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Question 1: Which Italian Renaissance artist painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling?
Question 2: When was Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa completed?
While the exact date is uncertain, most art historians believe the Mona Lisa was completed around 1506, although Leonardo may have continued working on it as late as 1517. The famous painting now resides in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Question 3: In what year was the first patent for the telephone issued?
Alexander Graham Bell was granted the first patent for the telephone in 1876. His invention revolutionized long-distance communication and laid the foundation for the modern telecommunication industry.
Question 4: In what year did the Berlin Wall fall, marking a symbolic end to the Cold War?
The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, was a pivotal event that symbolized the end of the Cold War and the division of Germany. It led to the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990.
Question 5: What year did the United States enter World War II?
The United States officially entered World War II on December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Prior to this, the U.S. had maintained a position of neutrality, although it did provide aid to the Allies.
Question 6: On which holiday do people traditionally eat unleavened bread?
During Passover, Jews eat unleavened bread known as matzo to commemorate the Israelites' departure from Egypt, when they didn't have time to let their bread rise as they fled.
Question 7: Why does Venus appear so bright in the night sky?
Venus appears very bright in the night sky because it is perpetually shrouded in thick clouds that are highly reflective of sunlight. These clouds reflect about 70% of the sunlight that reaches the planet back into space, making it shine brightly from our perspective on Earth, brighter than any other planet or star apart from the Sun and Moon.
Question 8: Where did the iconic little black dress originate?
The little black dress was first introduced by Coco Chanel in her 1926 collection. It was a simple, elegant design that became a timeless fashion staple, representing a new era of women's fashion that prioritized simplicity and functionality.
Question 9: Which iconic building was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright?
Fallingwater, a house built partly over a waterfall in southwest Pennsylvania, is considered Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece. It exemplifies his philosophy of organic architecture, which seeks to harmonize buildings with their natural surroundings.
Question 10: In which landmark U.S. Supreme Court case was segregation in public schools ruled unconstitutional?
The 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson, declaring that state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools were unconstitutional.
Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel between 1508 and 1512. The ceiling's various painted elements include the iconic "Creation of Adam". It is considered one of the greatest works of art in history.