Question 1: In which museum is the Mona Lisa painting housed?
Question 2: What year did the United States officially enter World War II?
The United States officially entered World War II on December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Prior to this, the U.S. had maintained neutrality while providing aid to the Allies.
Question 3: Why did Mozart write his Requiem Mass?
Mozart's Requiem Mass was commissioned anonymously by Count Franz von Walsegg, who wanted to pass it off as his own composition. Mozart began working on it but died before he could complete it. The Requiem was finished by his student Franz Süssmayr. The famous legend that Mozart wrote the Requiem on his deathbed as a premonition of his own impending demise is apocryphal.
Question 4: Who is the longest reigning monarch in British history?
Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years and 214 days, from her accession on February 6, 1952 until her death on September 8, 2022. She surpassed the previous record held by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.
Question 5: In which country did the potato originate?
Peru is home to over 4,000 varieties of potatoes. Potatoes were first domesticated in Peru between 8000 BC and 5000 BC. They were brought to Europe in the 16th century by Spanish explorers.
Question 6: What is the world's largest land mammal?
Male African bush elephants can weigh up to 13,000 pounds (6,000 kg). They are larger than Asian elephants. Blue whales are the largest mammals overall, but they are marine mammals, not land mammals.
Question 7: In which year did William Shakespeare die?
Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, which was also the day of his 52nd birthday. He was born and died in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
Question 8: What year was the first transatlantic telegraph cable completed, allowing communication between North America and Europe?
The first transatlantic telegraph cable was completed in 1866, allowing near-instantaneous communication between North America and Europe for the first time. An earlier attempt in 1858 resulted in a cable that failed after just a few weeks. The successful 1866 cable ushered in a new era of global telecommunications.
Question 9: Why did the Greek hero Achilles have a vulnerable heel, according to legend?
In Greek mythology, Achilles was a hero of the Trojan War. His mother Thetis tried to make him immortal by dipping him in the River Styx, but held him by his heel, leaving that spot vulnerable. Achilles was eventually killed by an arrow to his heel. The tendon connecting the heel to the calf is named the Achilles tendon after this legend.
Question 10: Which mammal is known for having the longest gestation period?
The gestation period for an elephant is approximately 22 months, or around 95 weeks, which is the longest among all mammals. The long gestation period is due to the elephant's large size and highly developed brain at birth.
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century, is one of the most famous paintings in the world. It has been on permanent display at the Louvre museum in Paris since 1797.