Academic Team Trivia 1

  1. What world leader convinced FDR the A-bomb should be developed without help from Russia?
  1. Who was accused of ordering biological weapons tested on inmates at Abu Ghraib Prison?
  1. What Asian nation caned Michael Fay with a rattan cane in 1994 for spray-painting cars?
  1. What enormous New Jersey corporation was ordered to dissolve by the Supreme Court in an epic 1911 ruling?
  1. What ship was sunk in the Pacific in 1945, four days after dropping off the atomic bomb at Tinian Island?
  1. What type of structure did Alexander the Great build on Pharos, in the middle of Alexandria’s harbor?
  1. What year was Pan Am’s commercial flight to the moon, booked in the 1960s, scheduled to depart?
  1. What queen left France’s Louis VIII for England’s Henry II, setting the stage for centuries of war?
  1. What notorious Caribbean privateer, hanged for piracy in 1701, was displayed in a cage for years, as a warning?
  1. Which Crusade saw most of its soldiers shipped out of Marseilles and sold into slavery?
  1. What WWII general was famed for the line: “A pint of sweat saves a gallon of blood”?
  1. What American had a 1913 net worth equivalent to over 2% of the GNP?
  1. What New England state was an independent republic for 14 years before joining the union?

  1. Winston Churchill. Allies during WWII, US and UK were quickly becoming atomic energy partners, but Churchill’s hostility toward the Alliance of Russia and his lack of trust in Stalin. In 1945, Truman lets Stalin know that the U.S. possessed "a new weapon of unusual destructive force."
  1. Saddam Hussein. In 1990’s Iranian POWs and Iraqi prisoners were supervised by “Dr. Germ”, AKA Dr. Rihab Taha under the instruction of Hussein. Tests used lethal mold, bacteria, and airborne Anthrax.
  1. Singapore. Fay was 1st caning involving American. Caning is common punishment in Singapore, never in public. 18 yr old was hit 4 times on bottom (not severely beaten), reduced from 6 upon US request for leniency. Punishment blown out of proportion by US media.
  1. Standard Oil. Major Oil producer, refiner, transporter, and marketer in late 19th century. At head of Standard was John D. Rockefeller, who became a billionaire due to Standard. By 1904, Standard controlled over 90% of U.S. oil. Sherman Antitrust Law states Standard is a monopoly and Supreme Court sides with States, dissolving Standard.
  1. USS Indianapolis. Attacked by Japanese sub in Philippine Sea shortly after midnight on July 30, 1945. 1,196 crew members, 300 survived. 2nd to last ship sunk in WWII (USS Bullhead).
  1. Lighthouse. 3rd century BC, one of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Between 115 and 135 meters high, may have been 3rd highest building of its time (behind pyramids).
  1. 2000. Pan Am was known for many new innovations, including jumbo jets, computerized systems, and first reservations for Moon travel. The futuristic “Space Clipper” appeared in Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.”
  1. Eleanor of Aquitaine. As Queen of Franks, participated in Crusades. Married Henry II, Duke of Normans who became King of England. She was imprisoned, released when son Richard the Lionhearted took over. Outlived Richard and acted as regent to son, John.
  1. Capt. William Kidd. Not so much a pirate as a privateer, Kidd was hung in London. Rope broke and had to be hung again. Hung over Thames River for 20 years in a cage.
  1. The Children’s Crusade. A European boy has visions that he would lead a successful Crusade and gains a following. Thinking the sea would part for them, they get “free” passage on a ship and are never seen again. Modern historians question the validity of this Crusade.
  1. George S. Patton. US Army officer, jeopardized career by slapping a soldier in the face for being a coward. Removed from command, moved to a lower position in battle plans. Moved his army 100 miles in 2 days to save Battle of the Bulge.
  1. John D. Rockefeller. Early “Robber baron who monopolized the oil industry controlling 90% of oil in every aspect. Great philanthropist later in life.
  1. Vermont. Declared independence in 1777 from NH and NY after given to British by Treaty of Paris. Had own currency, Vermont coppers. Had plans to eventually join US from the beginning. Became 14th state in 1791. Les Vert Monts = The Green Mountains.