Some Historical Figures II Trivia Quiz

Answer: A radio broadcaster

Mildred Gillars (b November 29, 1900), was an American who made propaganda broadcasts for Nazi Germany which earned her the nickname 'Axis Sally.' Her broadcasts included American music, speculation about the faithfulness of the troops' wives and lovers, attacks on President Roosevelt and anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Her most infamous broadcast was a radio-play 'Vision Of Invasion' aired May 11, 1944. The play was a propaganda-style warning to any army attempting to invade Europe. Gillar's last broadcast aired May 6, 1945, two days before the Nazi surrender.

The Allied authorities took her broadcasts very seriously, monitoring and recording all of them. After the war, she was captured, and returned to the US charged and tried on eight counts of treason.

She was found guilty on one count of treason (for making the 'Vision Of Invasion' broadcast) and sentenced to 10 to 30 years in prison. She successfully petitioned for parole in 1961. She lived out the rest of her life in obscurity teaching languages at a Catholic prep school near Columbus, Ohio. Mildred died June 25, 1988.

Answer: William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 and was buried two days later in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon - the church in which he had been baptized. Although he is not buried in Westminster, there is a memorial to him there.

Answer: He was an acclaimed British astronomer

Actually, there are two noted Charles Masons in history. One is famous as having graduated ahead of Robert E Lee from the United States Military academy in the class of 1829. That Charles Mason, however, did not serve in the military during the Civil War. The other Charles Mason was a noted British astronomer. Between 1763 and 1766 Charles Mason and fellow astronomer Jeremiah Dixon, surveyed the Mason-Dixon line. The Mason-Dixon line was originally surveyed as the boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Answer: Tennessee county sheriff

Buford Pusser was Sheriff of McNairy County, Tennessee from 1964 to 1970. He is best known for his one-man war on moonshining and gambling activities in the Mississippi-Tennessee border country. His story vaulted to national attention when, on August 12, 1967, his wife was killed in an assassination attempt that was made against him. During his term as Sheriff, Pusser survived many attempts on his life, he was shot eight times and stabbed seven times.

He died on August 21, 1974, from injuries sustained in an suspicious automobile crash.

His story inspired several books and the two 'Walking Tall' movies.

Answer: One week

Calley spent seven days in the stockage in Fort Benning before being placed under 'house arrest.' Thereafter his sentence was continually reduced and finally commuted to time served by President Nixon. Calley was paroled in November of 1974. Reportedly Calley recently retired as manager of his father- in-law's jewelry store. Calley still grants interviews about My Lai, if paid to do so.

Answer: Anne Boleyn & Catherine Howard

Henry VIII had six wives (in order): Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne Of Cleaves, Kathryn Howard and Katherine Parr. Of these, two were executed (Boleyn & Howard), one died (Seymour), and one survived Henry (Parr). The two women who were executed Boleyn (#2), Howard (#5) were first cousins. After their executions, they were buried in unmarked graves in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula which adjoins the Tower Green. Their bodies were identified during renovations of the chapel undertaken during the reign Queen Victoria. Both of their graves are now marked.

Answer: False

Guillotin died on May 26, 1814 but of natural causes. Prior to the guillotine's introduction, members of the nobility were beheaded with an axe or sword and commoners were usually hanged. The guillotine was thus perceived not only as more humane method of execution, but also as an equalizer in the treatment of all French classes. The device was developed by Antoine Louis. Guillotin, however, was instrumental in suggesting its use to the National Assembly. The device was first called 'louison' or 'louisette', but by popular usage its name became guillotine.

Answer: He was instrumental in a maritime safety development

Plimsoll was a British Member of Parliament under whose direction maritime engineers developed a formula to determine the safe loading limit of any ocean going vessel. To this day all cargo ships bear a 'Plimsoll Mark' (usually a circle with horizontal lines through the center), which marks the lowest safe point to which the hull of the vessel may be submerged to by its cargo load.

The different lines relate to the seas or ocean(s) the ship will use.

Answer: A reef

Bligh served as sailing master on board James Cook's ship 'Resolution' during his third and last voyage of discovery which sought the northwest passage. During this voyage, a reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, was named after Bligh. On March 14, 1989 this reef was brought to world wide attention when the tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on the reef spilling its cargo of crude oil into the evironmentally sensitive sound. Had it not been for this event, most people probably would never have heard of Bligh Reef.

Answer: Killed in an automobile accident

Gabriel Meyer was killed by an automobile while standing at a street car stop July 11, 1936 in Los Angeles. What was notable about his death is that the driver of the car was Howard Hughes. Hughes was booked for "suspicion of negligent homicide" after the accident. Hughes had been seen driving erratically prior to the accident.

Although he had been drinking, he was certified as sober by medical personnel. A witness initially said that Hughes was driving carelessly and struck Meyer who was standing safely waiting for a street car.

This witness later changed his story to one in which Meyer stepped out in front of Hughes' car. After the witness changed his story, the DA recommended the charges against Hughes be dropped.