Trivia Quiz?

[phkrause]

23 hours ago, phkrause said:

When was the first Times Square Ball Drop?

1899 1907 1922 1933

Answer: December 31, 1907 marked the first Times Square ball drop in history, when a 700-pound, 5-feet-in-diameter ball made of iron and wood and covered with 100 light bulbs made its ways down in time to ring in January 1st. The event was the brainchild of Adolph Ochs, owner of the New York Times, and included an all-day street festival culminating in fireworks to the delight of the more than 200,000 attendees. Today's ball is covered in 2,688 crystals, is lit by 32,256 LED lights, weighs 11,875 pounds and is 12 feet in diameter.

[phkrause]

Besides the knit stitch, which is the most common stitch in knitting?

A. Cross stitch
B. Honeycomb
C. Zigzag
D. Purl

[phkrause]

What Scottish song is traditionally sung to ring in the New Year?

Adeste Fidelis Auld Lang Syne Sonnet 54 Ode on Solitude

[phkrause]

Start 2017 Off With New Year's Day Trivia!

A new year is a time for new beginnings, so it's fitting that January 1st has marked the beginning of so many things. Join us as we celebrate New Year's Day, Trivia Today style!

Why Do Many Eastern European Countries Celebrate a "Second" New Year?

What Important Document Was Signed on New Year's Day, 1863?

What's the Most Popular Non-Fitness-Related New Year's Resolution Made Each Year?

How Many Tons of Trash Were Created by the New Year's Eve Celebration in Time Square Going into 2015?

[phkrause]

To ring in the New Year in Spain, what is traditionally eaten at the stroke of midnight?

Almonds Grapes Olives Cheese

[phkrause]

19 hours ago, phkrause said:

Besides the knit stitch, which is the most common stitch in knitting?

A. Cross stitch
B. Honeycomb
C. Zigzag
D. Purl

D. Purl

Knit one, purl one...the purl is the other gem in the knitting world, which works in concert with the knit stitch to create different looks.

Source: various web sites.

[phkrause]

18 hours ago, phkrause said:

What Scottish song is traditionally sung to ring in the New Year?

Adeste Fidelis Auld Lang Syne Sonnet 54 Ode on Solitude

Answer: "Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. The song has long been associated with New Year's celebrations and is one of the most recognizable songs around the world. Guy Lombardo, sang the hymn at midnight Jan. 1, 1929 in the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, and is credited spawning a global tradition. "Auld Lang Syne" roughly translates as ‘for old times’ sake’, and the song is all about preserving old friendships and looking back over the events of the year.

[phkrause]

18 hours ago, phkrause said:

Why Do Many Eastern European Countries Celebrate a "Second" New Year?

Several Eastern European nations are majority Orthodox Christian in terms of religion, and that second New Year's is the Orthodox New Year, celebrated on January 14. Another name for this is "old new year," because it's the start of the new year according to the old Julian calendar. January 1 is New Year's Day according to the Gregorian calendar, based on the reformed calendar introduced in 1582. However, rather than this being just a religious new year, many of the orthodox countries treat it as a regional or country-wide holiday.

 

18 hours ago, phkrause said:

What Important Document Was Signed on New Year's Day, 1863?

New Year's Day in 1863 marked the beginning of freedom for slaves in the United States. On this day, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation thereby freeing ... well, absolutely no one. The document made free all the slaves in any area still at war with the North. Unfortunately, those states - as evidenced by the fact that they were, ya know, fighting a war with the North at the time - weren't exactly doing what the North wanted. However, the document changed the purpose of the war in the eyes of many. No longer was it a war of secession versus unification, it was now also a war of pro-slavery versus anti-slavery, impacting both domestic and foreign sentiment and effectively ending international aid for the South.

 

18 hours ago, phkrause said:

What's the Most Popular Non-Fitness-Related New Year's Resolution Made Each Year?

We were going to ask you what the most popular New Year's resolution was, but then figured that one was too easy. According to a Marist poll, the most common resolution was to lose weight (13% of respondents chose that option, though it's worth noting that a few other resolutions relate to eerily similar themes. 10% wanted to exercise more, 8% wanted to improve health, and 7% wanted to eat healthier. We're not statisticians, but if it were us, we'd probably put those all under the same heading). But what's the most popular non-fitness-related goal? 9% of people resolved to be a better person. If you feel like that doesn't make sense, because you didn't meet too many people last year who seemed to be trying to be a better person, then we should tell you one more stat: According to a study by John Norcruss, a professor from the University of Scranton who was following 159 resolution-makers: More than half (54%) of people fall off the pace of keeping their resolutions by the six-month mark.

 

18 hours ago, phkrause said:

How Many Tons of Trash Were Created by the New Year's Eve Celebration in Time Square Going into 2015?

While we like to portray January 1st as the day we attack our New Year's resolutions with vigor, we all know how the first few hours are really spent: recovering and cleaning up from the night before. Times Square is no exception. You know that celebration you see on TV, with roughly a million people and 2,000 pounds of confetti? Well, someone's gotta clean that up. Or, more accurately, many someones. In January 2015, it took 178 people, 6 mechanical brooms, 25 trucks, and 38 leaf blowers to clean up 52.3 tons of trash. Now that's a party.

[phkrause]

18 hours ago, phkrause said:

To ring in the New Year in Spain, what is traditionally eaten at the stroke of midnight?

Almonds Grapes Olives Cheese

Answer: On New Year's Eve, Spaniards traditionally eat 12 grapes at midnight; one grape for each stroke of the clock to represent the 12 months of the New Year. Eating 12 grapes on New Year's Eve is a Spanish tradition and superstition to bring good fortune in the coming year. The goal for each person participating in the New Year's Eve tradition is to swallow all 12 grapes before the last stroke of midnight. The tradition began in 1909 as a way to consume the grape surplus in the Alicante region.

[phkrause]

Ken Osmond, the boy who played troublemaker Eddie Haskell in the series Leave it to Beaver, took on what profession later in life?

A. Bank robber
B. Police officer
C. Rock star
D. Drill sergeant

Police Officer

[phkrause]

What was the most popular Google search in the world for 2016?

Brexit Zika Virus Donald Trump Pokémon GO

Unfortunately its probably Trump

[phkrause]

Don't Go Too Fast on This Trivia

On January 2nd, 1974, President Richard Nixon signed legislation requiring states to limit highway speeds to 55 mp. Join us and see how much you know about our nation's speeding laws.

What Was the First US State to Pass a Speed Limit Law?

OK, But Who Passed the First US Speed Limit Law for Vehicles of Any Kind?

Why Did Nixon Lower the Speed Limit?

Did the New Speed Limit Result in Any Hit Songs?

[phkrause]

Which athlete's birth name was Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor?

Tiger Woods Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Muhammad Ali Hulk Hogan

Well I can tell you one thing for sure!! or should I say 3 things! Its not Tiger, Ali or Hogan.

[phkrause]

On 1/2/2017 at 3:32 PM, phkrause said:

Ken Osmond, the boy who played troublemaker Eddie Haskell in the series Leave it to Beaver, took on what profession later in life?

A. Bank robber
B. Police officer
C. Rock star
D. Drill sergeant

Police Officer

B. Police officer

Osmond deviated from his famous reputation and became an L.A. police officer in 1970. He retired in 1988 after being shot three times and going on disability.

Source: various web sites.

[phkrause]

On 1/2/2017 at 3:37 PM, phkrause said:

What was the most popular Google search in the world for 2016?

Brexit Zika Virus Donald Trump Pokémon GO

Unfortunately its probably Trump

Answer: Google recently revealed the most popular searches in 2016, and the viral sensation Pokémon GO was the top search worldwide this year. Pokémon GO was a summer phenomenon, as players strolled across cities and landmarks in search of Pokemon. It set an Apple App Store record for the most downloads during its first week of availability. Apple's iPhone 7 was the second most popular global search in 2016, followed by President-elect Donald Trump. In the U.S., Powerball was the most popular search, followed by Prince, Hurricane Matthew, and Pokémon GO.

[phkrause]

On 1/2/2017 at 6:57 PM, phkrause said:

What Was the First US State to Pass a Speed Limit Law?

If you thought setting the upper limit at 55 was upsetting, you would not have wanted to live in Connecticut at the turn of the century. In 1901, Connecticut became the first state to pass a speed limit law, capping travel at 12 mph in cities and 15 mph on country roads. We can't tell if it's terrifying that people were allowed to drive at almost country-road speeds in the city or stifling that cars on country roads weren't allowed to go much faster than the city limit. Either way, the idea started to spread, though not everyone signed on. As recently as 1930, there were still 12 states without any speeding limit whatsoever (although this is far less frightening than the fact that at the time there was no driving age in 28 states).

 

On 1/2/2017 at 6:57 PM, phkrause said:

OK, But Who Passed the First US Speed Limit Law for Vehicles of Any Kind?

We should revise our earlier statement. Connecticut wasn't the first place in the US with a speed limit law, it was the first place with a speed limit for cars. Back in 1652, the New Amsterdam colony (presently, New York) passed a law saying "No wagons, carts or sleighs shall be run, rode or driven at a gallop." 

Fines started at "two pounds Flemish." We have no idea what that means, but we're told it's the modern day equivalent of $150. 

 

On 1/2/2017 at 6:57 PM, phkrause said:

Why Did Nixon Lower the Speed Limit?

Many think of speed limits as a safety issue, but President Richard Nixon didn't revise the laws to lower the rate of automobile fatalities, he did it to cut back on gas consumption. In fact, the act was called the 1974 Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act. In the 1970s, in response to US relations in the Middle East, OPEC quadrupled oil prices for the US. For a country that consumes a lot of gas, this was, um, problematic. In an effort to cut back on gas consumption, Nixon lowered speed limits, and deemed that any state not complying with the new limit would no longer receive funding from the department of transportation for public works projects.

 

On 1/2/2017 at 6:57 PM, phkrause said:

Did the New Speed Limit Result in Any Hit Songs?

Well, that's a weird question you ask, but yes, yes it did. Sammy Hagar was pulled over one day in New York State for driving 62 miles per hour in a 55 zone. Or, we should say, according to the rock star he was driving 62 which could easily mean he was flooring it at around 85. Who knows? Hagar started complaining that he couldn't possibly go 55 and that's when it hit him. As he explained it, "I grabbed a paper and a pen, and I swear the guy was writing the ticket and I was writing the lyrics." I Can't Drive 55" topped out at 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was number 100 on VH1's 100 greatest hard rock songs. The song was good enough to keep on playing to this day and we're not surprised. No one likes driving 55.

[phkrause]

23 hours ago, phkrause said:

Which athlete's birth name was Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor?

Tiger Woods Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Muhammad Ali Hulk Hogan

Well I can tell you one thing for sure!! or should I say 3 things! Its not Tiger, Ali or Hogan.

Answer: Ferdinand Lew Alcindor changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the day after the Bucks won the NBA championship in 1971. The Muslim name means "generous servant of the mighty one." During his career as a center, Abdul-Jabbar was a record six-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), a record 19-time NBA All-Star, a 15-time All-NBA selection, and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. A member of six NBA championship teams as a player and two as an assistant coach. He remains the all-time leading scorer in the NBA.

[phkrause]

At the age of 88, who is the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live?

Milton Berle Betty White George Burns Bob Hope

I'm gonna guess Betty White! Not sure if the others ever hosted SNL??

[phkrause]

What is former Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's full name?

A. Willard Mitt Romney
B. Mitchell Willard Romney
C. William Mitchell Romney
D. Mittens Willard Romney

Wouldn't it be funny if it was D!!

[phkrause]

Battle Your Way to Victory With These Questions

On January 3, 1777 General George Washington's army defeated British forces in the Battle of Princeton.  Can you answer these trivia questions about the Battle of Princeton and its incredibly lucky winners?

Where Did the Troops Eventually End up at the End of the Battle?

How Is the Battle of Princeton a Perfect Example of Why You Shouldn't Procrastinate?

What One Act Outside of Battle May Have Saved the American Troops and Contributed to Their Victory at Princeton?

What One Event Other Than Warfare Directly Contributed to the Success of the American Troops?

[phkrause]

What does the e in eBay stand for?

Echo Electronic Earth Enterprise

Its either Earth or Enterprise??

[phkrause]

13 hours ago, phkrause said:

At the age of 88, who is the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live?

Milton Berle Betty White George Burns Bob Hope

I'm gonna guess Betty White! Not sure if the others ever hosted SNL??

Answer: On May 8, 2010, 88-year-old actress Betty White became the oldest person ever to host Saturday Night Live. White’s hosting gig came about, in part, after hundreds of thousands of her fans signed onto a Facebook campaign rallying for it. As SNL’s eldest host, White earned glowing reviews, and the show, which featured musical guest Jay-Z, drew its highest ratings in 18 months. The octogenarian actress later won the seventh Emmy Award of her career for her SNL appearance.

[phkrause]

13 hours ago, phkrause said:

What is former Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's full name?

A. Willard Mitt Romney
B. Mitchell Willard Romney
C. William Mitchell Romney
D. Mittens Willard Romney

Wouldn't it be funny if it was D!!

A. Willard Mitt Romney

Despite a 2012 poll in which 6 percent of Americans didn't know his name, Mitt Romney's full name is Willard Mitt Romney. In the same poll, 2 percent of those polled believed his first name was Mittens.

Source: various web sites.

[phkrause]

14 hours ago, phkrause said:

Where Did the Troops Eventually End up at the End of the Battle?

The very end of the Battle of Princeton was not when the British actually gave up. Washington and his men had won the main battle when a number of British soldiers who had been guarding another area marched onto the campus of Princeton University. The students had long been evacuated and the campus closed up, but these British soldiers took shelter in Nassau Hall. The Americans didn't let the British do much damage other than breaking windows, however; they soon surrounded the hall and fought the British, making them surrender. Nassau Hall still stands on the Princeton campus today.

 

14 hours ago, phkrause said:

How Is the Battle of Princeton a Perfect Example of Why You Shouldn't Procrastinate?

The Battle of Princeton's success lay partially in the fact that Washington attacked in winter, rather than waiting for spring -- winters in the area were not good fighting environments, normally, but Washington took advantage of the fact that his attacks wouldn't exactly be expected -- and his troops were due to depart for home after the start of the new year. Had he waited, he might not have won.

 

14 hours ago, phkrause said:

What One Act Outside of Battle May Have Saved the American Troops and Contributed to Their Victory at Princeton?

A key act that seems very small at first, but that was crucial in the end, was... bribery. Well, almost; call it a pay raise. Washington's troops were due to leave the army at the beginning of 1777 -- they had finished their contracted enlistment period. Washington was so determined to keep them that not only did he ask and plead with them, and try to inspire them, he pledged each man who stayed $10 of his own fortune. Additional officers also offered the men money. Remember, this was 1777 -- $10 then went a lot farther than it does today. In the end, most of the men stayed. If they had left, Washington would have had very few troops left and likely would not have gotten very far.

 

14 hours ago, phkrause said:

What One Event Other Than Warfare Directly Contributed to the Success of the American Troops?

Offering the additional pay was an act that helped Washington, but an event did as well -- the weather. Overnight from January 2 to January 3, the temperature plummeted, causing rivers and muddy areas to freeze solid. That bad weather enabled Washington and his men to cross the countryside up to Princeton; had the weather remained a little warmer, the entire route would have been muddy and difficult to traverse. So while trying to sleep as the temperatures overnight became extremely cold was not pleasant, the bad weather did make victory possible.

[phkrause]

14 hours ago, phkrause said:

What does the e in eBay stand for?

Echo Electronic Earth Enterprise

Its either Earth or Enterprise??

Answer: When eBay began, it was a hobby of Pierre Omidyar, a consultant who owned a company called Echo Bay Technology Group. Omidyar went to register the domain echobay.com for his planned business, but it was taken. He came up with “eBay” on the spot and registered it instead. Over the past 20 years, eBay has become one of the largest companies in America, consistently ranking in the Fortune 500, and is one of the most recognized brands around the world.