The 10 quiz questions
Question 1 : Which British Egyptologist discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun on November 4, 1922?
Possible answers:
- Flinders Petrie
- Howard Carter
- Arthur Evans
- Giovanni Belzoni
Explanation: Howard Carter had been working under the patronage of Lord Carnarvon since 1907. The tomb, nearly intact, contained more than 5,000 objects including the famous solid gold funeral mask. Carter had almost abandoned his excavations after five seasons without significant results.
Question 2 : Which first film in the Harry Potter saga had its world premiere on November 4, 2001, in London?
Possible answers:
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Explanation: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, adapted from J.K. Rowling's novel, was directed by Chris Columbus. The film launched an 8-part film franchise that grossed more than 7 billion dollars worldwide.
Question 3 : On November 4, 1950, what fundamental text for the protection of freedoms in Europe was signed?
Possible answers:
- The Treaty of Rome establishing the EEC
- The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- The European Convention on Human Rights
Explanation: The European Convention on Human Rights was signed in Rome by the member states of the Council of Europe. It established the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, whose rulings are binding on the signatory states.
Question 4 : On November 4, 1995, which Israeli Prime Minister was assassinated during a peace rally?
Possible answers:
- Ariel Sharon
- Yitzhak Rabin
- Shimon Peres
- Ehud Barak
Explanation: Yitzhak Rabin was killed by Yigal Amir, a Jewish extremist opposed to the Oslo Accords. Rabin had received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 along with Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat for those same accords, which aimed at a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Question 5 : In what year did Joan of Arc win the victory at the siege of Saint-Pierre-le-Moûtier, during the Hundred Years' War?
Possible answers:
- 1415
- 1429
- 1431
- 1453
Explanation: The taking of Saint-Pierre-le-Moûtier in 1429 was one of Joan of Arc's last military victories before her capture by the Burgundians in May 1430 at Compiègne. This Loire campaign came after the liberation of Orléans in May 1429.
Question 6 : Which French composer, famous especially for his Requiem and his Pavane, died on November 4, 1924?
Possible answers:
- Claude Debussy
- Camille Saint-Saëns
- Gabriel Fauré
- Charles Gounod
Explanation: Gabriel Fauré led the Paris Conservatoire from 1905 to 1920. Affected by progressive deafness, he nonetheless continued to compose until the end of his life. His elegant and intimate style profoundly influenced Ravel and other French composers of the 20th century.
Question 7 : Which American president was elected on November 4, 2008, becoming the first African-American president of the United States?
Possible answers:
- Joe Biden
- Barack Obama
- Bill Clinton
- John Kerry
Explanation: Barack Obama, Democratic senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain with 365 electoral votes to 173. He received the Nobel Peace Prize as early as 2009, rewarding his efforts for international diplomacy, which sparked a worldwide debate about the legitimacy of such an early distinction.
Question 8 : On November 4, 1984, which was the first French pay television channel to start broadcasting?
Possible answers:
- TF1
- Arte
- M6
- Canal+
Explanation: Canal+ launched its first broadcasts in the clear before switching to an encrypted system. The channel quickly stood out for its sports rights, particularly football, and for its original film productions, becoming a major player in the financing of French cinema.
Question 9 : In what field is Ruth Handler, born on November 4, 1916, famous?
Possible answers:
- She was the first American female astronaut
- She created the Barbie doll
- She founded the Revlon cosmetics brand
- She led the American feminist movement of the 1960s
Explanation: Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel with her husband Elliot, created the Barbie doll in 1959, inspired by her daughter Barbara. Barbie was the first doll in the world to represent an adult, revolutionizing the toy market. The name Ken, Barbie's companion, is the name of her son.
Question 10 : What convention, signed in 1648, put an end to the Eighty Years' War, which began on 4 November 1576 with the Sack of Antwerp?
Possible answers:
- The Treaty of Utrecht
- The Peace of Westphalia
- The Treaty of Nijmegen
- The Peace of Rijswijk
Explanation: The Sack of Antwerp in 1576, carried out by mutinous Spanish soldiers, caused the death of around 8,000 inhabitants and destroyed a large part of the city. This atrocity, known as the 'Spanish Fury', galvanized the United Provinces in their struggle for independence, finally recognized by the Peace of Westphalia in 1648.
