Flashback: Your Weekly History Quiz – November 8, 2025

Welcome, history enthusiasts! Every Saturday, NextMinuteNews brings Flashback, your ultimate history challenge. Dive into pivotal events, scientific breakthroughs, and pop culture moments tied to November 8. Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s begin!

Question 1: Ancient Civilizations

On November 8, 1519, Hernán Cortés entered Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital. Which ruler welcomed him before the empire’s collapse?
– A) Montezuma II
– B) Atahualpa
– C) Cuauhtémoc
– D) Pachacuti

Answer: A) Montezuma II
Cortés’ meeting with Montezuma II sparked the Aztec Empire’s fall by 1521, despite initial diplomacy.

Question 2: Global Icons

Born on November 8, 1868, this leader pioneered nonviolent resistance.
– A) Jawaharlal Nehru
– B) Sardar Patel
– C) Mahatma Gandhi
– D) Bhagat Singh

Answer: C) Mahatma Gandhi
Celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence, Gandhi’s legacy spans India’s freedom struggle and global civil rights movements.

Question 3: Science Breakthroughs

What did Wilhelm Röntgen discover on November 8, 1895?
– A) Gamma Rays
– B) X-Rays
– C) Ultraviolet Light
– D) Cosmic Rays

Answer: B) X-Rays
This accidental breakthrough revolutionized medical diagnostics, earning Röntgen the first Nobel Prize in Physics (1901).

Question 4: U.S. Political History

What pivotal event occurred on November 8, 1960?
– A) First televised presidential debate
– B) JFK elected president
– C) Cuban Missile Crisis began
– D) Berlin Wall erected

Answer: B) John F. Kennedy elected president
Kennedy’s win over Nixon marked a shift toward youthful leadership amid Cold War tensions.

Question 5: Space Exploration

Which Russian Mars mission failed after launch on November 8, 2011?
– A) Phobos-Grunt
– B) Mars Orbiter Mission
– C) Curiosity Rover
– D) Venera 7

Answer: A) Phobos-Grunt
The spacecraft stalled in orbit and crashed, dubbing it a costly setback for Mars exploration.

Question 6: Pop Culture

Which band released Abbey Road in the U.S. on November 8, 1969?
– A) The Rolling Stones
– B) The Beatles
– C) Led Zeppelin
– D) Pink Floyd

Answer: B) The Beatles
Their final studio album (though Let It Be was recorded later) remains a cultural landmark.

Question 7: Modern India

What 2016 policy shook India’s economy on November 8?
– A) GST Implementation
– B) Demonetization of ₹500/₹1000 notes
– C) UPI Launch
– D) Air India Privatization

Answer: B) Demonetization
PM Modi’s move to curb black money sparked nationwide debate on cashless transitions and economic impact.

Did You Know?

November 8 is World Urbanism Day, advocating sustainable city planning since 1949—a must in our climate-conscious era!

Quiz Results

• 6-7 Correct: History Pro! The past is your playground.
• 4-5 Correct: Almost there—keep quizzing!
• 1-3 Correct: Time to hit the history books.

Missed last week? Explore our archives. Got a history question? Comment below! Until next Saturday, stay curious—history is humanity’s story.

—Team NextMinuteNews