- The prompt asked which “government official” wrote a letter dated 1867
- Only two of the three participants gave the correct answer
- But the third, Leann Craumer, took a wild guess and penned “Napoleon.”
A danger! The contestant missed the target of the historical trifles required for the answer to “Final Jeopardy” in yesterday’s episode.
In the final moments of the quiz show, the three contestants were asked to name the “government official” referred to in the prompt: “In 1867 he wrote to General Rousseau: “Upon your arrival in Sitka…the Russian commissioner will give you the formal Write.” transfer.”‘
Two of the participants quickly guessed the correct answer, but the third, Leann Craumer, a librarian from Baltimore, Maryland, was left with her guess “Napoleon.”
“I’m afraid not, Leann,” responded host Ken Jennings, 49. So do you know the correct answer?
Last night’s Final Jeopardy question stunned one of the contestants. Reigning champion Daniel Moore (left) and challenger Jerry Powers (center) had the right answer – while Leann Craumer (right) missed the target
This is actually William H. Seward, Secretary of State in the administrations of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.
Seward held this distinguished position from 1861 to 1869, beginning his tenure at the exact beginning of the American Civil War.
After the war ended in 1865, Seward was instrumental in the Alaska Purchase.
As part of the deal, the US acquired the since-designated state of Alaska from Russia.
The purchase was made in 1867, with the excerpt from Seward’s 1867 letter included in the Final Jeopardy question confirming this.
Reigning champion of the moment Daniel Moore and his challenger Jerry Powers both had the right answer.
Daniel from Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) had wagered $5,000, or $14,800, which was enough to secure first place for the second straight year.
But far from focusing on Daniel’s success, viewers of the show quickly took their cues from Leann – whose wrong answer, “Napoleon,” they mercilessly mocked online.
Many fans noted that the notoriously short French general died in 1821 – almost half a century before the letter cited in the Final Jeopardy request was written.
French General Napoleon died in 1821 – almost half a century before the date of the letter included in the Final Jeopardy issue. William H. Seward served as Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Contestant Leann Craumer had apparently guessed Napoleon as Hail Mary – and didn’t seem shocked when told she had misunderstood. Social media users quickly poked fun at Final Jeopardy’s wrong answer
Leann, who had bet $602 and seemed perplexed and had replied “Napoleon” as Hail Mary, smiled understandingly and modestly shrugged when told she was wrong.
Social media users were less forgiving of the goof.
“She said Napoleon????” wrote one horrified fan.
“Government official Napoleon?” another scoffed.
On YouTube, the commentators were no less harsh.
“The final was sooooo easy,” lamented according to The Sun reporting.
Another admitted to having “no idea”.