The 10 quiz questions
Question 1 : What theory did Albert Einstein present to the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences on November 25, 1915?
Possible answers:
- The theory of special relativity
- Quantum field theory
- The theory of general relativity
- The theory of the photoelectric effect
Explanation: The theory of general relativity, published in November 1915, revolutionized our understanding of gravitation. It followed the special relativity of 1905 and notably predicted black holes and gravitational waves, experimentally confirmed in 2016.
Question 2 : On November 25, 1951, the Calypso left the port of Toulon for its first destination under the command of Commander Cousteau. What was that destination?
Possible answers:
- The Indian Ocean
- The Red Sea
- The eastern Mediterranean
- The Persian Gulf
Explanation: The Red Sea was the first exploration ground of the famous oceanographic vessel. The Calypso, a converted former British minesweeper, became the symbol of Cousteau's underwater adventures broadcast in the TV series 'The Silent World' and his many documentaries.
Question 3 : Which South American country gained independence from the Netherlands on November 25, 1975?
Possible answers:
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Belize
- Suriname
Explanation: Suriname, formerly Dutch Guiana, is the only sovereign state in South America whose official language is Dutch. Located in the northeast of the continent, it remains the smallest sovereign nation in South America by area.
Question 4 : On November 25, 1981, Pope John Paul II appointed Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to lead an important Vatican congregation. What position did he entrust him with?
Possible answers:
- Secretary of State of the Holy See
- Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
- Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals
- Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops
Explanation: The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is one of the oldest and most influential institutions in the Vatican, formerly known as the Holy Office or the Inquisition. Ratzinger remained there until 2005, when he succeeded John Paul II under the name Benedict XVI.
Question 5 : Born on November 25, 1835, which Scottish-born American industrialist is especially famous for financing the construction of numerous public libraries?
Possible answers:
- John D. Rockefeller
- Andrew Carnegie
- Henry Ford
- J.P. Morgan
Explanation: Andrew Carnegie, born in Dunfermline, Scotland, made his fortune in steel in the United States. He funded more than 2,500 libraries around the world, including 1,679 in the United States alone. His philanthropic philosophy is summarized in his essay 'The Gospel of Wealth' (1889).
Question 6 : On November 25, 1936, two Axis powers signed a treaty aimed at countering the Communist International. What is this pact called?
Possible answers:
- The Pact of Steel
- The Anti-Comintern Pact
- The Tripartite Pact
- The German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Explanation: The Anti-Comintern Pact was initially signed between Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Mussolini's Fascist Italy joined them in 1937. This treaty was one of the diplomatic foundations of the alliance that would form the Axis powers during World War II.
Question 7 : On November 25, 1925, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk banned the wearing of a traditional headwear in Turkey. Which one?
Possible answers:
- The turban
- The keffiyeh
- The chechia
- The fez
Explanation: The ban on the fez was part of Atatürk's radical modernization and secularization reforms aimed at bringing Turkey closer to Western standards. The Western hat was imposed in its place. This symbolic measure accompanied other reforms such as the adoption of the Latin alphabet in 1928.
Question 8 : Adrienne Bolland, born on November 25, 1895, made history in aviation by completing a world-first aerial crossing. Which one?
Possible answers:
- The first transatlantic crossing by a woman
- The first crossing of the English Channel by plane
- The first crossing of the Andes mountain range
- The first solo female crossing of the Sahara
Explanation: Adrienne Bolland crossed the Andes mountain range in April 1921 aboard a Caudron G.3, becoming the first woman to achieve this feat. She took off from Argentina and landed in Chile after flying at more than 4,500 meters altitude, in very difficult weather conditions.
Question 9 : Born on November 25, 1881 under the name Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, which 20th-century pope is known for convening the Second Vatican Council?
Possible answers:
- Pius XII
- John XXIII
- Paul VI
- John Paul I
Explanation: John XXIII, elected pope in 1958 at the age of 76, surprised the Catholic Church by convening the Second Vatican Council in 1962, which deeply modernized the liturgy and the Church's positioning in the modern world. He was canonized in 2014 by Pope Francis.
Question 10 : In the Disney animated film released in France on November 25, 1998, Mulan disguises herself as a man to take her father's place. Which people does she go to defend the Chinese Empire against?
Possible answers:
- The Mongols
- The Huns
- The Manchus
- The Tatars
Explanation: The legend of Hua Mulan comes from a Chinese ballad dating back to the IVe-Ve centuries called the 'Ballad of Mulan'. In the Disney version, the main antagonist is Shan Yu, leader of the Huns. The film had a live-action remake in 2020, this time without the musical numbers from the animated version.
