Q 01/05

Which October 1962 confrontation brought the world closest to nuclear war?

A) Cuban Missile Crisis

B) Berlin Blockade

C) Suez Crisis

D) Korean armistice

Answer · why

A) Cuban Missile Crisis

The stand-off between the US and USSR lasted 12 days in October.

Q 02/05

Which three major US retailers opened their first stores in 1962?

A) Sears, Macy's and JCPenney

B) Walmart, Kmart and Target

C) Costco, Home Depot and Kohl's

D) Woolworth, Kresge and Gimbels

Answer · why

B) Walmart, Kmart and Target

Target's first store opened in Roseville, Minnesota; Kohl's also opened its first department store that year.

Q 03/05

Which Pacific nation became independent from New Zealand on January 1, 1962?

A) Cook Islands

B) Solomon Islands

C) Western Samoa

D) Marshall Islands

Answer · why

C) Western Samoa

It was the first of several independence days that year.

Q 04/05

Which Cuban leader did the Vatican announce had been excommunicated in January 1962?

A) Che Guevara

B) Raúl Castro

C) Fulgencio Batista

D) Fidel Castro

Answer · why

D) Fidel Castro

The reason given was preaching communism and interfering with Catholic churches in Cuba.

Q 05/05

Aboard which capsule did John Glenn become the first American to orbit Earth on February 20?

A) Friendship 7

B) Freedom 7

C) Aurora 7

D) Sigma 7

Answer · why

A) Friendship 7

He circled the planet three times in under five hours.