UCSD & San Diego Fun Facts
Famous Quotes by Historical Legends
Superstitions Around the World
International Food Facts
Cultural Traditions & Knowledge
100
What was the 1st college named at UCSD?
A. Muir
B. Eleanor Roosevelt
C. Revelle
D. Thurgood Marshall
C. Revelle College (1965), in honor of Roger Revelle, considered the 'father' of the university. The unique college system provides students with the advantages of a small liberal arts college and the resources of a large research university.
100
"And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Nintey-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed."
A. Roald Dahl
B. Dr. Suess
C. Beverly Cleary
D. Eric Carle
B. Dr. Suess
Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was an American author and illustrator who wrote and illustrated more than 60 children's books. His work is known for its whimsical rhymes, quirky characters, and nonsense words.
100
Which country believes that the four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck and fortune? It has been used in some traditions for finding a husband or a wife.
A. England
B. Ireland
C. Iceland
D. Norway
B. Ireland
The way this works (for you single people) is by first finding a four leaf clover (good luck!), if you happen to find one, you must then eat it (or put it inside your shoe). After this, the lucky powers will activate and the first person you come in contact with afterwards will be your future mate!
100
What favorite spread for sandwiches was created by a doctor as a health food.
A. Mayonnaise
B. Mustard
C. Peanut Butter
D. Nutella
C. Peanut butter. In Africa, where they were first grown, peanuts were knowm as groundnuts.
100
Name the language spoken by the most people in the world.
A. English
B. Hindi
C. Chinese
D. Spanish
Standard or Mandarin Chinese
200
What is the world's largest still functioning ship, built in 1863 that has her home port in San Diego? She has completed 21 circumnavigations.
A. USS Midway
B. Star of India
C. Berkeley
D. Californian
B. Star of India
A three-masted, iron-hulled bark built in 1863 and originally named Euterpe. 
200
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
A. Thurgood Marshall
B. Malcom X
C. Jesse Jackson Sr.
D. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
D. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
200
Where did the superstition, "It's bad luck to walk under a leaning ladder" come from?
A. Egypt
B. England
C. Greece
D. France
A. Egypt
This superstition originates from 5,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. A ladder leaning agaist a wall forms a triangle, and the Egyptians regarded this shape as sacred. To them, triangles represented the trinity of the gods, and so to pass through a triangle was to desecrate them.
200
What's the primary ingredient in a tamale?
A. Flour
B.Potatoe
C. Corn
D. Cheese
C. Corn
Tamales are also traditionally cooked inside corn husks.
200
In which country, do the bride's friends plant a tree in her yard before the wedding?
A. Canada
B. New Zealand
C. So. Korea
D. Czech Republic
D. Czech Republic
Before the wedding, the bride's friends traditionally plant a tree in her yard and decorate it with colored ribbons and painted eggshells, because, according to legend, the bride will live as long as the tree.
300
What is the name of Do-Ho Suh's addition to the Stuart Art Collection in 2012?
A. Fallen Star
B. Red Shoe
C. Green Table
D. Bear
A. Fallen Star
Created in 2012, Fallen Star is a fully-furnished house with a rooftop garden sitting atop Jacobs Hall on the campus of UC San Diego. 
300
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
A. Mother Teresa
B. Theodore Roosevelt
C. Mahatma Ghandi
D. Harriet Tubman
C. Mahatma Ghandi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial activist, and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule. He inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. 
300
Which country did "God Bless You" after someone sneezes originate?
A. Bulgaria
B. Italy
C. Egypt
D. Russia
B. Italy
For many; saying “God Bless You” after someone sneezes is a gesture of politeness.
However, the origin of this interesting superstition finds its roots in Pope Gregory the Great who would say it to people who sneezed during the bubonic plague; and from the erroneous belief that the soul escapes the body during a sneeze and the heart momentarily stops. Therefore, saying “God bless you” was a way of welcoming the person back to life.
300
Invented in China around 2000 BC, this milk and rice concoction packed in snow was a favorite dish of Chinese emperors. Name this treat?
A. Ice Cream
B. Pudding
C. Popsicle
D. Gelato
A. Ice Cream
- To chill and freeze the mixture, Chinese nobles would pack it in snow that had been brought down from the mountains.
- Because ice was so difficult to transport and store, this sweet and refreshing dessert was considered a luxury and a symbol of great wealth, reserved for the imperial court.
300
What is a 'hammam' in Islamic countries?
A. Public bath
B. Holy man
C. Place of prayer
D. Restaurant
A. Public Bath
Although today we think of bathing as a private activity, the public bath, or hammam, was a vital social institution in any Middle Eastern city for centuries before the advent of modern plumbing.
400
What famous author was the UC San Diego Library named after?
A. Jack London
B. Mark Twain
C. John Steinbeck
D. Ted Geisel
D. Ted Geisel.
On December 1, 1995, the University Library Building was renamed Geisel Library in honor of Audrey and Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) for the generous contributions they have made to the Library and their devotion to improving literacy. 
400
"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."
A. Mother Teresa
B. Maya Angelou
C. Oprah Winfrey
D. Audrey Hepburn
A. Mother Teresa
Saint Mother Teresa, was an Albanian-Indian Catholic nun, founder of the Missionaries of Charity and is a Catholic saint. Born in Skopje,Macedonia then part of the Ottoman Empire, she was raised in a devoutly Catholic family.
400
In which country do they eat grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve for good luck?
A. So.Africa
B. Spain
C. Germany
D. Japan
B. Spain.
Eating grapes at midight on New Years Eve is a Spanish tradition called "Las doce uvas de la suerte" (The twelve grapes of luck) where people eat 12 grapes at each clock chime to bring good luck and prosperity for the 12 months of the new year.
400
Native to India and long considered the world's most important spice, name this spice which has flavored foods for over 3000 years.
A.Oregano
B. Black Pepper
C. Cumin
D. Basil
B. Black Pepper
400
What number is considered unlucky in the countries of mainland China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and other East Asian countries?
The number 4.
The number 4 brings bad luck and is associated with death and misfortune.
500
What is the largest employer in San Diego?
A. UC San Diego
B. City of San Diego
C. United States Navy
D. Sharp Healthcare
C. United States Navy
There are approximately 48,000 military and civilian personnel stationed at Naval Base San Diego, which is home to the principal homeport of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
500
"That’s one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind. "
A. John Glenn
B. Sally Ride
C. Buzz Aldron
D. Neil Armstrong
D. Neil Armstrong
Neil was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer who, as the commander of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, became the first person to walk on the Moon.
500
Which country believes that you will stay looking young if you carry an acorn around with you in your pocket.
A. Poland
B. Turkey
C. England
D. Netherlands
C. England
Forget anti-aging creams. In Ancient Britain, women carried acorns in their pockets to stay looking young. According to the Encyclopedia of Superstitions the oak tree was believed to provide longevity and to ward off illness due to its long life. 
500
Fondue is a popular meal from what country?
A. France
B. Germany
C. Austria
D. Switzerland
D. Switzerland
Fondue became popular during the 1800s in the French and Swiss regions of the Alps. Fondue was born out of a necessity to use aged cheeses and bread during the winter months when fresh food wasn't readily available.
500
On which country is New Year’s Day celebrated by jumping waves at the beach (wave jumping)?
A. Chile
B. Brazil
C. Australia
D. Spain
B. Brazil