The 10 quiz questions
Question 1 : What tragic event struck the American space program on January 28, 1986?
Possible answers:
- The explosion of the Mir space station
- The Challenger space shuttle accident
- The failed launch of Apollo 13
- The loss of the Hubble satellite during its deployment
Explanation: The Challenger shuttle exploded 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, killing all 7 crew members, including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher selected to be the first civilian in space. The disaster was caused by the failure of an O-ring on one of the boosters.
Question 2 : Which famous Jane Austen novel was first published on January 28, 1813?
Possible answers:
- Sense and Sensibility
- Emma
- Pride and Prejudice
- Persuasion
Explanation: Pride and Prejudice was originally titled First Impressions during its writing in 1796-1797. Jane Austen reworked it for years before its publication. The novel is today one of the most widely read in English literature, with more than 20 million copies sold.
Question 3 : Which national army was founded on January 28, 1918 in Russia?
Possible answers:
- The Imperial Russian Army
- The Soviet Republican Guard
- The People's Liberation Army
- The Red Army
Explanation: The Red Army, founded by Lenin's decree and organized by Leon Trotsky, became the main military force of Soviet Russia. It played a decisive role during the Russian Civil War (1918-1922) against the White Armies, before becoming the army of the USSR until 1991.
Question 4 : What charity song was recorded on January 28, 1985 to fight famine in Ethiopia?
Possible answers:
- Do They Know It's Christmas?
- We Are the World
- Heal the World
- Feed the World
Explanation: We Are the World brought together more than 45 American artists under the name USA for Africa, including Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross. Composed by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, it raised more than 60 million dollars for humanitarian aid in Africa.
Question 5 : On January 28, 1077, the King of the Romans Henry IV knelt before Pope Gregory VII in which Italian city?
Possible answers:
- Florence
- Rome
- Canossa
- Milan
Explanation: This episode, known as the "Walk to Canossa", represents one of the most symbolic acts of humiliation of the Middle Ages. Henry IV waited barefoot in the snow for three days to have his excommunication lifted. This event illustrates the conflict of the Investiture Controversy between the papacy and the Empire.
Question 6 : What famous patent was filed on January 28, 1958 in Denmark?
Possible answers:
- The Rubik's Cube patent
- The Lego construction toy patent
- The Meccano patent
- The Monopoly board game patent
Explanation: Gottfried Kirk Christiansen filed the patent for Lego bricks in the name of his father Ole Kirk Christiansen, the founder of the company. The name Lego comes from the Danish "leg godt" (play well). The Lego brick as we know it today is compatible with those made since 1958, which is unique in the toy industry.
Question 7 : On January 28, 1887, which iconic Paris monument began to be built?
Possible answers:
- The Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre
- The Grand Palais
- The Eiffel Tower
- The Arc de Triomphe
Explanation: The Eiffel Tower was initially designed as a temporary structure for the 1889 World's Fair, meant to be dismantled after 20 years. Gustave Eiffel convinced the authorities to keep it by turning it into a wireless telegraphy antenna. Today it is the most visited paid monument in the world.
Question 8 : Which French sailor won the Vendée Globe on January 28, 2021?
Possible answers:
- François Gabart
- Charlie Dalin
- Armel Le Cléac'h
- Yannick Bestaven
Explanation: Yannick Bestaven completed his solo, non-stop, unassisted round-the-world trip in 80 days, 3 hours and 44 minutes. He received a time compensation for taking part in the rescue of skipper Kevin Escoffier in November 2020. This allowed him to be declared the winner despite a longer actual time than Charlie Dalin.
Question 9 : Which city did the privateer Henry Morgan sack on January 28, 1671?
Possible answers:
- Havana
- Cartagena de Indias
- Panama
- Portobelo
Explanation: Henry Morgan, a Welsh privateer operating under a British commission, led an expedition of 1,200 men to loot Panama, then the largest city on the American Pacific coast. The city was burned to the ground during the assault. Morgan was then recalled to England and... appointed governor of Jamaica as a reward for his services.
Question 10 : What is the nickname given to the Seine flood event that occurred on January 28, 1910 in Paris?
Possible answers:
- The Great Débâcle
- The Flood of the Century
- The Paris Flood
- The Rising Waters
Explanation: The 1910 flood remains the most significant modern flood of the Seine, with a record level of 8.62 metres at the Pont d'Austerlitz gauge. It flooded a third of Paris for several weeks and ranks among the greatest natural disasters of the 20th century in France, causing immense damage to infrastructure and forcing thousands of Parisians to flee.
