Be That as It May Trivia Quiz

Answer: Soviet Union shoots down U-2 spy plane

The Soviet Union shot down the U-2 spy plane piloted by Gary Francis Powers on May 1, 1960 at the time of the Cold War, during the tenure of President Dwight Eisenhower and Soviet Premier Nikita Khruschev. At first, the US denied the mission but, when the Soviet government supplied proof of the event (including the pilot), Eisenhower was forced to admit it. Powers was convicted of spying and received a sentence of 3 years' imprisonment and 7 years' hard labor.

After serving a year and nine months, he was released in 1962 in a prisoner-exchange for Rudolf Abel.

Answer: Dick Clark was cleared of taking 'Payola'

The incorrect choices all happened on May 2nd, but in the years 1953, 1954 and 1955, respectively. In the late 1950s, the music industry was rocked (no pun intended) with a payola scandal. For those of you who don't remember the 50s, Payola was the illegal practice by record companies of giving money or other inducements to radio stations and disc jockeys to get them to play their music; the more airplay, the more popular the song and the more money made. Dick Clark divested himself of his record company and cooperated with the authorities and was absolved.

Answer: 1999

The Dow Jones stock market index was established on May 26, 1896. Originally, the Dow represented the dollar average of 12 stocks from leading American industries. In 1928, the components were increased from 12 to 30 companies and has remained at 30 ever since. With its many ups and downs, including 1929 and The Great Depression and 1987 (the greatest percentage loss in Dow history), it was not until May 3, 1999 that the average reached over 11,000, i.e., 11,014.07.

Answer: Margaret Thatcher

All of the incorrect choices served as British Prime Ministers: Heath from 1970 t0 1974; Wilson from 1974 to 1976 (the second term); Callaghan served from 1976 to May 4, 1979 when Margaret Thatcher took over the position. Ms. Thatcher, "The Iron Lady", was the leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990 and served as Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street from 1979 until her resignation in 1990.

She authored two memoirs: "The Downing Street Years" (1993) and "The Path to Power" (1995). She passed away on April 17, 2013 and was given a ceremonial funeral with full military honors.

Answer: Secretariat

All of the choices above came in first in the Kentucky Derby: Riva Ridge won in 1972, Cannonade in 1974 and Foolish Pleasure in 1975. Secretariat was ridden by Ron Turcotte and won the Triple Crown, i.e., the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 1973.

In the 20th century, only two horses accomplished this feat after Secretariat: Seattle Slew in 1977 and Affirmed in 1978. Sadly, the last Triple Crown winner left alive, Seattle Slew, died on May 7, 2002.

Answer: NY Met Anthony Young begins losing streak of 27 games

Some major events happened in 1994, but Anthony Young's losing streak was not among them. While pitching for the Mets, from May 6, 1992 to July 24, 1993 he lost 27 consecutive decisions, the longest losing streak in Major League Baseball in the 20th century. During that time he went 0-14 as a starter and 0-13 as a reliever. Young is a coach for youth leagues and offers pitching lessons in Kingwood, Texas...tennis, anyone?

Answer: Jacques Chirac

Jacques Chirac had served as Mayor of Paris, and held the position of Prime Minister of France (twice) prior to being elected President of France. He served from May 17, 1995 to May 16, 2007. In 2011, unfortunately, as with many politicians, he was declared guilty of "diverting public funds and abusing public confidence".

He was given a 2 year suspended sentence. Chirac was preceeded by Mitterand and succeeded by Sarkozy, while Francois Hollande began his presidential term on May 12, 2012.

Answer: David Berkowitz

Some choices, eh? While "The Clown Killer", "The Green River Killer" and "The Drifter" were all heinous American serial killers, it was David Berkowitz who was to become known as "The Son of Sam" or "The .44 Caliber Killer", who took responsibility for his actions on May 8, 1977.

He began his killing spree in the summer of 1976 and terrorized New York City for two years before being caught. He killed six people and wounded seven and was finally apprehended because of a parking ticket. If he serves his entire sentence, he will be released in the year 2342.

Answer: Chechen President Kadyrov is killed in a land mine explosion

Chechen President Akmad Kadyrov was assassinated by Chechen Islamists in a bomb blast during a World War II memorial victory parade in Grozny, Chechnya on May 8, 2004. While Kadyrov fought on the Chechen side in the First Chechen War, in 1999 he switched sides and supported the Russian forces in the Second Chenchen War. Since 2005 Akmat's son, Ramzan Kadyrov, has become Chechnya's Prime Minister and powerful leader.

Answer: Cayman Islands

On Christopher Columbus' final voyage to the "New World", he saw the Cayman Islands and named them Las Tortugas because of all the sea turtles that inhabited the waters of the Caribbean. In 1586, Sir Francis Drake renamed them after caiman, a term for alligator.

In 1962, the Cayman Islands broke ties with Jamaica and became a direct dependency of the British Crown. After they restructured the tax structure, they became an offshore banking center and legal tax haven. According to statistics, the Cayman Islands have the highest standard of living in the Caribbean.