achieving the title of World Chess Champion in 1985 at the age of 22, becoming the youngest ever champion at that time. Kasparov dominated the chess world throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, holding the title until 2000 when he retired from professional chess. Beyond his achievements in competitive chess, Kasparov is known for his contributions to the development of chess theory and his advocacy for democracy and human rights in Russia.

Neil Patrick Harris (born June 15, 1973) is an American actor, comedian, and magician, born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He rose to fame for his portrayal of the prodigious child doctor, Doogie Howser, M.D., in the television series of the same name, which aired from 1989 to 1993. Harris gained further acclaim for his role as the womanizing Barney Stinson in the long-running sitcom "How I Met Your Mother," which aired from 2005 to 2014.

In addition to his successful television career, Harris has appeared in numerous films and Broadway productions, winning several awards for his performances.