8th January Quiz (Questions only)

1. The Battle of New Orleans was fought on 8 January 1815, after the peace treaty had already been signed. Which future president led the American forces?

2. A singer born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on 8 January 1935 became the "King of Rock and Roll". Name him. What was unusual about his birth?

3. A singer born in Brixton on 8 January 1947 changed his surname to avoid confusion with a Monkee. What was his real name, and his stage name?

4. A British physicist born in Oxford on 8 January 1942 liked to point out that he was born exactly 300 years after the death of a famous astronomer. Name both men.

5. A Venetian merchant whose travels to China became a famous book died on 8 January 1324. Name him. To whom did he dictate his book while in prison?

6. On 8 January 1790, George Washington gave the first speech of a type US presidents still give every year. What is it called?

7. On 8 January 1918, Woodrow Wilson set out his plan for peace after the First World War. What is the speech known as?

8. On 8 January 1959, Charles de Gaulle became the first president of a new French Republic. Which number Republic?

9. Which French president died on 8 January 1996, having served 14 years, longer than any other president of the Fifth Republic?

10. On 8 January 1889, an American inventor patented a punched-card machine for counting census data. Name him. Which famous computer company did his firm later become part of?

11. On 8 January 1973, the Soviet Union launched a mission carrying its second robotic Moon rover. What was the rover called?

12. A Welsh singer born in Cardiff on 8 January 1937 sang three James Bond themes. Name her and any one of the films.

13. On 8 January 1940, food rationing began in Britain. Name the three foods that were rationed first.

14. An English novelist born on 8 January 1824 wrote "The Moonstone", often called the first English detective novel, and "The Woman in White". Who was he?

15. On 8 January 1982, a giant American telephone company agreed to be broken up into smaller regional companies. Name the company. What nickname did the regional companies get?