The 10 quiz questions
Question 1 : At the Battle of Coutras in 1587, which commander of the French royal army was killed in combat?
Possible answers:
- The Duke of Guise
- The Duke of Mayenne
- Duke Anne de Joyeuse
- The Constable of Montmorency
Explanation: Duke Anne de Joyeuse, favorite of Henri III, died at Coutras at only 27 years old. This defeat considerably weakened Henri III's prestige in the face of the rising power of Henri de Navarre, the future Henri IV.
Question 2 : In what year did the Sydney Opera House open in Australia?
Possible answers:
- 1965
- 1968
- 1973
- 1978
Explanation: The Sydney Opera House, inaugurated on 20 October 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II, was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. Its construction, originally planned to last 4 years, ended up taking 14. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.
Question 3 : Which American political figure was born on October 20, 1964?
Possible answers:
- Hillary Clinton
- Condoleezza Rice
- Nancy Pelosi
- Kamala Harris
Explanation: Kamala Harris, born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, became the first woman, the first person of African American descent, and the first of South Asian descent to hold the position of Vice President of the United States, alongside Joe Biden, in January 2021.
Question 4 : What European and Japanese space mission was launched on October 20, 2018 to explore Mercury?
Possible answers:
- ExoMars
- BepiColombo
- Cassini-Huygens
- MESSENGER
Explanation: BepiColombo is a joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese space agency (JAXA). It is set to reach Mercury in 2025. The probe is named in honor of mathematician and engineer Giuseppe Colombo, nicknamed Bepi.
Question 5 : Qu'est-ce que le « massacre du samedi soir » survenu le 20 octobre 1973 aux États-Unis ?
Possible answers:
- A shooting during an anti-Vietnam War protest
- The assassination of several members of the US Senate
- The firing of the special prosecutor investigating Watergate, triggering a wave of resignations
- A terrorist attack on the US Capitol
Explanation: Dans la nuit du 20 octobre 1973, le président Nixon ordonna le limogeage du procureur spécial Archibald Cox, qui enquêtait sur l'affaire du Watergate. Le ministre de la Justice et son adjoint refusèrent d'exécuter l'ordre et démissionnèrent. Cet épisode précipita la chute de Nixon, qui démissionna en août 1974.
Question 6 : Which British rock band played at the Olympia in Paris for the first time on October 20, 1964?
Possible answers:
- The Beatles
- The Rolling Stones
- The Who
- The Kinks
Explanation: The Rolling Stones made their first appearance at the Olympia in Paris on October 20, 1964, as the opening act for singer Sylvie Vartan. The audience, mostly there for Vartan, gave the band a cold reception, but their reputation would quickly explode in France in the following months.
Question 7 : Which Basque terrorist organization announced the definitive end of its armed campaign on October 20, 2011?
Possible answers:
- The IRA
- ETA
- The Red Brigades
- Action Directe
Explanation: ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, "Basque Country and Liberty"), founded in 1959, caused the death of around 850 people in Spain and France throughout its history. The organization officially announced its complete dissolution in May 2018, seven years after ceasing all armed activity.
Question 8 : What is the distinction of Oscar Swahn, born on October 20, 1847, in Olympic history?
Possible answers:
- He was the first athlete to win medals in 3 different disciplines
- He is the oldest medalist in Olympic history
- He competed in the Olympics under 2 different nationalities
- He was the first Swede to win an Olympic gold medal
Explanation: Oscar Swahn, a Swedish shooter, made history by becoming the oldest Olympic medalist at the 1920 Games in Antwerp, at the age of 72. He had also been Olympic champion in 1908 and 1912. His record for Olympic longevity has never been broken.
Question 9 : Why did the White March take place in Belgium on October 20, 1996?
Possible answers:
- To protest against an unpopular national education reform
- In support of the victims of a Christmas market bombing
- In reaction to the Dutroux scandal involving child abductions and murders
- To commemorate the victims of a rail disaster
Explanation: The White March brought together around 300,000 people in Brussels in reaction to the Dutroux affair, named after criminal Marc Dutroux, who was found guilty of kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and the murder of children. The color white symbolized the innocence of the victims and hope. This event pushed for a deep reform of the Belgian judicial system.
Question 10 : In what year was the principality of Béarn annexed to the kingdom of France?
Possible answers:
- 1598
- 1610
- 1620
- 1643
Explanation: The annexation of Béarn by Louis XIII on 20 October 1620 ended a long resistance by the Estates of Béarn, who refused to enforce the Edict of Nantes and restore Catholic worship. This administrative integration fulfilled a promise made by Henri IV, himself king of Navarre and viscount of Béarn.
