SUMMER HISTORY
The first official U.S. celebration of Independence Day took place in what year?
1777
Which Great Lake has the longest shoreline?
Lake Huron
What causes the Earth's seasons?
Earth's 23.5° axial tilt
Who sang the 1972 hit "Summer Breeze"?
Seals & Crofts
What is the birth flower for July?
Larkspur
Which president was born on July 4?
Calvin Coolidge
Which U.S. state has the most national parks?
California (9)
What is the name of the point in Earth's orbit when it is farthest from the Sun?
Aphelion
Which Beach Boys album includes "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows"?
Pet Sounds
Which gemstone is July's birthstone?
Ruby
Which famous military battle ended on June 18, 1815?
Battle of Waterloo
The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many countries?
16
Why is the sky often a deeper blue on dry summer days?
Less water vapor means less scattering of other wavelengths.
Who composed "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess?
George Gershwin
Which insect can spend up to 17 years underground before emerging?
Periodical cicada
The modern Olympic Games originated in which country?
Greece
What is the only U.S. state that borders exactly one other state?
Maine
Which atmospheric layer contains nearly all weather?
Troposphere
What was the highest-grossing movie of the summer of 1977?
Star Wars
Which vitamin is produced in the skin through exposure to sunlight?
Vitamin D
Which famous expedition reached the Pacific Ocean in November 1805 after spending the summer crossing the Rockies?
Lewis and Clark
What is the northernmost capital city in the world?
Reykjavík, Iceland
What is the approximate speed of Earth's orbit around the Sun?
67,000 mph (107,000 km/h)
Which actor portrayed Chief Brody in Jaws?
Roy Scheider
What is the official beginning of astronomical summer called?
Summer Solstice