15 questions on the empires, revolutions and individuals that changed the course of humanity. From Genghis Khan to the United Nations, from Machu Picchu to Waterloo.
Thousand-year empires, world-altering revolutions, decisive battles and extraordinary individuals. 15 questions to find out if your knowledge stands the test of time.
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This quiz covers the major milestones of world history, from the first civilizations through the 20th century. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that puts the event in context, because understanding history is more interesting than just memorizing dates.
History is the story of decisions made by men and women facing impossible circumstances. This quiz gives you a taste of that. If you want to go deeper, the quizzes on French history, Greek mythology and Norse mythology are waiting.
All ten easy level questions, with the answer and the reasoning behind it.
Correct answer: The Mayflower
The Mayflower, which landed at what became Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Correct answer: George Washington
George Washington, in office from 1789 to 1797.
Correct answer: France
France, shipped over in pieces and dedicated in 1886.
Correct answer: Victoria
Victoria, and an entire era took her name.
Correct answer: The Romans
The Romans, in the first century AD.
Correct answer: Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi, including a famous march to the sea for salt in 1930.
Correct answer: Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart, in 1932, five years before her disappearance over the Pacific.
Correct answer: Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela, after 27 years in prison.
Correct answer: Dallas
Dallas, Texas, during a motorcade through the city.
Correct answer: 1914
1914, and it lasted until 1918.
Want to warm up before playing or double-check something? Open any question to reveal the correct answer and a short explanation.
Correct answer: The Egyptians
The pyramids of Giza were built by the ancient Egyptians during the Old Kingdom, particularly under Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) around 2560 BC. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World.
Correct answer: 1492
On 12 October 1492, Christopher Columbus landed at Guanahani (in the present-day Bahamas), believing he had reached the Indies. This date conventionally marks the European discovery of the Americas, though indigenous peoples had lived there for millennia.
Correct answer: The Mongol Empire
Genghis Khan unified the Mongol tribes in 1206 and founded the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history. At its peak under his successors, it stretched from China to Poland, covering 24 million km².
Correct answer: The February and October Revolutions
In 1917, two successive revolutions transformed Russia: the February Revolution overthrew Tsar Nicholas II, and the October Revolution enabled Lenin's Bolsheviks to seize power. The imperial family was executed at Yekaterinburg in July 1918.
Correct answer: The United Kingdom
The Industrial Revolution began in Britain around 1760–1780, driven by James Watt's steam engine and the rise of cotton textile manufacturing. It then spread to continental Europe and North America throughout the 19th century.
Correct answer: Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles, signed on 28 June 1919, formally ended World War I. It imposed heavy war reparations on Germany, stripped it of territory and included the infamous "war guilt" clause (Article 231). These harsh terms are frequently cited as a contributing factor to the rise of Nazism.
Correct answer: Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, in Peru, is an Inca citadel built around 1450 under the reign of Inca Pachacutec. Abandoned during the Spanish conquest, it was rediscovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
Correct answer: Martin Luther King Jr.
On 28 August 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech before 250,000 people in Washington D.C. It became one of the defining texts of the American civil rights movement. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
Correct answer: Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo (18 June 1815, in present-day Belgium) pitted Napoleon against the allied armies of Wellington and Blücher. It was Napoleon's final defeat. He abdicated four days later and was exiled to Saint Helena, where he died in 1821.
Correct answer: The United Nations
The United Nations (UN) was founded on 24 October 1945, months after the end of World War II. It now has 193 member states and is headquartered in New York. Its Charter aims to prevent conflict, protect human rights and promote development.
Correct answer: The Umayyads
The Umayyads (661-750) ruled from Damascus a caliphate stretching from Central Asia to Spain, conquered from 711 onwards (Al-Andalus). The Abbasids overthrew them in 750 and moved to Baghdad.
Correct answer: 1989
On 9 November 1989, the fall of the Berlin Wall marked a historic turning point. Built in 1961 by the East German regime to prevent defections to the West, the wall was finally opened under popular pressure. The official reunification of Germany followed on 3 October 1990.
Correct answer: Ramesses II
Ramesses II (19th dynasty, reigned 1279–1213 BC) is one of the most celebrated pharaohs of ancient Egypt. He commissioned the temples of Abu Simbel, Karnak and Luxor, and signed the earliest known peace treaty in history with the Hittites after the Battle of Kadesh.
Correct answer: The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta (Great Charter), signed by King John of England in 1215, placed the first formal limits on absolute royal power. It guaranteed the right to a fair trial and prohibited arbitrary imprisonment. It is considered a cornerstone of Western constitutionalism.
Correct answer: Bartolomeu Dias
Bartolomeu Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope (at the southern tip of Africa) in 1488, proving it was possible to reach the Indian Ocean by sea from Europe. Ten years later, Vasco da Gama completed the voyage all the way to India (1498), opening the great spice trade routes.
Stuck on one, or just curious how nasty it gets? Every hard mode question is here with its answer and the reasoning behind it.
Correct answer: The 14th
The 14th, killing perhaps a third of the population from 1347 onwards.
Correct answer: Toussaint Louverture
Toussaint Louverture, who died in a French prison before independence in 1804.
Correct answer: Tenochtitlan
Tenochtitlan, on an island in a lake, where Mexico City now stands.
Correct answer: 1588
1588, undone by English ships, then by the weather.
Correct answer: Qing China
Qing China, and Hong Kong was ceded to Britain as a result.
Correct answer: Peter the Great
Peter the Great, who wanted a window on the West.
Correct answer: 1869
1869, built under the Frenchman Ferdinand de Lesseps.
Correct answer: Justinian
Justinian, who reportedly boasted of having outdone Solomon.
Correct answer: Juan Sebastián Elcano
Juan Sebastián Elcano, bringing one surviving ship back to Spain in 1522.
Correct answer: 1962
1962, with thirteen very tense days in October.