Can You Answer These Questions About the Year 2005?

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Answer These Questions About the Year 2005?
Image: Interscope

About This Quiz

Halfway into the 2000s saw 2005, a tumultuous time in world history. 

Although it may seem like just the other day, it's over a decade ago. Can you believe that?

And the world was in so much turmoil. Rogue states announced they had nuclear weapons to protect themselves from supposed United States aggression, terrorists struck in one of the busiest cities in the world, and in the peak morning rush we saw one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded make landfall on the east coast of the United States, leaving devastation in its path. 

In the world of entertainment, supergroups broke up, relationships fell apart, new relationships started, some of Hollywood's oldest and greatest were rewarded for their brilliance and a United States president was sworn in for his second term. In other parts of the world, a trial of a notorious dictator started which a year later, resulted in his execution for crimes against humanity. 

So what else do you remember from the year 2005? Do you think you could beat our quiz regarding events from that year?

Some questions will test your knowledge of those 365 days to the limit! Are you up for it.

Good luck!


Which massive social media platform was founded in 2005?
YouTube
Instagram
Twitter
Snapchat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On February 14, 2005, YouTube was founded in San Mateo, California by Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim. Now it is the biggest video sharing service in the world!

Which of these was the top song of 2005?
Candy Shop - 50c
We Belong Together - Mariah Carey
Feel Good Inc - Gorillaz
Inside Your Heaven - Carrie Underwood
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

'We Belong Together' came off Maria Carey's 10th studio album, 'The Emancipation of Mimi'. It was the second single off the album.

And how many weeks did the top song of the year stay at number 1 on the Billboard charts for?
1 week
2 weeks
14 weeks
3 weeks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Incredibly, 'We Belong Together' stayed at number one on the Billboard charts for 14 weeks, tying a record with a previous Carey song from 1995 which she did with Boys II Men, 'One Sweet Day'.

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Who did Brad Pitt leave in 2005 for another Hollywood actress?
Gwyneth Paltrow
Christina Applegate
Juliette Lewis
Jennifer Aniston
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brad Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston in July 2000. By 2005, their marriage was over, with Pitt moving onto another Hollywood actress.

Who was the other Hollywood actress who Brad Pitt started dating in 2005?
Angelina Jolie
Courtney Cox
Patricia Arquette
Juliette Lewis
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie started dating in 2005, although rumors of an on-set affair in 2004 never went away. They had their first child together in 2006.

Which U.S. city was devastated by a tropical cyclone in August 2005?
New York
New Orleans
Denver
Sacramento
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although many cities were damaged across large parts of the United States' eastern coastline, New Orleans was particularly badly affected.

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What was the name of this hurricane?
Hurricane Fred
Hurricane Wilma
Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Katrina
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hurricane Katrina was a devastating Category 5 storm. The total economic impact of the storm was around $150 billion, with property damage at $81 billion alone.

Name the famous writer who died on February 20, 2005.
Stephen King
Hunter S. Thompson
JRR Tolkien
JK Rowling
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hunter S. Thompson, famed gonzo journalist, died on February 20th. Johnny Depp, a personal friend of Thompson, portrayed him in the movies, 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' and 'The Rum Diary'.

Which famous TV broadcast journalist retired from "Nightline" on November 22, 2005?
Larry King
Connie Chung
Ted Koppel
Anderson Cooper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ted Koppel had hosted "Nightline" since November 1979! A good run indeed.

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In Hollywood, who did Demi Moore marry on September 24, 2005?
Bruce Williams
Topher Grace
Ashton Kutcher
Antonia Banderas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ashton Kutcher had found fame in the long-running sitcom, 'That 70's Show'. Their marriage lasted till 2013.

In England, who did Prince Charles marry on April 9, 2005?
Camilla Parker Bowles
Lady Diana
Megan Markle
Kate Middleton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

His mistress for many years, Prince Charles finally married Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005.

Today it's the worlds biggest social media platform but in 2005 it was branching out, not only to high schools but universities outside the United States. What are we talking about?
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
My Space
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Facebook was already thriving in American universities by 2005. It branched out further, however, now taking in U.S. high schools and 21 universities overseas, including the United Kingdom.

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Who won Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005?
New England Patriots
Philadelphia Eagles
New York Giants
Dallas Cowboys
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It was a close one! The Patriots ran out 24-21 winners against the Philadelphia Eagles after the teams were tied at 14-all heading into the last quarter.

Which film won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2005?
Finding Neverland
Million Dollar Baby
The Aviator
Ray
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Million Dollar Baby, starring Hilary Swank was 2005's best picture.

How did Hunter S. Thompson die?
Suicide
Car crash
Overdose
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hunter S. Thompson, who was struggling with various health issues at the time, died of a single gunshot wound which was self-inflicted.

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Who directed "Million Dollar Baby" and received an Oscar for Best Director in 2005?
Francis Ford Copolla
Martin Scorsese
Steven Spielberg
Clint Eastwood
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Million Dollar Baby was not only directed by Clint Eastwood but scored by him as well as co-produced.

The final part of the new Star Wars trilogy graced the box office in 2005. What was it called?
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith brought to an end the three-part trilogy stated with Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in 1999. It shows in great detail Anakin Skywalker's journey in becoming Darth Vader.

What new religion was founded in 2005?
Taoism
Buddism
Pastafarianism, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Is it a joke? Well, Pastafarianism is registered as an actual religion. It all started in 2005, thanks to Bobby Henderson, a student at the time.

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Which MLB team was crowned World Series Champions in 2005?
Boston Red Sox
Chicago White Sox
Houston Astros
New York Yankees
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The White Sox easily overcame the Houston Astros in the World series in 2005. They ran out easy 4-0 winners, with Jermaine Dye of Chicago named MVP.

Which actor continually jumped on a coach while been interviewed by Oprah Winfrey while declaring his love for Katie Holmes?
Ron Pearlman
George Clooney
Ben Affleck
Tom Cruise
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In one of the strangest Hollywood attractions, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes became an item with Cruise's actions on Oprah Winfrey the talk of the town.

On July 7, 2005 a terrorist attack in which major European city took the lives of 52 people?
Amsterdam
London
Paris
Berlin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The '7/7' attacks in London were carried out by four terrorists. Three bombs were exploded on underground trains while the fourth went off in a bus. 52 people died and over 700 were injured in the attacks.

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Early in 2005, Prince Harry was in hot water for attending a fancy dress party dressed as _____
The Queen
A horse
A Nazi
His father, Prince Charles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While still in his 'wild' years, Prince Harry had the whole of the United Kingdom talking for attending a fancy dress party dressed as a Nazi. He later apologized for his actions.

On January 5, 2005, the biggest dwarf planet was discovered in our solar system. What was it called?
Gimli
Eris
Pluto
Daffy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A team lead by Michael E. Brown discovered Eris while looking through two-year-old photos taken by the Palomar Observatory. Eris is named after the Greek goddess of strife and discord.

George W. Bush was inaugurated as the president of the United States on January 20, 2005. This was his ______ term.
Second
First
Third
Fourth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

George W. Bush's second and last term as US president started on January 20, 2005. Bush won 286 of the electoral votes in November 2004 to defeat John Kerry of the Democrats.

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In February 2005, North Korea made a major announcement regarding armaments in the country. What was it?
That they have enlarged their navy.
That they possessed a new stealth fighter.
That they possessed nuclear weapons.
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although many suspected that they had them, North Korea announced for the first time that they possessed nuclear weapons as a deterrent to any attack from America.

Name the pope who died on April 2, 2005 after having served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church since 1978.
Francis
John Paul II
Pope Benedict XVI
Paul VI
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jean Paul II had become pope in 1978. Of Polish decent, John Paul II survived an assassination attempt in 1981 by gunman Mehmet Ali Ağca, a Turkish militant.

Which team won the NBA final in 2005?
Detroit Pistons
LA Lakers
San Antonio Spurs
Orlando Magic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In a close-fought series of games, the San Antonio Spurs were named NBA champions for 2005, winning 4-3 over the Detroit Pistons. Tim Duncan of the Spurs was named as the MVP of the finals.

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Which massive passenger aircraft made its first flight in France in April 2005?
Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet
BAE Concorde
Airbus A380
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The world's largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, flew for the first time in Toulouse, France in 2005. In an all-economy layout, it can carry over 800 people.

Which popular comedy series aired for the first time in 2005?
That 70's Show
Two and a Half Men
How I Met Your Mother
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The very popular sitcom, How I Met Your Mother first aired in 2005. It stars Jason Siegel, Josh Radnor, Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson Hannigan.

October 19, 2005, saw the start of the trial of which former Iraqi dictator?
Masoud Barzani
Abid Hamid Mahmud
Saddam Hussein
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After his capture, the trial of Saddam Hussein began on October 19, 2005. A verdict was only delivered in November the following year with Hussein sentenced to death by hanging.

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In November of 2005, who becomes the first female chancellor of Germany?
Angela Merkel
Gretchen Kimmel
Nadia Mattheus
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Angela Merkel was sworn in as the first female chancellor of Germany on November 22, 2005.

Who won the US Open for men in 2005?
Andre Agassi
Roger Federer
Rafael Nadal
Pete Sampras
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Roger Federer was crowned US Open champion after defeating Andre Agassi, playing his final event, 6–3, 2–6, 7–6, 6–1.

Which famous American television host, the pioneer of the late night talk show, died in 2005?
Larry King
Johnny Carson
David Letterman
Jay Leno
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson ran from 1962 to 1992 with Carson the undoubted king of late night talk shows. He retired in 1992, handing his mantel on to Jay Leno.

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What all-girl super group broke up in 2005?
TLC
Sugar Babes
Destiny's Child
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The biggest group in the world at the time, Destiny's Child broke up in 2005 with Beyonce's solo career going from strength to strength.

On July 6, 2005, the International Olympic Committee announced the hosts of the 2012 Summer Games. Which city won the bid?
London
Cape Town
Athens
Beijing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

London won the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games. It was chosen over Paris and hosted the Olympics for the third time.

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