The Final Question That Ended Ken Jennings' Streak
Ken Jennings lost on the final question of his 74-game winning streak on November 30, 2004. The category was U.S. Cities, and the clue referenced a 19th-century railroad term for a terminal station where cars are transferred. The correct response was "What is a through station?" Ken Jennings incorrectly responded with "What is a terminal?" The Jeopardy! official site confirms this as the decisive moment that ended his unprecedented run.
Jennings' loss came during the Final Jeopardy! round, where all three contestants had to wager a portion of their earnings. His incorrect response cost him the lead, handing the victory to challenger Nancy Zerg. The question is widely cited as the specific query that ended the longest winning streak in the show's history.
Details of the Losing Answer and Category
U.S. Cities Category Breakdown
The category for the final clue was U.S. Cities, a standard topic in the Jeopardy! question rotation. The specific clue described a railroad station where trains can pass through without stopping, a concept critical to 19th-century rail expansion. Ken Jennings' incorrect answer "terminal" was a close but technically wrong response, as a terminal station is the opposite of a through station where trains end their route.
The incorrect answer is preserved in the show's official archives and is frequently referenced in analyses of the episode. The precise wording of the clue and the required response format are documented by the show's producers as the exact point of failure for the champion.
Context and Aftermath of the Loss
Impact on Ken Jennings' Record
The loss to Nancy Zerg stopped Jennings from extending his record beyond 74 wins and $2,520,700 in total earnings. The specific question is the sole reason his streak ended at that number, as he held the lead going into Final Jeopardy! Britannica notes this loss as a pivotal moment in game show history, cementing the record that still stands as a benchmark for contestant performance.
Jennings later returned to the show for the Ultimate Tournament of Champions and the Greatest of All Time tournament, but the loss on that specific U.S. Cities question remains the definitive end of his original run. The episode is a case study in how a single response in Final Jeopardy! can alter the outcome of a game and a historic streak.