Ancient Civilizations
Which ancient civilization is famous for building the Great Pyramids of Giza?
The Ancient Egyptians.
What was the immediate "spark" or event that triggered the start of World War I?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.
Who invented the movable-type printing press in Europe around 1440?
Johannes Gutenberg.
Who created an empire stretching from Greece to India by the age of 30?
Alexander the Great.
What was the name of the plague that wiped out nearly one-third of Europe's population in the 14th century?
The Black Death (or Bubonic Plague).
What was the name of the wedge-shaped writing system used in ancient Mesopotamia?
Cuneiform.
What was the name of the fortress-prison stormed by Parisians on July 14, 1789?
The Bastille.
Which Italian explorer, sailing for Spain, landed in the Americas in 1492?
Christopher Columbus.
Which teenage peasant girl led the French army to victory during the Hundred Years' War?
Joan of Arc.
Which Italian city is widely considered the "birthplace" of the Renaissance?
Florence.
Which Chinese dynasty is credited with first establishing the Silk Road trade route?
The Han Dynasty.
Which two superpowers were the primary adversaries during the Cold War?
The United States and the Soviet Union (USSR).
In which country did the Industrial Revolution begin in the 18th century?
Great Britain.
Who was the founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire?
Genghis Khan.
The United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 following the end of which major conflict?
World War II.
In which Greek city-state did the concept of democracy first emerge?
Athens.
In what year did the United States sign the Declaration of Independence?
1776.
Which scientist is famous for formulating the laws of motion and universal gravitation?
Sir Isaac Newton.
Who was the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa’s first Black president in 1994?
Nelson Mandela.
In what year did the Berlin Wall finally fall?
1989.
According to legend, which twin brothers founded the city of Rome?
Romulus and Remus.
What was the primary city that European Crusaders sought to "reclaim" during the Middle Ages?
Jerusalem.
What was the name of the first artificial satellite launched into space?
Sputnik 1.
Which Queen reigned over the British Empire for 63 years during the height of the Industrial Revolution?
Queen Victoria.
In 1215, English barons forced King John to sign this document, which limited the power of the king.
The Magna Carta.