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Quiz about 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

1906 San Francisco Earthquake Trivia Quiz

At the time, the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake was the most devestating disaster the US had experienced.

A multiple-choice quiz by katlee. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
katlee

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
253,303

Updated
Sep 17 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
648

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 struck on what date? Hint

March 17

April 18

May 22

April 4

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Question 2 of 10

2. What famous opera singer was in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake? Hint

Enrico Caruso

Placidio Domingo

Enzio Puzo

Luciano Pavarotti

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who declared himself as the head of military authority in San Francisco? Hint

Gen. Frederick Funston

Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower

Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing

Gen. George Marshall

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which was the only local newspaper to print an edition on the day of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake? Hint

Enquirer

Examiner

Daily News

Call

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. What was the animal roaming through Chinatown that the residents believed had moved from under the earth and caused the earthquake? Hint

Bull

Elephant

Turtle

Horse

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What major bank began because of the 1906 San Franciso Earthquake? Hint

Wachovia

Lloyd's of London

Chase Manhattan

Bank of America

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Question 7 of 10

7. How much in the way of relief funds were received in San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake? Hint

$ 13,000,000

$ 25,000,000

$ 9,000,000

$ 47,000,000

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Question 8 of 10

8. How long did the fires last in the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906? Hint

49 hours

74 hours

84 hours

106 hours

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Question 9 of 10

9. What fledgling relief agency took a big step forward because of the San Franciso Earthquake? Hint

US Geological Survery

Firemen's Fund

American Medical Association

American Red Cross

10. A year after the San Francisco earthquake Mayor Eugene Schmitz was sentenced to five years in jail for extortion. In 1912 he was brought to trial again - for bribery charges which ended up being dismissed. What happened to him in the end? Hint

He lived out the rest of his life under an alias.

He was elected State Senator.

He was elected to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors - twice.

He died in jail.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 struck on what date?

Answer: April 18

The quake struck at 5:13 AM on April 18th. The day before had been uncommonly warm - a warning perhaps?

2. What famous opera singer was in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake?

Answer: Enrico Caruso

Enrico Caruso was on the last leg of his American tour. When he arrived in San Francisco all the reporters were asking him about the recent eruption of Mt. Vesuvius near his hometown. Naturally, they had no idea that they'd soon be in the thick of their own disaster.

3. Who declared himself as the head of military authority in San Francisco?

Answer: Gen. Frederick Funston

Gen. Funston believed that only the military could control the citizens after the earthquake. His actions included imposing martial law on the town. It was more than two days after the earthquake that President Roosevelt authorized a military presence in the ravaged city.

4. Which was the only local newspaper to print an edition on the day of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake?

Answer: Daily News

Editor William Wasson and his printers had hooked up a flywheel and a wrench to the press. The "Daily News" was the only one of San Francisco's six city papers to appear that day.

5. What was the animal roaming through Chinatown that the residents believed had moved from under the earth and caused the earthquake?

Answer: Bull

The bull roaming through Chinatown was the incarnation of the Chinese belief that the world was supported on the backs of four bulls. Since this one had left its post, the earthquake had occurred. The bull had been injured by many of the Chinese trying to make it go back to its post. It was shot dead by Officer Leonard Ingham.

6. What major bank began because of the 1906 San Franciso Earthquake?

Answer: Bank of America

Other bankers locked their money in steel vaults and had to wait weeks for them to cool so they could be safely opened. Amedeo Peter Giannini, owner of the Bank of Italy, had his money out and lent it to customers to start rebuilding. Giannini also persuaded people living in tents in the park to deposit their money with him so that it wouldn't be stolen. Out of that little enterprise came the Bank of America.

7. How much in the way of relief funds were received in San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake?

Answer: $ 9,000,000

A small sum when compared to losses of 350-500 million dollars.

8. How long did the fires last in the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906?

Answer: 74 hours

The fire began and ended in the Slot, at approximately 7:15 AM on Saturday, April 21, 1906. Not long after it began to rain.

9. What fledgling relief agency took a big step forward because of the San Franciso Earthquake?

Answer: American Red Cross

Dr. Edward Devine had been named to head the American Red Cross, but as yet hadn't had any reason to bring the agency into action. While sleeping on a train to Chicago, he received a telegram from President Theodore Roosevelt stating "I request that you represent the Red Cross in relief operation in San Francisco".

Answer: He was elected to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors - twice.

Eugene Schmitz ran once again for Mayor and lost. He then ran for the two-year San Francisco Board of Supervisors term and was elected twice. He died forgiven, and much loved, on November 20, 1928.

Source: Author katlee

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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