4th January Quiz (Questions only)

1. Isaac Newton's birthday is often given as Christmas Day 1642, but in today's calendar he was born on 4 January 1643. Why the difference?

2. A Frenchman born on 4 January 1809, blinded as a small child in an accident in his father's workshop, invented a reading system for blind people. Who was he?

3. A German scholar born in Hanau on 4 January 1785 collected fairy tales such as "Hansel and Gretel" with his brother. Name him and his brother.

4. Which US state joined the Union on 4 January 1896, as the 45th state?

5. Which Asian country became independent from Britain on 4 January 1948, at 4:20 in the morning, a time chosen by astrologers?

6. On 4 January 1958, the world's first artificial satellite burned up as it fell back into the atmosphere, three months after launch. What was it called?

7. A French writer and Nobel Prize winner was killed in a car crash on 4 January 1960 with an unused train ticket in his pocket. Who was he?

8. Which poet died on 4 January 1965? A book of his poems about cats later became the basis for which hit musical?

9. On 4 January 1967, a British speed record holder was killed when his jet-powered boat flipped over at more than 300 mph. Name him, the boat, and the lake.

10. The world's tallest building opened on 4 January 2010. Name it, the city, and what it was called before being renamed at its opening.