Days and Years Questions and Answers

Answer: C

International Yoga Day is observed on 21 June.

The UN adopted the resolution in December 2014, on India's proposal and with 175 co-sponsors, the largest number for any General Assembly resolution. The date is the summer solstice, the longest day in the northern hemisphere.

Answer: B

8 May is World Red Cross Day, the birthday of Henry Dunant.

Dunant witnessed the aftermath of the battle of Solferino in 1859, founded the Red Cross in 1863 and was the first Nobel Peace laureate in 1901. World Telecommunication Day is 17 May.

Answer: C

Hong Kong was transferred to China on 1 July 1997.

The New Territories lease of 1898 was for 99 years, and Britain returned the whole colony at its expiry under the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984, on the basis of 'one country, two systems' for fifty years.

Answer: A

The UN declared 2006 the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.

It drew attention to the degradation of drylands, which cover about 40 per cent of the land surface and support over two billion people. 2004 had been the International Year of Rice.

Answer: B

United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October.

The Charter came into force on that date in 1945, when the required ratifications had been deposited. The day has been observed since 1948.

Answer: A

1 January is observed as Global Family Day, a day of peace and sharing.

It grew out of the UN's International Year for the Culture of Peace in 2000, and asks people to begin the year by extending the idea of family beyond their own household.

Answer: B

National Girl Child Day is observed in India on 24 January.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development began it in 2008, to raise awareness of the inequalities girls face and of the falling child sex ratio.

Answer: D

The UN adopted the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States in 1974.

It was part of the developing countries' push for a New International Economic Order, asserting each state's sovereignty over its natural resources and its right to regulate foreign investment.

Answer: C

1995 was the golden jubilee year of the United Nations.

The Charter was signed at San Francisco on 26 June 1945 and came into force on 24 October, so 1995 marked fifty years of the organisation.

Answer: B

Commonwealth Day is observed on the second Monday of March.

It replaced Empire Day, which had been kept on 24 May, Queen Victoria's birthday. The present date was adopted in 1977, and each year has a common theme observed across the member countries.