The 10 quiz questions
Question 1 : In 1776, an iconic city on the west coast of the United States was founded on September 18. Which city is it?
Possible answers:
- Los Angeles
- Seattle
- San Francisco
- San Diego
Explanation: San Francisco was founded by Spanish settlers around the presidio (military fort) and the Franciscan mission of San Francisco d'Assise. The city owes its name to the Franciscan saint. It would become one of the most important metropolises on the Pacific coast, especially during the gold rush of 1849.
Question 2 : On September 18, 1851, an American newspaper was published for the first time. Which one?
Possible answers:
- The Washington Post
- The New York Times
- The Chicago Tribune
- The Boston Globe
Explanation: The New York Times was founded by Henry Jarvis Raymond and George Jones. Today it is one of the most influential newspapers in the world and has won more than 130 Pulitzer Prizes throughout its history. Its first issue cost one cent.
Question 3 : On September 18, 1934, a major international organization welcomed the USSR into its ranks. Which organization was it?
Possible answers:
- The United Nations
- The Communist International
- The League of Nations
- The Council of Europe
Explanation: The USSR was admitted to the League of Nations in 1934, 15 years after its creation in 1919. Paradoxically, it was expelled in 1939 following the invasion of Finland. The United States never joined, despite the initiative of President Wilson.
Question 4 : On September 18, 1981, a historic law was passed in the French National Assembly. What did it provide for?
Possible answers:
- The decriminalization of cannabis
- The abolition of the death penalty
- The legalization of abortion
- The separation of Church and State
Explanation: The law abolishing the death penalty in France was championed by Justice Minister Robert Badinter, under the presidency of François Mitterrand. The last execution by guillotine in France had taken place on September 10, 1977, with Hamida Djandoubi. France was one of the last countries in Western Europe to abolish this penalty.
Question 5 : On 18 September 1180, Philip II Augustus became king of France. Which king gave up his place that same day?
Possible answers:
- Louis VI the Fat
- Louis VIII the Lion
- Louis VII the Young
- Charles V the Wise
Explanation: Louis VII, known as 'the Young', died on 18 September 1180, after a reign of 43 years. He was notably the husband of Eleanor of Aquitaine, from whom he divorced in 1152. His son Philip II Augustus, known as 'the Conqueror', considerably expanded the royal domain and was one of the most powerful Capetian kings.
Question 6 : On September 18, 2010, Philippe Croizon achieved a remarkable sporting and human feat. What did he do?
Possible answers:
- He climbed Mont Blanc with no arms or legs
- He swam across the English Channel
- He ran a marathon in a wheelchair
- He sailed across the Atlantic
Explanation: Philippe Croizon, who had all four limbs amputated following an electrical accident in 1994, swam across the English Channel in 13h30. He used specially adapted prosthetics fitted with fins. He went on to achieve further feats by swimming across the 5 oceans between 2012 and 2013.
Question 7 : On September 18, 2014, a historic referendum took place in Scotland. What was the result?
Possible answers:
- Scotland votes for independence with 55%
- The referendum is cancelled due to irregularities
- Voters choose to remain in the United Kingdom
- The result is contested and a second round is held
Explanation: The Scottish independence referendum concluded with 55.3% voting "No" against 44.7% voting "Yes". Despite this result, the question of Scottish independence remains relevant, especially after the 2016 Brexit, which Scotland had largely opposed. The SNP (Scottish National Party) continues to campaign for a new referendum.
Question 8 : Léon Foucault, born on September 18, 1819, is famous for an experiment demonstrating the rotation of the Earth. What instrument did he use for this?
Possible answers:
- A telescope
- A pendulum
- A seismograph
- A gyroscope
Explanation: Foucault's pendulum was presented to the public at the Panthéon in Paris in 1851, with a wire of 67 meters and a ball of 28 kg. The experiment shows that the plane of oscillation of the pendulum slowly rotates, which proves the rotation of the Earth on its own axis. Foucault also invented the gyroscope and improved telescope mirrors.
Question 9 : Which famous American cyclist, born on September 18, 1971, won seven Tour de France titles before being stripped of all his titles for doping?
Possible answers:
- Floyd Landis
- Lance Armstrong
- Jan Ullrich
- Tyler Hamilton
Explanation: Lance Armstrong, winner of the Tour de France from 1999 to 2005, was banned for life from competitive sport by the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) in 2012. The UCI cancelled all his results from 1998 onwards. Armstrong had previously survived testicular cancer in 1996 and created the Livestrong Foundation to support cancer patients.
Question 10 : On September 18, 1947, an American law profoundly reformed the organization of the United States intelligence services. What agency did this law help create?
Possible answers:
- The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
- The NSA (National Security Agency)
- The CIA (Central Intelligence Agency)
- The Pentagon
Explanation: The National Security Act of 1947 notably created the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), the National Security Council, and unified the armed forces under a single Department of Defense. It was signed into law by President Harry Truman in the context of the early Cold War, to address the Soviet threat in a coordinated way.
