Famous Escapes
1 / 15Daring prison breaks and escapes in history
15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓
In 1962, Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers attempted a famous escape from which prison?
About Famous Escapes
Give your memory a workout with Famous Escapes: 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 6 medium, 5 easy, 4 hard questions, free to play right in your browser. Daring prison breaks and escapes in history Expect to spend about 7 minutes; every question comes with an explanation, so you learn something even when you miss.
A few sample questions
1. In 1962, Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers attempted a famous escape from which prison?
Answer: Alcatraz
In June 1962, Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin escaped from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary using a raft made from raincoats. Their fate remains unknown to this day.
2. Which famous World War II escape involved Allied prisoners tunneling out of a German POW camp?
Answer: The Great Escape
The Great Escape from Stalag Luft III in March 1944 saw 76 Allied airmen escape through tunnels nicknamed Tom, Dick, and Harry. Sadly, 73 were recaptured and 50 were executed by the Gestapo.
3. Giacomo Casanova is famous for escaping from which prison in 1756?
Answer: The Leads (Piombi) in Venice
Casanova escaped from the Leads (I Piombi), the notorious lead-roofed prison in the Doge's Palace in Venice, in 1756. He broke through the ceiling and crossed the palace roof to freedom.
4. Which fictional character is famous for escaping from the Château d'If?
Answer: Edmond Dantès
Edmond Dantès, the protagonist of Alexandre Dumas' 'The Count of Monte Cristo' (1844), escapes from the island prison of Château d'If after 14 years of imprisonment.
5. Harry Houdini was famous for escaping from what?
Answer: Handcuffs, straitjackets, and underwater containers
Harry Houdini (1874-1926) was legendary for escaping from handcuffs, straitjackets, locked containers, and even being submerged underwater in sealed boxes. He became the world's most famous escape artist.
Things you'll learn along the way
- In 1979, the Strelzyk and Wetzel families famously escaped East Germany to West Germany in a homemade hot air balloon, flying at altitudes up to 8,000 feet across the border.
- The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, was a pivotal event of the French Revolution. The fortress-prison symbolized royal tyranny, and its fall became France's national day.
- Henri Charrière, nicknamed Papillon (Butterfly), claimed to have escaped from Devil's Island in French Guiana. His 1969 autobiography 'Papillon' became a bestseller and was adapted into a famous film.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Famous Escapes take?
Most players finish Famous Escapes in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
What's a good follow-up after Famous Escapes?
If you enjoyed this general knowledge quiz, try the Daily Challenge — five rotating questions, refreshed every 24 hours, that count toward your streak. You can also use the Surprise Me button on the homepage to land on a different game type for variety.
Can I print Famous Escapes?
Yes — use the Print button at the top of the page for a clean question sheet, or "Print with Answers" to make an answer key. Printed sheets work well for group play at home, in a classroom, or at a senior center.
Will I lose my progress if I close the page?
Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, Famous Escapes fits comfortably in one sitting.
Explore related topics
More General Knowledge
Famous Battles
Test your knowledge of history's most significant battles!
Famous Codes & Ciphers
Code-breaking and cryptography in history
Famous Duos & Partners
How well do you know history's most famous pairs and partnerships?
Famous Explorers
Test your knowledge of history's greatest explorers!
Famous First Flights
Milestones in aviation history
Try Memory Games
Famous Bands Recall
How well do you remember the greatest bands in music history?
Try Memory Games
Famous Comedians Recall
How well do you remember the greatest comedians in entertainment history?
From our guides
Daily Brain Training for Older Adults
Build a simple daily routine that keeps your mind active.