Trivia Question: The Black Ships opened up what isolated country for trade with the West? Answer: Japan Black Ships was a general term used by the Japanese to describe Western trade and military vessels. The Portuguese were the first to reach Japan with their Black Ships, and they subsequently established trade routes between their country … Read more

Trivia Question: What historical figure killed Ivan the Terrible’s son Ivan? Answer: Ivan the Terrible This scene is captured in one of Russia’s most famous paintings. Ilya Repin was the artist behind this legendary creation titled Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan. Stories have it that Ivan the Terrible struck his son in a … Read more

Trivia Question: The French folk hero Cyrano was known for having what odd physical characteristic? Answer: He had a large nose The legend of Cyrano is one of unrequited love. In order to woo a beautiful woman, large-nosed Cyrano hid himself and spoke beautiful poetry to her. France’s own Charles de Gaulle was nicknamed Cyrano … Read more

Trivia Question: Artists like Geoffrey Chaucer and Charles Dickens are interred in the Poets’ Corner of what famous British cathedral? Answer: Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey is one of England’s cultural landmarks. A great many historical figures are honored with burials on the Abbey’s grounds. For Poets’ Corner, those who made great artistic strides in English … Read more