The 10 quiz questions
Question 1 : What major event on July 28, 1914 triggered World War I?
Possible answers:
- Germany invades Belgium
- France declares war on Germany
- Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
- Russia mobilizes its troops against Germany
Explanation: Austria-Hungary's declaration of war on Serbia followed the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. This murder, carried out by Gavrilo Princip, set in motion a system of alliances that rapidly dragged all of Europe into the conflict.
Question 2 : On July 28, 1794, the execution of Robespierre and his associates marked the end of a period of the French Revolution. What is this period called?
Possible answers:
- The Commune
- The Terror
- The Fronde
- The Reaction
Explanation: The Terror refers to the period of intense political repression between 1793 and 1794, during which the Committee of Public Safety, dominated by Robespierre, sent thousands of people to the guillotine. His fall on 9 Thermidor Year II (July 27-28, 1794) paved the way for the Thermidorian Reaction.
Question 3 : What famous painting by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the day of July 28, 1830?
Possible answers:
- The Raft of the Medusa
- Liberty Leading the People
- The Gleaners
- Olympia
Explanation: Delacroix painted this work in 1830 to celebrate the Trois Glorieuses, the revolutionary days of July 27, 28 and 29 that overthrew Charles X. The painting, housed in the Louvre museum, has become one of the most powerful symbols of the French Republic, even appearing on old 100 franc banknotes.
Question 4 : On July 28, 1755, the Council of Nova Scotia decided to deport an entire people. Which people were they?
Possible answers:
- The Iroquois people
- The Mohawk people
- The Acadian people
- The Huron people
Explanation: The Great Upheaval was the forced deportation of the Acadians, French-speaking settlers established in North America since the XVIIth century, by British authorities. Around 10,000 Acadians were scattered across the British colonies and Europe. This tragedy is commemorated on July 28, the anniversary of the decision.
Question 5 : On July 28, 1540, Thomas Cromwell was executed for high treason under the reign of Henry VIII. What notable event took place on the same day?
Possible answers:
- Henry VIII proclaims the Act of Supremacy
- Henry VIII marries for the 5th time Catherine Howard
- Henry VIII divorces Catherine of Aragon
- Henry VIII repudiates Anne of Cleves
Explanation: Catherine Howard, the 5th wife of Henry VIII, was herself executed less than two years later, in February 1542, accused of adultery. Henry VIII had six wives in total, two of whom were beheaded: Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.
Question 6 : Born on July 28, 1887, Marcel Duchamp is a major figure in 20th-century art. What type of works is he mainly known for?
Possible answers:
- His neoclassical marble sculptures
- His monumental wall frescoes
- His ready-mades and conceptual approach to art
- His Impressionist paintings of rural scenes
Explanation: Marcel Duchamp is the father of the concept of the "ready-made", which involves elevating everyday objects to the status of works of art simply by designating them as such. His urinal titled "Fountain" (1917) remains one of the most controversial and influential works in the history of contemporary art.
Question 7 : On July 28, 1945, a military plane accidentally crashed into a famous skyscraper in New York. Which building was it?
Possible answers:
- The Chrysler Building
- Rockefeller Center
- The Flatiron Building
- The Empire State Building
Explanation: The B-25 Mitchell bomber crashed into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building on July 28, 1945, in foggy weather. The accident killed 14 people. The building, inaugurated in 1931, was then the tallest in the world and would remain so until the construction of the World Trade Center in 1972.
Question 8 : Born on July 28, 1866, Beatrix Potter is known for her literary works aimed at children. Which character did she notably create?
Possible answers:
- Alice in Wonderland
- Peter Rabbit
- Winnie the Pooh
- Paddington Bear
Explanation: Beatrix Potter published "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" in 1902, after her manuscript was rejected by many publishers. She was also a passionate naturalist and her botanical and zoological illustrations were of great scientific precision. At the end of her life, she bequeathed her Lake District lands to the National Trust.
Question 9 : The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, adopted on July 28, 1868, guaranteed a fundamental right to African Americans. Which one?
Possible answers:
- The right to vote
- The right to free public education
- Citizens' rights
- The right to land ownership
Explanation: The 14th Amendment was adopted in the context of Reconstruction after the Civil War. It invalidated the Dred Scott decision of 1857, which denied citizenship to African Americans. This amendment is also the basis for many modern civil rights in the United States, notably through the equal protection clause.
Question 10 : Born on July 28, 1954 in Venezuela, Hugo Chávez presided over his country for several years. How long did his presidency last?
Possible answers:
- About 6 years, from 1999 to 2005
- About 14 years, from 1999 to 2013
- About 20 years, from 1993 to 2013
- About 10 years, from 2003 to 2013
Explanation: Hugo Chávez was president of Venezuela from 1999 until his death in March 2013, around 14 years. He established what he called "21st century socialism" and nationalized many industries, including the oil sector. He survived a coup attempt in 2002 and was re-elected several times.
