Question 1: The Rosetta Stone, key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, was discovered in which country?
Question 2: How many seasons did the original series of "Friends" have?
The iconic sitcom "Friends" ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004, releasing a total of 236 episodes.
Question 3: How many men are in the jury in the play "12 Angry Men"?
"12 Angry Men" by Reginald Rose is a dramatic play centered around the case of a young man accused of murder. The play gets its title from the twelve men selected to serve on the jury and who must reach a unanimous decision.
Question 4: What is the longest river in the world?
The Nile River, located in Africa, is generally regarded as the longest river in the world, covering a distance of approximately 4,135 miles. However, there is some contention as the length of the Amazon River in South America is often measured almost equal.
Question 5: How do Americans typically celebrate Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865. Celebrations often include activities that honor African-American heritage.
Question 6: Who composed the famous Symphony No. 9, also known as 'The Choral'?
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, often referred to as 'The Choral', was the last symphony composed by him. It is noteworthy because it's one of the first examples of a composer using voices in a symphony (hence, 'the choral'), with parts of the symphony set to Friedrich Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy".
Question 7: Why is Arabic often written right to left, instead of left to right like English?
Arabic, like Hebrew and Syriac, is written from right to left. This tradition dates back to ancient times when scripts were written using tools like hammer and chisel on stone. It was easier for a right-handed person to inscribe from right to left without obstructing the view of the part already written.
Question 8: Who is considered the father of modern forensic science?
French criminologist Edmond Locard is often referred to as the father of modern forensic science. He is famous for formulating the basic principle of forensic science: "Every contact leaves a trace", also known as Locard's Exchange Principle.
Question 9: In which year did the Soviet Union officially dissolved?
The Soviet Union officially dissolved on December 26, 1991, marking the end of the Cold War. Post dissolution, the USSR was replaced by the Russian Federation as well as 14 other independent countries.
Question 10: What is the longest-running musical on Broadway?
The Phantom of the Opera debuted on Broadway at the Majestic Theater in January 1988. As of March 2020, it is the longest-running show in Broadway history with over 13,000 performances.
The Rosetta Stone, found in Egypt in 1799, was a significant breakthrough for historians as it bears the same text in Greek, Demotic and hieroglyphs. This enabled scholars to finally decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs, unlocking a wealth of historical information about ancient Egypt.