June 3rd Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gemini 4

Gemini 4 stayed in orbit for 4 days, during which time Edward White became the first American to make a space walk.

Answer: Duke of Windsor

The former King Edward VIII, who had abdicated the throne in 1936, married Wallis Simpson near Tours in France.

Answer: Allen Ginsberg

A leading member of the 'Beat Generation' of the 1950s/60s, Ginsberg's most famous poem was 'Howl', written in 1955. Ginsberg, who died in 1997, won the National Book Award in 1973 for 'The Fall Of America'.

Answer: Golden Temple

Situated in Amritsar, the Golden Temple is one of the most sacred places of worship of the Sikh religion. Indian troops stormed the building in an attempt to arrest suspected terrorist Jamail Singh Bhindranwale, the resulting death toll amounting to 83 soldiers and 492 civilians.

Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards later that year in what was seen as a reprisal for the attack.

Answer: Anthony Quinn

Anthony Quinn was born in Mexico in 1915, but grew up in the USA. He twice won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for 'Wild Is The Wind' (1957) and 'Alexis Zorbas' (1964). He died in Boston aged 86.

Answer: Montenegro

In a referendum held in May, 2006, 55% of votes were cast in favour of independence for Montenegro. Unlike the bloodshed which characterised much of the breakup of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, this was an entirely peaceful parting of the ways.

Answer: Florida

De Soto originally landed at Port Charlotte in May, 1539. His expedition over the next two years covered much of what is nowadays known as the Deep South of the USA, with the Mississippi River being reached in May, 1541. Apart from a brief spell under British rule (1763-1783) Florida remained Spanish until 1819. It became the 27th State of the USA in 1845.

Answer: 1989

Sparked by the death of liberal politician Hu Yaobang on April 15th, 1989, protesters began a series of demonstrations in Tiananmen Square which lasted for seven weeks until the tanks rolled in. At least 3,000 people are thought to have died in the aftermath, although Chinese officials have never officially disclosed the true figure.

Answer: Jefferson Davis

Born in Kentucky, Jefferson Davis is best known as the President of the Confederated States of America during the Civil War. Originally indicted for treason following his capture in 1865, this charge was later dropped ,and he was elected to the US Senate in 1875, but was barred from taking office. He died in New Orleans in 1889.

Answer: Johan Strauss II

Johann Strauss the Younger, Johan Strauss II , is known as 'The Waltz King', having written in excess of 500 waltzes, polkas, marches and galops. Born in Vienna in 1825, he was the son of Johann Strauss the Elder, and the uncle of Johann Strauss III.