Memorial Day Quiz
Memorial Day was started to remember those who died in what conflict?
- In 1868, Gen. John A. Logan began decorating graves of those who died in the Civil War. Following World War I, Memorial Day was expanded to honor those who died in all U.S. wars.
The Boston Massacre took place just before what war?
- The Boston Massacre took place on March 5, 1770, just before the American Revolutionary War.
In what war were American soldiers widely called "doughboys?"
- American soldiers fighting in World War I were widely called "doughboys." There are various theories as to the name's origin. A dough-boy was a baker's apprentice, and also a fried flour dumpling (forerunner of the doughnut) popular with soldiers. During the 19th century, horseback-riding cavalrymen called foot soldiers "doughboys" as an insult.
"Remember the Maine" was slogan of which conflict?
- The battleship Maine blew up on Feb. 15, 1898 in Havana harbor, killing 260 men, and contributing to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in April 1898.
Five Forks was the last important battle in what war?
- The Union victory at Five Forks crossroads on April 1, 1865, led to the fall of nearby Petersburg, Virginia, the capture of Richmond, and General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.
The Big Hole National Battlefield commemorates soldiers who fought and died in what war?
- Located in southwest Montana, the Big Hole National Battlefield remembers those who died on Aug. 9-10, 1877 during the five-month-long conflict between the United States and the Nez Percé Indians.
Which general became a national hero during the Mexican War and went on to become president?
- Zachary Taylor earned his reputation for his conduct of the Mexican War (1846-48) and went on to become the 12th president in 1849. Jackson became the 7th president in 1829 after serving as a general in the War of 1812, while Grant, a commander in the Civil War, became the 18th president in 1869.
Francis Scott Key wrote the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" during what conflict?
- During the War of 1812, Key witnessed the shelling of Ft. McHenry, which defended Baltimore. He wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" the next morning when he saw the American flag still flying above the fort.
What conflict has been called "the forgotten war?"
The 1763 Treaty of Paris did what?
- In 1763 the Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War. In 1898, another Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American War, while the Treaty of Versailles (outside Paris) ended World War I in 1919.
