Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. 1449 - Though he only lived to be 43 years old, this man's death signaled the end of the Golden Age of Florence. He ruled the Republic of Florence under the nickname "the Magnificent" despite his despotic tactics. The family bank greatly dwindled during his rule, and by the time of his death, his financial troubles led him to misuse state funds. Who was this man?
2. 1511 - Though this boy did not even live to be 2 months old, he represented what would end up being a lifelong struggle for King Henry VIII of England. He was the firstborn male son of Henry and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Who was this royal, whose death was reportedly the reason why Henry declared war on France to distract him from grief?
3. 1735 - This American silversmith is remembered for simply being a messenger during the battles of Lexington and Concord at the onset of the American Revolution. He rode on horseback from Boston to Lexington to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams that the British army was on their way to arrest them. Who was this man, who never actually shouted the most famous phrase associated with him?
4. 1752 - Although it was never proven, this woman is credited with sewing the first American flag. She joined the Fighting Quakers in 1776 and supported the war effort by both sewing flags and nursing soldiers. Who is this woman, first credited with making the first flag nearly 100 years later by her grandson?
5. 1895 - This man was the last director of the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) from 1924-1935 and the first director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) following that, holding that position for 37 years. He used the crime wave of the 1930s to reform the BOI as the FBI, and took down many of the criminals of the time. Who was this man that was accused of exceeding the jurisdiction of his organization?
6. 1909 - A 5-time US Senator from Arizona, this Republican ran for president in 1964 and lost by a landslide to incumbent Lyndon Johnson, only capturing 38.5% of the popular vote and 52 electoral votes. He was in office from 1953-1965 and 1969-1987, and credited with the resurgence of the American conservative and libertarian movements. Who was this man, known as Mr. Conservative?
7. 1911 - This man played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball, taking a 3-year hiatus to fight during World War II. He made 5 All-Star games (including one after the war), won 2 AL MVP Awards, won 2 World Series, and his #5 was retired by the Detroit Tigers in 1983. Who was this man, elected into the Hall of Fame in 1956?
8. 1912 - One of the greatest spies of all time, this British double agent allied himself with the Soviet Union, despite Joseph Stalin's fears that he was actually a triple agent. In 1940, he joined MI6 under false pretences, and worked for them and as the liaison to the CIA until he defected to the USSR in 1963. Who was this man, who was awarded the highest honor of the Soviet Union, the Order of the Red Banner, in 1965?
9. 1919 - This American author is nearly just as famous for his reclusive nature as he is for his best-selling book, released in 1951. The book was about a teenage boy who rebelled against the "phoniness" of society. Who was this man, who published his final book in 1965?
10. 1938 - This accomplished American actor got his first Oscar nomination at age 71 for the movie "Frost/Nixon" where he played the part of Richard Nixon. His first Screen Actors Guild Awards nomination came in 2006 for his role as William Paley in "Good Night, and Good Luck." Who was this actor, who made a name for himself as Dracula in a Broadway production?
Source: Author
illiniman14
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
Snowman before going online.
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