Games Britannica Quizzes
Britannica Menu History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture

This Day in History Quiz: September 20

Question: Who defeated Bobby Riggs at the highly publicized “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match on September 20, 1973?
Answer: Watched by more than 90 million viewers worldwide, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs, who had previously claimed that he could beat any top female player, in a televised tennis match on September 20, 1973.
Question: Which hurricane hit Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, causing almost 3,000 deaths?
Answer: Hurricane Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, leading to massive destruction that left almost the entire population of 3 million people without power.
Question: Which film festival happened for the first time on September 20, 1946, after being delayed for seven years?
Answer: The first Cannes film festival began on September 20, 1946, after a delay of seven years. Previously planned to happen in 1939, the festival was cancelled due to World War II.
Question: The global climate strike on September 20, 2019, was inspired by which teenager when she skipped school to protest the Swedish government’s inaction?
Answer: Greta Thunberg inspired a global movement when she refused to attend school so as to advocate for fighting climate change. On September 20, 2019, millions of people participated in a global climate strike.
Question: What U.S. military policy that, in effect, both prohibited discrimination towards queer personnel and banned LGBTQ+ people from serving was ended on September 20, 2011?
Answer: Repeal of the U.S. military policy Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell took effect on September 20, 2011, allowing members of the LGBTQ+ community to serve openly in the U.S. military.
Question: Which South African city was founded on September 20, 1886, after gold was discovered in the region?
Answer: Johannesburg was founded on September 20, 1886, amidst the goldfields of the Transvaal.