Friday, March 31, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On March 31, 1932, Ford unveiled its Model "A" Car. This car had something new. What?
A: The first V8 engine.

Q: What is the shortest complete sentence in the English language?
A: "I am."

Q: The U.S. bought the Virgin Islands for $25 million on this day in 1917. Some said it was too much money, but most congressmen felt the Virgin Islands sounded like a great place for fact-finding trips. Who did we buy them from?
A: Denmark.

Q: Forty albums ago in 1962, Herb Alpert took a $200 demo, dubbed bullfight crowd noises over it, renamed it "The Lonely Bull," and released his first gold record. What was the song's original title: (a) "Twinkle Star," (b) "Bull of the Woods," or (c) "You and the Moonlight"?
A: "Twinkle Star." By the way, Herb is 71 years old today.

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions, March 30, 2006

Q: On March 30, 1981, U.S. President Ronald Reagan was wounded by a would-be assisin in Washington. Do you know the name of the convicted gunman?
A: John W. Hinkley, Jr.

Q: On March 30, 1867, the United States made a huge land deal. What was it?
A: We purchased Alaska from Russia for two cents an acre. Russia promised a refund if the U.S. found any two snowflakes in Alaska that were alike. The total price was $7.2 million. Today, you couldn't get a good shortstop for that.

Q: On March 30, 1842, anesthetic was used during surgery for the first time. Before that, what did they use?
A: They used whiskey. The doctor kept drinking until the patient's screaming didn't bother him any more.

Q: On this day in 1858, Hymon Lipman of Philadelphia patented something everyone listening has used. What was it?
A: The first pencil equipped with an eraser. He made a fortune. In those days, not that many people could write, but almost everybody could erase. Today's intriguing question: Before pencils had erasers, what do you suppose kids chewed on?

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On March 29, 1886, John S. Pemberton brewed the first batch of something over a wood fire in his back yard. What?
A: Coca-Cola.

Q: The word "tip" -- meaning a gratuity -- was originally an acronym standing for what?
A: To Insure Promptness.

Q: On March 29, 1962, Jack Paar left the "Tonight Show" and an audience of 8 million. Fill-in hosts substituted until one of them, Johnny Carson, got the job. Paar had hosted the show for five years. Who was the original host of the "Tonight Show"?
A: Steve Allen.

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions for March 28, 2006

Q: March 28, 1979 was almost a very, very, VERY hot day in Pennsylvania. Why?
A: The worst nuclear accident on American soil -- the near meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. The bad news is that the area is still unsafe. The good news is, at night they still don't have to turn on the street lights.

Q: Nathaniel Briggs received a patent on March 28, 1797 for something almost all of us use today. What is it?
A: The washing machine. And you'd think by now someone would have found a good use for lint.

Q: On March 28, 1986, more than 6,000 radio stations of all formats played a certain song simultaneously at 10:15 a.m. EST. What was the song?
A: "We Are the World."

Monday, March 27, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On this date in 1920, swashbuckling hero Douglas Fairbanks joined America's sweetheart in Hollywood's most famous marriage. What was her name?
A: Mary Pickford. Fairbanks admitted he owed everything to Mary, especially his swashbuckling. It was Mary who kept unbuckling his swash.

Q: The physicist Wilhelm Roentgen was born March 27, 1845. What did he discover?
A: The x-ray. It was a major breakthrough in medicine. Before the x-ray, the only way doctors could see inside a patient's body was to hold him up to the light.

Q: In 1952 the film "Singing in the Rain" premiered at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Other than Gene Kelly, can you name the stars?
A: Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor and Jean Hagen.

Friday, March 24, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: March 24, 1958 was a memorable day for the United States military. Why?
A: Elvis Presley, at age 23, was inducted into the U.S. Army in Memphis. The next day at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, barber James Peterson sheared off the King's famous ducktails as Elvis groaned, "Hair today, gone tomorrow."

Q: On this date in 1883, the first long-distance telephone service was inaugurated. The question is, between which two cities?
A: Between New York and Chicago. That night, Floyd's Fly-By-Night Frequent Phone Friends called and tried to get everybody to switch.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On this date in 1998, which movie won eleven Oscars?
A: Titanic.

Q: Speaking about movies, did you know that on March 23, 1984, the first "Police Academy" movie opened in U.S. theaters? How many sequels were there?
A: There were FIVE sequels, proving you can't have too much of a bad thing, either.

Q: Schuyler Colfax was born March 23, 1823. Who was he?
A: Schuyler was the 17th vice president of the United States, which explains why you probably never heard of him.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On March 22, 1903, something very unusual happened at Niagara Falls. What?
A: Niagara Falls ran dry due to a drought and an ice log jam. Fortunately, 99% of the couples honeymooning there didn't even notice.

Q: Which is more poisonous: (a) a wasp, (b) a bee, or (c) a fire ant?
A: A fire ant. Frequently, reactions to the venom can be severe.

Q: What did Congress outlaw on March 22, 1882?
A: Polygamy. Hey, that's personal! What a husband and his 37 wives do in the privacy of their own home is nobody's business. What ever happened to choice in this country?

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On March 21, 1935, Iran became a country. What was it formerly called?
A: Persia. What happened was -- they won a "Change Your Country's Name to Almost the Same as the Country Next Door But Not Quite" contest.

Q: When did the state of Mississippi ratify the 13th Amendement to the U.S. Constitution abolishing slavery?
A: March 21, 1995.

Q: Does Rosie O'Donnell have a large collection of (a) Precious Moments figurines, (b) Hummel figurines, or (c) McDonald's Happy Meal figurines?
A: McDonald's Happy Meal figurines.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: John Lennon and Yoko Ono were married on this date in 1969. Where?
A: Gibraltar.

Q: The 1985 Walt Disney movie "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," starring Richard Dreyfuss, Bette Midler, and Nick Nolte, was a milestone for the company. How so?
A: It was Disney's first R-rated film.

Q: Eighty-two percent of American adults drink this at least once a week? What?
A: Coffee.

Friday, March 17, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: In which year did the first St. Patrick's Day Parade take place in New York City?
A: 1763.

Q: Was Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, born there?
A: No. Patrick was born Patricius to a relatively wealthy Roman family at Kilpatrick in Scotland, circa 385-387. While in his teens, Patrick was kidnapped in a raid and transported to Ireland, where he was enslaved to a local warlord and worked as a shepherd until he escaped six years later. He then travelled to France where he spent 20 years as a monk in Marmoutier Abbey. The Church sent Bishop Patrick, then in his mid-40s, back to Ireland where the High King -- King Laoghaire, the most powerful man in the land -- gave Patrick the freedom to spread Christianity throughout Ireland. And so it was that a young Briton named Patricius died an Irishman named Patrick on March 17, 461.

Q: Who starred in the first western movie?
A: Buffalo Bill Cody. Thomas Edison operated the camera.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: Today is the birthday of the shortest U.S. president. Who was he, and how tall?
A: James Madison, born on this day in 1809. At only 5-4, he was not only the shortest president, but the first to wear long pants. Actually, he wore knee breeches just like his predecessors, but Madison's knee breeches came to his ankles.

Q: When she set sail to meet Mark Antony, what was unique about Cleopatra's ship?
A: The sails were sprinkled with perfume.

Q: According to research at the University of California -- did restaurants in 15 cities that banned smoking (a) lose money, (b) make more money, or (c) experience no change in sales receipts?
A: No change.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On March 15, 1968, Life Magazine described him as "the most spectacular guitarist in the world." Who?
A: Jimi Hendrix.

Q: Which major-league team had two players who hit more than 50 home-runs in the same season?
A: The Yankees in 1961 when Roger Maris hit 61 homers and Mickey Mantle hit 54. They beat Cincinnati in the World Series.

Q: Which one of our past Presidents was born on March 15th?
A: Andrew Jackson was born on this date in 1767. He was the U.S. president who spent most of his time gambling and dueling, so he was re-elected. That was back in the good old days, when a lack of character was important.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: March 14, 1968 was a sad day for BAM! POW!! SPLAT! and ZONK!!! Why?
A: The final original episode of "Batman" aired on TV.

Q: What is the only bird that can fly backwards?
A: The hummingbird.

Q: The trendy 1940s quote "You betchum, Red Ryder!" was said by whom?
A: Little Beaver (actor Robert Blake).

Q: Les Brown was born in Reinerton, Pennsylvania on March 14, 1912. His Band of Renown was a top draw in the 1940's and '50s. Their biggest hit was "Sentimental Journey." Who was the featured singer?
A: Doris Day.

Monday, March 13, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On this date in 1991, the Exxon Corporation agreed to do something. They still haven't done it. What?

A: Exxon agreed to pay a billion dollars in damages for the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska.

Q: Joseph Priestly, born March 13, 1733, discovered something. What was it?

A: He's the guy who discovered oxygen. Before he did that, breathing was really -- I mean REALLY -- hard!

Q: Does the name Dr. V.M. Slipher mean anything to you? He discovered something. What was it?

A: He discovered Pluto on this date in 1930. Pluto is the ninth planet in our solar system, and is only one-tenth as large as Earth. It's 4-billion miles away, has no atmosphere, and apparently serves no purpose whatsoever. Personally, I'm glad I didn't discover it.

Q: What company owns Kool-Aid?

A: Phillip Morris. They also own Cheez Whiz, Jell-O, Miller Beer, Marlboro, Oscar Mayer, Post Cereals, Velveeta, Tombstone Pizza, and Maxwell House.

Friday, March 10, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On March 10, 1941 professional baseball players started wearing what piece of equipment for the first time?

A: Batting helmets. Some professional disc jockeys wear helmets, especially if they fall off the studio chair a lot.

Q: What Army arrived in the United States on March 10, 1880?

A: The Salvation Army. One small step for poor, hungry, downtrodden people; one giant leap for tambourines.

Q: Big, bright orange bulls-eyes were erected on this date in 1995 throughout the New York City subway system. What were they for?

A: To spit at. They're gum targets, lessening the amount of chewing gum commuters step on at subway stations.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: The first human to go into space was born on this date in 1934. Do you know his name?

A: Yuri Gagarin -- Russian cosmonaut.

Q: In 1969 CBS-TV cancelled "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," indicating that though the show's irreverent comedy had high ratings, it was more trouble than it was worth. What show replaced it?

A: "Hee Haw."

Q: You are an eriff. Huh? What and how old?

A: You are a 2-year-old canary.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On March 8, 1894, what state was the first to issue dog licenses?

A: New York. My one dog doesn't have his license yet. He keeps failing the written part of the test. My older dog once had his license suspended. He couldn't bark for 30 days. Did you know that the license tags are made by inmates at the dog pound?

Q: On March 8, 1985, John McPherson of Newcastle, England set a world record by doing what?

A: He kissed 4,444 women in eight hours. There was a controversy -- some of the women said John only kissed them with one lip. He wanted to kiss 5,000, but was just too pooped to pucker after 4,444.

Q: What animal can go without water longer than a camel?

A: A rat.

Monday, March 06, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On this date in 1836 the Battle of the Alamo ended. Can you name the two most famous Americans who were killed by the Mexican army that day?

A: Davey Crockett and Jim Bowie.

Q: On March 6, 2002 Edmar Freitas of Brazil set a world record for the most sit-ups done in 24 hours. How many did he do?

A: 111,000. He averaged 77 sit-ups per minute. If an asteroid is ever on a collision course with Earth, we can use this guy's stomach muscles to bounce it back into space.

Q: In studies reported in the Johns Hopkins Health Insider, how much of the ground beef sold at supermarkets was contaminated with salmonella or other bacteria?

A: 66%. Cooking until the juices run clear destroys the bacteria.

Friday, March 03, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On March 3, 1845 something special happened regarding Florida. What was it?

A: Florida became the 27th territory to join the United States, thus guaranteeing every American's minimum daily requirement of orange juice and alligator boots. Folks who live in Florida have a reputation for being weird, wacky, ridiculous, unbalanced, and demented. Wait, that's unfair! Not everyone who lives in Florida is peculiar.

Q: On this day in 1881, James Garfield became the first U.S. president to do what?

A: Garfield was the first president to live in the White House with his mother. It worked okay for a while -- until Mama Garfield got mad at the President and grounded him for two weeks.

Q: On March 3, 1931 what happened to the song "The Star Spangled Banner"?

A: It became the U.S. national anthem, which saved a lot of time at baseball games. Before that, prior to each game, fans had to stand and sing "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall."

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On March 2, 1927, Babe Ruth became the highest paid baseball player to date when he signed a new contract with the New York Yankees. How much per year was his contract worth?

A: $70 thousand.

Q: Who was the only person ever elected governor of two states?

A: Sam Houston, who was born in Virginia on this date in 1793. Though elected governor of both Tennessee and Texas, Sam Houston did not serve a full term in either state. That's the way it is in politics -- you stay so busy running for office, you never have time to serve.

Q: When did Massachusetts ratify the U.S. Bill of Rights?

A: On March 2, 1939. Yeah, 1939. Most states ratified it in 1789, but Massachusetts waited for 150 years to let the controversy die down. Next thing you know, they'll abolish the requirement for lawmakers to wear powdered wigs.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On March 1, 1912, Albert Berry of Missouri went up in an airplane and made the first what?

A: The first parachute jump from an airplane. Albert said that everything worked just fine -- the parachute -- the rip cord -- gravity. Well, it wasn't totally successful -- his luggage jumped over Kansas City.

Q: If the newest technology catches on, what color will car headlights be?

A: Blue. The new high-intensity discharge lights are twice as bright as ordinary lights, use less power, and can last for 100,000 miles.

Q: The radio voice of the Lone Ranger died on this day in 1965. Who did the most famous radio voice of the Lone Ranger belong to?

A: Brace Beemer was the radio voice of the Lone Ranger for 13 years, from 1941 to 1954. The radio voice of Tonto was John Todd, and the voice of Silver was Mr. Ed.