Pop Culture Quiz: 1974

What Happened In 1974?

74 Trivia Questions For 1974 History

(answers)

1. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1974?

2. Who won the 1974 FIFA World Cup?

3. This 1974 film was the first sequel to win an Oscar for Best Picture. Name that sequel.

4. This 1974 disaster film featured Gloria Swanson in her last starring role. Name that film.

5. These multicolored fruit-flavored lentil-shaped candies were introduced in the UK in 1974 but didn’t appear in the US until a few years later…

6. This cat food comes in wet and dry varieties and was introduced in 1974.
HINT 1: It has a catchy advertising jingle.
HINT 2: “It’s the only brand cats ask for by name.”

7. This giant robot was originally created as a weapon of destruction by the Black Hole Planet 3.

8. This famous mascot debuted in San Diego, San Francisco 1974. Name him.

9. This character, first appearing in The Incredible Hulk #180 and 181, is probably the most popular of the X-Men. Name him.

10. Under the codename “Smiling Buddha,” this country became the 6th nation to join the Nuclear Weapons Club. What country?

11. Can you name the heiress to the Hearst Newspaper group kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army, later joining the group in a bank heist?

12. What was the first product with a bar code on the packaging?

13. The US national speed limit was lowered to 55 MPH in 1974. What was the speed limit before that?

14. Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier had a Super Fight II rematch. Who won the bout?

15. In 1974, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?

16. This actor appeared in only five films over seven years, all of which were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture: The Godfather (1972), The Conversation (1974), The Godfather Part II (1974), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), and The Deer Hunter (1978). Name that actor.

17. In 1974, this comet appeared in the sky, barely visible to the naked eye. Name that comet.

18. Can you name the highest-grossing director of 1974?
HINT: He had two films in the Top 3.

19. You get one point for either of Mel Brooks’s 1974 hit films…

20. What was the highest-grossing film of 1974?

21. Herbie Rides Again was the sequel to the 1968 film The Love Bug. What number was on Herbie’s hood and sides?

22. This Children’s television show featured a segment called “Spidey Super Stories.” Name that show.

23. This Caribbean island became independent After 210 years as a British colony. Name that island.

24. This popular science television program has been produced by WGBH in Boston, Massachusetts, since 1974.
HINT: It’s a four-letter word.

25. On August 9, 1974, one of US History’s most iconic political events occurred. What happened?

26. What did Richard Nixon say after he resigned?

27. Who won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, England?

28. Name the NHL team nick-named “the Broad Street Bullies.”

29. Nine baseball fans out of 25,134 attendees were arrested on June 4, 1974, at a game that featured a “Ten Cent Beer Night” promotion. Name the US stadium.

30. How many people lived in the World in 1974?

31. How many people lived in the United States in 1974?

32. NBC television drama Little House on the Prairie was based on the works of what American author?

33. This CBS science fiction series, which lasted 14 episodes, was based on a 1968 film based on a 1963 novel. Name that TV show.

34. On October 30, 1974, George Foreman and Muhammad Ali participated in a heavyweight championship boxing match in Africa. What was the match called?

35. The Towering Inferno was nominated for eight Oscars. How many did it win?

36. The International Exposition on the Environment, Spokane 1974,[3] was a world’s fair held from May 4, 1974, to November 3, 1974, in Spokane, Washington. What was it billed as?

37. Name the English actor who played the fourth incarnation of The Doctor in the science fiction television series Doctor Who from 1974 to 1981.

38. The American President can, by law, make declarations to hasten the sending of federal money to disaster-stricken areas in the United States and its territories. What law?

39. The SAS of 1974, a federal law, required that nearly all prescription medicines from pharmacies be distributed in bottles with what safety device?

40. Discovered in 1974, his mausoleum section includes 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, and is over 2200 years old. What do we call it?

41. This German car model was released in 1974 to replace the long-selling Beetle. Name the manufacturer and car.

42. On April 8, 1974, when he broke a longstanding MLB record, what did Hank Aaron specifically do?

43. Who was the youngest actress to ever win an Oscar?

44. Which sports star was NOT born in 1974: Shaquille O’Neal, Rey Mysterio, Jerry Stackhouse, or Dale Earnhardt Jr.?

45. Stephen King’s first novel was released in 1974. Name that scary book.

46. The first issue of People magazine, cover dated March 4, 1974, was released. Can you name the actress who appeared on the cover?

47. Spoiler Alert: This science fantasy film, starring Sean Connery, features a post-apocalyptic world where people worship a son idol named Zardoz. How did Zardoz get his name?

48. What is the IATA airport code for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport?

49. Robert Opal appeared on stage at the 1974 Oscars, although he was not involved in any films that year. What did he do onstage?

50. Name the CBS television show that featured the phrase “Goodnight, John-Boy.”

51. Name the highest-grossing film of 1974…

52. After Mr. Rogers took his jacket off at the start of each episode, what did he do?

53. Who was the President of the United States in 1974?

54. Who was the Vice-President of the United States in 1974?

55. True or false? The US Congress considered changing pennies from copper-zinc to aluminum cents.

56. Created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane, this character first appeared in Marvel Premiere #15.
HINT: He had his own series on Netflix in 2017/2018.

57. This fictional dog character, created by Joe Camp, had a series of films in the 70s, 80s, and 2000s. Name that pup!
HINT: He was a mixed-breed dog.

58. Name the black and white comedy that starred Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, Richard Haydn, and Gene Hackman…

59. Who was the male lead in Young Frankenstein?

60. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1974?

61. DJ Kool Herc, DJ Disco Wiz, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa have all been credited with starting what musical genre?

62. Name the toys that may “wobble, but they don’t fall down.”

63. Who were the characters Alan Alda and Wayne Rogers played in M*A*S*H?

64. What was the Top-Rated TV Show in the 1973/1974 season?

65. Can you name the family member who joined the Brady Bunch during the final season in 1974?

66. Which celebrity was NOT born in 1974: Kate Moss, Christian Bale, Mary J. Blige, or Eva Mendes?

67. In 1974, A skeleton from the hominid species Australopithecus afarensis was discovered and named what?

68. Who won the SuperBowl VIII?

69. True or False? Many, if not most, public toilets in the US were “Pay Toilets” until 1980.

70. Who was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1964 until he died in 1982?

71. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1974?

72. Who won the 1974 World Series?

73. This LAPD detective first appeared in the 1968 TV movie Prescription Murder. Name that detective or the actor who played him.

Trivia Team Bonus Questions:

1. What type of car did Lieutenant Columbo drive?

2. Who was the Pop in 1974?

3. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1974?

4. Blazing Saddles starred Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder. One point for the name(s) of either character they played.

5. This 1974 film was inspired by the San Fernando earthquake of February 1971. Name that disaster movie.

6. This fictional psychiatric hospital/prison first appeared in Batman #258. Name it.

7. Amazingly, this popular font didn’t appear until 1974.
HINTS: You’ve seen it in the logos for TV shows The Office and Clifford’s The Big Red Dog book titles.

8. Name the antagonist from the The Texas Chainsaw Massacre series.

9. Many of the props used in Young Frankenstein were also used in an earlier film. Name that older film.

10. This United Nations agency was founded to promote travel between countries. Name that agency.

The Answers:

74 Trivia Questions and Answers For 1974 History

1. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1974?
The Way We Were by Barbra Streisand

2. Who won the 1974 FIFA World Cup?
West Germany

3. This 1974 film was the first sequel to win an Oscar for Best Picture. Name that sequel.
The Godfather Part II

4. This 1974 disaster film featured Gloria Swanson in her last starring role. Name that film.
Airport ’75

5. These multicolored fruit-flavored lentil-shaped candies were introduced in the UK in 1974 but didn’t appear in the US until a few years later…
Skittles

6. This cat food comes in wet and dry varieties and was introduced in 1974.
HINT 1: It has a catchy advertising jingle.
HINT 2: “It’s the only brand cats ask for by name.”
Meow Mix

7. This giant robot was originally created as a weapon of destruction by the Black Hole Planet 3.
Mechagodzilla

8. This famous mascot debuted in San Diego, San Francisco 1974. Name him.
The San Diego Chicken

9. This character, first appearing in The Incredible Hulk #180 and 181, is probably the most popular of the X-Men. Name him.
Wolverine

10. Under the codename “Smiling Buddha,” this country became the 6th nation to join the Nuclear Weapons Club. What country?
India

11. Can you name the heiress to the Hearst Newspaper group kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army, later joining the group in a bank heist?
Patty Hearst

12. What was the first product with a bar code on the packaging?
Wrigley’s Gum

13. The US national speed limit was lowered to 55 MPH in 1974. What was the speed limit before that?
70 Miles Per Hour

14. Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier had a Super Fight II rematch. Who won the bout?
Ali won by unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

15. In 1974, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
Men – 68.3 years, Women – 76 years

16. This actor appeared in only five films over seven years, all of which were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture: The Godfather (1972), The Conversation (1974), The Godfather Part II (1974), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), and The Deer Hunter (1978). Name that actor.
John Cazale

17. In 1974, this comet appeared in the sky, barely visible to the naked eye. Name that comet.
Comet Kohoutek

18. Can you name the highest-grossing director of 1974?
HINT: He had two films in the Top 3.
Mel Brooks

19. You get one point for either of Mel Brooks’s 1974 hit films…
Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein

20. What was the highest-grossing film of 1974?
The Towering Inferno

21. Herbie Rides Again was the sequel to the 1968 film The Love Bug. What number was on Herbie’s hood and sides?
53

22. This Children’s television show featured a segment called “Spidey Super Stories.” Name that show.
The Electric Company

23. This Caribbean island became independent After 210 years as a British colony. Name that island.
Grenada

24. This popular science television program has been produced by WGBH in Boston, Massachusetts, since 1974.
HINT: It’s a four-letter word.
Nova

25. On August 9, 1974, one of US History’s most iconic political events occurred. What happened?
Richard Nixon resigned, and Gerald Ford became the 38th US President.

26. What did Richard Nixon say after he resigned?
“You won’t have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore.”

27. Who won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, England?
ABBA, for Waterloo

28. Name the NHL team nick-named “the Broad Street Bullies.”
The Philadelphia Flyers

29. Nine baseball fans out of 25,134 attendees were arrested on June 4, 1974, at a game that featured a “Ten Cent Beer Night” promotion. Name the US stadium.
Cleveland Stadium. The forfeit was credited to the Rangers, with a 9 to 0 win under MLB rules.

30. How many people lived in the World in 1974?
3,995,517,077

31. How many people lived in the United States in 1974?
213,853,928

32. NBC television drama Little House on the Prairie was based on the works of what American author?
Laura Ingalls Wilder

33. This CBS science fiction series, which lasted 14 episodes, was based on a 1968 film based on a 1963 novel. Name that TV show.
Planet of the Apes

34. On October 30, 1974, George Foreman and Muhammad Ali participated in a heavyweight championship boxing match in Africa. What was the match called?
The Rumble in the Jungle

35. The Towering Inferno was nominated for eight Oscars. How many did it win?
3- Best Song, Best Cinematography and Best Editing.

36. The International Exposition on the Environment, Spokane 1974,[3] was a world’s fair held from May 4, 1974, to November 3, 1974, in Spokane, Washington. What was it billed as?
Expo ’74

37. Name the English actor who played the fourth incarnation of The Doctor in the science fiction television series Doctor Who from 1974 to 1981.
Tom Baker

38. The American President can, by law, make declarations to hasten the sending of federal money to disaster-stricken areas in the United States and its territories. What law?
The Disaster Relief Act of 1974

39. The SAS of 1974, a federal law, required that nearly all prescription medicines from pharmacies be distributed in bottles with what safety device?
“Child Proof” caps

40. Discovered in 1974, his mausoleum section includes 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, and is over 2200 years old. What do we call it?
The Terracotta Army (a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China.)

41. This German car model was released in 1974 to replace the long-selling Beetle. Name the manufacturer and car.
The Volkswagon Golf

42. On April 8, 1974, when he broke a longstanding MLB record, what did Hank Aaron specifically do?
Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hit his 715th career home run in a 7 to 4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
*He also beat Willie Mays’s National League record of 2,062 runs scored in a career.

43. Who was the youngest actress to ever win an Oscar?
10-year-old Tatum O’Neal for Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Paper Moon.

44. Which sports star was NOT born in 1974: Shaquille O’Neal, Rey Mysterio, Jerry Stackhouse, or Dale Earnhardt Jr.?
Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal (born March 6, 1972)

45. Stephen King’s first novel was released in 1974. Name that scary book.
Carrie

46. The first issue of People magazine, cover dated March 4, 1974, was released. Can you name the actress who appeared on the cover?
Mia Farrow

47. Spoiler Alert: This science fantasy film, starring Sean Connery, features a post-apocalyptic world where people worship a son idol named Zardoz. How did Zardoz get his name?
From a book – The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

48. What is the IATA airport code for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport?
DFW

49. Robert Opal appeared on stage at the 1974 Oscars, although he was not involved in any films that year. What did he do onstage?
He streaked. He ran naked past David Niven, flashing a peace sign.

50. Name the CBS television show that featured the phrase “Goodnight, John-Boy.”
The Waltons

51. Name the highest-grossing film of 1974…
The Towering Inferno

52. After Mr. Rogers took his jacket off at the start of each episode, what did he do?
He put a cardigan zipper sweater on, then replaced his shoes with sneakers.

53. Who was the President of the United States in 1974?
Richard Nixon (January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974)
Gerald Ford (August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977)

54. Who was the Vice-President of the United States in 1974?
Gerald Ford (December 6, 1973 – August 9, 1974)
The office of vice president was vacant from August 9 to December 19, 1974
Nelson Rockefeller (December 19, 1974 – January 20, 1977)

55. True or false? The US Congress considered changing pennies from copper-zinc to aluminum cents.
True

56. Created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane, this character first appeared in Marvel Premiere #15.
HINT: He had his own series on Netflix in 2017/2018.
Iron Fist

57. This fictional dog character, created by Joe Camp, had a series of films in the 70s, 80s, and 2000s. Name that pup!
HINT: He was a mixed-breed dog.
Benji

58. Name the black and white comedy that starred Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, Richard Haydn, and Gene Hackman…
Young Frankenstein

59. Who was the male lead in Young Frankenstein?
Gene Wilder

60. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1974?
Philadelphia Flyers

61. DJ Kool Herc, DJ Disco Wiz, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa have all been credited with starting what musical genre?
Hip-Hop

62. Name the toys that may “wobble, but they don’t fall down.”
Weebles

63. Who were the characters Alan Alda and Wayne Rogers played in M*A*S*H?
Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce and “Trapper” John McIntyre

64. What was the Top-Rated TV Show in the 1973/1974 season?
All in the Family

65. Can you name the family member who joined the Brady Bunch during the final season in 1974?
Cousin Oliver

66. Which celebrity was NOT born in 1974: Kate Moss, Christian Bale, Mary J. Blige, or Eva Mendes?
Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971)

67. In 1974, A skeleton from the hominid species Australopithecus afarensis was discovered and named what?
Lucy, estimated to be over 3 million years old, was the earliest example of an ancestor of homo sapiens.

68. Who won the SuperBowl VIII?
Miami Dolphins

69. True or False? Many, if not most, public toilets in the US were “Pay Toilets” until 1980.
True

70. Who was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1964 until he died in 1982?
Leonid Brezhnev

71. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1974?
Centennial by James A. Michener

72. Who won the 1974 World Series?
Oakland Athletics

73. This LAPD detective first appeared in the 1968 TV movie Prescription Murder. Name that detective or the actor who played him.
Peter Falk played the role of Lieutenant Columbo.

Trivia Team Bonus Questions:

1. What type of car did Lieutenant Columbo drive?
Peugeot 403 ca

2. Who was the Pop in 1974?
Paul VI (June 21, 1963 – August 6, 1978)

3. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1974?
Cannonade

4. Blazing Saddles starred Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder. One point for the name(s) of either character they played.
Bart and The Waco Kid

5. This 1974 film was inspired by the San Fernando earthquake of February 1971. Name that disaster movie.
Earthquake

6. This fictional psychiatric hospital/prison first appeared in Batman #258. Name it.
Arkham Asylum

7. Amazingly, this popular font didn’t appear until 1974.
HINTS: You’ve seen it in the logos for TV shows The Office and Clifford’s The Big Red Dog book titles.
American Typewriter

8. Name the antagonist from the The Texas Chainsaw Massacre series.
Leatherface

9. Many of the props used in Young Frankenstein were also used in an earlier film. Name that older film.
1931’s Frankenstein

10. This United Nations agency was founded to promote travel between countries. Name that agency.
United Nations World Tourism Organization (now UN Tourism, UNWTO until 2023)