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Calendar "2" June, overturned crown and ballot box of the Italian referendum, television set and crown of Elizabeth II, Victorian novel and heather of Thomas Hardy, Gothic window and chains of the Marquis de Sade
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HistoryMedium

June 2nd Throughout History

On June 2, 1946, Italy voted for the Republic and ousted Umberto II. Seven years later, Elizabeth II was crowned the same day Hillary and Tenzing Norgay announced their Everest summit. Test your dates.

Source: fr.wikipedia.org

10

Questions

2

Minutes

Tip: Use keys 1-4 to answer quickly

The 10 quiz questions

Question 1 : What major event took place in Italy on 2 June 1946?

Possible answers:

  • The proclamation of the Italian constitution
  • The liberation of Rome by the Allies
  • The end of the monarchy decided by referendum, making Italy a republic
  • Italy's accession to the UN

Explanation: The referendum of 2 June 1946 is considered the founding act of the Italian Republic. The date is today celebrated as the Festa della Repubblica, a national holiday in Italy. King Umberto II, nicknamed 'the king of May' because he reigned only a few weeks, went into exile in Portugal.

Question 2 : Why is Queen Elizabeth II's coronation on 2 June 1953 historic in media terms?

Possible answers:

  • It was the first coronation filmed in color
  • It was the first international live broadcast of an event by television
  • It was the first coronation broadcast on radio worldwide
  • It was the first royal event broadcast by satellite

Explanation: Queen Elizabeth II's coronation was the first international live broadcast of an event by television. The event contributed to the meteoric rise of television in British and European homes. The BBC had initially hesitated to broadcast the ceremony, fearing that the cameras would distort the sacred character of the ritual.

Question 3 : What great news was announced on 2 June 1953, the same day as Queen Elizabeth II's coronation?

Possible answers:

  • The discovery of the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick
  • The first transatlantic supersonic flight
  • The successful ascent of Everest by Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
  • The launch of the first Soviet artificial satellite

Explanation: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay had reached the summit of Everest on 29 May 1953, four days before the official announcement. The news was deliberately kept secret to be revealed on the day of the coronation, offering a symbolic gift to the new queen. Everest culminates at 8,849 meters of altitude.

Question 4 : What was the nature of the event of 2 June 1793 involving François Hanriot and the Girondins?

Possible answers:

  • The execution of Girondin leaders on Robespierre's orders
  • The arrest of twenty-two Girondins, making the Convention Montagnard
  • The dissolution of the National Convention by royal decree
  • The flight of the Girondins out of Paris to the provinces

Explanation: The ousting of the Girondins on 2 June 1793 marked a radical break in the French Revolution. It allowed the Montagnards, led by Robespierre, to take control of the Convention and establish the Terror. The Girondins, supporters of a moderate and decentralized Republic, opposed the Montagnards who advocated a strong central government.

Question 5 : Which British writer born on 2 June 1840 is particularly known for his novels evoking Victorian society and English rural life?

Possible answers:

  • Charles Dickens
  • Rudyard Kipling
  • Thomas Hardy
  • Robert Louis Stevenson

Explanation: Thomas Hardy is the author of major novels like 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' and 'Jude the Obscure', in which he denounces the rigidities of Victorian society. His works often take place in Wessex, an imaginary region inspired by his native Dorset. He is also recognized as a poet, and this is the form in which he preferred to define himself.

Question 6 : On 2 June 1958, Charles de Gaulle obtained full powers from the French National Assembly. For what main purpose?

Possible answers:

  • End the Indochina War
  • Draft a new constitution
  • Nationalize strategic French industries
  • Negotiate France's entry into the EEC

Explanation: The political and military crisis born of the Algerian War had caused the collapse of the Fourth Republic. De Gaulle, recalled to power, used these full powers to have the Constitution of 1958 drawn up, the founding document of the Fifth Republic, which considerably strengthened the prerogatives of executive power.

Question 7 : Which marquis born on 2 June 1740 has gone down in posterity for a literary work judged sulfurous and provocative?

Possible answers:

  • Voltaire
  • The marquis de Sade
  • Beaumarchais
  • Choderlos de Laclos

Explanation: Donatien Alphonse François de Sade, called the marquis de Sade, gave his name to the term 'sadism', which entered the French language and psychological vocabulary. Imprisoned several times under the Ancien Régime and then under Napoleon, he wrote his most provocative works in prison. His work is today reassessed as a radical critique of the institutions and morals of his time.

Question 8 : In 2024, Claudia Sheinbaum was elected president of Mexico. What historical particularity does this election represent?

Possible answers:

  • The first president from a Latin American left-wing party
  • The first woman to access the presidency of Mexico
  • The first president elected with more than 80% of the votes
  • The first president of Amerindian origin in Mexico

Explanation: Claudia Sheinbaum is the first woman elected president of Mexico in its entire history, in a country however marked by a strong macho culture called 'machismo'. She is an engineer and researcher in energy sciences, and was also the first woman to head Mexico City as head of government of the capital.

Question 9 : Which British musician born on 2 June 1941 was the drummer of one of the most famous rock bands in the world?

Possible answers:

  • Ringo Starr, drummer of the Beatles
  • John Bonham, drummer of Led Zeppelin
  • Keith Moon, drummer of The Who
  • Charlie Watts, drummer of the Rolling Stones

Explanation: Charlie Watts was the drummer of the Rolling Stones for almost sixty years, from the band's formation in 1962 until his death in 2021. Contrary to the Stones' rebellious image, Watts was known for his elegance, his discretion and his passion for jazz. He is considered one of the greatest drummers in rock history.

Question 10 : The Gordon Riots, which began in London on 2 June 1780, were riots directed against which religious community?

Possible answers:

  • The Jews of London
  • The Catholics
  • The Huguenot Protestants
  • The Quakers

Explanation: The Gordon Riots were triggered by Lord George Gordon and his 'Protestant Association' movement in opposition to the Catholic Relief Act of 1778, which granted certain rights to English Catholics. These riots are considered the worst civil disturbances in the history of modern London, causing several hundred deaths. Charles Dickens drew inspiration from them for his novel 'Barnaby Rudge'.

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