A Look Back at 1988 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Iran

On July 3, the USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing all 290 passengers and crew. The Vincennes crew said that they'd mistaken the aircraft for an Iranian fighter jet. The US government, without admitting liability, paid $2.9 million to the families of non-Iranians killed in the incident.

A lawsuit by Iranian families was dismissed because the shootdown occurred in a war zone, at a time that Iran was at war with Iraq.

Answer: Lloyd Bentsen

Lloyd Bentsen, a conservative Texas Democrat, was initially viewed as a mismatched choice for the liberal Dukakis to make, but proved to be an effective advocate for the ticket. He is probably best remembered for his "Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy," remark to Dan Quayle during the vice presidential debate.

Answer: Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson's 9.79 time in the 100 meters shattered the existing world record (9.93 by Carl Lewis), but he failed a drug test after the race and was stripped of his gold medal, which was awarded to Lewis. Lewis's time in the race, 9.92, became the new world record.

Answer: Suzuki Samurai

The Suzuki Samurai, a popular small sport utility vehicle, repeatedly turned sideways onto two wheels during emergency accident-avoidance testing performed on it by Consumer Reports. The magazine rated the car "not acceptable" and called for a ban on sales, virtually eliminating demand for the Samurai. Suzuki eventually sued Consumer Reports.

The parties settled the suit in 2004 with no money being exchanged.

Answer: Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas won for his role in "Wall Street," beating out Hurt ("Broadcast News"), Nicholson ("Ironweed"), Williams ("Good Morning Vietnam"), and Marcello Mastroianni ("Ochi chyornye").

Answer: Ayatollah Khomeini

Khomeini died in 1989. The others, Jimmy Carter's brother Billy, NBA Hall of Famer Maravich, and singer Orbison, passed away in 1988.

Answer: Orel Hersheiser

Hersheiser pitched two complete-game victories for the Dodgers, as they beat the A's in five games. The Series' most memorable moment though was probably Kirk Gibson's limping two-run walkoff home run in Game 1. It was Gibson's only at-bat of the Series.

Answer: Pakistan

Benazir Bhutto, educated in England and the US, was elected Pakistani prime minister in November. She served as prime minister from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996.

Answer: Libya

The Libyan government eventually admitted guilt and in 2002, reached a settlement of $2.7 billion to be awarded to families of the 270 people killed in the bombing.

Answer: Made a number of racially insensitive remarks on camera

Interrupted during a meal at a Washington DC restaurant/bar, Snyder was asked by a TV interviewer about Martin Luther King, whose birthday holiday was coming up. His answer somehow steered toward the "athleticism" of black athletes. "The black is a better athlete because he's been bred to be that way," Snyder said on camera, "because of his high thighs and big thighs that goes up into his back ... During slave trading, the slave owner would breed his big woman so that he would have a big, black kid, see. That's where it all started." Snyder was fired several days later.