Who had these (somewhat) nice words to say about war: "War is an unmitigated evil. But it certainly does one good thing. It drives away fear and brings bravery to the surface"?
Mohandas Gandhi (in "Non-violence in Peace and War" 1948)
By far, what commander conquered the most territory (estimated at nearly 5 million square miles)?
Genghis Khan (from 1206-1227)
The battle of Nagashino in 1575 was the first in Japanese history to use this Western military tactic-- and the effect was so shocking to Japan's leaders, they banned it for another 250 years. What?
Gunfire
During the Falkland Islands embroglio, the ship carrying Prince Albert was shot by Argentina. As Al and the British sailors waited to be plucked from their sinking deck, what song did they all sing?
"Look On The Bright Side Of Life" (from "Life Of Brian")
What do the following legendary battles have in common: Lepanto, Salamis, Campertown, Navarino, Tsushima, and Jutland?
They were all naval battles
79 countries signed the Kellogg-Briand pact in 1928. What fundamental change in warfare was this agreement intended to accomplish?
To make war illegal
Which war lasted 116 years?
The Hundred Years War
What did Dr. Samuel Prescott accomplish on April 18, 1775 that a more noted American hero could not?
Complete "the midnight ride" to warn that "the British are coming." (Paul Revere was detained by the British)
After what battle did American Nathanael Green say, noting the lopsided casualty list, "I wish we could sell them another hill at the same price."
Battle of Bunker Hill (fought, incidentally, on Breed's Hill)
In what Winston Churchill would call one of the most pivotal battles of the American Revolution, an American force turned back the British fleet descending from Canada in the battle of Valcour's Island. Who led the Americans in this battle and arguably saved the American cause?
Benedict Arnold
What was the significance of "Private Robert Shurtleff" who served in the 4th Massachusetts regiment during the war?
"His" name was Deborah Sampson - the only woman to formally serve in the Revolution
How did George Washington die?
He caught a cold and doctors bled him to death.
When Maj. Robert Anderson was an artillery instructor at West Point, he broke with tradition and kept one particularly skillful student on as his assistant for another year. How would this come back to haunt him, after his transfer to a different fort?
The student (Pierre G.T. Beauregard) ordered the attack on Fort Sumter, where Anderson was commanding officer.
Union General McClellan ignored the significance of three wrapped cigars found in a Maryland field in September 1862. Big mistake. Why?
The wrapping was a copy of Robert E Lee's battle plans; McClellan could have destroyed his army then and there.
History repeating itself, part one:
What (unsuccessful) ploy was attempted by Confederate President Jefferson Davis just before his capture by Union troops-- a ploy repeated with equal non-success by Benito Mussolini some 60 years later?
He was disguised in women's clothing
History repeating itself, part two:
Henry Wirz, the only Confederate officer executed for "war crimes," had what job?
He ran the Andersonville prison camp (He defended himself by stating he was "just following orders")
Who fired the first shot upon Fort Sumter?
Abner Doubleday
After shooting Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth broke his leg leaping to the stage. While on the loose, his injuries were treated by a Doctor Mudd. What long-used derogatory phrase resulted from the doctor's unwitting efforts?
His name is Mud
How did Representative Jeanette Rankin manage to make herself a footnote in World War II history?
She was the single dissenter in the House on the vote to declare war on Japan after Pearl Harbor (388-1).
What four-letter word did General Anthony McAuliffe use in response to a German request for surrender at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge?
"Nuts!"
The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 7, 1945. The second destroyed Nagasaki 2 days later, prompting immediate surrender. However, if the Japanese had NOT surrendered, where would the third atomic bomb have been targeted?
Nowhere; there were only two
With men at war, women worked in America's factories and on its conveyor belts. Their ranks came to be represented by this single iconic character-- name her.
Rosie the Riveter
U.S. bomber is accidentally ordered to nuke U.S.S.R., plunging heads of American and Russian governments into crisis of decision-making as time runs out. (J.R. Ewing plays the interpreter!)
Fail-Safe
A pop movie about a computer whiz-kid who taps into government early-warning system and nearly starts World War III.
WarGames
Controversial Vietnam war epic, based on Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness."
Apocalypse Now
British soldiers in Japanese prison camp build a bridge as a futile exercise under single-minded leadership of British colonel Alec Guinness while William Holden plots to destroy it. The writers were blacklisted, so Boulle (who spoke no English) was credited with the script! Filmed in Ceylon.
Bridge on the River Kwai
U.S. President must contend with the Russians and his own political and military leaders when a fanatical general launches A-bomb attack on U.S.S.R.
Dr. Strangelove
Fine WW2 submarine chase tale, which manages to garner interest from usual crew interaction of U.S. vs. Germany in underwater action; the special effects for this earned Walter Rossi an Academy Award.
Enemy Below
Adaptation of Gustav Hasford's "The Short Timers" is divided into two sections: a harrowing look at Marine basic training on Parris Island; and combat experiences in Vietnam.
Full Metal Jacket
Based on Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Killer Angels." Look fast for filmmaker Ken Burns as General Hancock's aide and Ted Turner as a Reb foot soldier during Pickett's Charge.
Gettysburg
Exceptional story of America's first unit of black soldiers during the Civil War and the young, inexperienced Northerner (Matthew Broderick) who's given the job of training and leading them.
Glory
Explosive action film about Allied commandos during WW2 plotting to destroy German cannons; high-powered adventure throughout this first-rate production, highlighted by Oscar-winning special effects.
Guns of Navarone
Robert Altman's first major success gave new meaning to the word "irreverence," set new style for contemporary filmmaking; follows black-comedy exploits of wild and woolly medical unit during Korean War in hilarious, episodic fashion.
M*A*S*H
Superb comedy-drama with Henry Fonda recreating his favorite stage role as restless officer on WW2 cargo ship who yearns for combat action but has to contend with an irascible and eccentric captain (James Cagney) instead.
Mister Roberts
Hilarious comedy about submarine captain Cary Grant who's determined to make his injured ship seaworthy again, and con-artist Tony Curtis who wheels and deals to reach that goal.
Operation Petticoat
Small-town teens become guerrilla fighters when Commies invade U.S. Good premise gunned down by purple prose and posturing--not to mention violence.
Red Dawn
Modern-day version of Republic serial, with slam-bang cliff-hanger action that never lets up. Richard Burton and company assigned to free American officer held captive in German mountain castle during WW2.
Where Eagles Dare