Autumn Nature &Weather
What natural phenomenon creates the vibrant colors of fall foliage?
Breakdown of chlorophyll
Which two NFL teams traditionally host games every Thanksgiving Day?
The Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys
What blend of spices makes up the traditional “pumpkin spice” mix?
Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice
What U.S. state produces the most pumpkins annually?
Illinois
What Chinese holiday celebrates the harvest moon with mooncakes and lanterns?
The Mid-Autumn Festival
Which month does the autumn equinox usually occur in the Northern Hemisphere?
September
What year was the first televised Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
1948
The pumpkin is a member of which plant family?
Cucurbitaceae (the gourd family)
What is the term for the final sheaf of grain harvested in some European traditions, believed to hold the “spirit of the crop”?
The Corn Spirit or Harvest Mother
In India, what fall festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness with lamps and fireworks?
Diwali
What is the term for animals that store food for the winter?
Hoarders (or food-cachers)
The baseball “Fall Classic” refers to what event?
The World Series
What is the origin country of mulled wine, a traditional fall and winter drink?
Ancient Rome
What tool, once used for harvesting grain, inspired the design of the Grim Reaper’s scythe?
The sickle
In Germany, which city hosts the world’s largest Oktoberfest celebration?
Munich
In what direction does the Earth’s axis tilt during fall in the Northern Hemisphere?
Away from the Sun (moving toward winter)
What was the original air date (year) of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown?
1966
What is the French term for the small baked custard dessert often flavored with pumpkin in fall menus?
Crème brûlée
What crop is traditionally referred to as “Indian corn”?
Flint corn, known for its multicolored kernels
What Mexican holiday, occurring at the end of October and beginning of November, honors deceased loved ones?
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
What is the chemical compound that causes leaves to turn red in the fall?
Anthocyanin
The autumnal “Harvest Moon” refers to the full moon nearest what event?
The autumn equinox
Which U.S. city is credited with popularizing the modern pumpkin spice latte?
Seattle (Starbucks headquarters)
What biblical figure is often associated with the harvest and abundance due to his “many storehouses”?
Joseph (from the Book of Genesis)
The U.K. celebrates Bonfire Night every November — what historical event does it commemorate?
The failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605