World News
In October of 2025, thieves disguised as construction workers stole eight pieces from what world famous museum?
The Louvre (Paris, France)
What right-wing internet creator was assassinated during an event at Utah Valley University?
Charlie Kirk
What performer's 2024 set holds the unofficial record for largest crowd in Lollapalooza history?
Chappell Roan (~110,000 people)
What company was bought and rebranded by Elon Musk in 2022
Twitter (X)
When did Ms. G start working at HPHS?
2026
In 2022, what monarch died at the age of 96, ending their staggering 70 year and 214 day reign (the 2nd longest in history).
Queen Elizabeth II (of England)
What artist's 2023 tour generated earthquake-like seismic activity on several occasions?
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour (Magnitude 2.3 in Seattle and a local reading of 0.851 in LA)
In the spring of 2024, two massive cohorts of what periodical insect emerged in Chicagoland?
Cicadas (the 17-year Brood XIII and the 13-year Brood XIX)
During the 94th Academy Awards, Will Smith smacks what comedian in the face on live tv?
Chris Rock
Officially coming to an end in 2020, what term described the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union?
Brexit (Britain + Exit)
In 2021, a container ship got stuck sideways in what waterway connecting the Mediterranean and Red Sea
The Suez Canal
What commercial airliner company came under fire for quality concerns after a commercial flight experienced uncontrolled decompression mid-flight from a door plug blowing out?
Boeing
The New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA Championship thanks in part to what MVP from Chicagoland?
Jalen Brunson (he went to Stevenson High School)
The Titan Submersible implosion
Why did the Artemis II crew request to name a newly discovered crater on the Moon "Carroll"?
To honor Carroll Wiseman, the late wife of commander and fellow astronaut Reid Wiseman, who passed away from cancer in 2020.
In December of 2025, Australia banned children under what age from accessing social media?
(TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Threads, Reddit, Kick, Twitch)
16 and under
In 2021, 98 residents of what US state lost their lives when a 12 story beachfront condominium partially collapsed in the middle of the night due to long-term degradation of the building's reinforced concrete structural supports.
Florida
In what month of 2026 did the air quality index in Chicagoland reach dangerously high levels of particulate matter?
(+100 points to tell me an exact day because 3 days had especially bad AQI)
July (15th-17th, caused by wildfire smoke from Canada and northern Minnesota)
In 2021, users of r/wallstreetbets manufactured a huge boost to what stock, causing major damage to hedge funds and short sellers?
GameStop
In 2021, the Chicago City Council renamed a stretch of Lake Shore Drive WHAT in honor of Chicago’s first non-Indigenous permanent settler?
Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive
In 2020, where did 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate explode after being accidentally ignited from a nearby warehouse fire?
Beirut, Lebanon
(the energy released was comparable to 1.1 kilotons of TNT, making it the 3rd largest accidental and artificial non-nuclear explosions ever recorded)
In February 2023, what event resulted in chemical contamination of the Ohio river basin?
A freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in Ohio.
Where did NASCAR hold it's (inaugural) Chicago Street Race in July of 2023?
("downtown" is not an answer, tell me street and/or park names)
If you tell me any of the following I will award FULL points: In/around Grant Park or on Columbus, Balbo, Lake Shore, Roosevelt, Michigan, Congress Plaza, and Jackson
What televised defamation trial between two celebrities generated months of viral clips and online debates about their messy marriage and public divorce?
Depp v. Heard (Johnny Depp and Amber Heard)
When did Ms. G graduate from Loyola University Chicago?
2025