world history
While many different Chinese empires contributed to the construction of this barrier against invaders from the north, the most significant efforts were those of the Ming Dynasty roughly 500 years ago.
What is the Great Wall of China?
When "The Empire Strikes Back" appeared in theaters in 1980, fans were shocked to learn of the family ties between these two characters.
Who are Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader?
Riddle me this: this lion-woman hybrid appears in Ancient Greek myth, but was memorialized 4500 years ago in a giant limestone statue near modern-day Giza, Egypt.
What is the sphinx?
Much of what is now the central United States was acquired in an 1803 land transaction sharing a name with this state.
What is Louisiana?
Tapping this tree on a snowy day in the Northeast is the first step in producing a sweet condiment that is a staple of weekend breakfasts.
What is a maple tree?
The Gutenberg printing press, whose invention in 1455 would go on to revolutionize the world of communications, was first used to print this book.
What is the (Latin) bible?
The language of these woodland creatures appearing in "The Return of the Jedi" uses the phonetic repertoire of the Kalmyk language spoken by a minority group in Russia.
What are the Ewoks?
These half-horse, half-man creatures are villains of Greek myth, having inherited the worst qualities of each species.
What are centaurs?
In 1913, this southwestern state became the last in the continental US admitted to the union.
What is Arizona?
This tree found in northern parts of the world plays an important role in Russian culture – including the use of bundles of its branches to beat banya-goers.
What is the birch?
This brutal pan-European conflict, named for its lengthy duration, finally came to an end with the 1648 Treaty of Westphalia.
What is the Thirty Years' War?
The three "prequel" movies – Episodes I, II, and III – opened to largely negative reviews; one particular target of hate was this Goofy-inspired CGI-animated character who spoke in a faux-Caribbean accent that drew accusations of racial caricature.
Who is Jar Jar Binks?
These ugly, unpleasant giants from Norse myth are sometimes allied with the Aesir gods but are more often found getting the worse end of fights with Thor.
What are jotuns?
Originally named "Kanawha," this state is the only one in US history formed through a process of secession from an existing state.
What is West Virginia?
This tree might be the world's best for fighting mosquitoes – not only does its tremendous water use enable it to drain swamps, the oil distilled from its leaves can also be used as a natural insect repellent.
What is the eucalyptus?
At its peak, the Mongol Empire ruled by Gengis Khan's son Jochi spread from the Altai Mountains in the east to the Danube River in the west, and was known by this colorful name.
What is "the Golden Horde?"
These bighorned creatures sometimes used as transport by the Tusken raiders are also known to produce blue milk – yum!
What are banthas?
This 9-tailed shapeshifter from Japanese myth is known for transforming into beautiful women and its healing powers.
What is the kitsune?
All of the first six presidents of the United States came from either Virginia or Massachusetts, a streak broken by the seventh president; his exact birthplace is unknown but his military and political career was made in this state.
What is Tennessee?
Ancient Greeks believed tree of this species growing at the Oracle of Dodona was sacred to Zeus.
What is an oak?
In the early 19th century, the Fulani people of Western Africa launched a jihad against the independent city-states of the Hausa federation, uniting them as the Sokoto Caliphate, which lasted for 100 years until colonization by the British empire gave the territory the name of this modern country.
What is Nigeria?
In this sequel film, the Star Wars series finally "awoke" to 21st century diversity standards, introducing female and non-white protagonists for the first time in the series' history.
What is "The Force Awakens?"
The Norse god Loki's monstrous offspring included a spitting serpent that grew to encircle the human world Midgard, a hag named Hel who was sent to the underworld to rule over the dead, and Fenris, a giant version of this creature, who went on to bite off the hand of Odin's son Tyr.
What is a wolf?
The sparsely populated Dakota Territories were split into North and South Dakota in a process of intense political wrangling that resulted in their 1889 admission into the union along with what two other states?
What are Montana and Washington?
Standing only a few centimeters in height, this species of tree is thought to be the world's smallest.
What is the dwarf willow?