Question 1: What colorful flower grows in these fields?
- Tulips
- Lilies
- Daffodils
Answer: Tulips
Fact: Tulips, originally native to Central Asia, became closely linked to the Netherlands after triggering ‘tulip mania’ in the 17th century—one of the earliest documented economic bubbles. Today, they remain a vital part of Dutch culture, with expansive fields blossoming each spring and numerous festivals held in their honor.
Question 2: Which country gifted tulips to Canada as a symbol of friendship after World War II?
- Germany
- France
- Netherlands
Answer: Netherlands
Fact: Following World War II, the Netherlands expressed its gratitude to Canada for helping liberate the country from Nazi occupation and for sheltering the Dutch royal family during the war by sending tulip bulbs as a gift. In 1945, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canada, initiating a tradition that continued in subsequent years. This gesture inspired the creation of the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, which each spring celebrates the lasting friendship between the two nations and features thousands of blooming tulips.
Question 3: What was the name of the economic bubble in the 1600s when tulips became extremely valuable?
- Tulip mania
- Flower fever
- Dutch gold rush
Answer: Tulip mania
Fact: Tulip mania turned the flower into a symbol of status, prompting people to invest heavily in tulip bulbs with the belief that their prices would continue to rise. At the height of the frenzy, certain bulbs were valued as highly as a house. But in 1637, the market abruptly crashed, bankrupting many investors. Tulip mania is still regarded as one of the most iconic financial bubbles in history.