Washington State
What is Washington’s state flower?
Coast Rhododendron
This native evergreen shrub blooms in late spring and early summer with clusters of pink to rose flowers. It grows in coastal and low-elevation forests across western Washington and was chosen as the state flower because it’s so common and showy here.
What holiday is celebrated on the first Monday of September?
Labor Day
Celebrated the first Monday in September, Labor Day honors working people and the labor movement. It’s traditionally marked by parades, picnics and a long weekend — and was made a federal holiday in the 1890s.
What color do most maple leaves turn in the fall?
Red
Many maples turn brilliant red in fall due to the production of anthocyanin pigments as chlorophyll fades. Weather — especially cool nights and sunny days — affects whether a tree turns red, orange, or yellow.
What soda was advertised as “The Pause That Refreshes”?
Coca-Cola
“The Pause That Refreshes” was one of Coca-Cola’s famous advertising taglines from the early-to-mid 20th century, used to sell the idea of a relaxing, refreshing break with a cold Coke.
What is the nickname for the full moon closest to the autumn equinox?
The Harvest Moon
The Harvest Moon is the full moon nearest the autumn equinox. Traditionally it rises soon after sunset for several evenings in a row, giving extra light that helped farmers bring in late harvests.
What two mountain ranges run through Washington?
The Cascades and the Olympics
The Cascades run north–south through the middle of the state and contain Washington’s volcanic peaks (Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens). The Olympic Mountains sit on the Olympic Peninsula and are known for dense temperate rainforests and rugged, glacier-carved peaks.
What is the birthstone for September?
Sapphire
The September birthstone is most often the blue sapphire (a form of the mineral corundum). Sapphires symbolize wisdom and fidelity, but they can come in many colors besides blue.
What popular pie is made with an orange squash?
Pumpkin pie
Pumpkin pie uses the flesh of a winter squash (usually pumpkin) and warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves — a longtime fall favorite tied to harvest traditions and Thanksgiving.
Who sang “You Ain’t Nothin’ But a Hound Dog”?
Elvis Presley
Elvis’s 1956 version of “Hound Dog” became one of his signature hits, but the song was originally written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and first recorded by Big Mama Thornton in 1952. Elvis’s energetic performance helped make it a rock-and-roll classic.
What nut is inside the spiky green husks that fall from trees?
Chestnuts
Chestnuts grow inside spiky burrs that split open in autumn to release the shiny nuts inside. Roasting chestnuts is a classic seasonal treat (though American chestnut populations were devastated by blight in the 20th century).
What fruit besides apples is Washington the top U.S. producer of
Cherries
Washington is a leading U.S. cherry producer (Bing, Rainier and other varieties), thanks to warm summer days, cool nights, and irrigated valleys like the Yakima and Wenatchee areas. Cherry harvests are a big late-spring/early-summer event and often shipped nationwide.
What is the flower for September?
Aster (or Morning Glory – both accepted)
The aster blooms in late summer and early fall with star-like flowers in purple, blue, pink or white, making it a classic September flower. Morning glories are another traditional September flower — they open in the morning and are popular in older gardens.
What fruit is often picked at orchards in the fall and made into cider?
Apples
Apple orchards are a classic fall destination: apples are picked in late summer and autumn and are used for everything from fresh eating to making cider (nonalcoholic “apple cider”) and hard cider. Varieties and local orchards make apple season a community event.
What TV show featured Lucy and Ricky Ricardo?
I Love Lucy
Starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, I Love Lucy ran in the 1950s and was groundbreaking for its multi-camera format, live studio audience, and its blend of physical comedy and domestic sitcom themes.
Which migratory birds famously fly south in a “V” formation during the fall?
Geese
Many species of geese (like Canada geese) migrate in autumn in distinctive V-formations. Flying in a V reduces wind resistance for the birds behind the leader and conserves energy on long flights; leaders rotate to share the workload.
Which Washington city is home to the world’s largest hydroelectric dam?
Grand Coulee (Grand Coulee Dam)
Built on the Columbia River in the 1930s–40s, Grand Coulee Dam is one of the largest concrete dams in the world and a major source of hydroelectric power and irrigation for central Washington. It was a huge public-works project that reshaped the region’s agriculture and economy.
What popular sport begins its season in September?
Football
September is when college and professional football seasons kick into gear — high schools, colleges and the NFL all begin regular-season play. For many communities it’s a major social event (tailgates, watch parties, and weekly rituals).
What is the first day of fall called?
The Autumn Equinox
The autumn equinox (around Sept. 22–23 in the Northern Hemisphere) is when the sun crosses the celestial equator and day and night are nearly equal in length. It marks the official start of astronomic fall
Who was the U.S. president when Alaska and Hawaii became states?
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower was president when Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union in 1959 (they became the 49th and 50th states). His administration oversaw that post-war era of expansion.
What year did Thanksgiving first become a national holiday in the U.S.?
1863 (declared by Abraham Lincoln)
During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation in 1863 designating a national Thanksgiving Day (to be observed on the final Thursday in November). That federal recognition helped turn Thanksgiving into a nationwide holiday.
Before it was called Washington, what was this region known as?
The Oregon Territory
Before the area became politically separate as “Washington,” it was part of the larger Oregon Territory (which covered present-day Oregon, Washington, Idaho and parts of other states). Congress later set off the Washington Territory in the 1850s; Washington became a state in 1889.
What zodiac signs are in September?
Virgo and Libra
People born from roughly Aug. 23–Sept. 22 fall under Virgo (practical, detail-oriented) and those born from about Sept. 23–Oct. 22 are Libras (balanced, social). Exact dates can shift by a day depending on the year.
What nut falls from oak trees in autumn?
Acorns
Acorns are the nuts of oak trees and drop in autumn; they’re an important food for wildlife (squirrels, deer, birds). People have historically processed acorns for flour after removing bitter tannins; different oak species produce different-sized acorns.
What year did The Beatles first appear on The Ed Sullivan Show?
1964
The Beatles made their first live U.S. TV appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964 — a watershed moment in pop culture that helped ignite Beatlemania in America and drew one of the largest TV audiences of the era.
The word “equinox” comes from Latin—what does it literally mean?
“Equal night” (day and night are the same length)
“Equinox” comes from Latin: aequus (equal) + nox (night) — literally “equal night.” It refers to the times of year when the sun is over the equator and day and night are roughly the same length (though atmospheric refraction means they aren’t perfectly equal).