It's a Date Ending in 66 Trivia Quiz

Answer: April 1866

The 1866 Civil Rights Act defined the rights of US citizens, regardless of colour. It built on and supported the 13th Amendment, which had abolished slavery. President Andrew Johnson twice used his veto to prevent it, but the Senate and House overrode him and enacted the legislation in April 1866.

Answer: October 66 AD

The Great Jewish Revolt, also known as the First Jewish-Roman War, took place between 66 and 73 AD. Judea was a province of Rome, with a vassal King of the Jews, Herod Agrippa II, under Emperor Nero. The revolt was in reaction to Roman taxation, and disrespect from the Roman governor. Jewish Zealots deposed the King and won victories against the Roman Army. Nero turned to Vespasian to address the revolt in 67.

Answer: 66 BC

Mithridates, ruler of the Kingdom of Pontus, in present-day Turkey, was a formidable long-term foe to the Roman Republic. They fought a series of wars to thwart his territorial ambitions. The Battle of the Lycus, a river near the Black Sea, was a key turning point in the third and final Mithridatic War, which ran from 73 to 63 BC and involved many allies over a large area.

After a crushing defeat from Pompey's forces. Mithridates escaped to Crimea, where he killed himself in 63 BC.

Answer: July 1966

English football fans always think they should win the World Cup for some reason! The only time it happened was when England had the advantage of hosting the competition in 1966. Manager Alf Ramsey's gamble, of not playing star striker Jimmy Greaves in the final, paid off handsomely, as Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick in a 4-2 victory over West Germany.

Answer: September 1566

The Siege of Szigetvár was described by Cardinal Richelieu as the battle that saved Western civilisation. The Ottoman Empire under Suleiman the Magnificent had expanded its rule westwards, conquering Belgrade and much of Hungary. The Hungarian fortress of Szigetvár blocked Suleiman's advance to Vienna.

The defending troops were led by the Croatian general, Nikola IV Zrinski. After a month of fighting, with massive losses on both sides, the Ottoman Empire prevailed. Zrinski died in the final push and Suleiman of natural causes.

Despite the victory, the Ottoman Empire did not threaten Vienna for another century.

Answer: June 1466

The Gutenberg Bible, the first edition produced using moveable metal type, was produced in the mid 1450s and was in Latin. Johannes Mentelin produced the first printed edition of the Bible in a modern language, one of the first books printed in German. Multiple further German editions were produced building on Mentelin's Bible before Luther's versions in the early sixteenth century.

Answer: March 1766

The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1765. Its purpose was to pay for troops stationed in North America following the Seven Years' War against France. It imposed an obligation on American colonists to pay a tax on paper goods. Payment was due in hard to obtain Sterling.

The colonists reacted violently against the imposition of taxation without any consultation, and the British Government abolished the act in 1766.

Answer: September 1666

The Great Plague of London lasted from 1665 to 1666, and it was ending by the time the Great Fire of London started in September 1666. The fire began in a bakery and raged for four days, destroying much of the city, including St Paul's Cathedral. A dying of the wind that fanned the flames, plus the use of gunpowder to create fire breaks, helped stop the fire from advancing further.

The city was rebuilt along the same medieval grid. New buildings included Christopher Wren's new St Paul's Cathedral and the Monument commemorating the Great Fire.

Answer: December 1266

The Siege of Kenilworth took place during the reign of Henry III, and was part of the Second Barons' War, in which Barons and Royalty fought to establish their rights and responsibilities. Kenilworth Castle was defended by rebel forces under Henry de Hastings against attacking Royalist forces led by Prince Edward (who later became Edward I).

The six month siege was the longest on English soil. Despite large forces and novel and inventive methods, the Royalists were unable to prevail until illness and starvation weakened the Barons' forces. Both sides were conciliatory and the Dictum of Kenilworth that followed went some way to a settlement.

Answer: December 1066

1066 was a watershed year for the Kingdom of England. Edward the Confessor died in January, to be succeeded by Harold II. Threats to Harold's rule came from Norway, whose forces, under King Harald Hardrada, he defeated at the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25 September. Harold then had to march his forces to fight William of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October. William prevailed, and Harold died in battle. William then subdued opposition, and was crowned King of England in London, in Westminster Abbey, on Christmas Day 1066.