Birthday Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Two people were born on March 1 in 1900 and 2000. Which statement correctly compares those years under Gregorian leap-year rules?
Both years were leap years because each is divisible by four
Neither year was a leap year because century years are always excluded
2000 was a leap year, but 1900 was not
1900 was a leap year, but 2000 was not
2. Which surviving record is central to historians’ estimate of William Shakespeare’s birth date?
A school register dated April 23, 1564
A royal census completed on May 1, 1564
A letter written by Shakespeare’s father on April 21, 1564
A parish record of his baptism on April 26, 1564
3. About how many people are needed in a room for the chance that at least two share a birthday to exceed 50%, assuming 365 equally likely dates?
23
50
183
365
4. George Washington’s birth is recorded as February 11, 1731 in the calendar then used by Britain, but as February 22, 1732 in the modern system. What best explains both changes?
His family changed the date after moving between colonies
Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar and changed when the numbered year began
A damaged parish record was reconstructed a year later
Congress assigned a symbolic date after his presidency
5. Why can a British monarch have both an actual birthday and a separate official birthday celebration?
The actual date is traditionally withheld until the reign ends
The official date marks the monarch’s coronation rather than a birthday
The official date must always match the previous monarch’s birthday
The public celebration can be scheduled for a season more suitable for ceremonial events
6. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15. Why does the US federal holiday honoring him sometimes fall on another January date?
It follows a lunar calendar that changes annually
It is observed on the third Monday in January rather than on a fixed date
It is observed on the date of the March on Washington
Each state selects a different day for the federal observance
7. A book confidently states that William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564. Which historical qualification is most accurate?
The date is proven by a surviving birth certificate
The date comes from a diary Shakespeare kept as a child
April 23 is the traditional date, inferred partly from his recorded baptism three days later
April 23 records his baptism, while his birth was documented on April 20
8. In ancient Roman usage, what did the Latin expression “dies natalis” most directly mean?
A public coming-of-age ceremony
The first day of a calendar month
A birthday or founding anniversary
A yearly memorial for a military victory
9. A family is preparing a traditional quinceañera. Which birthday are they marking?
The 13th
The 18th
The 16th
The 15th
10. The 18th-century Kinderfest tradition, often discussed in histories of candle-topped birthday cakes for children, is associated with which country?
Greece
Spain
Germany
Sweden
11. The melody now used for “Happy Birthday to You” was first published with which title?
Good Morning to All
Good Evening to Everyone
A Greeting for Your Birthday
Song for a Kinderfest
12. A diary from an early Gregorian-calendar adopter says Thursday, October 4, 1582 was followed by Friday. What date would that Friday have carried?
October 15, 1582
October 5, 1582
November 1, 1582
January 1, 1583
13. A visitor sees “Presidents’ Day” on a store advertisement for the third Monday in February. What is the US federal holiday’s official legal name?
Presidents’ Birthday
Lincoln and Washington Day
National Founders Day
Washington’s Birthday
14. Which statement best reflects the historical evidence about December 25 as the birthday of Jesus?
A Roman census record confirms the exact date
The exact date is not given in the biblical accounts, while a December 25 observance is attested in fourth-century Rome
The date was selected only after the Gregorian calendar was introduced
All early Christian communities used the date from the first century onward
15. An ancient Roman source celebrates the “birthday” of a temple, even though the building was not a person. What is the most likely meaning?
The anniversary of the temple’s dedication or founding
The birthday of the reigning emperor
The architect’s date of birth
The date on which the temple was rediscovered
16. Which pair is most closely associated with creating the melody and original classroom lyrics that became “Happy Birthday to You”?
Gilbert and Sullivan
Mildred J. Hill and Patty Smith Hill
John and Charles Wesley
Fanny Crosby and Phoebe Knapp