Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Alan Rock's Trivia

December 19, 1871, was an important day in the history of packaging. Why? A: Corrugated cardboard was patented.

How deep is the great Salt Lake? A: Only 13 feet deep.

Your poinsettieas always turn yellow before Christmas. What should you do? A: Poinsettias thrive near natural or incandescent light, not fluorescent light. Also, keep them warm but away from heat vents or fireplaces (Orange County Register).

What was the highest grossing move ever? A: TItanic (1997) grossed $601 million, more than any other film in dollars not adjusted for inflation. It is followed by Star Wars ($461 million), Star Wars: The Phantom Menace ($431 million), ET ($400 million), and Jurassic Park ($330 million).

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Alan Rock's Trivia

Born on this date in 1963: Actor Brad Pitt. Early in his career he appeared in a long-running TV soap opera. Which one? A: Another World.

What is America's national flower? A: In 1986, Congress voted the Rose as America's national flower. Americans bought more than 1.2 BILLION fresh cut roses last year. That's 4.67 roses for every man, woman, and child nationwide.

The 13th Amendment to the Constitution came to be on December 18, 1865. What did it do? A: It abolished slavery in the United States.

On December 18, 1976, "Wonder Woman" debuted on ABC-TV. Who played Wonder Woman? A: Lynda Carter was Wonder Woman; Lyle Waggoner was Major Steve Trevor. Wonder Woman had appeared in comic books since 1941. She possessed "the beauty of Aphrodite, the wisdom of Athena, the strength of Hercules, the speed of Mercury".

Monday, December 17, 2007

Alan Rock's Trivia

On December 17, 1843, which great Christmas story was published for the first time? A: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Who runs through more red lights - men or women? A: Men. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, Sacramento, two-thirds of the people who run red lights are men; over half of those men have college educations.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Alan Rock's Trivia

Who was the first rock artist to be invited to the White House? A: On December 13, 1974, U.S. President Gerald Ford had lunch at the White House with a famous musician. George Harrison of the Beatles.

On the day before important races, why do many Tour de France cyclists buy thick steaks? A: They stuff the steaks into their pants for seat cushions. Raw steak makes a great bicycle shock absorber.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Alan Rock's Trivia

Q: Which tennis star was born on December 12th 1962? Hint: She was the youngest player to enter Wimbledon)
A: Tracy Austin

Q: Who was the first artist to record for Capital Records?
A: Tex Ritter

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Alan Rock's Trivia

On December 11, 1981, it was a sad day for boxing fans. Muhammed Ali had his last fight. It was his 61st professional bout. Who did he lose to? A: Trevor Berbick

For what film was actress Teri Garr nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar role? A: "Tootsie," in 1982.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Alan Rock's Trivia

Q: What did Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, who died on December 10, 1896, invent?
A: Dynamite! Then he created the Nobel Prize for human achievement, just in case humanity survived all the dynamite. Nobel prizes, often won by middle-aged scientists or politicians, were first awarded on December 10, 1901. So, needless to say, a swimsuit category would be a bad idea.

Q: Who was the first African-American to win the Nobel Peace Prize?
A: United States diplomat Ralph Joseph Bunche received the Nobel Peace Prize for his peace mediation during the first Arab-Israeli war on December 10, 1950.

Q: From what do more U.S. airline passengers die in flight?
A: Heart attacks (research reported by Reuters).

Friday, December 07, 2007

Alan Rock's Trivia

Q: Who was the first European to recieve a christmas gift in the new world?
A: Christopher Columbus. When he landed at Haiti on St. Nicholas Day, December 6th 1492, the island chief offered gifts and a feast of shrimp and bread.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Alan Rock's Trivia

December 6, 1947 was a big day for nature lovers in Florida. Why? A: Everglades National Park was dedicated.

December 6, 1923, a presidential address was broadcast on the radio for the first time to a joint session of Congress. Who was the president? A: President Calvin Coolidge.

On December 6, 1973, Gerald Ford was sworn in as Vice President, succeeding Spiro Agnew. What was his position before being the Veep? A: House minority leader.

What husband and wife team recorded "Love Will Keep Us Together" in 1975? A: The Captain and Tennille.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Alan Rock's Trivia Teasers

Q: Born on December 5, 1932: Richard Penniman. The world knows him better as...?

A: Little Richard.

Q: What is America's first scholastic fraternity? It was founded at William and Mary College. December 5, 1776/

A: Phi Beta Kappa, Fraternity brothers are very close. In fact two guys in my fraternity were so close they never separated. And that's the last time we could use Super Glue during Hazing Week.

Q: On December 5, 1992, The Denver Post quoted a Department of Energy memo showing that a vital safety system at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant required how many workers to change a light bulb?

A: 43.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Alan Rock's Trivia

On December 4, 1998, the remake of Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller "Psycho" opened in U.S. theaters. Can you name the two stars in the remake? A: Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche

Who was the first American president to visit abroad? A: Woodrow Wilson sailed for France on December 4, 1918, becoming the first American president to visit abroad - except for the time George Washington sneaked into Dolly Madison's house

What is the nutritional value of coffee? A: Coffee has absolutely no nutritional value

Monday, December 03, 2007

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions

Q: On December 3rd 1967 Dr. Christian Barnard of South Africa made history. How?
A: The first sucessful heart transplant.

Q: On December 3rd 1947 The Tennessee Williams play, "A Streetcar Named Desire", opened on broadway starring Jessica Tandy as Blanche, and who as Stanley?
A: Marlon Brando.

Q: On December 3rd 1833 what college opened with an enrolment of 29 men and 15 women, the nation's first truly co-education college?
A: Oberlin College in Ohio.