University of Oregon

Players

Rules
 
End
Game
Select a fact to play from the three categories below.
Date Options
Hide Dates

Game Rules

Objective

The purpose of the game is to assist with the memorization of historical facts and events based on the year that they occurred.

Basic Play

  • Select a category — select from the three categories of facts:
    • Accessions — 10 points
    • Battles — 5 points
    • Minor events — 1 point
  • Select a fact — choose a fact that you know or can guess. You only need to know the year it took place.
  • Drag your pin — drag your colored pin to the board and place it in the correct year box (e.g. 37 for The Accession of Queen Victoria (1837). If you would like to select another fact, click “Choose Another” before you drop your pin on the board.
  • Possible Dates — use the dates listed to help choose a correct year. Each date corresponds to a fact in the category lists.
  • Your Score — a message will tell you whether or not you placed your pin on the correct date and how many points you have earned. Scores are tallied and displayed in the screen’s upper left.
  • End the Game — the Memory Builder game ends when all facts have been answered correctly or the players click the “End Game” button.

Game Set-up

Players

Up to 4 players can play Twain’s Memory Builder Game. The active player is highlighted on the top of the board.

The Board

The numbered boxes on the Memory Builder board can represent any and all centuries.
For example, players would place a pin in the 12 box for:

  • Battle of Gallipoli — 1312
  • Lord Byron’s first speech in House of Lords — 1812

The Pins

Players place a pin on the board to indicate the year a fact/event took place. Each player has their own pin color which appears in the right side of the box when it is their turn.

Facts

Players can choose from three categories of facts:

  • Work — worth 10 points
  • Life — worth 5 points
  • Context — worth 1 point

Choose Another button

This allows a player to choose another fact before placing their pin on the board.

Possible Dates

The dates listed correspond to the facts. Players may use this list to narrow down the correct year for the fact they have selected.

Start the game!


Select number of players.


  1. Twain's Original Rules

    Welcome! This version of the game works according to Twain's original rules, summarized here. To read Twain's rules, click the Rules button at the upper left. Do you know your history well enough to play?

    If you're playing alone, think up a fact to test yourself.

  2. Say a Fact Aloud

    Think of a fact and state it to your fellow players.

    If you're playing alone, think up a fact to test yourself.

  3. Drop the Pin

    Drag and drop the pin on the correct year on the gameboard.

    Drop the pin in the correct row:

    Example: for the year 1721 or 1821, place the pin in the 21 box.

  4. Check the Fact

    Have an opponent check the fact and indicate if it is correct or incorrect.

  5. Scoring

    The score is counted automatically.

  1. World History Game

    This version of the game uses the names and dates from the original pamphlet "Facts for Mark Twain's Memory Builder" and others from contemporary sources. How would you have fared in a history class in 1892?

  2. Select a Category

    Select from three categories:

    Accessions — Battles — Minor Events

  3. Select a Fact

    Select an available fact.

  4. Drop the Pin

    Drag and drop the pin on the correct year on the gameboard.

    Example: for the year 1721 or 1821, place the pin in the 21 box.

    If you wish to choose a different event, click Choose Another just below the event.

  5. Date Hints

    To make game play a little easier, a list of dates for the events listed above is displayed at bottom.

    Use the Hide button to increase the challenge.

  6. Scoring

    A message appears indicating whether the answer is correct and the points you've earned.

    The score is tallied above.

  1. Twain Facts Game

    This version of the game uses names and dates from Twain's life and times. How much do you know about the life and times of Samuel L. Clemens?

  2. Select a Category

    Select from three categories:

    Context — Work — Life

  3. Select a Fact

    Select an available fact.

  4. Drop the Pin

    Drag and drop the pin on the correct year on the gameboard.

    Example: for the year 1721 or 1821, place the pin in the 21 box.

    If you wish to choose a different event, click Choose Another just below the event.

  5. Date Hints

    To make game play a little easier, a list of dates for the events listed above is displayed at bottom.

    Use the Hide button to increase the challenge.

  6. Scoring

    A message appears indicating whether the answer is correct and the points you've earned.

    The score is tallied above.