The Answer Man from Creators Syndicate

State Nicknames for 07/11/2009

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

This week's quiz is a theme query suggested by several readers on the nicknames given to several of the 50 states.

1. What state is noted as the Heart of Dixie?

2. The Equality State was the first state to extend voting rights to women, in 1869. It is also termed the Cowboy State. Name it.

3. Which of the 50 is the Mountain State?

4. What state bears the nick ...

Updated: Sat Jul 11, 2009

Challenging the Incumbent for 07/18/2009

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. Name the Union Army of the Potomac Civil War general who ran against President Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and lost the election.

2. What 2,000-mile pathway offered a wagon link from Independence, Mo., to the Pacific Northwest's Columbia River region?

3. How many states have only one full-service, voting member in the U.S. House of Representatives?

4. Regarding the preceding ...

Updated: Sat Jul 18, 2009

Senate Baseball Famer for 07/25/2009

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. Name the U.S. senator who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.

2. Iran and Iraq load the news every day. What are their capitals?

3. What U.S. operation is in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?

4. Name the longest river in Europe.

5. What president of Russia and his chief rival declared the USSR dead in December 1991?

6. This 6-foot snake feeds ...

Updated: Sat Jul 25, 2009

The New Name for 08/01/2009

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. What was the name of the government of the Southern states that seceded from the Union in the Civil War?

2. Who was the president of the Confederate States of America?

3. What was the first attack on the Union ordered by the CSA president?

4. Judy Garland was one of the most famous movie stars ever. What was her original name?

5. What presidential candidate in an ...

Updated: Sat Aug 01, 2009

What's in a Name? for 08/08/2009

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. What was President Gerald Ford's original name?

2. What four freedoms were issued as a basis for world peace and became part of the U.N. Charter?

3. What U.S. president presented the four freedoms as a basis for world peace?

4. Name the pilot of the first solo nonstop trans-Atlantic flight, in 1927.

5. What was the name of the plane in the flight noted in the prev ...

Updated: Sat Aug 08, 2009

Another First Governor for 08/15/2009

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. Who was the first black governor elected in the United States?

2. The NAACP recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. What is that organization's full name?

3. During what war did Francis Scott Key write "The Star-Spangled Banner," which became the national anthem?

4. What was the former common term for what is now Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia?

5. Name th ...

Updated: Sat Aug 15, 2009

A Presidential Reply for 08/22/2009

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. A potential presidential candidate in 1884 gave the following statement: "If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve." Name the military star who used that line to refuse candidacy.

2. What U.S. president offered a "New Deal" during his terms?

3. The presidential promise in the preceding question followed a presidential program offered by Pre ...

Updated: Sat Aug 22, 2009

Famous People for 08/29/2009

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Each of this week's answers touches on famous people.

1. Where was Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who ran for president last year, born?

2. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is not eligible to run for president because he was not born in the United States. Where was he born?

3. Name the first U.S. female astronaut to walk in space.

4. Caroline Schlossberg i ...

Updated: Sat Aug 29, 2009

Famous Presidential Firsts for 09/05/2009

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

This week's column is a listing of firsts in the history of presidential first events. The source is The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2009.

1. Name the U.S. president who was the oldest when he left the White House. For Bragging Rights, how old was he at that time?

2. Who was the youngest person elected president? Again, Bragging Rights if you give the age.

3. Wh ...

Updated: Sat Sep 05, 2009

A Cemetery Guest for 09/12/2009

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. What country's prime minister was temporarily entombed in Arlington National Cemetery in 1941?

2. What is the oldest capital in South America?

3. Which of the Middle East countries was formerly Persia?

4. What service did the famed author Louisa May Alcott perform for the Union Army in the Civil War?

5. What former secretary of state was elected president, but was ...

Updated: Sat Sep 12, 2009

The War of Rebellion for 09/19/2009

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. What historic conflict was termed by one side as the "War of Rebellion"?

2. What city became the Confederate capital during the Civil War?

3. Name the U.S. Cabinet member who was shot and wounded in his home at the same time President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theatre.

4. What is the title of the U.S. national anthem?

5. Two countries in ...

Updated: Sat Sep 19, 2009

Count the Votes for 09/26/2009

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. What is the title of the body that casts the votes for each state's presidential election?

2. Four Major League Baseball players were inducted into the Hall of Fame, in less than the five years normally required, following their retirement date. Name them.

3. Name the baseball Hall of Famer who was the Most Valuable Player in three years, even while being a switch-hitter, meani ...

Updated: Sat Sep 26, 2009

A Slave's Degree for 10/03/2009

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. Name the son of a slave family who was the first to receive an honorary degree from Harvard, in 1896.

2. Who is the late Elvis Presley's sole heir?

3. Name America's first permanent English settlement that had 104 settlers.

4. Three ships disembarked from the James River shores in 1607. Name those three vessels.

5. What U.S. general, who served in the War of 1812 ...

Updated: Sat Oct 03, 2009

The Teeth are in for 10/10/2009

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. George Washington's false teeth are often mentioned as being wooden. What animal's ivory was used in Washington's oral attachments?

2. Where did the gorilla get its name?

3. Name the only U.S. state that does not have a cave.

4. Which Great Lake is completely within the United States?

5. What is unusual about the leaders of elephant herds?

6. Name the four ...

Updated: Sat Oct 10, 2009

A Holiday Name Change for 10/17/2009

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. What was the original name of the holiday now honored as Veterans Day?

2. Name the president who legally changed the name of the previous holiday.

3. Whose estate was taken away and later became Arlington National Cemetery?

4. Name the traditional wedding anniversary gifts given for the 25th and 50th years.

5. What U.S. library has the highest number of volumes?
Updated: Sat Oct 17, 2009

Russian Mr. President for 10/24/2009

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. Who was Russia's first elected president?

2. What is Russia's new name?

3. Give the top three U.S. boy names in 2007, according to the Social Security Administration.

4. Looking back at the previous question, what were the top three names for U.S. girls?

5. What is an acronym?

6. Look in the harbor and name what "USS" stands for.

7. What ar ...

Updated: Sat Oct 24, 2009

Off to Moscow for 10/31/2009

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. Who was the first president to visit Moscow?

2. Name the six categories for the Nobel Prizes.

3. Which U.S. president vetoed the most bills sent to the White House by Congress? For bragging rights, can you say how many vetoes went to this president?

4. Which U.S. county has the smallest total land area?

5. What U.S. presidential candidate had bumper stickers in th ...

Updated: Sat Oct 31, 2009

Capital Change for 11/07/2009

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

1. Montgomery, Ala., was the early capital city of the Confederate States of America (CSA). What city became the capital on July 20, 1861?

2. Six states established the CSA at a meeting in Montgomery on Feb. 4, 1861. Can you name the states?

3. Name the capital city of the Republic of Singapore.

4. Who said, "Almighty God. I know not what course others may take but as ...

Updated: Sat Nov 07, 2009

Missing Days for 11/14/2009

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

1. How many months have 30 days or less? For Bragging Rights, name those months.

2. Who said, "We have met the enemy and they are ours"?

3. In what battle was the preceding quote heard and remembered?

4. Name the first pope.

5. In Greek mythology, who is identified as the supreme god?

6. Name the Egyptian leader who was assassinated on Oct. 6, 1981.< ...

Updated: Sat Nov 14, 2009

A New Cabinet Member for 11/21/2009

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

1. What did economist Robert Clifton Weaver bring to the presidential Cabinet in 1966? For Bragging Rights, in what Cabinet department did Weaver serve as secretary?

2. In what war did those in service first become tagged as GIs?

3. What does GI stand for?

4. Which sports, athletic training and competition is arranged by way of the Special Olympics?

5. Where are Spec ...

Updated: Sat Nov 21, 2009