Recently in Question of the Week Category
This former BBC sports reporter has discovered that the world is run by reptilians from the constellation Draco, and that George HW Bush, HIllary Clinton, and Tony Blair are all reptilians.
Digg It!
28 states built houses in Fairmount for the 1876 Centennial. Only one state's house is still standing. What state is it? (You can find the answer online or below by watching our video. I want the name of the house, not the name of the cafe currently there.)
What was the name of the General who led Mexican forces to victory on Cinco de Mayo, 1862 against the French?
Thomasina Winifred Montgomery was born on April 29, 1945. What was she better known as?
What web browser, which is often credited as the one that opened up the internet to the general public, was released on April 22, 1993?
This crazy looking Swiss mathematician, who was court mathematician to Frederick the Great of Prussia, was born on April 15, 1707.
The 2nd largest city in Puerto Rico is also known as Pork Rind Town. What is it?
What 1980 show starred Mitsuyo Nemoto and Keiko Masuda and lasted for 4 weeks?
Born on March 24th, 1829, this man ran for President in 1872, made a fortune in real estate and railroads, and inspired Jules Verne by going around the world in 80 days. Who was he?
What is the southernmost province on Ireland?
Who is the ancient Sumerian Goddess of Beer? (As it is Beer Week, I would expect several beer questions this week, though not a whole lot of geeky technical stuff. Just a little heads up.)
The Wreck of the Old 97 took place in the city that served as the last capital of the Confederacy. What city was it?
One symbol of Mardi Gras is beouf gras. What is the English translation of beouf gras?
This Palace in Istanbul, constructed in 1459, was the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans.
Which of Henry VIII's wives other than Anne Boleyn was beheaded?
Who gave up his seat to the Big Bopper on the plane that ultimately crashed in an Iowa cornfield, killing the Bopper, Richie Valens, and Buddy Holly on February 3, 1959?
What was the name of the grocery store where Kurt Warner stocked shelves for $5.50 an hour?
Who was the only president of the United States sworn into office by his father?
Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19th, 1809. In what city was he born?
On January 6, 1994, Nancy Kerrigan was brutally attacked by a man named Shane Stant, who had been hired by Tanya Harding's husband. In what city did this savage attack take place?
Who wrote the poem Auld Lang Syne in 1788?
In the Star Wars Holiday Special, what is the holiday that Chewbacca and Han Solo are heading to Chewbacca's native planet to celebrate, very similar to our Christmas?
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on Tuesday. It's nothing new in Illinois. The man he replaced as Governor in 2003 is currently in prison after being convicted for racketeering and fraud. Who is he?
Who was the last Emperor of China, losing almost all of his power in 1911 at age 5?
1n 1952, Mildred Norman became the first woman to hike the length of the Appalachian Trail in one season. She then began hiking back and forth across the US, which she would do for the next 29 years. What was she better known as?
Who recorded a solo album in 2003 called Love Revolution? (Be careful on this one.)
What did Hugh Gray take the first known photos of on November 12, 1933?
This cartoonist not only produced the fat version of Santa Claus, he also gave us the Donkey and the Elephant as Party symbols. Who is he?
This female moved from Norway to America in 1881, and commenced the killing of her husbands, her children, and her suitors, ostensibly to collect their life insurance. Who was she?
Who is the only player whose number has been retired by the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays (other than Jackie Robinson)?
The Black Panther Party was founded on October 15, 1966. What two men were credited with co-founding the organization?
American Bandstand debuted on October 7, 1952, live from WFIL Studios at 4548 Market Street. Who was the show's host on the day it debuted?
Sarah Palin was not born in Alaska. In what state was she born?
September 24th is F. Scott Fitzgerald's 112th birthday. What was his last completed novel, one that included the characters Dick and Nicole Diver? Bonus website hint: I'm a pretty huge Fitzgerald fan, so odds are that this won't be the only F. Scott question I ask this week.
Who declared himself Emperor of the United States on September 17th, 1859?
On September 10, 1945, a chicken in Colorado had his head cut off. Miraculously, the chicken did not die, and lived for 18 months with no head. What was the name of this chicken?
This "island nation" founded by Paddy Roy Bates declared it's sovereignty on September 2, 1967.
In the mid 1980s, what rocker referred to his group as Napoleon Dynamite and the Royal Guard?
What German immigrant flew their gas powered Number 21 aircraft 800 meters in Connecticut in August 1901, two years before the Wright Brothers?
What rock group was BALCO frontman Victor Conte briefly the bass player for in the late 1970s and early 1980s?
The first one of these was installed in Cleveland on August 5, 1914. What is it?
This artist, who turns 67 on Wednesday, became a teen sensation when he had a hit with the song "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" in 1959.
What Clark Gable film had John Dillinger just finished watching when he was shot to death on July 22, 1934?
This man, who hosted House Party in the 1960s (no, the answer is not Kid or Play), turns 96 on Thursday. (Yes, he is still alive.)
There is only one Vice president of the United States from Philadelphia, and his birthday is later this week. Who is he?
The Battle of Gettysburg started on July 1, 1863. Who was the winning general of that battle?
What show did Larry Mendte co-host when it debuted in 1996?
What band's first ever single was titled "True Men Don't Kill Coyotes"?
What is the name of the only surviving tavern building from Pre-Revolutionary Philadelphia, having been established in 1759?
Casey at the Bat was published for the first time on June 3, 1888. Who wrote it?
After building this cathedral in the late 1550s, legend has it that architect Postnik Yakovlev was blinded, so that he could never build anything to rival its beauty again. What is the name of this famous cathedral?
What 1982 movie did Mark Linn-Baker star in with Peter O'Toole?
In what country will you find "The Rhubarb Triangle"?
At Niagara Falls, what is the name of the island that separates American Falls from Horseshoe Falls?
The new Roots album is released today. What was the name of their first album, released in 1993?
This one time governor of Minnesota ran for Mayor of Philadelphia in 1960 and ran for President nine times. Unsuccesfully, I might add.
It was on this date in 1865 that Abe Lincoln died from the gunshot wound he received from John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln had actually seen Booth perform on stage in 1863 at Ford's Theatre. What play did Lincoln watch Booth perform in?
The man who directed the movie Deadline U.S.A. was a Philadelphia native. Who was he?
On April 1, 1789, this Pennsylvanian was named the first ever Speaker of the House.
On March 26th, 1965, a truck driver in Scranton lost control of a truck carrying bananas. This event inspired the song 30,000 Pounds of Bananas. What artist recorded the song?
Who once lived at 1511 North 33rd Street in Philadelphia?
Considered by many to be the greatest Shakespearean actor of the 19th century, this man bought the Walnut Street Theatre in 1865.
According to the movie Breaking Away*, what are townies in Bloomington known as?
*which I saw for the first time over the past weekend. Not bad. I like Mooch.
What female sex symbol got top billing in the first film to ever win the Academy Award for Best Picture, Wings?
The nottie in the Hottie or the Nottie is actually much, much hotter than the hottie. Her name is Christine Lakin, and she's best known for her recurring role in what 1990s sitcom?
My first ever date was at a roller rink in New Church, VA. Predictably, it ended in disaster. What is the name of the roller rink in New Church,VA?
This movie marked both Michelle Pfeiffer and Tony Danza's film debuts.
In the poem The Raven, the bird perches on a bust of what mythological Greek figure?
This man played Lurch in the Addams Family and did the opening narration for the Incredible Hulk.
21 people were killed by what kind of disaster in Boston on January 15th, 1919?
In Seasons three and four of the original American Gladiators, there was a Pro Football Challenge of Champions. This former Heisman Trophy winner won both times.
This massacre, which occurred on January 2, 1791, had one of the greatest names for a massacre ever.
What performer more or less made "Auld Lang Syne" the official new years song when he performed it on CBS each year from 1956-1976 from the Waldorf Astoria in New York?
This totally awesome holiday tradition, which started in Norway, consists of dressing up between Christmas and New Years and going out in costumes and trying to trick your friends and then drinking all of their booze. I'm serious. .
Who spoke at the United Nations on December 11, 1964, then met with Eugene McCarthy, met with associates of Malcolm X, and dined with the Rockefellers.
What is the highly vascularized, dense connective tissue that often gets infected in the root canal called?
What was the name of the man who killed San Fran Mayor George Moscone on November 27th, 1978, and whose murder trial gave us the term "Twinkie Defense"?
Who wrote a poem called "The Courtship of Miles Standish"?
What remarkably implausible 1981 movie starred Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, and Pele?
Today is Guy Fawkes Day. What king was Guy Fawkes hoping to kill?
Who directed the 1931 classic Dracula and the 1932 cult classic Freaks?
What 1978 Donny and Marie Osmond movie took place on Hawaii, and was a critical and financial disaster?
What two US Presidents won Nobel Peace Prizes while still in office?
What destroyed the Michelle Knapp's 1980 Chevy Malibu in Peekskill, NY on October 9, 1992?
What former Phillie was known as the Hoosier Hammer, and once had 170 RBIs in a single season?
In what 1978 movie did O.J. Simpson play an astronaut?
On September 12, 1983, a group called Los Macheteros (The Machete Wielders) robbed a bank in West Hartford, CT, then threw much of the money off a high rise building. From what country does Los Macheteros organization originate?
It was 50 years ago today that the governor of Arkansas stood in the doorway of Central High School to try to defy integration. What was his colorful name?
What's the name of the biker gang in Pee Wee's Big Adventure?
Only one person intimitely involved working with the Warren Commission is still alive. He was not an official member of the commission, but an assistant counsel to the commission. Who is he?
James Joseph Dresnok is the last living US defector to what country?
What pitcher did Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run off of?
What 1978 Sly Stallone film was loosely based on Jimmy Hoffa's life as a teamster?
Who originally lived in the Beehive House?
When prison guards killed her husband on July 17, 1762, she gave them promotions. Who was she?
In what state did the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum open in 1997?
OK, this is gonna be a tough one to find out. Might have to do more research than usual: At what no longer standing tavern, on 4th and Chestnut, did Jefferson stay while he was writing the Declaration of Independence, before he moved over to the Graff House?
This week, we honor fallen hot dog eating legend Kobayashi: What famous hot dog stand stood on 6th Street between Lombard and South for over 95 years? (Incidentally, in the same building I lived in when I first moved to Philly.)
Alright, before we have a full scale revolt over the question of the week and I am forced to use my political clout to have you all hung, let's change the question: In what town will you find the handprint of one of the Molly Maguires on the wall of his jail cell?
The Olsen Twins turn 21 this week. What hilarious and heartwarming 1995 movie starred not only the twins, but Kirstie Alley and comic genius Steve Guttenberg?
Allen Iverson's birthday is on Thursday. At what school did he play high school basketball?
Who was the last colony to ratify the Constitution, becoming the 13th state on May 29, 1790?
The Cutty Sark just burned down. The ship was named after an erotic witch in the poem Tam O' Shanter, written by whom?
In what movie do you hear the line, "Never rub another mans rhubarb"?
What did druggist John Pemberton invent on May 8, 1886?
This singer was born with the name Arnold Dorsey, but changed it to the name of a famous German composer and was soon afterwards known as the "King of Romance".
What was war was started by the Thornton Affair?
What famous French pilot was shot down behind German lines on April 18, 1915?
What was Playboy Magazine originally going to be called, until an outdoor magazine with a similar name called them and told them it would sue?
What small city was both the jumping off point for the Pony Express, which began on April 3, 1860; and was where Jesse James was killed on April 3, 1882?
What state was hit by the strongest recorded earthquake in American history, a 9.2 on the Richter scale?
What president-elect did Giuseppe Zangara attempt to assassinate?
What team, a 3 seed in this years tourney, won the first ever NCAA tournament in 1939?
Martin Scorcese's first feature length film was titled "Who's That Knocking at My Door". This was also the first starring role for what now popular actor?
When this opera opened in Rome on February 20th, 1816, the crowd booed throughout, and there were several onstage accidents. What opera was it?
In what state will you find the city of Valentine, which calls itself Heart City?
What popular children's show did Irene Cara appear on from 1971-1972?
The day Johnny was born, February 3rd, is also known as the day the music died, as Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, and the Big Bopper all died in a plane crash on that date in 1959. What was the Big Bopper's real name?
Who did Hulk Hogan defeat on January 23, 1984, to win his first WWF heavyweight wrestling title?
Martin Luther King was a student at the Crozer Theological Seminary in what nearby city, receiving his Bachelor of Divinity in 1951?
The world's smallest "country" (actually just a former anti aircraft platform off the coast of England), which has it's own currency, flag, national anthem, and stamps has just gone on sale. What is this "nation" called?
On January 3, 1987, who became the first woman ever inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame?
What internet personality and self-proclaimed a****** did Anthony Dimeo unsuccesfully sue in what is considered by many to be the Philadelphia highlight of 2006 (other than Ryan Howard's season)?
What was the name of the Grinch's dog? (Do not answer below)
Who played the role of Carly Reynolds in Beverly Hills 90210?
This question should not be answered below! It is the question of the week. What is the state fish of Hawaii? (Must be spelled correctly).
Macy's sponsors a famous Thanksgiving Day Parade, but the tradition was started here Iin Philadelphia. Who was the sponsor of that first parade in 1920?
Who starred as James Bond in the original 1967 film version of Casino Royale, Phineas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days, and the Phantom in the original Pink Panther?
When he was an associate attorney for the law firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, what organization did Rick Santorum argue should be allowed to use steroids?
What historical event is the Torrance family discussing in the car when Jack says, "See, it's ok. He saw it on the television."
What country was Gil Perez allegedly teleported to from the Phillipines on October 24, 1593?
What is the temporary name for the newest element in the periodic table?
Vernon Dalhart is sometimes credited with having the first ever million selling record. What disaster did he sing about that drove those record sales and is still considered a classic?
This man fought in the Battle of New Orleans, then moved to Galveston where he ran a pirating ring. After being expelled from Galveston by the Navy, he disappeared with immense amounts of treasure, which has never turned up. Who is he?
In what 1992 film would you have found Corey Haim, Corey Fedman, and Nicole Eggert?
It's only right that we honor the Crocodile Hunter this week. What was the name of the film that the Crocodile Hunter starred in?
