Bicentennial 1819-2019 Trivia Quiz

Answer: James Monroe

James Monroe was elected in 1816 and served two terms. His presidency was notable for its lack of political tensions and was nicknamed "The Era of Good Feelings."

Monroe was the last of the "Founding Fathers" to serve as President. Born in 1758, Monroe fought in the American Revolution. He studied law and became active in politics, serving in the Continental Congress. Monroe was Governor of Virginia and Secretary of State before serving as the fifth US President.

His most notable policy achievement was the declaration of the Monroe Doctrine, warning European powers against interfering in the Americas. He declared the policy in 1822, as countries from Mexico to Chile were declaring revolution against the Kingdom of Spain.

Madison was the fourth President, serving from 1809 to 1817. John Quincy Adams served immediately after Monroe, from 1825 to 1829. Daniel Tompkins was the Vice President in the Monroe Administration.

Answer: Singapore

Stamford Raffles will forever be linked with the history of Singapore. He was only in Singapore for around three years (1819-1822), but helped establish what would become one of Asia's most prosperous countries. Singapore was under British rule from 1819 to 1963, but occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. Raffles died in 1826 at the age of 45.

Singapore is just to the south of the Malaysian peninsula, very close to the Equator. Since declaring independence in 1965, it has risen rapidly to become one of Asia's strongest economic powerhouses.

Hong Kong was a British territory from 1824 to 1997, when it was ceded to China. Brunei was administered by Britain between 1980 and 1984. Britain had control over large parts of India between 1757 and 1947.

Answer: Florida

The Adams-Onis Treaty, passed on February 22, ceded Florida to the United States, paving the way for Disneyworld and the Miami Heat. The Adams-Onis Treaty is named after then Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and a Spanish diplomat, Luis de Onís y González-Vara. With the Louisiana Purchase, the territory of Florida had been cut off from the rest of Spanish possessions in what is now the United States.

The treaty created the Viceroyalty of New Spain, which contained the present states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Adams-Onis was superceded by the Treaty of Cordoba in 1821, and the territory of New Spain became part of the new nation of Mexico.

Answer: The Prado in Madrid

The Prado, Spain's largest and most prestigious art gallery, opened its doors on November 19, 1819. The gallery has one of the world's finest collections of European art, specializing in Spanish masters such as Goya and Velazquez. It also includes notable works by Rembrandt, Peter Paul Reubens and El Greco. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe.

The Louvre opened as a museum in August 1793. The National Gallery of Art in London's Trafalgar Square opened in 1824. The Uffizi Galleries have been an art gallery since 1581, and formally opened as a museum in 1765.

Answer: Simon Bolivar

Following his defeat of the forces of Spain during several decisive battles in 1819, Simon Bolivar (The Liberator) became the first President of Gran Colombia. He served in office from 1819 until May 1830; Bolivar died in December 1830. Bolivar also served as president of Venezuela, Peru and Bolivia (which was named after him).

Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios Ponte y Blanco was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1783. Bolivar began his campaign for the liberation of South America from Spanish rule in 1808; After a decade of fighting, he achieved victory at the Battle of Boyaca in August 1819.

Francisco Miranda (1750-1816) was Bolivar's mentor. Sucre (1795-1830) was a close friend and military confederate of Bolivar; he served as president of Peru and Bolivia. San Martin (1778-1850) was another confederate of Bolivar; he is a national hero in Argentina and Peru.

Answer: typewriter

While versions of a typesetting device had existed since the early 1700s, Sholes was the first person to make what most people would recognize as a modern typewriter. Most notably, Sholes invented the QWERTYUIOP layout for his keys, which was still used on computer keyboards. Sholes was born on February 14, 1819 in Mooresburg, Pennsylvania. He moved to Wisconsin in his early 20s. He served in both the State Assembly and State Senate. He worked on perfecting the typewriter between 1867 and 1873. At that point, he sold his patent to Remington and Sons for $12,000; the typewriter wound up making millions for the manufacturing company. Sholes died in Milwaukee in 1890, only 3 days after his 71st birthday.

The man who did invent the modern sewing machine, Elias Howe, was also born in 1819. The inventor of the machine gun was Richard Gatling. And Lucien Smith patented the first barbed wire in 1867.

Answer: Albert

Victoria, who served as the Queen of England from 1838 to 1901, was born on May 24, 1819. Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was actually a few months younger than his wife, born on August 26.

The couple were married in 1839, two years after Victoria became Queen. They were married for 22 years, when Albert died at the young age of 42. They had nine children, Albert was a close advisor to Victoria as well as her spouse. She never remarried after his death. Albert is well remembered in England, with buildings such as the Royal Albert Hall named after him.

George was the name of her grandfather (George III) and grandson (George IV). Edward was the name of her oldest son, who became Edward VII. William was the name of her uncle, who died in 1837, making Victoria Queen.

Answer: Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau was born July 12, 1817, so he was about 2 years older than the others. Thoreau, along with Ralph Waldo Emerson, was a transcendentalist. Thoreau is best known for "Walden" which encourage living simply, and for his work on civil disobedience. Thoreau went to jail several times for protesting war. His ideas on civil disobedience inspired both Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Of those born in 1819, James Russell Lowell was born February 22, Walt Whitman on May 31 and Herman Melville on August 1. Lowell was a native of Boston who was a harsh critic of slavery and other social ills. Whitman is one of the most influential poets in American literature; his earthy even vulgar poetry expanded the boundaries for literature. Melville is best known for his epic adventure stories, especially "Moby Dick" (1851) which is one of the greatest works in US literature.

Answer: Mary Ann Evans

Mary Anne Evans used the pseudonym George Eliot when writing. Eliot's most notable work is "Middlemarch" (1871-72), widely regarded as one of the finest novels in English literature. Eliot published seven novels between 1859 and 1876. She was born on November 22, 1819 and died in December 1880.

Amantine Dupin used the pseudonym "George Sand." Danish writer Karen Blixen is best known as Isak Dinesen. Charlotte Bronte, author of "Jane Eyre" wrote under the name Currer Bell.

Answer: Hawaii

Kamehameha I was the first king of a United Hawaii, founded in 1795. He was born in 1736 and died in May 1819. Kamehameha reigned from 1782 until his death. He is highly revered as one of the central figures in the history of the state of Hawaii.

There is a statue of Kamehameha in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol. June 11 is celebrated as King Kamehameha day with parades in Honolulu. There is a large statue of the king in front of Iolani Palace in Honoulu; fans of the TV show "Hawaii 50" will recognize it.