What Happened in the World in the Month of July? Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. On July 1, The Battle of Gettysburg started. In what year did this battle take place?

Answer: 1863

The battle only lasted for three days and ended on July 3, 1863. The battle between Union and Confederate forces took place in and around the city of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania during the American Civil War. It resulted in a Union victory and is widely described as the turning point of the war. The battle itself resulted in the largest number of casualties of the entire four year struggle.

2. The Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It justified independence by listing colonial grievances against Britain. Who was the British King at the time?

Answer: George III

George III (1738-1820) reigned from 1760-1820. He had ten sons and six daughters by Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz whom he met for the first time on his wedding day. George II (1683-1760) reigned from 1727-1760. George IV (1762-1830) reigned from 1820-1830) and William IV (1765-1837 ) reigned from 1830-1837.

3. Also on July 4, a songwriter was born who is best known for "Oh! Susanna", "Camptown Races", "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair" and many more. Who was this person?

Answer: Stephen Foster (1826-1864)

Foster is known as "the father of American music". He wrote over 200 songs and even 150 years after his death many of his songs are still popular.
Hoagy Carmichael was a composer, pianist, singer and actor and is best known for his compositions "Stardust" and "Georgia on My Mind".
Woodie Guthrie was a singer-songwriter and folk musician and is best known for "This Land is Your Land". Sammy Cahn was a lyricist and besides winning four Academy Awards for his songs also wrote "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" and "Three Coins in the Fountain".

4. In 1877 on July 9, a tennis tournament began which was to become world famous. What was this tournament?

Answer: Wimbledon

The actual venue is The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. In this first year only The Gentlemen's Singles was held, and Spencer Gore was the winner among the 22 participants. The Ladies' Singles commenced in 1884 and the first winner was Maud Watson. The French Open commenced in 1891 and the US Open in 1881. The Queens Club Championship is a grass tournament for men only and commenced in 1890 and is usually considered a warm up to Wimbledon.

5. On July 10, 1973 a Caribbean country gained its independence after 250 years as a British Crown Colony. What is this country?

Answer: The Bahamas

The Bahamas is an island country consisting of more than 700 islands. It is situated north of Cuba. Barbados is a sovereign island country which gained independence from Britain in 1966. Jamaica gained independence from Britain in 1962. Trinidad and Tobago is a twin island country gaining independence, also from Britain in 1962.

6. In 1789 French revolutionaries stormed the Bastille. What day in July did this event take place?

Answer: July 14

July 14 is known as "Bastille Day" and is a public holiday in France. The Bastille was a medieval fortress and prison which represented royal authority in Paris. The outcome was the abolition of the French monarchy in 1792 and the rise of democracy and nationalism.

7. In 1918 on July 18 a famous Xhosa speaking African was born to the Thembu royal family. Who was this person?

Answer: Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) is probably the best known African. He spent 27 years in prison, was released in 1990 and became President of South Africa in 1994, a position he held until 1999. Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) was born on February 21, 1924. Desmond Tutu was born in Klerksdorp, South Africa on October 7, 1931. Kofi Annan (former Secretary-General of the United Nations-1997-2006) was born in Ghana April 8, 1938.

8. On July 20 1969 a global audience watched an incredible event. What was this event?

Answer: Apollo 11 landing on the moon

On this day Neil Armstrong made that famous statement when descending Apollo 11 to step on the surface of the moon and saying "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind". Sir Edmund Hillary was born on July 20, 1919 in Auckland, New Zealand and ascended Mt. Everest on May 29, 1953. The NY Mets beat the Baltimore Orioles in game five on October 16, 1969. Hepburn and Streisand tied for their respective roles in "The Lion in Winter" and "Funny Girl". The awards were presented on April 14, 1969.

9. In 1909 on July 25 the world's first international airplane flight took place in a small monoplane. Who was the pilot?

Answer: Louis Bl�riot

Louis (1872-1936) was a French aviator and flew across the English Channel from Calais to Dover in 36 minutes and 30 seconds. Wilbur (1867-1912) and his brother Orville (1871-1948) made the first successful airplane flight December 17, 1903. Albert (1873-1932) was a Brazilian aviation pioneer and Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974) flew from New York to Paris in 1927 in just over 33 hours.

10. On the last day of July in 1936 the next Olympics (scheduled for 1940) were awarded to which country?

Answer: Japan

In 1938 it was decided that Japan should not host the 1940 Olympics due to their invasion of China. As runner-up Finland was awarded the games for 1940. However, when WWII started in 1939 the games were cancelled indefinitely. Japan finally hosted the Olympics in 1964. Britain hosted the first Olympics after WWII in 1948 and Finland was the host country in 1952. Germany and Japan were not allowed to participate in the 1948 Olympics in London. Melbourne (Australia) was the first Southern Hemisphere country to host the Olympics in 1956.

Source: Author zambesi

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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There are many events that have happened in history during the month of July. Here are just a mixture of them to challenge your knowledge.

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