Do You Know Your History? Guess The Decade!
- by Jessica Rae
- – on
- in Lifestyle
How much attention do you pay to the world around you? Are you the kind of person who religiously keeps up with world events or, do you take a more relaxed view on history? Were you paying attention in history class or did you use the time to catch up on the latest gossip instead?
When we're kids we think that history is boring, but as we mature we start to realize that it is important. History may feel like things that happened in the past but the truth is that we are living through, and creating history all the time. We don't know what will happen from one day to the next, and, for all we know, a major historical event could occur today. And we need to learn from history so that we can make better choices in the future. We can't go back and change the past but we can use what we learn to improve the future. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
This quiz is designed to test your general knowledge. All you need to do is name the decade when these events occurred. So have you been paying attention? It's time to find out...
Which decade marked the dawn of Facebook?
Launched at about a year after Myspace, Facebook is one of the only social media sites that have shown exponential growth in the last few years. Mark Zuckerberg certainly has a head for business, The growth has included the acquisition of a few smaller apps to supplement their income streams and has since grown from strength to strength. The applications that now belong to Facebook are Instagram, Whatsapp, and FriendFeed to name but a few. What decade is this application from?
When did the Beatles usher in the British Invasion?
The era of peace, love and rock n roll brought us a strange noise from across the great pond. This was considered by some to be the second British invasion. We are talking about the Beatles. John Lennon, who later lost his life to a fanatical fan, Sir Paul McCartney, George Harrison, who has also passed on, and of course, Ringo Starr. The British boys brought one hit after another and made our dreary daily lives just a bit more bearable. What era is this from?
During which decade was Michael Jackson's album "Thriller" released?
The king of pop, the artist with a thousand jaw dropping moves, and gravity defying dance routines. Michael Jackson's music spans generations and all races and creeds. Everyone has heard of him or at one point has listened to at least one of his songs. Definitely the better-known sibling out of the Jackson Five. The album in question is one of his better-known and earlier works that catapulted him into the international limelight and has been copied a few times - there is even a Bollywood knock off! What decade is this from?
The Lion King came out in which decade?
Hakuna Matata; this means no worries in roughly translated Swahili. It's the theme from this movie and one that a lot of younger people endeavor to live up to in today's chaotic world. A lot of the youngsters nowadays can identify with the phrase as it's from possibly one of the most enduring and best known animated films of the 20th century. It taught us that no matter what dark cloud hangs over us, there is always a silver lining. Which decade is this from?
During which decade was the first Harry Potter book published?
I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good. The words that sparked a flurry of laughter and, of course, good memories. These are mostly remembered from the movies, but in this case, we are looking at a different era. We are asking you the decade that the books first appeared. Now for the ones not knowing what books are, go ask a BC (Before Computers) person to pull one from a dusty shelf and show you. Yes, some of us predate Google. What decade was this from?
When was the Nintendo Entertainment System released?
The NES wasn't the first home console to be released, but it was a revolution -- incidentally what Nintendo had originally wanted to call the Nintendo Wii. Nintendo's flagship product was actually quite innovative and made use of motion control technology as well as simple VR and 3D tech decades before anybody else could even fathom it. It might seem like a wild claim, but anybody who played Duck Hunt or 3D runner back in the day felt like they were walking into the future.
In which decade did John Lennon die?
The man, the myth, and the legend. This was possibly one of the greats where it came to song writing and a global movement for peace, understanding and limited nuclear power. He made the news wherever he went and never was one to duck a potentially sticky question. Mr. Lennon was the episiotomy of PC today. He didn't believe in violent measures if it was not called for. However, there are a lot of controversies as well as conspiracy theories surrounding his death. What decade was this?
Which decade is known for grunge music?
This decade was known for a particular style that came out of Portland, Oregon. Kurt Cobain made grunge popular with his band Nirvana and it swept through the country, eventually becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Even though Kurt tragically ended his own life, the movement he started lived on with bands like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Filter, and many more. It has been a tough couple of years as we have lost more of these amazing musicians, but the style and attitude they championed is coming back into fashion.
In which decade was the very first iPod released?
Steve Jobs was possibly one of the more influential men of the decade, He ranks among the greats like Bill Gates and Steven Hawkings. The man brought us everything from personal computers in the forms of Mac's to phones and of course, a personal music player. The iPod revolutionized the way we moved and commuted. Instead of listening to a noisy office or subway car we could pop on some headphones and be instantly gratified with our favorite tunes. What decade is this from?
Which decade marked the release of the movie Jaws?
The screen play that became a movie that became a legend. The only movie to be responsible for almost causing the extinction of a species and awakening our primal fear of open water. Who has not seen this? "We are going to need a bigger boat" has become a catchphrase that has continued long past the movie's big screen debut. To this day, the fear of a shark in the water with a person far from shore or deep in the water elicits a gooseflesh response. What decade is the original movie from?
During which decade was Nelson Mandela released from prison?
Nelson Mandela, an iconic figure that is held up to the world as a man that came from near life long imprisonment and, instead of being bitter and leading the country into civil strife as everyone anticipated, he took a different approach. He reconciled with his former jailers and made peace. He then tried his absolute best to steer the country into a new and brighter era for peace and harmony. His legacy will live on for many decades to come and will be held as the man who made peace with an evil government. What decade is this from?
During which decade was the very first mobile phone call made?
What are you reading this quiz on? Is it your smartphone? How about the message you just sent or the call you just ended? Again more than likely from your mobile phone. This is something we take for granted today and for most of us the loss of our phone is an earth shattering, civilization ending event. But back in the day, we didn't have this technology. The mobile phone was first used in which decade to make a call?
During which decade was the World Wide Web launched?
The great World Wide Web, or, W.W.W. This marvel of technology was first launched in a decade where the thirst for information was so great that it has not been paralleled since. Today we have a multitude of sites that can give us any information we desire, from nuclear or astrophysics to how to change a tire, all at the press of a few buttons or links. We can be instantly gratified with news or music and even the latest trends. What decade did this happen in?
During which decade was Martin Luther King assassinated?
This was the age of enlightenment, free love, good music, the birth of modern day rock n roll and of course, the new age man. This age defined many of us and made us who we are today. It was the era of consciousness, learning and, to a greater degree, a movement towards peace. The Vietnam war was ongoing and the peace movement was trying its best to stave off more deaths by conscript. JFK was president and Tricky Dick was to follow hot on his heels. What was this era?
During which decade did Freddie Mercury die?
Freddy was by no means a looker. But the man had a voice that cannot be matched to this day. Many have tried and failed. His voice could be haunting and inspiring at the same time. We still rock out to the music of Queen today, From "Bohemian Rhapsody" as seen in Wayne's world to the ever popular "We Will Rock You" that almost any schooled person knows from pep rallies to hockey matches. But when did this mustachioed singer die?
During which decade was the Myspace website launched?
Did you have a Myspace page? Can you remember them? The social media precursor to Facebook. This was the site to have your profile up on and to be connected through. The website is still operational and employs about five hundred people and had made an estimated $109 million by 2011. Not nearly as big as Facebook or as rich as Mark Zuckerburg but it's still a golden oldie to have a profile on. Is retro back again? What decade this from?
When did the Spice Girls form their group?
The Spice Girls were an English pop group which consisted of Melanie Brown ("Scary Spice"), Melanie Chisholm ("Sporty Spice"), Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice"), Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice"), and Victoria Beckham, née Adams ("Posh Spice"). They burst onto the music scene after signing with Virgin Records and their first album, Spice, sold more than 31 million copies worldwide. The Spice Girls have sold more than 85 million records worldwide since, making them one of the best-selling pop groups of all time. Which decade do they belong to?
During which decade did man land on the moon for the first time?
This is the true story of Buzz Lightyear, No, just kidding. But despite some conspiracy theories maintaining that we never put a foot on the moon, it has to be on of histories greatest achievements. This would be on par with Julius Cesar conquering the known world, the cure for Polio and the first automobile combined. The men involved faced no small amount of danger as they ventured into the unknown with technology that could not be tested in the environment it was designed for. What decade was this?
During which decade was the Voyager 1 launched?
There is a ship out there that has been traveling and sending data since before some of us were born. This little satellite is one of the reasons we know so much about space and our closest planetary neighbors today. It has been floating around in the dark and cold reaches of space, sending us telemetry data and helping us search for another Earth-like planet that could mean a second home to us. What decade is this space traveler from?
The movie Clockwork Orange was released in which decade?
This movie was banned in a few countries and was known for its ultra violence and graphic scenes depicting behavior that will today be classed as ultra deviant. However, this movie also spawned a language and sub culture all of its own leading it to become a legendary cult classic. So my droogs, let us adjourn to the Korova Milk Bar and hoist a few Moloko plus in our hands to celebrate depravity turned cult classic. What decade was this movie from?
When was the very first satellite launched into space?
When we look up at the skies and consider the impossible amount of information flowing through the skies above our heads we have to wonder, how much of it is really needed? From GPS satellites sending us our near exact location to spy satellites and, lest we forget, research satellites and TV broadcast satellites. But when did it all start and who was the first successful country to do so? The first country to launch a satellite successfully was, of course, the Russians. What decade did Sputnik launch?
Which decade saw the release of the very first Sony Walkman?
Imagine walking down the street in your tight white pleather pants, your white wide lapel shirt unbuttoned to the navel, your chest hair and gold chain proudly on display while your long hair blows freely in the wind. Sounds like a bad scene out of a Bee Gees music video, right? Well, this was daily life in this decade. Now imagine you dressed like that and instead of hearing traffic noise you are listening to your favorite song on your tape playing walkman. What decade is this from?
During which decade were Jay Z and Beyonce married?
An iconic pair, to say the least, Two of music most talented singers/songwriters together. Just imagine how talented those babies are going to be if they get even half of the two's musical and acting talent. Yes, this was the most talked about marriage of the year. The couple was even listed as the most powerful couple for TIME magazine's 100 most influential people two years prior to their wedding. There have long been rumors of a divorce in the works but we hope they stick it out. What decade is this from?
Do you remember which decade Google was founded?
It's one of the most popular know-it-all search engines today, as well as the most used email carrier but it is not very old in comparison to some other online technology. However, the scary part is that it's older than some kids reading this. Yes, Google is older than your kids but in most cases, we are older than Google. That's right kiddos, mom and dad got through school the old fashioned way. What decade is this information marvel from?
During which decade did the Simpsons make their TV debut?
One of the most famous cartoons to date and one of the longest running US TV shows running with an astonishing 30 seasons to date. It does not hold the record for the longest running cartoon, that honor belongs to a Japanese Anime that first aired in 1969 called "Sazae-San" with episodes numbering in the thousands. Regardless of its run duration its is one of the western worlds favorite shows. Who does not know about Bart's antics or Homer's slow wit? What decade did this start in?
Which decade marked the end of WW2?
For many, this was a joyous occasion, the end of a global war so shortly after our first global war. Millions of men, woman, and children perished in the fires but this was not the end of things. Little did we realize that the end of the war would bring an influx of men who were broken, more men that would need work, and of course, a lot of nation rebuilding to be done. This also marked the beginning of The Depression. What era is this?
During which decade was the first Nintendo Game Boy launched?
The ultimate hand held game station for those of a certain age. The Game Boy was first released as a black and gray screen 8-bit mini console that featured "Tetris" and "Super Mario Land" and is still going strong today with more advanced technology making it faster and more user-friendly. Not to mention introducing a whole new level of gaming. This little technological bundle of joy was first released in the age of big hair and bigger attitudes. What was the decade of release?
During which decade did the first PlayStation launch?
Atari was the first to bring us some arcade quality home entertainment and this was then followed up with various models and makes from Nintendo 64 to the Sega Saturn. The PlayStation or, PS, as it became known, was designed to compete with these fifth generation gaming consoles. Five years after its initial launch it was followed up with the "slim" version designated the PlayStation 1 or PS1 and it has grown from there. What decade did this marvel of home entertainment become available?
Which decade saw President Nixon resign?
President Richard Nixon, also known, not as affectionately, as Tricky Dick was an American president that brought the US into the Vietnam conflict and was later caught up in the Watergate scandal that cost him his career as President of the most powerful country on earth. Although later given a "full, free and absolute pardon", ending any hope of indictment for his Watergate scandal by President Ford he never really recovered and was not trusted. What was the decade in question?
During which decade was Dolly - the worlds first cloned sheep - born?
Dolly is the best-known animal on earth, no doubt about it, she is the first of her line and she is also the reason that we are so afraid of where science is headed. Dolly, is a clone. And this means that we are starting to dabble in playing creator and God. It scared the churches and other institutions so much that a world wide ban was put on all human experimentation and cloning. What decade is this from?
In which decade was MTV first launched?
Oh, now we know a few of you are going to feel old with this one. For the younger readers, did you know that once upon a time MTV played music? Yes, hours of entertaining music on the music channel. But this marvel of broadcasting genius has sadly fallen into the ever present want for reality TV. That being said, this is one of the longest running shows on US TV and it has developed and evolved over time to stay in touch with the youth of today. What decade is this from?
During which decade did countertop mircowave ovens become available?
Kids today: you have no idea how convenient things have become. Can you imagine making your popcorn in a pot? Or how about your left over meals, it either had to be reheated in the oven warmer draw or eaten cold. "Just nuke it" has become a phrase that we all use from time to time when referring to heating or cooking something in the microwave. We even have microwave dinners now and food specifically made to microwave. What decade did this marvelous piece of technology appear in kitchens?
During which decade was the wreckage of Titanic discovered?
The most famous ship wreck of all time. It was a horrendous loss of life with over 1500 of its 2224 passengers and crew losing their lives. Questionable sailing practices and a blaze' attitude towards a very dangerous and ultimately tragic accident catapulted it into the international news the world over. Almost every country lost at least one citizen in this horrific maritime accident. But for almost 73 years she lay undisturbed until Robert Ballard finally found her. What decade is being referenced here?
During which decade did the first XBox launch?
Once proven in design and seeing the sales skyrocket from the PlayStation range, computer software design company, Microsoft, decided to enter the fray of personal entertainment devices by designing the XBox - a sixth generation gaming console. Now, there are still, to this day, friendships being ruined because of the decade's long argument over what is best; XBox or PlayStation. The XBox ran a standard 733Mhz Pentium 3 processor and was the first console to feature an onboard hard drive. During which decade was this console released?
When did the first Pac-Man arcade game become available?
One of the worlds most popular and iconic games ever. This was pre-Mario Brothers and brought all of us hours of endless fun and the desire to beat that high score for fame and glory. We had PacMan play offs and championships, The boys and girls that got the real high scores were treated with demi-god- like status and everyone wanted to be a PacMan master. This is the game that was the precursor to arcade games and later gaming centers, Anybody want to chase a ghost and say what decade this is from?
In which decade did Prince Charles marry Princess Diana?
The fairytale princess and the powerful prince and future monarch of England. What more can a young lady ask for? Although Dianna led a tragic life and was ultimately unhappy with her husband and his royal family she still gave him two boys and heirs to the throne. Even though England isn't really a monarchy anymore the royal family, specifically the queen mother, still has a say in how the country is run. What decade did this fairytale wedding take place?
During which decade did Princess Diana die?
Dianna led a tragic life and it was cut tragically short in a horrible accident in Paris. There are so many conspiracy theories surrounding her death, from sabotage of the vehicle to an outright assassination plot. These involve everyone from her lover's family to the Queen herself. The truth is, we will never really know. All we do know for certain is that she was involved in a motor vehicle accident and sadly lost her life. What decade was this from?
When was the game DOOM first released?
Doom is a game most of us grew up with and, at some point, played or at the very least had a friend that played it. Including the original game, there were eleven spin-offs released from the game and this is not counting the mobile platform spin-offs. The hugely successful game has been a mainstay of first person shooter games for a while and a number of other games have followed suit with new releases or reboots of older, successful titles. What decade was this from?
Do you remember when the first Police Academy Film was released?
Police Academy was a film that launched a series and introduced us to some rather peculiar characters. Characters such as Motor Mouth Jones (Michael Winslow), a human beatbox and Hightower (Bubba Smith) a giant with a small heart. Who can forget the crazy antics of Tackleberry (David Graf); the gun obsessed and trigger happy cop who couldn't resist packing enough firepower to invade Russia on his own. The first movie spawned an additional six films. What decade is this from?
When did Michael Jackson die?
The king of pop was a controversial character and saw many law suits and allegations leveled against him. Who can forget when he held baby Blanket out of the window for the world to see? But regardless of all his run-in's with the law and his personal issues he was still a musician and performer of note. Personal issues and allegations aside, the world mourned the loss of Michael Jackson when his death was announced. What decade was this in?
What decade was Tangled released?
This adorable movie ushered in an era of computer animated princesses who were a whole lot more than just damsels in distress. Disney's renaissance laid the groundwork for princesses that were a lot feistier. Tangled went and rewrote the formula and gave audiences a beautifully animated piece with strong characters, and a fun story. Brave and Frozen followed in its footsteps and cemented CGI princesses as the next big thing. Most recently Moana has captivated audiences and proven that Disney is still a leader in animation.
When was Osama bin Laden found?
Labeled as the face of terror and the apparent mastermind behind the 9/11 attackes, Osama Bin Laden was at the very top of the worlds most wanted lists for a long time. He was sought on more than the 9/11 attacks and was labeled as the worlds most dangerous man. Some have compared his actions to those of Che' Guevara and said he is nothing more than a liberation fighter, while others have said that he is a monster for attacking defenseless civilians. In what decade was he finally found and killed?
When was the film The Exorcist released?
The Exorcist was both a horror and a shock to people when it was first released with some scenes considered so disturbing that they were cut from the movie, Scenes such as the backward and upside down walk down the stairs by the possessed child, also known as the spider-walk scene. The film brought a new kind of horror to the theaters, a supernatural horror, one that cannot be seen or fought in conventional ways. What decade did this masterpiece appear in?
In which decade did the Vietnam War end?
The Vietnam War was a dark time for the world, no matter whose side you were on. Young men were dying in their droves; although the true death toll will never be known it's estimated that about 1.4 million people were killed during this war. Some of us may still be able to remember this trying time in history but for most of us, we only remember this event thanks to books and movies. Do you remember which decade this war finally ended in?
When did the band Aerosmith form?
Aerosmith are an American rock band, famous for hits such as I Don't Want To Miss A Thing, Crazy, and Walk This Way. They are also sometimes referred to as "the Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". When they first came together the band was called Jam Band but after Steve Tyler joined them they renamed themselves Aerosmith. They quickly developed a massive following in Boston and signed with Columbia Records and it wasn't long before they were pumping out gold and platinum albums.
When did Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring come out?
Today we all know and love The Lord of the Rings thanks to the movie series but the story is much older than most of us think. The original novel, written by English author J.R.R Tolkien, was written in stages between 1937 and 1949 as a sequel to Tolkien's novel The Hobbit, but eventually developed into a much larger work. The Lord of the Rings became one of the best selling novels ever written (with over 150 million copies sold) but sadly the author never lived to see it recreated on the big screen.
When was Fifty Shades of Grey published?
The book that spawned a buttload of memes and of course, worldwide controversy. Fifty Shades Of Grey has been hailed by some as a true reflection of what woman want and by others as nothing more than softcore bondage pornography. Regardless of any personal feelings we might have, the author wrote and published the book at just the right time. Pictures flooded the internet of woman reading the books on public transport and wishing that they were in that position. What decade was this from?
When did the Chernobyl disaster take place?
The worst Russian nuclear disaster to ever take place. The Chernobyl disaster not only impacted its immediate residents but made a world wide impact with leaked radiation spreading across the globe. There were 31 direct deaths from the disaster and hundreds, if not thousands, more to follow in the coming years, not even to speak of the mutations and birth defects as a direct result of the radiation that leaked from the doomed reactor. In which decade did this disaster take place?
Do you remember when Prince William got married?
Considered to be the wedding of the century, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was long awaited. Many people compared it to Diana and Charles's wedding and more than a few tears were shed because Diana did not live to see this day. From what few secrets have been leaked and people that have spoken up it seems that Diana would have made a far better role model to Kate than anyone else. But Kate is definitely a stark reminder of Diana in her way of doing things. What decade is this from?
During which decade was Charles Manson convicted?
Charles Manson was a serial killer that became famous for the orchestration of the Tate-LaBianca murders. Now, usually to be considered a serial killer, one has to actually partake in the event. Charles Manson, however, did not partake in any of the murders. Charles was the grand architect behind the murders and as such was put on trial and imprisoned for them. It has been many years since this fateful and despicable event took place. What decade did this happen in?