Legendary Ladies Trivia Quiz

Answer: Anne Frank

This statue of Anne Frank is located in Utrecht, although there is another in Amsterdam, where Anne actually lived during the Second World War. Between 1942 and 1944, Jewish Anne and her family hid in a secret annex of their apartment, until an anonymous informant turned them in. Anne was sent to a concentration camp, and in 1945 died while in captivity.

The statue was made by Pieter d'Hont in 1959 and placed at the Janskerkhof (Utrecht town square) on April 12th, 1960.

Answer: Alexandros of Antioch

Venus de Milo was originally discovered in 1820 by Yorgos Kentrotas in the ruins of Milos on the island of Milos, in the Aegean Sea. When found, her upper left arm and hand were also found in fragments, along with a plinth that she stood upon. It traveled through various hands before it was presented to King Louis XVIII a year later. Eventually, it was placed into the Louvre Museum on 'permanent display'.

The plinth with the sculptor's name went mysteriously missing, but drawings remain, with the name inscribed on it. The statue is believed to have been made between 130 and 100 B.C.

Answer: Victoria

Queen Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1901, and not only put her seal of approval on the Confederation of Canada (The British North America Act), but she also chose Ottawa to be the new nation's capital (a position held by a few other cities in the years leading up to 1867.

The statue was sculpted by Louis-Philippe Hébert in 1900, and subsequently dedicated in 1901 by Queen Victoria's grandson, Prince George (who would become George V).

Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt

The 'Black Cabinet' was originally referred to as th Federal Council of Negro Affairs. It was an informal group of African-Americans that worked in or around F.D.R.'s government. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was also actively involved in ensuring that this segment of the American population was having a voice in Washington.

Mary McLeod Bethune was not only active politically, but she was also a great proponent of education. She started a school for African-American girls in her hometown of Daytona that eventually merged with a boys school and became the Bethune-Cookman School.

Answer: Diana

Diana, as with many of the Roman (and Greek) gods, has been widely depicted in the arts. She was the goddess of the hunt, the moon, and birthing, and was said to be able to talk to animals.

The statue depicted here in London was unveiled in 1954 by Escort J. 'Jim' Clack. Entitled 'Diana in the Treetops', it even has a drinking fountain for dogs.

Answer: Miguel de Cervantes

This monument to Cervantes was designed by architects Rafael Martínez Zapatero and Pedro Muguruza and sculptor Lorenzo Coullaut Valera. Begun in 1925, it was not completed until 1957 by Lorenzo's son Federico Coullaut-Valera Mendigutia.

Dulcinea del Toboso, of course, was Don Quixote's idealized version of Aldonza Lorenzo.

Answer: Emmanuel Frémiet

Frémiet placed another version of this statue at the Place des Pyramides, but replaced it in 1889 with an updated version. It is near where Joan of Arc was injured when trying to capture Paris. There are also 'sister' versions of the statue in Philadelphia, PA and Portland, OR in the U.S.

Joan of Arc was a French folk-heroine who claiming divine guidance, became a warrior in the Hundred Years' War, leading her army to many key victories. At the tender age of 19 she was burned at the stake by the British for heresy.

Answer: Brandy

The Brontë sisters were 19th century poets and novelists, each of whom achieved a measure of success in their lifetimes. Sadly, all of them lived shorter lives than they should have. Charlotte (Author of "Jane Eyre") lived to the age of 38, Emily ("Wuthering Heights") died at 30, and Anne ("The Tenant of Wildfell Hall"), passed away at the age of 29.

The statues in their former home (now a museum) depict, from left to right, Charlotte, Emily and Anne. It was sculpted by Jocelyn Horner.

Answer: 18th

The spire on which the Madonnina sits was erected in 1762, nearly 400 years after construction of the cathedral began in 1386 (it was not completed until 1965). At a height of 108.5 metres it is visible from quite a distance (when not shrouded in mist). The statue was designed and sculpted by Giuseppe Perego in 1774 and placed atop the spire.

Tradition has it that no other buildings in Milan can be higher than the Madonnina, so when the first building was built that was taller, a replica (smaller) Madonnina was placed on the new building.

Answer: Liberty Enlightening the World

Conceived of by Édouard René de Laboulaye and designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, Lady Liberty was dedicated in 1886. The statue is a representation of Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom. In her right hand she holds up a torch while in her left hand is a 'tabula ansata' (a tablet evoking the law), inscribed with the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

At her feet lies a broken chain.