Can You Match the Memorable Sports Moment to the Year?
By: Robin Tyler
4 min
Image: WikiCommons by International Newsreel
About This Quiz
Let's face it, most of us love our sport. You wouldn't be attempting this quiz if you didn't, right? But picking memorable sports moments from the past 120 years is not an easy task. There simply have been so many that narrowing it down to 40 is always going to be very subjective. What we might think is a memorable sports moment might not be that memorable for you and vice versa!
However, there are moments where we can all agree they were certainly memorable. We might not have been there, but the legends behind the story still remain giants in our eyes. Take the story of Babe Ruth pointing to the bleachers and telling the crowd where he would hit the next ball. Or Cassius Clay becoming the world heavyweight boxing champion for the first time. And what about Usain Bolt announcing himself to the world with the 100m and 200m sprint double, in world-record time, at the Olympics? Yes, we remember these great moments, but to excel in this quiz, you are going to also have to remember the year in which they happened. Do you think you can do that? Well, let's test that sporting knowledge of yours!
In which year did Jackie Robinson sign a Major League Baseball contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers?
1911
1923
1945
By signing an MLB contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, Jackie Robinson smashed through the color barrier by becoming the first African American to do so. Robinson still had to overcome many trials, but he was truly a trailblazer!
They said a four-minute mile wasn't possible, but Roger Bannister proved them wrong. In what year?
1988
1954
With the help of pacemakers Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway, Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile in windy conditions on May 6, 1954. In fact, the wind was so bad, Bannister was going to call off his attempt. He persevered, however, stopping the clock in 3:59.40 seconds.
With an incredible haul of seven gold medals in the pool, Mark Spitz dominated which Olympics marred by terrorist attacks?
1972
Mark Spitz's incredible feat is often forgotten behind the attacks on the Israeli team at the 1972 Olympics in Munich in which 11 athletes died. Spitz not only won seven gold medals but set seven world records as well.
Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match in what year?
1973
In 1973 Bobby Riggs, a former world number-one tennis player, brashly declared that he could beat any female tennis player on the circuit. He couldn't. In an exhibition match, Billy Jean King beat in in three sets, taking home $100,000 in the process.
Secretariat claimed horse racing's Triple Crown in what year?
1973
By winning the Triple Crown in 1973, Secretariat became the first horse in 25 to achieve the feat. In the last race of the series, Secretariat won by a massive 31 lengths in a world-record time that still stands today.
Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's overall home-run record in which year?
1974
Hank Aaron was the man to break Babe Ruth's long-standing home-run record. He did so on April 8, 1974. Aaron's record was in turn broken by Barry Bonds a few decades later.
Nadia Comaneci stunned the world when she became the first person to record a perfect 10 for a gymnastics routine. In which year did it happen?
1979
1976
Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci stunned the world in at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal when she scored a perfect 10 on the uneven bars. She went onto win three gold medals at just 14 years of age.
In what year was a third overtime period needed to determine the winner between the Celtics and the Suns in the NBA finals?
1976
With the finals tied at 2-2, the winner of the final match of the NBA finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics would take home the glory. The game needed three overtime periods to finally separate the teams, with Boston eventually winning 128-126.
Tennis rivalries don't get bigger than Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe. In what year dig Borg win an epic five setter for his fifth Wimbledon title in a row?
1980
Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe served up some really epic tennis matches—none more so than their five-set battle at Wimbledon in 1980. Borg won, giving him his five titles in a row.
60,000 people hung on his every word as Lou Gehrig, although dying, called himself the "luckiest man alive" to be able to play baseball, a sport he loved. Do you know what year this happened?
1951
1949
1966
1939
Suffering with a disease that would later bear his name, Lou Gehrig—or "Iron Horse" to baseball fans—played the last of his 2,130 consecutive games for the New York Yankees. Sadly, the disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, meant he had to retire. He died just two years later.
In which year did the "Rumble in the Jungle"—one of the greatest boxing matches ever staged—between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman take place?
1981
1988
1952
1974
Described as one of the greatest boxing matches in history, the "Rumble in the Jungle" saw Muhammad Ali reclaim his world heavyweight crown from George Foreman. The fight was held in Zaire.
Do you know in which year Mark McGwire became the first slugger to smash 70 home runs in a season?
1995
2002
2000
1998
On September 27, 1998, Mark McGwire became the first ever man to hit 70 homers in a baseball season. McGwire achieved the feat playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, and he went on to smash 583 home runs in his career.
Do you know the date Wilt Chamberlain became the first player to score 100 points in an NBA game?
1955
1962
Only just over 4,000 people saw Wilt Chamberlain throw the first—and to date, only—100-point game in the NBA. Chamberlain, playing for the New York Nicks, achieved the feat against the Philadelphia Warriors.
It had never been done before. New York Yankees' Don Larsen managed to throw the first perfect game in post-season against the Brooklyn Dodgers. When was this?
1956
Don Larsen's feat came in Game 5 of the World Series. His efforts saw the Yankees win 2-0.The Yankees went on to win the World Series.
Many consider Bob Beamon smashing the long-jump world record to be one of the greatest athletic feats ever. Do you know when he achieved this feat?
1960
1968
The crowd watching the track and field events at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico were stunned into silence when Bob Beamon smashed the long-jump record by an incredible two feet. Undoubtedly, his effort is one of the greatest athletic achievements ever.
In which year did Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) defeat Sonny Liston to become the heavyweight champion of the world?
1964
Sonny Liston had been the champion since 1962, but on February 25, 1964, Cassius Clay decimated him, with Liston forced to throw in the towel after six rounds. Clay had opened cuts on Liston's face, and a shoulder injury further complicated matters.
The Olympics that year were meant to showcase Nazi talent, but Jesse Owens was having none of it! In which year did he show up Hitler at the Olympic games?
1944
1940
1932
1936
Oh and how he did it! Jessie owns won four golds in front of Adolf Hitler and broke three world and one Olympic records. Owens won gold in the 100m, 200m, Long Jump and 4x100m relay.
Do you know which year Hitler's boxing champion, Max Schmeling, was obliterated by Joe Louis in just over 120 seconds?
1940
1944
1931
1938
In a massive blow to Hitler's supposed Aryan superiority, Joe Louis obliterated the German Max Schmeling on June 22, 1938. In that time, he put the German on the canvas three times.
At which Olympics did the "Dream Team"—perhaps the greatest basketball team ever—dominate?
2000
2004
2008
1992
A team filled with NBA superstars including the like of Magic Johnson, the "Dream Team" dominated basketball at the 1992 Olympics. In fact, they beat each of their opponents by more than 30 points.
Commonly called "The Greatest Game Ever Played," in which year did the NFL championship game between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants happen?
1966
1958
The matchup between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants saw the Colts run out winners in sudden death and was the first NFL championship game to go into overtime.
In what year did Arthur Ashe become the first black man to win the U.S. Open?
1965
1968
In 1968, Arthur Ashe wrote his name into tennis history by becoming the first player of color to win the U.S. Open, as well as the first to win a open-era tournament.
Diego Maradona is without a doubt one of the greatest ever footballers. In what year did he score a goal against England in what became known as the "Hand of God" incident?
1994
1986
Diego Maradona was at the peak of his powers during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Representing Argentina, he managed to score a goal using his hand while trying to head a ball into the net against England. The English players protested, but the goal stood. A few minute later, Maradona sealed the match with a goal which he dribbled past a number of English players to slot home.
It was meant to be a routine title defense, but Buster Douglas had other ideas. In what year did he hand Mike Tyson his first ever professional defeat?
1982
1990
Buster Douglas was a 47-1 outside the the heavyweight title fight against Mike Tyson on February 11, 1990. But he dominated Tyson, before sending him to the canvas. Douglas lost the title the next year to Evander Holyfield.
It was the moment long remembered after the Olympic Games had finished. In which year did Muhammad Ali, ravaged by Parkinson's Disease, show his legendary fight to light the Olympic flame?
1996
Many remember that iconic moment when Muhammad Ali, a hero to millions but now ravaged by Parkinson's, lit the Olympic flame at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Ali was also given a medal to replace the one he won in 1960 but tossed into a river due to the the frustration that he was ordered out of a restaurant which served white people only.
At which Soccer World Cup did Pele announce himself to the world?
1938
1974
1968
1958
Though he was only a teenager, the soccer world soon knew who Pele was thanks to his exploits at the 1958 Soccer World Cup. At just 17 years old, Pele helped Brazil to win the tournament by scoring six goals.
In which year did the first ever Rugby World Cup take place?
2007
1991
1987
Although rugby internationals had been played since the early 1900s, the first Rugby World Cup only arrived in 1987. It was won by New Zealand, although possibly the strongest rugby nation at the time, South Africa, was in international isolation due to apartheid.
In what year did Carli Lloyd write herself into soccer history by scoring a hat-trick in a World Cup final?
2010
2015
Incredibly, Carli Lloyd achieved her amazing feat in the first 16 minutes of the game with her hat-trick goal an incredible long-range effort from almost the half-way line. The U.S. went on to win 5-2 and claim the World Cup.
In which year did the first Cricket World Cup take place?
2000
1975
Cricket as a sport had been played internationally since the late 1800s. The first Wold Cup for the sport only took place in 1975, however. It was won by the West Indies, who defeated Australia in the final.
Can you tell us in what year John McEnroe ended Bjorn Borg's five-year title run at Wimbledon?
1981
After losing to Bjorn Borg in the 1980s, John McEnroe finally got one over his great rival, winning the 1981 Wimbledon final in four sets: 4–6, 7–6 (7–1), 7–6 (7–4), 6–4.
Jack Nicklaus won his final Major at the age of 46. What year did he achieve the feat?
1980
1972
1992
1986
Jack Nicklaus is perhaps the greatest golfer ever; if measured by Majors, then he surely is. Nicklaus' last Major came at the age of 46 at the U.S. Master, taking his overall tally to 18.
It took an "iron man" to break Lou Gehrig's record of most 2,160 consecutive baseball games, but Cal Ripken Jr. did it in what year?
2001
1999
1995
Cal Ripken Jr. spent his 20-year baseball career only playing for the Baltimore Orioles between 1991 and 2001. His record of consecutive games was set at 2,632, an amount that will probably never be broken. Ripken Jr. also received pretty much every accolade in baseball.
In what year did Babe Ruth's famous "called shot" happen?
1932
In the fifth inning of the third game of the 1932 World Series, Babe Ruth pointed to the stands beyond center field. The very next ball, he sent the ball sailing into the bleachers in that region, and the legend of the Ruth "called shot" was born!
An example of the underdogs defeating the giants played itself out when the U.S. beat the U.S.S.R in what year at the Olympics?
1980
One of the greatest upsets in any sport ever, the United States ice hockey team beat the Soviet juggernaut 4-3 at the 1980 Olympics. Just a few weeks before, the Soviets had beaten the United States 10-3, making the result even more remarkable. The United States went on to win gold.
In what year did Nelson Mandela inspire the South African rugby side to World Cup glory?
1991
1987
1995
As told by the Hollywood movie "Invictus," Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected leader of South Africa, used sport to help reconcile the nation. He was on hand to inspire the South African rugby side to victory over their more fancied rivals, New Zealand, in 1995.
Don Bradman, the greatest cricket player of all-time, just needed 4 runs in his final innings to end his career with an average of 100. He was bowled out for 0. In what year did this take place?
1988
1952
1948
Australia's Don Bradman is the greatest cricket player of all time, of that there is no doubt. And he would have finished his career with a batting average of 100 if he could score 4 runs in his final innings. It seemed a foregone conclusion, but England's Eric Hollies had other ideas, and he bowled Bradman for a duck.
Do you know in which year France celebrated their first Soccer World Cup win?
1998
Perhaps it was written in the stars that France would win the first World Cup held in the country. A golden generation of footballers saw them to victory over Brazil, certainly their more fancied rivals.
There is no denying that Usain Bolt is the greatest sprinter who ever lived. In which year did he truly announce himself to the world at the Olympics?
2012
2008
It was at the 2008 Beijing Olympics that Usain Bolt showed he was the fastest man in the world. Bolt won both the 100m and 200m titles, and in world-record times, making him the first man to ever do so.
Ice hockey fans remember the day on which Wayne Gretzky beat Gordie Howe’s record as NHL all-time leading scorer. Do you?
2001
1999
1989
On October 15, 1989, Wayne Gretzky became the all-time leading NHL scorer with 1,850 points, beating the previous record of Gordie Howe. He ended his career with 2,857 points and 1,963 assists.
In which year did Tiger Woods become the youngest ever Masters champion, certainly one of the greatest golfing moments in the past 25 years?
2001
1994
1997
Not only did he become the youngest Master champion at just 21, he obliterated the field in doing so. Tiger Woods won by an incredible 12 shots. It was only his 15th tournament as a pro!