19th August Quiz: multiple choice
1 of the 15 questions have four options to choose from; the others stay as normal questions, because no fair wrong answers could be found for them. Tap an option to see if you are right.
1. On 19 August 1839, the French government announced it was giving one of the first practical photographic processes free to the world. Name the process and its inventor. What day is 19 August now?
The daguerreotype, invented by Louis Daguerre. 19 August is now World Photography Day.
2. The first Roman emperor, from your 23 September round, died on 19 August AD 14. Which month had already been renamed in his honour, and what had it been called before?
August, which had been called Sextilis
3. On 19 August 1942, an Allied raid on a French port went disastrously wrong, with most of the attacking troops coming from one country. Name the port and that country.
Dieppe. Most of the troops were Canadian.
4. On 19 August 1991, hardliners tried to seize power in the Soviet Union. Which leader was held under house arrest at his holiday home in Crimea? Who famously climbed onto a tank in Moscow to oppose the coup?
Mikhail Gorbachev was held in Crimea. Boris Yeltsin climbed onto the tank.
5. Which country celebrates 19 August as the day it gained full independence from Britain in 1919?
6. A French fashion designer born in Saumur on 19 August 1883 created the "little black dress" and a famous perfume numbered 5. Who was she?
Coco Chanel
7. One of the brothers from your 17 December round was born on 19 August 1871, which is now National Aviation Day in the US. Which brother?
Orville Wright
8. A US president was born in Hope, Arkansas, on 19 August 1946. Name him. What was his name at birth?
Bill Clinton. He was born William Jefferson Blythe III.
9. The creator of "Star Trek", from your 8 September round, was born on 19 August 1921. Who was he?
Gene Roddenberry
10. An actor born on 19 August 1969 played Chandler Bing in "Friends", from your 22 September round. Who was he?
Matthew Perry
11. An English poet and playwright born on 19 August 1631 became the first official Poet Laureate. Who was he?
John Dryden
12. A French mathematician died on 19 August 1662. He gave his name to a triangle of numbers and built one of the first mechanical calculators. Who was he?
Blaise Pascal
13. A comedian famous for his greasepaint moustache and cigar died on 19 August 1977, only three days after Elvis Presley, so his death got less attention. Who was he?
Groucho Marx
14. A Russian ballet impresario died in Venice on 19 August 1929. His company staged the premiere of "The Rite of Spring" from your 17 June round. Name him and his company.
Sergei Diaghilev, of the Ballets Russes
15. On 19 August 1960, an American pilot was sentenced in Moscow after his spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union. Name the pilot and the plane.
Francis Gary Powers, in a U-2
ANSWERS
1. The daguerreotype, invented by Louis Daguerre. 19 August is now World Photography Day.
2. August, which had been called Sextilis
3. Dieppe. Most of the troops were Canadian.
4. Mikhail Gorbachev was held in Crimea. Boris Yeltsin climbed onto the tank.
5. B Afghanistan
6. Coco Chanel
7. Orville Wright
8. Bill Clinton. He was born William Jefferson Blythe III.
9. Gene Roddenberry
10. Matthew Perry
11. John Dryden
12. Blaise Pascal
13. Groucho Marx
14. Sergei Diaghilev, of the Ballets Russes
15. Francis Gary Powers, in a U-2