Really Tough Trivia Trivia Quiz

Answer: Julia Clark

On June 17, 1912, Julia Clark, one of only three licensed female pilots in the United States, caught the wing of her Curtiss biplane on a tree limb while attempting to land at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois. Interestingly, she wasn't American, but English. Harriet Quimby was the first American woman to be killed in a airplane accident; her death occured on July 1, 1912.

Answer: He added a lion to the Scottish coat of arms

William I of Scotland became king following the death of his brother, Malcolm IV, in 1165. His reign was one of the longest in history, lasting over 49 years. Although he was certainly brave, his one important military expedition ended in disaster. In 1174 he invaded England, and was captured by Henry II.

In return for his release, he was forced to recognize Henry as his feudal overlord. Until the time of William, the Scots coat of arms had been "Or, a double tressure fleury-counter-fleury, gules." William added a "lion rampant" to the arms, which are still the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland to this day. William died in 1214. For movie buffs, there is a scene in Roman Polanski's "Macbeth", which shows the Scottish army marching into battle carrying the royal standard, including the lion. Since Macbeth died over 100 years before the reign of King William, this is a glaring mistake.

Answer: False

Living persons are prohibited by law from having their portraits on paper money. There is no such ban on having living persons portrayed on COINS. It has recently been suggested that President Ronald Reagan replace Franklin Roosevelt on the dime. A great idea, in my humble opinion.

Answer: Chicago

Although only the nation's third largest city in population, Chicago held the highest number for homicides: 599 in 2003 (and that was DOWN from 2002). New York was a close second with 596. L.A. had less than 500 homicides, Washington D.C. a paltry 247. I'd still rather walk around in downtown Chicago at night than in any of the other cities mentioned.

Answer: Belfast

Herzog was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on September 17, 1918. He was once Ireland's bantamweight boxing champion! Robert Briscoe, another Irish Jew, served as Lord Mayor of Dublin, as did his son, Ben.

Answer: Red-Billed Quelea

The Red-Billed Quelea is a member of the finch family and is found in Africa. According to Pettigill's Book of Birding it has a population of 10 billion (as opposed to the chicken, with a population of 6.5 billion worldwide). It causes significant damage to crops.

Answer: 25%

Nickels are made of an alloy consisting of 25% nickel and 75% copper.
From 1942 through 1945, a different alloy was used, because nickel was a strategic war material.

Answer: Tacitus

Tacitus was in his late 60's when he became emperor, and died of old age and exhaustion after a reign of only a few months. Trajan Decius and Maxentius were killed in battle, and Probus was murdered by his troops.

Answer: Water

Easy if you think about it. Both cream and oil will float on water, so water must be denser, and therefore heavier.

Answer: A signer of the Declaration of Independence

Gwinnett, a delegate from Georgia, was killed in a duel with Lachlan McIntosh on May 16, 1777. Because he died at a relatively young age, 38, and signed few documents which survive, his signature is worth over $100,000.

Answer: Thomas Nashe

Nashe was forced to flee London and go into hiding to escape prosecution. He was prohibited from further publishing and his writings were condemned to be burned. He died a few years later, in 1601. Nashe is my favorite Elizabethan writer. Unfortunately, not a single copy of "The Isle of Dogs" has survived, so we do not know why it caused such a outcry against the two authors.

It probably poked fun at members of Queen Elizabeth's court or government officials.

Answer: Esther 8:9

It contains a whopping 78 words in the King James version.

Answer: Luxembourg

Their country may be small, but their thirst is large. Each year the average citizen of Luxembourg consumes over 17 gallons wine; the French are second at 15 gallons.

Answer: Rome

This one fooled me when I was asked; like most people, I guessed New York.

Answer: 7.65%

In 1776, the estimate tax burden was 2% of income, and that sparked a revolution! Nowadays, sadly, we are used to being taxed to the bone and bear the burden meekly, like sheep. Social Security is a really lousy deal for most people. You would get a much higher return for your money by investing it - in almost ANYTHING. Up until 2003 of the 7.65% (one dollar out of every 13 that you earned) 6.2% was for Social Security and 1.45% was for Medicare.

Answer: Illinois

Herrin (pop. 8000) is located in Williamson County, Illinois. After a shootout between union miners and non-union "strike breakers," the non-union men surrendered, having been guaranteed safe conduct out of town by union officials. As soon as they lay down their arms, they were murdered in cold blood.

Despite the fact that the massacre was witnessed by hundreds of people, no one was ever convicted of any crime, because of union intimidation and the willingness of local citizens to cheerfully perjure themselves.

Herrin later became the scene of many riots and gun battles between bootleggers and the Ku Klux Klan. A fascinating book, "Bloody Williamson," by Paul Angle, tells the story of this lawless chapter in American history.

Answer: An Olympic athlete

Called "the Flying Finn," Nurmi won 9 gold and 3 silver medals for Finland at the Olympic games during the 1920's.

Answer: Tungsten

Tungsten is used for the filament in incandescent light bulbs and in hardening steel.

Answer: Has a surcharge added in addition to the postage cost

Semi-postal stamps have long been popular in Europe as a way to raise funds for charitable causes; as of 2004, the United States has issued only three semi-postal stamps: for the fight against breast cancer, to aid the families of firemen and policemen killed during the 9/11 attacks, and to combat domestic violence.

These stamps cost 45 cents each; the extra 8 cents above the cost of first class postage goes to the cause depicted on the stamp.

Answer: Michigan

On March 1, 1847.