September 2 — This Day in History

 Question 1

On September 2, 1945, World War II formally concluded when Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender aboard which historic United States Navy battleship anchored in Tokyo Bay?

• [A] USS Arizona

• [B] USS Missouri

• [C] USS Iowa

• [D] USS Enterprise

  Correct Answer: [B] USS Missouri

Question 2

The Great Fire of London, which began on September 2, 1666, destroyed over 13,000 homes along with which iconic historic English cathedral?

• [A] Westminster Abbey

• [B] Canterbury Cathedral

• [C] St. Paul’s Cathedral

• [D] York Minster

  Correct Answer: [C] St. Paul’s Cathedral

Question 3

Considered by historians as a crucial early milestone in the birth of the internet, two computers transmitted test data across a 15-foot cable on September 2, 1969, at which American university?

• [A] Stanford University

• [B] MIT

• [C] Harvard University

• [D] University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

  Correct Answer: [D] University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Question 4

On September 2, 2013, who became the first person to successfully swim approximately 110 miles from Havana, Cuba, to Key West, Florida, without the protection of a shark cage?

• [A] Diana Nyad

• [B] Lynne Cox

• [C] Gertrude Ederle

• [D] Penny Palfrey

  Correct Answer: [A] Diana Nyad

Question 5

During the American Civil War, forces led by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman completed a decisive strategic campaign by occupying which major Confederate city on September 2, 1864?

• [A] Richmond

• [B] Atlanta

• [C] Charleston

• [D] Savannah

  Correct Answer: [B] Atlanta

Question 6

On September 2, 2018, a devastating blaze destroyed priceless historical artifacts and natural history archives at the 200-year-old National Museum located in which city?

• [A] Buenos Aires

• [B] Lisbon

• [C] Rio de Janeiro

• [D] Mexico City

  Correct Answer: [C] Rio de Janeiro

Question 7

Signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on September 2, 1958, which landmark legislation provided major federal funding to boost science and mathematics education following the Soviet launch of Sputnik?

• [A] GI Bill

• [B] Elementary and Secondary Education Act

• [C] Higher Education Act

• [D] National Defense Education Act

  Correct Answer: [D] National Defense Education Act

Question 8

On September 2, 1789, the United States Congress officially established which vital executive department, later headed by Alexander Hamilton as its first secretary?

• [A] Department of State

• [B] Department of the Treasury

• [C] Department of War

• [D] Department of Justice

  Correct Answer: [B] Department of the Treasury

Question 9

Celebrated for his iconic roles in The Matrix and John Wick, which Hollywood star celebrates his birthday on September 2?

• [A] Tom Cruise

• [B] Keanu Reeves

• [C] Brad Pitt

• [D] Nicolas Cage

  Correct Answer: [B] Keanu Reeves

Question 10

Who serves as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, having been born on September 2, 1962?

• [A] Keir Starmer

• [B] Rishi Sunak

• [C] Tony Blair

• [D] David Cameron

  Correct Answer: [A] Keir Starmer