Month of May Trivia Quiz

Answer: Empire State Building

The Empire State Building was the tallest in the world until 1972, when the North Tower of the World Trade Centre was completed. Following the tragic events of 2001, the Empire State Building again became the tallest building in New York. The Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, became the tallest in the world on its opening in 2010.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris was the world's tallest structure from 1889 until 1930 and Toronto's CN Tower held the accolade between 1976 and 2010. The clock tower of Big Ben in London is among the tallest free standing clock towers in the world.

Answer: Anne Boleyn

Of the options given, only Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were executed. Jane Seymour died after giving birth to the future King Edward VI in 1537. Anne of Cleves probably had the best deal of all as she was divorced, without the marriage having been consummated, and granted a pension which allowed her to live in comfort. Anne Boleyn was executed following charges of adultery, treason and incest, which were probably untrue.

Her death allowed Henry to marry his third queen. Catherine Howard was executed in 1542, with her sexual misconduct being well documented.

Answer: Motor cycle accident

Thomas Edward Lawrence was born in 1888 and came to prominence due to his role in the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918, when the Arab nations rebelled against the Turkish (Ottoman) occupation. This period of his life was made into the 1962 film, 'Lawrence of Arabia', with Peter O'Toole portraying his character. Lawrence died at the age of forty-six following an accident while riding his motorcyle.

Answer: Benedict Arnold

Ethan Allen was the leader of a militia group known as the 'Green Mountain Boys' in the area which later became Vermont. It was defended by only 48 men, many of whom were not fully fit, and the Americans were able to take control without any loss of life. Both Allen and Arnold were keen to take credit for the success. Arnold's later defection to the British ensured that he was remembered as a traitor, not a patriot, despite his earlier successes in fighting against them.

Answer: Rouen

Joan of Arc came to prominence during the Hundred Years' War between France and England, claiming that God had told her to reclaim France and ensure the coronation of King Charles VII. The coronation took place in Reims in July 1429. Joan was captured in May 1430 and put on trial for heresy before being executed.

She was declared innocent and a martyr by Pope Callixtus III in 1459. In 1920, Joan was declared a saint and is now one of the patron saints of France.

Answer: Robert Baden-Powell

The siege lasted from October 1899 until May 1900, with 1,500 troops commanded by Baden-Powell being attacked by 7,500 Boers. However, the attacking forces were greatly reduced after only a month as the Boers believed the town was more heavily defended than was actually the case, and would be impossible to capture. Various deceptions were organised by Baden-Powell to mislead the Boers regarding the strength of his forces. Baden-Powell went on to found the Scouting Movement, now established in many countries around the world. William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army and Chad Varah formed the Samaritans. George Williams opened the first YMCA hostel in London.

Answer: Clara Barton

Clara Barton encountered the Red Cross movement while visiting Europe and began campaigning for an American version on her return to the USA. She acted as president for 23 years, resigning in 1904 at the age of 83. The other women all have their own claims to fame: Elizabeth Blackwell became the first female doctor in America, graduating in 1849 and Lucy Hobbs Taylor became the first female dentist, qualifying in 1865. Ellen Swallow Richards was the first woman to obtain a chemistry degree.

Answer: United Kingdom

The new Prime Minister was Margaret Thatcher, who had become leader of the Conservative Party in 1975. She remained Prime Minister until 1990, when a revolt in her own party led to her resignation and replacement by John Major. Margaret Thatcher retired as a Member of Parliament in 1992, and was awarded a life peerage entitling her to sit in the House of Lords.

Answer: Prague

This incident was the second incident to be known by this name, with the first having been in 1419. The 1618 event is better remembered as it was a major catalyst for the war, which began partly as a conflict between Catholics and Protestants. Bohemia was a predominantly Protestant country and rebelled against the imposition of King Ferdinand, a staunch Catholic, as their monarch.

His representatives were thrown from a third floor window at Prague Castle, but survived by landing in a pile of horse manure, which broke their fall.

Answer: Madrid

The French troops had been in Spain since November 1807, as the Spanish leaders had been persuaded by Napoleon that his intention was to conquer Portugal and divide it between France and Spain. By May 1808, the population of Madrid had realised that their country had, in reality, been taken over and began an uprising.

This event is usually used as the starting date for the Peninsular War, involving Spain, Portugal and Britain fighting against France, which saw the emergence of guerilla warfare. Goya produced two paintings, one depicting the uprising on 2 May, but it is the second one which has become famous.