• Weekly Extra Credit Questions

    Week #19:

     
    Over 26 million people attended the 1893 Chicago World's Fair to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Columbus voyages.
     
    Who is Herman Mudgett and why is he famous for attending the World's Fair?
     
    ANSWER: H. H. Holmes- serial killer
     

    Week #20:

     
    On January 15th, 1919, the most bizarre disaster in American history occurred in Boston, MA.
     
    What happened during the event now known as the Boston Molasses Disaster?
     
    ANSWER: A 2 million gallon tank broke open, resulting in 21 deaths
     

    Week #21:

     
    Some famous American soldiers during WWI were Eddie Rickenbacker, Alvin York, and John Pershing, to name a few.
     
    Why was a soldier nicknamed Sergeant "Stubby" famous?
     
    ANSWER: He was a dog
     

    Week #22:

     
    Over 16 million animals served during WWI, including more than 6 million horses and over 100,000 pigeons.
     
    How did the pigeon, Cher Ami, aid American soldiers during WWI?
     
    ANSWER: Delivered a message that saved over 100 soldiers while having been shot twice
     

    Week #23:

     
    The United States is full of laws called "blue" laws that are no longer enforced.
     
    In Montana, what is it illegal for all unmarried women to do alone?
     
    ANSWER: Go fishing
     

    Week #24:

     
    Calvin Coolidge was the 30th POTUS and served from 1923-1929. On August 23, 1923, he awoke in his hotel to find a burglar rummaging through his clothes.
     
    How did Coolidge handle the situation with the burglar?
     
    ANSWER: Gave him $32
     

    Week #25:

     
    On February 14th, 1929, seven mobsters were killed by Al Capone's gang in what became known as the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre.
     
    What happened to Theodore Roosevelt on Valentine's Day in 1884?
     
    ANSWER: Both his wife and mother died
     

    Week #26:

     
    The 1920s in America are known for changing styles, fashions, and new trends.
     
    What new trend did Alvin Kelly start as early as 1924?
     
    ANSWER: Flagpole sitting
     

    Week #27:

     
    Animals are often trained and used for military purposes during a time of war.
     
    How did the United States plan to use cats during WWII?
     
    ANSWER: To guide bombs onto ships
     

    Week #28:

     
    During WWII, two professional football teams lost so many players to the war that they had to merge for a season.
     
    What were the teams? What was their new nickname?
     
    ANSWER: Pittsburgh-Philadelphia Steagles
     

    Week #29:

     
    In 1944, 9 American pilots were shot down near the Japanese island of Chichi Jima. 8 of them were captured, tortured, and eaten by Japanese military officers.
     
    Who was the American pilot that survived this incident?
     
    ANSWER: George H. W. Bush
     

    Week #30:

     
    The United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan in August 1945.
     
    Describe the story of Tsutomo Yamaguchi.
     
    ANSWER: He was at both Hiroshima and Nagasaki
     

    Week #31:

     
    Most things in America associated with Germany were banned during the war.
     
    What name did Americans use for "hamburgers" during WWII?
     
    ANSWER: Liberty steaks
     

    Week #32:

     
    Throughout the Cold War, the Soviet Union was rumored to have always had at least two missiles aimed at a building in the center of the Pentagon.
     
    What did the building actually turn out to be?
     
    ANSWER: Hot dog stand
     

    Week #33:

     
    The United States battled with the Soviet Union in the space race and created an interesting backup plan for if they lost.
     
    What was project A119?
     
    ANSWER: Nuke the moon
     

    Week #34:

     
    The CIA tried to assassinate former Cuban president Fidel Castro more than 600 times according to his head of security.
     
    Name one of the assassination attempts supposedly used by the CIA.
     
    ANSWER: