Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  This was the first Civil Rights activist event in which Dr. King took part.

2)  How old was Dr. King when he was assassinated?

3)  What year was he killed?

4)  Where was Dr. King born?

Answers:

1)  The Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott.

2)  39

3)  1968

4)  Atlanta

Alan Rock's Trivia

Questions:

1)  Born Ruth Lee Jones, this singer was equally at ease in jazz, soul and pop idioms. She performed with such jazz greats as Clifford Brown, Cannonball Adderley and Wynton Kelly. Her breakthrough crossover hit, "What a Difference a Day Makes" introduced her to the mainstream.  What was her stage name?

2)  Every U.S. president since FDR has had both a memoir and a presidential library dedicated to them. Who was the one exception?

3)  This president once said it would take 50 years to pass before anyone could write about him or his administration with any objectivity.

4)  How many eyes does the Greek mythological creature, the cyclops have?

Answers:

1)  Dinah Washington.

2)  John F. Kennedy has a library but not a memoir.

3)  Nixon

4)  A cyclops is a one-eyed giant.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  What doe s the letter "E" in LED stand for?

2)  What is meant by saying a person who has that certain savoir-faire?

3)  In the phonetic alphabet what is the word for the letter "P"?

4)  When referring to clouds, what does the prefix "cirro" mean?

Answers:

1) emitting

2)  It is intended to indicate that they know what to do in any situation.

3)  papa

4)  high clouds

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  What was the name of the nightclub where Duke Ellington played for years?

2)  On this date in 1920, the 18th Amendment, also known as The Volstead Act, went into effect. It was repealed in 1933. For what was the amendment intended to regulate?

3)  This week France launched a military air strike. What was the target?

4)  When did Sesame Street first air?


Answers:

1) The Cotton Club

2)  The 18th Amendment prohibited (as in Prohibition) the sale of liquor.

3)  Mali

4)  1969

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  How much cereal per capita, do Americans consume on an annual basis?

2)  This is the best-selling cereal of all time.

3)  This building is the world's largest office building.

4)  Trichology is the scientific study of the health of which part of the body?

Answers: 

1)  You could cover every American in 3 pounds of cereal.

2)  Cheerios


3)  The Pentagon. It covers 34 acres and has 17 miles of corridors.

4)  Trichology is the study of hair.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  What was the original title of NBC's The Today Show (or Today)?

2)  This woodwind instrument, popular in both jazz and classical idioms, was invented on this date in 16910 in Nuremberg, Germany.

3)  On this date in 1963, this guest host became the first of a total of 124 guest hosts to fill in for Johnny Carson over the course of his 29 years of hosting The Tonight Show.

4)  On this date in 1914, Henry Ford introduced the assembly line method of manufacturing automobiles. This innovation made it possible for Ford Motor Company to turn out Model Ts at what rate?

Answers:

1)  The Rise and Shine Revue (pictured here: Dave Garroway)









2)  the clarinet



3)  Jimmy Dean was the first to host the show. At the time, Jimmy Dean was known only as a country music singer. It would be years before he began his second career as a purveyor of breakfast sausage.

4) The assembly line meant a new Model T could be manufactured at the rate of one every 90 minutes.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  What did Marvin Middlemark invent for the television?

2)  This post-war era car managed to turn a lot of heads because itlooked pretty much the same coming or going.

3)  Born on this date in either 1755 or 1757 (the birth year is in dispute), he is known as a Founding Father. He also served as the country's first Secretary of the Treasury?

4)  On this date in 1964, this Surgeon General unequivocally stated cigarette smoking was a definite cause of lung disease.

Answers:

1)  Middlemark was responsible for the invention of the dipole antenna, also known as "rabbit ears."

2)  Alexander Hamilton

3)  The 1947-52 Studebaker Starlight coupe was the particular answer we were looking for. The windows, along with other details, make the car’s front and rear ends look so similar that it was often called the “coming or going Studebaker.”

The 1948 Studebaker Starlight Coupe

There have been other cars said to look the same coming or going. One example is the 1958 Zundapp Janus 250.   More recently, a 2009 Auto Show revealed the Renault Nervastella, which achieves the same effect.

The 1958 Janus Zundapp

The Zundapp again - here you can see the seats face opposite directions.

The Renault Nervastella

4)  Luther Terry was the Surgeon General who declared smoking cigarettes was the # 1 cause of lung disease.

Alan Rock's trivia!

Questions:

1)  Who was the pianist who played on "Freddie the Freeloader?"

2)  This city hosts the first major New Year's Eve celebration every year.

3)  On this date in 1946, the first General Assembly of the United Nations convened in this city.

Answers:

1)  Wynton Kelly

2)  Sydney, Australia

3)  London

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  Early thermometers were filled with this substance instead of mercury.

2)  What country introduced French fries?

3)  What is the point value of the letter "H" in Scrabble?

4)  On this date in 1987, actor Arthur Lake died at the age of 81. He was known for one role in a series of 27 movies. He also played that same character in a short-lived television series.

Answers:

1)  Brandy

2)  Belgium

3)  An "H" is worth 4 points.

4)  Lake played the beleaguered sandwich-loving Dagwood Bumstead in the movie and TV incarnations of the Blondie comic strip.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:


1)  How many presidents had served as vice-presidents?

2)  For two years the U.S. had a president and vice-president in charge who, due to extenuating circumstances, had not been elected to office. Who were they?

3)  Elvis Presley was born in this town on this date in 1935.

4)  Until 1804 when this amendment was passed, the office of Vice-President had been given to whoever had the second highest number of votes in a presidential election. The amendment established that the electoral college voted separately for a president and vice-president. Which amendment was it?

Answers:

1)  There were 14 presidents who had been VPs: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Van Buren, John Tyler, Millard Fillmore,Andrew Johnson, Chester A. Arthur, Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush.

2)  Gerald Ford Ford and Nelson Rockefeller. Disgraced VP Spiro Agnew resigned in 1973 and Nixon appointed Gerald Ford to take his place. When the Watergate scandal caused Nixon to resign the following year, Ford assumed the presidency and appointed Nelson Rockefeller as Vice-President.

3)  Tupelo, Mississippi.

4)  The 12th Amendment allowed for the electoral college to vote separately for a president and vice-president. In time, the presidential candidate gained sufficient power that he could select his own running mate.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  On this date in 1789, this election took place. What made it notable?

2)  Melody Ranch debuted on this date in 1940 on CBS Radio. Who was the show's host?

3)  On this date in 1990 this famous public building closed due to safety concerns.

4)  The first commercial bank in the U.S. opened on this date in 1782 - in what city?


Answers:

1)  It was the first presidential election held in the U.S.

2)  Gene Autry hosted. The show followed the success of the 1940 movie of the same name, also starring Autry.

3)  The Leaning Tower of Pisa closed in 1990 to begin a 12 year-long effort to stabilize the tower which had tilted to the point of being unsafe for visitors. The 14,000-ton structure was secured by steel cables during the excavation and cement was injected in the walls to strengthen it. The tower now overhangs by four meters instead of four-and-a-half meters. The engineers predict it should stand for another 400 years (CNN.com).

4)  Philadelphia

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:


1)  This curmudgeon supposedly said, "Anyone who hates children and animals can't be all bad."

2)  This tenor player often played with Kenny Burrell and Jimmy Smith.

3)  In the periodic table, "I" stands for this element.


Answers:

1)  W.C. Fields - Although a very commonly attributed to Fields himself, this is derived from a statement which was actually first said about him by Leo Rosten during a roast at the Masquer's Club in Hollywood in 1939, as Rosten explains in his book, The Power of Positive Nonsense (1977) "The only thing I can say about W. C. Fields ... is this: Any man who hates dogs and babies can't be all bad."

2)  Stanley Turrentine

3)  Iodine

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  On this date in 1973, George Steinbrenner bought the New York Yankees for $10 million. Who sold them to him?

2)  Who was the first woman inducted in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame?

3)  The Beatles recorded their last song together on this date in 1970. What was the song's title?

4)  Eric Knight's classic, Lassie, Come-Home, was first published as a short story in the Saturday Evening Post in 1938. Where was "home"?

Answers:

1)  The Yankees were sold to Steinbrenner by CBS.

2)  Aretha Franklin

3)  The last song they recorded was "I Me Mine."  George wrote the song in one evening and a decade later,  the title would be used again for his autobiography. Harrison took his inspiration from a verse in the Bhagavad Gita: "They are forever free who renounce all selfish desires and break away from the ego-cage of "I", "me" and "mine" to be united with the Lord. This is the supreme state. Attain to this, and pass from death to immortality" (BG 2:71-72). Whether deliberate or not, the song addresses the clashes of egos in the Beatles' painful closing days as a group (read more at Wikipedia).

4)  Lassie's home was Yorkshire, England. The pic below is from the original 1943 movie with Roddy McDowall.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  The Andrews Sisters recorded "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" on this date in 1941.  The song was featured in what movie?

2)  This celebrity named one of his children "Sage Moonblood."

3)  This U.S. president signed a bill requiring that states limit highway speeds to 55 mph or else forfeit federal funding for highways.

Answers:

1)  "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" was in Buck Privates which starred Abbott and Costello.

2)  Sylvester Stallone. By the way, Stallone's full name is Michael Sylvester Enzio Stallone.

3)  Richard Nixon signed the bill on this date in 1974. It was intended to address rising highway fatalities as well as fuel conservation.  Sammy Hagar complained about it in his song, "I Can't Drive 55."

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  What year did the first New Year's ball drop in Times Square?

2)  On this date in 1902, Michigan was leading Stanford 49-0 in the Rose Bowl. With eight minutes left on the clock, the Stanford team forfeited and walked off the field. Rose Bowl officials were so embarassed they refused to host another game until 1916. What activities took the place of football in Pasadena's Tournament of Roses during the intervening years?

3)  Today is New Year's Day by the Gregorian calendar, marking the beginning of the year 2013 A.D. What do the initials "A.D." stand for?

4)  Since 1751,  most western and western-colonized nations observe New Year's Day January 1st.  Prior to 1751, when was New Year's Day celebrated?

Answers:

1)  It started with the 1907-08 New Year's celebration.

2)  The Tournament of Roses held chariot races.

3)  Anno Domini, Latin for "in the year of our LORD."

4)  March 25th - which at the time was also designated as being the first day of Spring.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  This movie star/sex symbol was quoted as having said, "It's not true that I had nothing on. I had the radio on."

2)  What animal does mohair come from?

3)  This automaker once made a luxury line of cars called Crown that featured three models, one of which was the Crown Athlete.

4)  Arnold Schwarzenegger's recent autobiography shares a title with one of his movies. Which one?

Answers:

1)  Marilyn Monroe

2)  Goats produce mohair

3)   Toyota. The other vehicles were the four-door Saloon and the Royal. The cars are primarily sold in Japan and Indonesia.

4)  Total Recall

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:


1)  The actor who played The Lone Ranger died on this date in 1999. What was his name?

2)  Who created the character of Norman Bates?

3)   Jesse Owens  won his four gold medals at that year's Summer Olympics.

4)  Who played the role of Batman  in Batman Returns?

Answers:

1)  Clayton Moore

2)  Robert Bloch

3)  The Berlin Games, which were held the summer of 1936.

4)  Michael Keaton

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  This cartoonist's rendering of St. Nicholas became the most popular, and the template for Santas that followed.

2)  In the movie, Miracle on 34th Street, a man is on trial for claiming to be Santa Claus. What convinces the judge to rule in his favor?

3)  Pope Benedict did this for the first time this week.

Answers:

2)  German-born Thomas Nast is responsible for this popular image of Santa Claus.

3)  Pope Benedict took to Twitter for the first time.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  How many total gifts are there in the "Twelve Days of Christmas"?

2)  What did Frosty, the Snowman have for a nose?

3)  This rock star was invited to lunch at the White House.

4)   In the opening scene of Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown, what were the Peanuts characters all doing?


Answers:

1)  364. Interesting fact:  USA Today estimates the current cost of the gifts as totaling over $107,000.

2)  a button

3)  On this day in 1974, Gerald Ford's son, Jack, extended a lunch invitation to George Harrison. Billy Preston and Ravi Shankar came along as well.

4) The kids were all ice-skating.

 

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  Which two of Santa's reindeer have names beginning with "C"?

2)  What did the Grinch use to pull his sleigh?

3)  This Emmy-winning cartoon was based on a newspaper editorial.

4)  The carolers singing this carol are all demanding figgy pudding.

Answers:

1)  Comet and Cupid

2)  his dog

3)  "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus."

4)  "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  The earth is situated between the orbiting paths of which two planets?

2)  How many cards are there in a deck of tarot cards?

3)  Today is actress Teri Garr's birthday.  She was nominated for best supporting actress in 1982 for her role in which movie?

4)  On this date in 1977 the Tampa Bay Bucs finally won an NFL game by defeating this team, 33-14.  The Bucs had lost their first 26 regular games; 11 of which were shutouts.

Answers:

1)  Venus and Mars

2)  78

3)  Tootsie

4)  New Orleans Saints

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:


1)  Chemist Alfred Nobel died on this date in 1896. He was responsible for having invented dynamite, and as a response to his own invention, he established the award for human achievement. Who was the first American woman to receive the prize?

2)  The first edition of Playboy hit the stands on this date in 1953. The issue featured the famous calendar shot of Marilyn Monroe. What was unusual about that particular issue?

3)  This federal building produces twice as much hazardous waste as the top three industrial waste producers.

Answers:

1)  Jane Addams became a co-recipient of the award on this date in 1931.

2)  There was no date indicated on the cover.

3)  The Pentagon.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:


1)  Instant replay was used for the first time on this date in 1963. What game was being telecast?

2)  Jack Russell terriers are not an AKC registered breed, ostensibly because there is no breed "standard." Most people are familiar with Jack Russell because one was featured on __________________________.

3)  The word "Kwanzaa" (starts December 26th) originates in what language?

Answers:

1)  It debuted for the Army-Navy game.

2)  People know Jack Russells from TV's Frasier and prior to that, from the RCA logo.

 
3)  Swahili

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  After naming his son after himself, this famous individual later paid the son a weekly allowance to use another name.

2)  What is a paraprosdokian?

3)  What was the first name of the fictional "Scrooge"?

4) Bass player Ray Brown was once married to this vocalist.

Answers:

1)  Thomas Alva Edison. The grown-up son was a drunk and involved in shady business deals. They went to court and Junior demanded and got a weekly payment of $50 to stop using his father's name.

2)  A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which a sentence or phrase ends in an unexpected manner, to the point where the reader or listener has to reinterpret the first part. Example: "Two guys walked into a bar - the third one ducked."

3)  Ebenezer

4)  Ella Fitzgerald

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer began as a promotion for this department store.

2)  Eggnog was first created and consumed in this city.

3) The original St. Nicholas in the country known today as what?

4) In A Charlie Brown Christmas, this character builds a gray snowman.

Answers:

1)  Rudolph was created expressly as a promotional gimmick. In 1939, Montgomery Ward hired Robert L. May to write a Christmas story to give to shoppers May's brother-in-law liked the story well enough to write a song for it. The result was the popular song of the same name, but it wasn't recorded until ten years later. "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer was first sung by cowboy actor/singer, Gene Autry in 1949.

2)  Captain John Smith reported that eggnog was consumed in 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia.

‘Nog’ is an English word for strong ale, and eggnog was originally made with ale. Eggnog is descended from the English drink ‘posset’ or ‘sack posset’, which was a hot drink made with sweetened milk and ale or a Spanish wine called ‘sack.’

Americans adapted it but used American liquors, like rum, or even cider. Early American cookbooks listed eggnog recipes in sections for the sick and infirm (source: http://www.foodreference.com/html/feggnog.html).

3)  St. Nicholas is said to have been born around 280 A.D. in Patara, near the town of Myra (now Demre) in the Lycia province of what is now Turkey.

 4)  Pigpen. Pigpen was so dirty, he even turned his snowman into a gray snowman.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  This president, while still in office, was first to travel outside of the United States.

2)  This president frequently went skinny-dipping in the Potomac.

3)  This president was the only one to have a child while in office.

4)  This president had the most children.

Answers:

1)  Teddy Roosevelt traveled to the Panama Canal, November 9, 1906.

2)  John Quincy Adams was fond of swimming nude in the Potomac (there were no bathing suits in his day).

3)  Grover Cleveland. Tragically, Jacqueline Kennedy had child born prematurely while John was in office, but the infant perished after two days.

4)  Our tenth president, John Tyler, had 15 children, 8 children by his first wife, Letitia and seven by his second wife, Julia.