5th August Quiz Medium
- 20 questions
- about 25 minutes to run
- published 9 May 2025
- updated
1. The Hollywood star from your 19 May round was found dead at her home in Los Angeles in the early hours of 5 August 1962. Who was she?
2. On 5 August 1962, police in South Africa stopped a car near Howick and arrested a man disguised as a chauffeur. Who was he, from your 12 June round?
3. On 5 August 1858, the first telegraph cable across the Atlantic was completed. It worked for only a few weeks. Which British monarch sent a message over it to the US president?
4. On 5 August 1884, the cornerstone was laid for the pedestal of the statue from your 17 June round. Name the statue, and the small island where it stands.
5. In August 1888, a German woman took her husband's car without telling him and drove it about 100 km to visit her mother, the first long-distance car journey. Name her, and the two towns she drove between.
6. On 5 August 1914, the world's first electric traffic light was installed in an American city, replacing the gas-lit kind from your 10 December round. Which city?
7. On 5 August 1957, an American teenage dance show was broadcast nationally for the first time. Name the show and its host.
8. Which West African country, now called Burkina Faso, became independent from France on 5 August 1960? What was it called then?
9. On 5 August 1963, the US, Britain and the Soviet Union signed a treaty in Moscow banning nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in space and underwater. What is it called?
10. The Beatles released "Revolver" in Britain on 5 August 1966. The cover was drawn by a German friend from their Hamburg days. Who was he?
11. On 5 August 1981, President Reagan fired more than 11,000 striking workers in one profession. What did they do?
12. NASA's car-sized Mars rover landed in Gale Crater in August 2012, after a famous "seven minutes of terror". What was it called?
13. On 5 August 1100, three days after the death of his brother from your 2 August round, a new English king was crowned. Who was he?
14. An American astronaut born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on 5 August 1930 was the first person to walk on the Moon. Who was he?
15. A French writer born on 5 August 1850 was a master of the short story, including "Boule de Suif" and "The Necklace". Who was he?
16. An Englishman born in Leicester on 5 August 1862 was exhibited as a "freak" before being cared for at the London Hospital. What was his name, and what was he known as?
17. A Norwegian mathematician born on 5 August 1802 has a famous mathematics prize, often compared to the Nobel, named after him. Who was he?
18. The Welsh actor from your 10 November round died in Switzerland on 5 August 1984. Who was he?
19. The co-author of "The Communist Manifesto", from your 28 November round, died in London on 5 August 1895. Where were his ashes scattered?
20. An American novelist who wrote "Beloved" and won the 1993 Nobel Prize died on 5 August 2019. Who was she?
ANSWERS
1. Marilyn Monroe
2. Nelson Mandela
3. Queen Victoria
4. The Statue of Liberty, on Bedloe's Island (now Liberty Island)
5. Bertha Benz. She drove from Mannheim to Pforzheim.
Bertha Benz's journey took place in early August 1888. 5 August is the date usually given, but some sources give other days that month.
6. Cleveland, Ohio
7. "American Bandstand", hosted by Dick Clark
8. Upper Volta
9. The Partial Test Ban Treaty
10. Klaus Voormann
11. Air traffic controllers
12. Curiosity
Curiosity landed on the evening of 5 August 2012 Pacific time, which was already 6 August in UTC and in Europe.
13. Henry I
14. Neil Armstrong
15. Guy de Maupassant
16. Joseph Merrick, "the Elephant Man"
17. Niels Henrik Abel (the Abel Prize)
18. Richard Burton
19. At sea, off Beachy Head
20. Toni Morrison
How was this quiz?
Thank you, that helps Paul balance future quizzes.





