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Ultimate 20th Century History Quiz

Can you name these things that happened every year from 1900-1999?
Quiz by WolfCam
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Last updated: January 18, 2019
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First submittedDecember 29, 2018
Times taken40,101
Average score64.0%
Rating4.86
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Year
Hint
Answer
1999
This international currency is introduced
The Euro
1998
This tech company is founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin
Google
1997
This woman is killed in a car crash in Paris
Princess Diana
1996
Dolly, this kind of animal, is cloned
Sheep
1995
This Prime Minister is assassinated by an Israeli ultranationalist
Yitzhak Rabin
1994
This man becomes President of South Africa
Nelson Mandela
1993
This African country gains its independence from Ethiopia
Eritrea
1992
Mass riots and looting in this city after police officers are found not guilty
of beating Rodney King
Los Angeles
1991
This superpower ceases to exist
Soviet Union
1990
This country, divided since 1945, is reunited
Germany
1989
Over 1,000 peaceful protestors are massacred here
Tiananmen Square
1988
Iraq launches chemical attacks against this minority group, killing thousands
Kurds
1987
This man speaks in Berlin, famously saying "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall"
Ronald Reagan
1986
This power plant is abandoned after a nuclear disaster
Chernobyl
1985
This video game, released by Nintendo, sells over 40 million copies
Super Mario Bros
1984
Band Aid raises $150 million for famine relief in this country
Ethiopia
1983
Motorola releases the first version of this consumer product. It weighed nearly
two pounds, and could only be used for 30 minutes before recharging
Cell Phone
1982
Michael Jackson releases this album, the best-selling of all-time
Thriller
1981
This disease is first recognized
AIDS
1980
The country of Rhodesia changes its name to this
Zimbabwe
1979
This disease, which had killed over 300 million, is eradicated
Smallpox
1978
918 people die after drinking this beverage at the Jonestown cult in Guyana
Flavor Aid
1977
This spacecraft is launched. It left the solar system in 2012
Voyager 1
1976
This supersonic aircraft makes its first flight
Concorde
1975
The Vietnam war ends when this city falls to North Vietnam
Saigon
1974
This President resigns following the Watergate scandal
Richard Nixon
1973
Several Arab countries launch a surprise attack on Israel on this holiest
of Jewish holidays
Yom Kippur
1972
Eleven Olympians and one officer are killed in this city
Munich
1971
This dictator comes to power in Uganda
Idi Amin
1970
This band breaks up. Some people blame Yoko
The Beatles
1969
This man takes the first steps on the moon
Neil Armstrong
1968
Soviet tanks enter this city to crush a nascent democracy movement
Prague
1967
100,000 free spirits gather in San Francisco and other cities, known as this
Summer of Love
1966
China begins this "revolution" to destroy traditional values
Cultural Revolution
1965
This city leaves Malaysia to become an independent nation
Singapore
1964
This American Civil Rights leader wins the Nobel Peace Prize
Martin Luther King Jr.
1963
John F. Kennedy is assassinated in this city
Dallas
1962
After a tense standoff, the Soviet Union agrees to remove nuclear
weapons from this island
Cuba
1961
This structure, separating East and West, is constructed in Germany
Berlin Wall
1960
This country's Mau Mau Uprising comes to an end
Kenya
1959
This man flees from Tibet to India, where he still lives today
The Dalai Lama
1958
This U.S. agency is founded by Eisenhower in response to the below
NASA
1957
This Soviet satellite is launched
Sputnik 1
1956
Plans are announced to build this city in the interior of the
South American continent
Brasilia
1955
This substance, or non-substance, is first detected
Antimatter
1954
Roger Bannister becomes the first person to do this in less than 4 minutes
Run a Mile
1953
Watson and Crick discover the structure of this
DNA
1952
Jonas Salk develops a vaccine for this disease
Polio
1951
China annexes this nation
Tibet
1950
Sukarno becomes first president of this country
Indonesia
1949
This organization to counteract the USSR is formed
NATO
1948
This country is founded by Kim Il-sung. Today, it is ruled by his grandson
North Korea
1947
This country breaks away from India
Pakistan
1946
This type of swimsuit is sold for the first time. It is named for an atoll
where nuclear bombs are tested
Bikini
1945
Japan surrenders after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and this other city
Nagasaki
1944
D-Day. Allied forces land in this French region
Normandy
1943
Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin meet in this Middle Eastern city
Tehran
1942
The development of the atomic bomb begins, codenamed this
Manhattan Project
1941
This U.S. naval base is attacked
Pearl Harbor
1940
The Luftwaffe fails to destroy the RAF in this battle for air superiority
Battle of Britain
1939
WWII begins as Germany and the Soviet Union invade this country
Poland
1938
This superhero makes his first appearance in Action Comics #1
Superman
1937
This zeppelin crashes in New Jersey
Hindenburg
1936
This country annexes Ethiopia
Italy
1935
This series of anti-Jewish laws is passed in Germany
Nuremberg Laws
1934
This communist leader starts his Long March
Mao Zedong
1933
Overfarming in the American plains strips away topsoil. The resulting
devastation is known as this
Dust Bowl
1932
The person is elected U.S. President. He would be re-elected 3 times.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
1931
This building becomes the tallest in the world
Empire State Building
1930
This sporting event is first hosted in Uruguay
FIFA World Cup
1929
An American stock market crash triggers this global crisis
Great Depression
1928
Alexander Fleming discovers this antibiotic
Penicillin
1927
"The Jazz Singer" premieres in theaters. It is the first of this type of movie
Talkie
1926
This inventor launches the first liquid-fueled rocket
Robert Goddard
1925
This dictator comes to power in Italy
Benito Mussolini
1924
Power struggles ensue after this Soviet leader dies
Vladimir Lenin
1923
Over 100,000 people die as this city is struck by the
Great Kanto Earthquake and tsunami
Tokyo
1922
Howard Carter discovers the tomb of this Egyptian king
Tutankhamun
1921
After hundreds of years, this country gains independence from the UK
Irish Free State
1920
This period of U.S. history begins where alcohol is illegal
Prohibition
1919
This international organization is established in Paris
League of Nations
1918
Germany makes this last ditch effort to win WWI before American troops arrive
Spring Offensive
1917
In this telegram, Germany proposes that Mexico invade the southern U.S.
Zimmermann Telegram
1916
This U.S. President is reelected, promising to stay out of the war
Woodrow Wilson
1915
The Ottomans start to round up and kill people from this ethnic group
Armenian
1914
This archduke is assassinated in Sarajevo
Franz Ferdinand
1913
This Russian dynasty celebrates 300 years on the throne amongst
a great outpouring of popularity and well wishes
Romanov
1912
This ship sinks in the Atlantic
Titanic
1911
Hiram Bingham announces his discovery of this ancient Peruvian city
Machu Picchu
1910
Japan annexes this peninsula
Korea
1909
Robert Peary claims to have reached this place
North Pole
1908
Ford releases this car, one of the best-selling of all time
Model T
1907
This painter paints "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon"
Pablo Picasso
1906
Over 80% of this U.S. city is destroyed by an earthquake
San Francisco
1905
This country breaks away from Sweden
Norway
1904
The United States begins work on this artificial waterway, previously
abandoned by France
Panama Canal
1903
These brothers fly the first airplane
Wright Brothers
1902
This South African war comes to an end
Second Boer War
1901
The first of these prizes are awarded
Nobel Prizes
1900
L. Frank Baum publishes this novel
The Wizard of Oz
+22
Level 79
Jan 17, 2019
1946 has the wrong answer. "France" is not a type of bathing suit nor an atoll.
+7
Level 82
Jan 17, 2019
What Josh said, awesome quiz otherwise
+11
Level ∞
Jan 17, 2019
My mistake, now fixed
+2
Level 69
Jun 24, 2019
But it’d be cool… I’d kinda like to see the “France” bathing suit
+6
Level 56
Dec 7, 2021
It's all white and barely has any fabric
+3
Level 60
Oct 20, 2022
And reacts badly to washing
+7
Level 77
Jan 17, 2019
Pripyat should at least be accepted as well. Never heard of Chernobyl as a city.
+1
Level 70
Jan 17, 2019
Yes!
+7
Level 66
Jan 17, 2019
Changed the question slightly with changes pending
+28
Level 70
Jan 17, 2019
The 20th century did not start before 1901. Therefore, the 1900 question should be replaced with a 2000 question

Wikipedia: It is distinct from the century known as the 1900s which began on January 1, 1900 and ended on December 31, 1999.

+10
Level 88
Jan 18, 2019
Don't quote a source that can be changed by absolutely everyone with an internet connection.

How about simple logic?

A) There is no year 0, therefore the first set of 100 years must be years 1-100, the 2nd 101-200, etc.

B) Everyone who was conscious for New Year's 2000 remembers this ad nauseum topic.

C) No one cared.

+31
Level 80
Jan 18, 2019
Are you seriously going to repeat that tired (and wrong) trope that Wikipedia is unreliable? And Gassu69 was 100% right in his comment, so you can bug off.
+2
Level 69
Jun 24, 2019
I will! “Wikipedia is unreliable.”
+1
Level 55
Apr 4, 2022
You're wrong. Wikipedia is reliable.
+1
Level 52
Oct 26, 2022
wiki stands for ( What I Know Is) its edited by certain individuals who dont need facts or proof to add possibly untrue info which is why school does not like wiki, Wiki is rarely wrong but when it´s wrong then its wrong
+2
Level 87
Jan 17, 2019
Minor quibbles: "he would elected four times" ("be" is missing), and "protester" is preferred spelling.
+1
Level 95
Jan 17, 2019
Chernobyl was the name of the atomic power plant, not the city. The city is called Pripyat.
+5
Level 82
Jan 18, 2019
Chernobyl and Pripyat are both the names of cities/towns. I've been to both. Chernobyl was ground zero for the disaster. Pripyat was the planned town nearby where winds carried most of the resulting radiation.
+4
Level 83
May 31, 2020
on a quiz like this 99% of takers will type Chernobyl.
+2
Level 78
Oct 12, 2021
On any quiz, people will type 'Chernobyl.' People just have to show off how 'smart' they are.
+1
Level 80
Sep 25, 2023
Depends how the question is worded. Everyone who played Modern Warfare knows Pripyat.
+1
Level 85
Jan 17, 2019
The wording "contract the USSR" doesn't sound right. Maybe "contain"?
+1
Level 66
Jan 17, 2019
I believe that word is supposed to be counteract. The change is now pending
+3
Level 80
Jan 18, 2019
Kaiserschlacht or maybe emperors battle or some such should be accepted as there were several spring offensives in WW1 from both sides.
+2
Level 77
Feb 28, 2022
Kaiserschlacht should definitely work.
+1
Level 84
Jan 18, 2019
Nit-picky, but the charge against the cops in the Rodney King case was for "use of excessive force."
+1
Level 79
Jan 19, 2019
I typed 'Panama' for 1904 but didn't get it!
+2
Level 73
Jan 22, 2019
Well, "Panama" is the country and "Panama Canal" is the project. I guess it's like typing just depression for the Great Depression.
+1
Level 79
Mar 14, 2019
I did that for 'depression' too!
+2
Level 43
Mar 14, 2019
JackintheBox that's like saying that Eurasia is the same thing as Asia. Depression is not the same thing as the Great Depression, just like Panama is not the same thing as the Panama Canal.
+1
Level 77
Feb 28, 2022
Except if you’re referring to the 1929 depression you clearly know the answer. Interestingly, I believe the late 1800s economic downturn after the corn laws were repealed was often referred to as the Great Depression before 1929.
+2
Level 65
Mar 2, 2022
And Mammoth as opposed to Wooly Mammoth. Who survived longer because they were silent as opposed to the Corduroy mammoth.
+3
Level 72
Jan 23, 2019
Very interesting quiz! It's very frustrating to know that you know some of the answers, but not to be able to remember the correct word / name in time.
+8
Level 76
Jan 30, 2019
I think describing anti-matter as "non-substance" is very misleading. By all sensible definitions of substance, it certainly is one.
+3
Level 74
Feb 8, 2019
But by all sensible definitions of a hint, "non-substance" qualifies :)
+2
Level 86
Mar 13, 2019
As a theoritician phycisist, that clue hurts me, though it indeed helps finding the answer...
+5
Level 82
Mar 13, 2019
I kept trying dark matter. That didn't work. Then I tried gray matter. That didn't work either.
+1
Level 56
Dec 7, 2021
Are you telling us your grey matter is a non-substance? ;)

Also I tried dark matter too before giving up and moving on

+1
Level 77
Feb 28, 2022
Isn’t dark matter just space matter that we can’t see?
+5
Level 80
Jan 31, 2019
Concorde made its first flight in 1969, not 1976. That was the year it first flew commercially.
+1
Level 75
Mar 13, 2019
I can never remember the name. We just called them the SST.
+2
Level 74
Feb 8, 2019
Fun quiz, thank you!
+1
Level 69
Mar 13, 2019
Accepted Roosevelt but didn't accept wilson
+1
Level 88
Mar 13, 2019
Both were accepted for me.
+3
Level 46
Mar 13, 2019
can spring offensive be luddendorff offensive as well
+5
Level 67
Mar 13, 2019
The 20th century was 1901 - 2000 not 1900 - 1999
+2
Level 82
Mar 13, 2019
Fun Fun Fun!
+2
Level 63
Mar 13, 2019
that one about the wright brothers might provoke some controversy
+3
Level 43
Mar 14, 2019
Us North Carolinians take pride in the fact that they were the first ones :)
+3
Level 40
Mar 26, 2020
On behalf of all Ohioans, I want to let everyone know that the Wright Brothers belong to us
+1
Level 62
Feb 28, 2022
yes, "first in flight" my a** get that off your license plate >:(
+1
Level 80
Sep 25, 2023
Surprised no Brazilians in here to complain
+2
Level 63
Mar 13, 2019
cool quiz but not enough time. some of us can't read/type that fast.
+1
Level 28
Mar 13, 2019
"talking movie" should be accepted for the Jazz Singer, and "ewe" for Dolly. Good quiz though!
+3
Level 31
Mar 13, 2019
Spring offensive is also commonly known as the Ludendorf offensive... lost a mark;;
+2
Level 76
Feb 28, 2022
THIS
+2
Level 52
Mar 14, 2019
I made one of these after searching and failing to find anything like this, but looks like I was pipped at the post by a couple of weeks!

Anyway, if you liked this one, try my 19th century events quiz:

https://www.jetpunk.com/user-quizzes/212340/19th-century-events

+1
Level 76
Apr 28, 2019
I got 63 without having to look anything up; I'm pleased.
+1
Level 61
Aug 9, 2019
I was always certain Mussolini rose to power in 1922
+1
Level 40
Sep 24, 2019
Great quiz, however you could include 'mobile' and 'mobile phone' for 1983; 'FIFA' for 1930; 'depression' for 1929
+2
Level 58
Oct 29, 2020
Mobile phone works, FIFA is the organization that sets the world cup up, and depression could be referring to mental issues and sadness. (Not that that didn't happen during the depression...)
+1
Level 55
Oct 5, 2019
Not enough time. 18mins should be better.
+2
Level 50
Jan 29, 2020
Wow. Just read up on the Munich massacre. Awful stuff
+2
Level 85
Jul 16, 2020
Chernobyl wasn't decommissioned for many years after 1986.
+1
Level 70
Jun 6, 2021
It didn't accept Tainanmen from me?

20 Century is 1900-1999

+2
Level 74
Jan 29, 2022
Could not for the life of me remember Sergey Brin's company. Should have Binged it...
+1
Level 61
Feb 28, 2022
Technically speaking, the ruling house of Russia in 1817 was a Junior branch of Oldenburg called Holstein-Gothorp-Romanov not the agnatic house of Romanov.
+3
Level 60
Feb 28, 2022
Please add 'Franklin' to the Watson and Crick question.
+2
Level 39
Feb 28, 2022
Antimatter is not a non-substance, it is definitely a substance :( the fact that you didn't change this makes me sad and I'm starting a petition
+1
Level 66
Mar 1, 2022
Some definitions of "substance" include the requirement that it's matter, while other definitions do not. For now, I believe the description is adequate.
+1
Level 82
Feb 28, 2022
I got Zuckerburg stuck in my head for the telegram one. At least I got the first letter right
+1
Level 76
Feb 28, 2022
I typed Alexandria, Cairo, Beirut, Jerusalem, Amman, Damascus, Rabat, Sanaa, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait City, Mecca, Medina, Baghdad, Istanbul, Ankara, Constantinople, Yerevan, Tbilisi, Baku, Nicosia, Yalta (and probably a few others), and couldn't understand why I didn't get that city that the Big Three met in. The odds that I typed all those in and still missed the answer are mind-boggling.
+2
Level 82
Mar 1, 2022
Not really. Since you didn't type in the correct answer, which is a known quantity, the odds that you missed it are exactly 100%.
+1
Level 67
Mar 1, 2022
1976 is the first COMMERCIAL flight of Concorde.

The first flight was on March 2nd 1969.

+2
Level 67
Mar 2, 2022
for the Jonestown question, I typed in "purple kool-aid", but it didn't work.
+1
Level 67
Mar 3, 2022
lol
+1
Level 71
Mar 3, 2022
Just Kool-aid is accepted
+1
Level 67
Mar 3, 2022
85
+1
Level 76
Mar 3, 2022
“Over 1,000 massacred”

I see you’re playing it safe

+1
Level 67
Mar 27, 2022
how many exactly?
+1
Level 80
Sep 25, 2023
At least 6 million
+1
Level 80
Mar 18, 2022
Mussolini came to power in 1922, not 1925
+1
Level 57
Apr 9, 2022
A little more time, especially for those who don't have Englsih as their prime language, would be very nice.

Excellent quiz, anyway.

+1
Level 67
Jun 25, 2022
I can't believe "purple kool-aid" didn't work :(
+1
Level 19
Sep 18, 2022
For the 1955 "This substance, or non-substance, is first detected," antiproton should be accepted.
+1
Level 23
Apr 7, 2023
I’m surprised only 7% of people who took this quiz got Robert Goddard.
+1
Level 75
Jul 12, 2023
Tiananmen Square is a lie
+1
Level 87
Aug 29, 2023
Name checks out.
+1
Level 72
Dec 11, 2023
Chernobyl was abandonned in 2000
+1
Level 75
Feb 1, 2024
To say that Pakistan 'broke away' from India is massively understanding and trivialising a traumatic period of history.