you are wright!:goodjob:

Originally posted by polymath
My question: who was fated to be able to see the future, but cursed that no-one would believe her prophecies? This is probably too easy, but anyway.

Cassandra of Troy. (Though, this is really a mythology question, no?)

I suppose that we all agree that anu is right so I'd say he should ask the next question as polymath obviously doesn't care too much to look in here...

Okay, a quick one.

The Iron Brigade and the Stonewall Brigade were considered the best units in the Union Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia respectively. In which major U.S. Civil War battle did the two square off against one another; and what was the outcome?

"polymath obviously doesn't care too much to look in here"
Or, rather, polymath doesn't surf at weekends - but yes, Andu is right.

It was not meant as a personal offense, sorry.

Originally posted by Andu Indorin
Okay, a quick one.

The Iron Brigade and the Stonewall Brigade were considered the best units in the Union Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia respectively. In which major U.S. Civil War battle did the two square off against one another; and what was the outcome?
Antietam (near Sharpsburg, MD). In the first phase of the battle, The I Corps under Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker attacked the Confederate left through a cornfield. The Iron Brigade was under the command of Gen. John Gibbon, and was a part of the 1st Division, commanded by Gen. Abner Doubleday. The yanks' objective was the high ground near the Dunker Church, but they were met by the devastating fire of Jackson's II Corps, including the Stonewall Brigade, commanded by someone whose name escapes me at the moment. The SB had been reduced to just a few hundred men, but they fought bravely against the Union attacks until reinforcements could arrive. Both sides fed more men into the fight, which eventually ground into a stalemate, but both the IB and SB lived up to their reputations.

Later, the Iron Brigade was responsible for the survival of the rest of the Union army with it's brave stand against the Confederates on the first day of Gettysburg, although it ceased to be a cohesive unit after the battle, since it's casualties were so high. The Stonewall Brigade continued to fight bravely for the Confederacy until the battle of Spotsylvania, when it was overwhelmed while defending the "Mule Shoe" salient.

Now that i'm done showing off, here's another question: Who were the three men responisble for the unification of Japan during the Sengoku Jidai (age of the country at war)?

Napoleon526's answer is correct:goodjob:

Actually, I was looking for the Battle at Groveton on August 28, 1862, the day before the opening of Second Manassas, where the two brigades fought one another to a standstill -- an engagement that ended at nightfall. The question was based from Jame's Robertson's Stonewall Jackson: The Man, the Soldier, the Legend (1997). While Robertson plays up the engagement between the two brigades at Groveton, he makes no mention of the sequel at Antietam -- something of surprise given just how exhaustive is his biography of Stonewall. Mae culpa.

In order, Oda Nobunaga (what a surprise I should know this one), Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Unless you're talking about a different trio, but they are the only one I can see.

In order, Oda Nobunaga (what a surprise I should know this one), Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Unless you're talking about a different trio, but they are the only one I can see. Right.

Now, for the new question, hmmm...

During the 2nd world war, the Japanesse deployed the largest battleship ever. Work was begun on three of these warships, but only 2 were completed as per their original plans. The third was much changed underway before something was eventualy completed based on the work made on it.

What where their names (all three), what was the final form of the third, and how and when (at the time of which battles) were the first two destroyed?

The two completed were Yamato and Mashashi, I think.
The third was probably turned into an aircraft carrier, as a number of other cruisers and battleships at that time. Name? I don't know. The Mushshi was IIRC destroyed during the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Yamato during a suicide attack on the Amarican fleet during the battle of Okinawa. Both by aircraftbombs and torpedos.

Originally posted by Michiel de Ruyter
The two completed were Yamato and Mashashi, I think.
The third was probably turned into an aircraft carrier, as a number of other cruisers and battleships at that time. Name? I don't know. The Mushshi was IIRC destroyed during the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Yamato during a suicide attack on the Amarican fleet during the battle of Okinawa. Both by aircraftbombs and torpedos.

Pretty close, though you managed to butcher the name of the second twice ;-). (Mashashi, Mushshi - both are relatively close, but not quite it).

Do I get extra points for knowing that Yamato is the name of the Imperial Dynasty in Japan, and that Musashi was a mythical swordsman from Japanese legend?

Originally posted by napoleon526
Do I get extra points for knowing that Yamato is the name of the Imperial Dynasty in Japan, and that Musashi was a mythical swordsman from Japanese legend?

You'd get even more point if you told me that Yamato was the primitive Japanesse state, as named by the chinesse, and that Miyamoto Musashi wrote the Book of Five Rings ;-).

Anybody want to ask a question?

whos turn is it?

If someone finished answering the old question, it would be that person's turn.

Still lacking the name of the third ship. Apparently no one noticed that.

Oda,

I don't know the name of that third ship, but I do know the
answer to your March 1 quesion:

Toronaga is based on Tokugawa Ieyasu

Anjin-san is based on Will Adams.

Does that count (seeing as this has been dead a while)?

Wilkey

Q.1
Indus... perhaps

Q.3
Allies
commonwealth
all South American contries excluding the Guianas
France+colonies
Russia
Poland
Italy
Norway
Denmark
BeNeLux
Romania
Yugoslavia
Greece
Bulgaria
China
Mexico
panama
and a couple othe Central American countries.
two or three independant african nations also joined

Axis
Japan
Italy
Germany
Vichy France
Finland
Bulgaria
Romania
Hungary
and Various puppet states produced from conquered territories

Sorry to disappoint you, but these questions were already answered over half a year ago! :eek:

The purpose of this thread is that one person ask a question and then the first one to answer correctly (after confirmation of the questioner) gets to ask the next one. And so on. :yeah:

So if you want to take part in this quiz, answer the latest question!
:D


To Oda, you should either confirm Serutans answer or finally post a new question!

Yeah, it's being more than a week now. Either give us a clue or post a new question. Let not this thread die an inglorious death. :)

Well, since no one got it, I guess I will let either Michiel de Ruyter, Napoleon256 or Serutan get the next question. Whichever one is first.

The third Yamato-class was named Shinano, by the way.

Do answers need to be from memory as in the geography threads? And is there a new question?

Lucky,

I know I should have answered the most recent question;
I did what I did becuase it had been something like 7 days
with no activity on the thread...

OK, the question:

What American Civil War battle caused one of the
participants to write "There has never been such
fighting I reckon in the history of war"?

Gettysburg?

Could you tell us who said it?

Originally posted by Serutan
Lucky,

I know I should have answered the most recent question;
I did what I did becuase it had been something like 7 days
with no activity on the thread...
I wasn´t referring to your answer, I replied to our new member "Charles XII", who answered the 1st and 3rd question from the beginning of this thread! :eek:

I go for Gettysburg or Antietam

Originally posted by Kennelly
I go for Gettysburg or Antietam


Good thought, but unfortunately incorrect.

Originally posted by Lucky
I wasn´t referring to your answer, I replied to our new member "Charles XII", who answered the 1st and 3rd question from the beginning of this thread! :eek:

Ah, I see. :blush:

Originally posted by napoleon526
Could you tell us who said it?

It was written by a Confederate enlisted man
from North Carolina. I don't know his name.

Beameuppy: sorry, I missed your reply the first time
through. But as you may have seen, Gettysburg is
incorrect.

Chattanooga (Wild guessing)

Alright...Vicksburg?

Sorry, neither Chattanooga nor Vicksburg are correct.

There'll be a hint at 9AM tomorrow (1600 GMT) if there
isn't a correct answer.

Hint:

1) The battle was Grant v. Lee.

2) It took place between Grant's promotion to
General in Chief (March 1864), and the
presidential election.

If no correct answer by this time tomorrow, I'll pose
another question.

Was it maybe Bull Run? Or was that earlier? I can't remember the date...

Well, with the hints you've provided, I'd have to go with the fighting for the Salient at Spotsylvania Court House.

Originally posted by Andu Indorin
Well, with the hints you've provided, I'd have to go with the fighting for the Salient at Spotsylvania Court House.

[Also known as the Mule Shoe or Bloody Angle]

Jackpot!

Your turn, Andu

Let's try this then:

The ribbing on the sides on coins (e.g., U.S. quarter) was developed to prevent skimming off the sides of coins in order to melt the shavings to make new coins. Who was responsible for implementing this "anti-counterfeiting" procedure?

Originally posted by Andu Indorin
Let's try this then:

The ribbing on the sides on coins (e.g., U.S. quarter) was developed to prevent skimming off the sides of coins in order to melt the shavings to make new coins. Who was responsible for implementing this "anti-counterfeiting" procedure?

On the off chance this is in the "variations on a theme"
dept...

Salmon P. Chase.

Andu: Do you think this question is primarily a "History" question?

Andu: Do you think this question is primarily a "History" question?

Yes it is : Who invented X?
a Classical history question if you ask me.

Originally posted by Nahuixtelotzin
Andu: Do you think this question is primarily a "History" question? It's a valid historical question I think. History is not just about wars, kings and ancient empires. Social and economic history count too and sometimes even more relevant.

Don't get me wrong, my opinion of what I call "history" isn't that of the 19th century "Historism". Obviously History includes social and economic develpments and topics. Especially everyday life is an essential part of History as a cultural science. Also inventors/inventions can be part of history.

Nonetheless this question seems to be so particularily technical without any significant impact on either a)political, b)social c)economic development in history. A fact/event/development I'd really call "historical" should be something that had direct impact on people's lives.
Just ask yourself: If you'd need to answer this question, would you really go and ask a historian whether he knows it?

The only thing this question got to do with "History" is that it happened in the past...

To be sure, the question may seem trivial; but the person responsible -- being known for other achievements -- is anything but trivial. So ...

I'll give you one hint:

WoW.

Originally posted by Andu Indorin

WoW.
Adam Smith

Mega ditto.

Predating that, another method was (and still is in some cultures) to make the edge irregular by adding sides to it, like an octagon, 12 sides, etc.

Originally posted by Andu Indorin
To be sure, the question may seem trivial; but the person responsible -- being known for other achievements -- is anything but trivial. So ...

I'll give you one hint:

WoW.

Close! But not quite the right one.

Originally posted by Andu Indorin
To be sure, the question may seem trivial; but the person responsible -- being known for other achievements -- is anything but trivial. So ...

I'll give you one hint:

WoW.

It smells of an an engineer, so I would say:

Gustav Eiffel

Originally posted by Andu Indorin


Clue: WoW

Apollo !!


Seriously: King Richard

Not Eiffel (too late) nor Richard (too early). A. Smith is still the closest.

Sir Isaac Newton

Originally posted by Kennelly
Sir Isaac Newton

Correct! For nearly the last 30 years of his life, Newton was Warden, and then Master of the Mint, during which time he vastly increased consistency -- and hence the value -- of British coinage. During his tenure, the inscription of DECVS ET TVTAMEN was replaced by ribbing as the means to reduce skimming and counterfeiting of silver and gold coins, thus contributing to the stability of the early English capitalism that would eventually finance the Industrial Revolution.

Next question is yours, Kennelly.

If this quiz is like the Geography Quiz in OT (without looking up) its a bit harder,if not its only 1 google away:

When did Ukraine and Byelorussia become members of the U.N.?

After the Soviet Union broke up? :p

OK, OK, 1992? Wild guess....

Originally posted by Kennelly
If this quiz is like the Geography Quiz in OT (without looking up) its a bit harder,if not its only 1 google away:

When did Ukraine and Byelorussia become members of the U.N.?

They were original members. So the date would be either
when the UN treaty was signed in 1945 or the first UN meeting
(IIRC 1946). Think this was a concession by Roosevelt
to get Stalin to sign up.

Correct Serutan,

Belarus 24 Oct. 1945
Ukraine 24 Oct. 1945

both belonged to the 51 original members.Was relatively easy,but normally you could think they joined after USSR collapsed.

Question is:

Who build the first steam engine?

watt,i think

Was it Fulton? Or was that the first steam boat...

Wait! It was Aristotle, wasn't it!!!!

This thread is over 300 posts long. Someone shld start a new thread. Conveniently when a new question is being posted. ;)

As for the answer, it was someone in Alexandria, a Greek. Appriachus or something like that.

That rule only applies to Off-Topic. In on-topic forums like this it doesn't apply, that's why there are large threads in some of the Civ3 forums. (I think :o )

Is it? Then we'll just leave it, until the mods tell us otherwise or something. :)

The first steam engine was invented indeed in Alexandria, ancient Greece.

But it was Heron who built it. The greeks used it only as a toy or novelty, not for real applications though.

So one could argue that the first "real" steam engine was invented during the Industrialization era.
At the end of the 17th century a guy called Dionysos (sp?) Papin published plans for a high-pressure steam engine.
But it wasn´t until 1698 that Thomas Savory held the first patent for a working steam engine. Another Thomas Newcomen (sp?) actually made the first "real" engine a few years later, the so called "Newcomen engine".
Then in the middle of the 18th century James Watts revolutionized the steam engine, making it much more efficient and powerful than before. :yeah:

It helps having engineering as part of ones studies.
:D

Originally posted by Lucky
The first steam engine was invented indeed in Alexandria, ancient Greece.

But it was Heron who built it. The greeks used it only as a toy or novelty, not for real applications though.

{snip}

It helps having engineering as part of ones studies.
:D

Correct.

It's true Hero's (that's how I remember the name) engine didn't catch on, but it worked.

Your turn, Lucky.

Hmm, let´s see!

Of which nationality was Czarina Catherine II. the Great? Where was she born and which noble house did she belong to?
:D

She was German.
Her noble house was Anhalt-Zerbst I think.
But where she was born? wild guess: Dessau?

Not fair, you should let NON-germans answer this! :p

But only 2/3 correct, the birthplace is still missing.
:D

birthplace wild guess and i think i rember it in a quiz.....:is it kiel?
and she was German
noble house:Anhalt-Zerbst(just taking the answer of kennely:p)

Wrong too! :p

Birthplace: Stettin, Prussia

Correct! :yeah:

hetairoi or kennelly are next, whoever comes first!
:D

In what year did Muslim warriors under Salah ad-Din invade the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem under the Christian crusaders?

1187

Originally posted by hetairoi22
In what year did Muslim warriors under Salah ad-Din invade the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem from the Christian crusaders?

Assuming you mean when the Latin kingdom fell, I think
1195 or 1198.

No I meant when it was invaded. 1187 is correct

Nahuixtelotzin, the next question is yours :)

How were the north-western tip of America and the strait between America and Asia called until the voyages of Bering? Where does the name come from?

How about Anian; and the Strait of Anian. The name supposedly came from another one of those late Medieval legends of a place of fabulous wealth.

Anian first was mentioned in Marco Polo's account as the region in the north-east corner of Asia. It was then "moved" across the street that bears its own name...

Your turn Andu. :b

Well, in honor of the 187th Anniversary of Waterloo, a fairly easy one:

Which Frenchman, when called upon by the British to surrender, replied with but one word? And what was that word (which English translators have rendered as meaning "The Old Guard dies but never surrenders")?

Which Frenchman, when called upon by the British to surrender, replied with but one word? And what was that word (which English translators have rendered as meaning "The Old Guard dies but never surrenders")?
This was Gen. Cambronne of the Old Guard Chasseurs. His reply was "Merde!", meaning "sh!t".

It would figure that somebody with your handle would correctly answer this question.

Your up, Nappy!

Okay, this one might be too easy, but who knows:

Who is the only U.S. president to ever have been censured, (not impeached!) and what was the reason?

I think it was Andrew Johnson, and it was because of his fights with Congress over Reconstruction.

Originally posted by Apollo
I think it was Andrew Johnson, and it was because of his fights with Congress over Reconstruction.
Nope!

its clinton!i did not had *** with that woman.
just guessing:)

I believe Andrew Jackson was censured by Congress in the 1830's over Jackson's expansion of Presidential power, and I think this was triggered by his destruction of the 2nd national bank. His actions strengthened the Presidency, but there was a lot of bitter fighting at the time. The censure may have been over his dismissal of the Secretary of the Treasury and attaching it as a Cabinet post reporting to the President. I think he threatened the senate with the use of the military to shut the Senate down. Jackson really, really hated banks... :eek:

Originally posted by starlifter
I believe Andrew Jackson was censured by Congress in the 1830's over Jackson's expansion of Presidential power, and I think this was triggered by his destruction of the 2nd national bank. His actions strengthened the Presidency, but there was a lot of bitter fighting at the time. The censure may have been over his dismissal of the Secretary of the Treasury and attaching it as a Cabinet post reporting to the President. I think he threatened the senate with the use of the military to shut the Senate down. Jackson really, really hated banks... :eek: '
Right!

The 2nd Bank of the US was responsible for selling newly aquired land to settlers, but there was some controversy because poorer people had a much tougher time buying land than the wealthy. Jackson had always prided himself as being the champion of the common man, and when it came time to renew the bank's charter, Jackson vetoed it. Congress, many of whom had substantial holdings in the bank, was furious and censured Jackson. Some called him "King Andrew the First", accusing him of grossly overstepping his powers as President.

It's your turn, starlifter...

Oh where, oh where, has our little Starlifter gone??

I hope the last star wasn´t too heavy for him! :eek:

Actually I just want the next question, as do most of us.
:D

Maybe Napleon 256 should pose another question, since
Starlifter doesn't seem interested in doing so.

I´ll PM starlifter, he sure has enough time for us during his 20h visit to these fora per day!
:D

Originally posted by Lucky
I´ll PM starlifter, he sure has enough time for us during his 20h visit to these fora per day!
:D
He's just trying to think of a 2,000 word question ;)

I think he's just forgotten (being such a busy poster). Hopefully starlifter can come back with a question soon. :) Let's get this quiz moving.

Apologies about my abscense from this thread. I just got Lucky's PM from a couple days ago. It's been a busy week. It's fine by me if someone takes by question if I'm gone for more than a coule days :) .

OK, Question.... This will probably be easy for Europeans.

What was the first major French victory against the English in 1429, why was it significant, and what larger war was is part of? Who was the primary leader of each side (Fr & Eng), and what was the ultimate fate of those 2 leaders (preferrably including year and location of death).

Hint: The first names of the 2 leaders both start with the letter "J".

Orleans, because it was the first major victory of the "The Maid of Orleans" which lifted the spirit of France after many, many defeats. It also had significance in "confirming" her as "God's liberator of france".

Joan of Arc, and for the other, guessing, (Sir) John Falstoff. Joan bit the dust in 1431 because she liked playing with fire too much ;). I don't know when Falstoff died, and I'm not even sure he was the leader on the other side.

and for the other, guessing, (Sir) John Falstoff.
The name John is right, but not Falstoff. Joan of Arc (Jeanne D'Arc), 1431, & Orleans is right, but what larger war was it part of? Another hint about the English leader is that he did not survive the larger war, and indeed played a role in one of it's last battles many years after Orleans.

BTW, Joan was ultimately made a Saint by the Catholic Church. We'll wait a little longer to see if anyone else can come up with the rest of the details. :)

Oh, that would be the hundred years war. And I was aware of her being made a saint ;), and of Jeanne D'Arc beign her other name. It's the name I'm used to hearing her reffered as, after all :). *is from Québec*

As for the John, I have no idea.

The John Falstoff you mention was involved at the battle of Patay, shortly after Orleans. Falstoff escaped, but the John in command of the English in Orleans did not (he was captured by Jeanne's forces and later ransomed). But at Orleans, J.T. was the English commander, and his ultimate fate was interesting, though not quite as dramatic as Jeanne's burrning after condemnation by her own French clergy, and betrayal by the French King she put on the throne, Charles VII. :eek:

Are you refering to the English commander who was killed by a lucky French artillery shot? :groucho:

Since Oda Nobunaga got most of it, and to keep the thread going, then Oda can ask the next question.




What I had in mind was John Talbot! Easy now, for history buffs, probably. I figured Europeans would know it pretty well, but maybe Americans might not. The UK folks, for sure!

John Talbot (the Earl of Shrewsbury, AKA "the English Lion") took over shortly after the death of the Earl of Salisbury, who was killed a couple months after the siege of Orleans began the year before (1428).

Even more important than losing the battles of Orleans to Joan and her men, Talbot lost the battle of Patay just over a month later... which was the turning point of the 100 Years' was. This battle is roughly equivilent to the Battle of Midway (WW II) for American readers -- it was of colossal importance in the 100 Years' War.

BTW, John Falstoff fled the battlefield, and was stripped of his Order of the Garter (though later is was restored) for his cowardice. Talbot and his troops stood and fought Jeanne's troops, and were routed. Talbot was captured, and later ransomed.

He later appeared back in the fray of the 100 Years' War against the French in 1451, in Bordeaux, where the King of England began retaking French territory. However, in 1453, at the conclusive Battle of Castillon, Talbot was overwhelmingly defeated by one of the first decisive uses of Firearms in European battle.

The French firearms were deployued and directed by none other than the famous Bureau brothers, Jean and (I forget)... ???, and the die was cast. Unfortunately for Talbot and his cavalry, the French had massed their gunpowder weapons in preparation for battle.... Talbot dismounted his troops under the hail of flying lead, but he himself elected to remain in the saddle.

So it is of ironic historical footnote that Talbot (in his 70's, with over 50 years of military service) was not actually killed by a firearm, but by a French Archer (the English had defeated superior French forces many times with English archers!), who cracked his skull open with a battle axe when Talbot was pinned beneath his fallen horse during battle.

BTW, this is the last battle of the Hundred Years War, and marked the ascendancy of both England and France as "national" powers in the more modern sense.

Talbot is sometimes used by historians as an example of a leader who, despite a 50 year career, ultimately fails his cause, and perhaps better known (in the UK) for his brutal and bloody work in Ireland and Wales.... sometimes being compared to ferocious (and to some, monsters) military leaders in history such as Hitler, Stalin, General Sherman (American Civil War), Hannibal, Atilla the Hun, Alexander the Great, etc.

So an Archer's Axe to the skull at he dawn of th Gunpowder Age is perhaps a fitting end, though still not at dramatic as Jeanne's Burning at the Stake.

:)