Question 1

In Boston on January 15, 1919, a massive storage tank filled with 2.3 million gallons of molasses broke and sent a 15-foot tall flood of syrup flowing through town, killing 21 people.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 2

In Roman times, urine was used for many purposes, including to wash clothes and even to clean teeth as a mouthwash.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 3

In the Salem witch trials of 1692, 20 people were convicted of using black magic and were sentenced to be burned to death.

Accepted Answer

False - Contrary to popular belief, not a single person was burned; 19 were hung, and one was tortured to death.

Question 4

Mark Twain suffered from painful stomach problems. This medical condition paired with an extreme diet caused him to fart uncontrollably and often throughout the day.

Accepted Answer

False - You’re talking about Hitler–not Mark Twain.

Question 5

Saddam Hussein was given the key to the city of Detroit in 1980.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 6

The world's oldest pub–Sean's Bar located in Athlone of central Ireland–has been in business since the Dark Ages.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 7

In the 19th century, dentures were commonly made using teeth pulled from the mouths of dead soldiers. Many came from 1815's Battle of Waterloo, where 50,000 or so soldiers died.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 8

Speaking of teeth, George Washington, the first president of the United States, had wooden teeth.

Accepted Answer

False - Washington did have dentures, but they were made of ivory, gold, and lead.

Question 9

People were so afraid of being buried alive in the 18th century that inventors patented safety coffins that would give the "dead" the ability to alert those above ground if they were still alive.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 10

The Great War of 1932 was one between Australians and kangaroos. Due to a massive kangaroo infestation, the Minister of Defense ordered soldiers to round up 1,000 kangaroos and kill them.

Accepted Answer

False -  It was against emus–not kangaroos.

Question 11

The world’s oldest working brothel is located in Mongolia. The very first owner of the brothel was one of Genghis Khan’s most beloved wives.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 12

In 1989, Budweiser became the 6th largest military in the world when the Soviets agreed to trade a part of their naval fleet in exchange for beer.

Accepted Answer

False - That was Pepsi–not Budweiser.

Question 13

Until the 18th century, it was common practice to put animals on trial for crimes (from theft to murder), and they were routinely sentenced to death.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 14

To counter their declining population, a small town in Italy offered free housing to newly weds and designated a day for “intimate activities.” This is how Wednesday became known as Hump Day.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 15

John Scott Harrison is the only person to watch both his father and son become president of the United States.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 16

The first ceiling fan was actually a defective propeller. As a joke, mechanics placed it on the ceiling of a small hangar to keep them cool while working.

Accepted Answer

False

Weird History: True or False?

2) In Roman times, urine was used for many purposes, including to wash clothes and even to clean teeth as a mouthwash.

3) In the Salem witch trials of 1692, 20 people were convicted of using black magic and were sentenced to be burned to death.

4) Mark Twain suffered from painful stomach problems. This medical condition paired with an extreme diet caused him to fart uncontrollably and often throughout the day.

5) Saddam Hussein was given the key to the city of Detroit in 1980.

6) The world's oldest pub–Sean's Bar located in Athlone of central Ireland–has been in business since the Dark Ages.

7) In the 19th century, dentures were commonly made using teeth pulled from the mouths of dead soldiers. Many came from 1815's Battle of Waterloo, where 50,000 or so soldiers died.

8) Speaking of teeth, George Washington, the first president of the United States, had wooden teeth.

9) People were so afraid of being buried alive in the 18th century that inventors patented safety coffins that would give the "dead" the ability to alert those above ground if they were still alive.

10) The Great War of 1932 was one between Australians and kangaroos. Due to a massive kangaroo infestation, the Minister of Defense ordered soldiers to round up 1,000 kangaroos and kill them.

11) The world’s oldest working brothel is located in Mongolia. The very first owner of the brothel was one of Genghis Khan’s most beloved wives.

12) In 1989, Budweiser became the 6th largest military in the world when the Soviets agreed to trade a part of their naval fleet in exchange for beer.

13) Until the 18th century, it was common practice to put animals on trial for crimes (from theft to murder), and they were routinely sentenced to death.

14) To counter their declining population, a small town in Italy offered free housing to newly weds and designated a day for “intimate activities.” This is how Wednesday became known as Hump Day.

15) John Scott Harrison is the only person to watch both his father and son become president of the United States.

16) The first ceiling fan was actually a defective propeller. As a joke, mechanics placed it on the ceiling of a small hangar to keep them cool while working.