In the Comics
This arachnid-themed superhero was introduced in 1962 and has been slinging his way through comics ever since.
Who is Spider-Man? At the time, Spider-Man was unusual for a lead comic character because he was a teenager.
This 1985 film stars Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg and is based on a novel of the same name by Alice Walker.
What is The Color Purple? Winfrey was prompted by Steven Spielberg to ad-lib the big speech her character Sofia gave at the dinner table.
In 1789, he was the first and only U.S. President to be elected with a unanimous vote.
Who is George Washington?
The 1980 Winter Olympics were held in Lake Placid, in this northeastern U.S. state.
What is New York? The games were held from February 13–23 and included highlights like the “Miracle on Ice.”
“Good Vibrations” and “Surfin’ Safari”
Who are the Beach Boys? The Wilson brothers, their cousin Mike Love, and a friend formed the band in 1961 in California.
Artist and sculptor Picasso
Who is Pablo? He is credited with helping create the Cubist movement along with fellow artist Georges Braque.
The world first met this lasagna-loving comic cat in 1978.
Who is Garfield? The comic strip has spawned an animated television series as well as several movies.
In this 1968 film, the Beatles traverse under the sea to Pepperland.
What is Yellow Submarine? Despite their reluctance to create the film, the Beatles were reportedly impressed by the results.
In 1849, she was the first woman to receive a medical degree.
Who is Elizabeth Blackwell? In January 1849, she graduated from Geneva Medical College in Geneva, NY, and ranked first in her class. She became the first woman in the United States to graduate from medical school and the first modern-day woman doctor of medicine.
In a national tragedy in 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated in this southern state.
What is Texas? The president was on a speaking tour at the time, promoting themes of natural conservation, education, and world peace.
“The Sound of Silence” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water”
Who are Simon and Garfunkel? The duo met in elementary school in Queens, New York.
Folk singer Baez known for hits like “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”
Who is Joan? Baez helped another folk singer, Bob Dylan, rise to fame in the mid-1960s.
The 1980s introduced us to this group of pizza-loving superheroes named after well-known artists. They are “heroes in a half shell.”
Who are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? They are a spoof of many comic stereotypes.
This Molly Ringwald love-triangle classic of 1986 includes the characters Andie, Duckie, and Blane.
What is Pretty in Pink? The teen flick was filmed at the same Los Angeles high school as the 1978 movie Grease.
In 1865, she was the first and only woman to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Who is Dr. Mary Edwards Walker? Dr. Mary Walker was the first woman awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, for her work as a surgeon during the Civil War.
The historic launch of Apollo 11 took off from this state’s Cape Kennedy (now Cape Canaveral).
What is Florida? The event was televised, and nearly 650 million people tuned in when Neil Armstrong took his first step onto the lunar surface.
“Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia”
Who is ABBA? The group gained popularity in the ’70s and announced a reunion in 2021.
Civil rights leader Chavez, who fought for farm workers’ rights
Who is Cesar? He formed the National Farm Workers Association and led many marches and boycotts on behalf of farm workers.
This big, green Marvel superhero was introduced in his own comic series in 1962.
Who is the Incredible Hulk (or the Hulk)? The character was originally gray, but the Marvel printers had difficulty with the hue, so he was changed to green.
In this 1954 film, scientists discover a prehistoric beast lurking in the waters of the Amazonian jungle.
What is Creature from the Black Lagoon? Reportedly, filmmaker Ingmar Bergman watched the film every year on his birthday.
In 1874, he was the first U.S. President to be born on U.S. soil.
Who is Herbert Hoover? Herbert Clark Hoover was born on August 10, 1874, in West Branch, Iowa–the first U.S. president to be born west of the Mississippi River.
This state’s university in Tuscaloosa was integrated in 1963 with the admission of three African American students.
What is Alabama? President Kennedy mobilized the National Guard to accompany the students as they registered for classes.
“My Girl,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” and “Get Ready”
Who are the Temptations? In 2019, Rolling Stone named them one of the 125 all-time greatest artists.
French general de Gaulle
Who is Charles? He also served as president of the Fifth Republic of France from 1959 to 1969.
Revisions to the Comics Code allowed for many new horror titles, including this one featuring the king of vampires.
What is Tomb of Dracula? An American horror comic book series published by Marvel Comics from April 1972 to August 1979. The 70-issue series featured a group of vampire hunters who fought Count Dracula and other supernatural menaces.
This 1973 film stars Charlton Heston as Detective Thorn and asks the iconic tagline question, “What is the secret of (this)?”
What is Soylent Green? The Soylent Green factory scenes were actually filmed at a Chevron oil refinery in California.
In 1932, she was the first woman to fly the transatlantic solo.
Who is Amelia Earhart? On July 2, 1937, Earhart disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the world.
In 1974, the World’s Fair, also known as Expo ’74, was held in this state.
What is Washington? It was held in Spokane, the smallest city ever to host a World’s Fair.
“Man in the Mirror” and “Beat It”
Who is Michael Jackson? His success began when he sang in the Jackson 5 with his brothers.
Women’s rights activist Sanger
Who is Margaret? One of her notable achievements was coining the term birth control and helping with its legislation.
This comic book was the first joint publishing venture between Marvel and DC.
What is Marvelous Wizard of Oz? Eric Shanower and Skottie Young's Eisner Award-winning adaptations of L. Frank Baum's Oz books begin with the beloved tale of Kansas farm girl Dorothy, blown by a tornado to the magical Land of Oz.
This 1984 Patrick Swayze war film features high school teens fighting Soviet invaders.
What is Red Dawn? According to Hollywood lore, one of the paratroopers in the beginning of the film got blown off-course during filming and was stuck in a tree. He had to convince the people who found him that he wasn’t really an enemy soldier.
In 1983, she was the first African-American Miss America.
Who is Vanessa Williams? In 1983, Vanessa Williams made history when she was crowned the first African American Miss America.
On March 28, 1979, the Three Mile Island accident took place in this state.
What is Pennsylvania? It involved a nuclear reactor partially melting down and resulted in many changes in how nuclear power plants operate.
“What’s Love Got to Do with It” and “Proud Mary”
Who is Tina Turner? In addition to her musical talent, she appeared in the 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome alongside Mel Gibson.
Silent Spring author Carson
Who is Rachel? This environmentalist is most noted for bringing awareness to the harmful effects of pesticides like DDT.