The 50 States
It became the 49th state on January 3, 1959.
What is Alaska? On August 21, 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state. An easy way to remember which state came first is to remember that they became states in alphabetical order.
“Stop in the Name of Love,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” and “My World Is Empty Without You” are all songs performed by this all-female group of singers.
Who are the Supremes? In 1967, the group was renamed Diana Ross and the Supremes and kept the name until Ross left to pursue a solo career in 1970.
Many people wear these three colors to celebrate the Fourth of July.
What are red, white, and blue? They are the colors of the U.S. flag. Many people fly the flag on this day.
Ribeye and skirt
What are steak cuts (or beef cuts)? Ribeyes are tender, marbled cuts, best pan fried or grilled over dry heat, while skirt steaks are a tougher cut, best marinated in an acidic sauce and then flash-seared.
No one wanted to hang out with someone who was this, a word meaning “boring” or a “buzzkill.”
What is a drag? A boring person might also be called a party pooper, wet blanket, stick in the mud, or killjoy.
This state is known as “America’s Dairyland.”
What is Wisconsin? The only U.S. Master Cheesemaker program is in Wisconsin. It takes more than 13 years in the program to become a master cheesemaker.
Early hits from this blind singer include “For Once in My Life,” “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” and “My Cherie Amour.”
Who is Stevie Wonder? In the early days, he was billed as Little Stevie Wonder.
Eat some funnel cake and take the grandkids to ride some rides at these state and county events, if one starts in July near you.
What is a fair? The focus of state and county fairs is livestock, horticultural, and craft competitions, but entertainment features draw the crowds. Fairs typically run from May through October.
Granny Smith and pink lady
What are apples? Granny Smith apples are eaten raw and often used for baking. Pink lady apples are crisp and tart with a hint of sweetness.
This group was known as the “Fab Four.”
Who are the Beatles? The “Fab Four” started in Liverpool, England, and became one of the most successful bands in history. When they arrived in America in 1964, more than 70 million people watched them on TV.
Northwestern University is in this state.
What is Illinois? Northwestern was founded in 1851 to serve the former Northwest Territory.
“My Girl,” “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” are performed by this foursome.
Who are the Temptations? The Primes and the Distants, two Detroit bands, merged together to form the Temptations in 1961.
On July 6, 1885, Louis Pasteur experimented on a nine-year-old boy who had been bitten by a dog by injecting him with this vaccine.
What is rabies? The dog was rabid, and the vaccine was unproven; fortunately, it worked, and Pasteur saved the child’s life. It was a gamble worth taking.
Tagliatelle and vermicelli
What is pasta? Tagliatelle comes from Northern Italy and dates to the 15th century. Vermicelli is used in soups and in seafood dishes.
When we stayed out past curfew, our parents did this to their lids, meaning “get upset.”
What is flip? Other ways to say a person is upset include saying they lost their temper, hit the roof, went ballistic, or blew up.
Field of Dreams is set in this state.
What is Iowa? The field is open to the public, and you can walk on the baseball diamond. A few years ago, an MLB baseball complex was added, which hosts various events.
“Bernadette,” “It’s the Same Old Song,” and “Standing in the Shadows of Love” are three of this band’s hit tunes.
Who are the Four Tops? The original Four Tops performed from 1953 through 1997. The band performing today isn’t a tribute band; it’s made up of replacement artists.
When it’s too hot to play a full round of golf—or even a nine-hole round of golf—try this quick, alliterative golf game.
What is putt-putt? The game consists only of putting, but many courses are both imaginative and challenging.
Spring and egg
What are rolls? Spring rolls are thin pancake wraps from China, filled with vegetables and sometimes meat. Egg rolls are a similar, wider-Asian take on spring rolls, but they’re fried and crunchy.
This is another name for the summertime footwear known as thongs.
What are flip-flops? Flip-flops have been worn for thousands of years; early versions were worn in ancient Egypt. The modern style became popular after World War II when soldiers brought home the design referred to as zori from Japan.
Hell’s Canyon and Snake River primarily run through two states: Idaho and this.
What is Oregon? Both Hell’s Canyon and Snake River defy their names and are scenic tourist attractions.
This man performs “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,” and “How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You.”
Who is Marvin Gaye? Sometimes the billing includes Tammi Terrell.
On July 5, 1946, showgirl Micheline Bernardini introduced this garment to the world in Paris.
What is the bikini? Two-piece swimsuits were already worn, but this was the first unveiling of a bikini.
Elephant and black
What is garlic? Elephant garlic has a milder flavor than the smaller varieties, and it is not a “true” garlic; it’s a member of the leek family. Black garlic is aged garlic with a higher nutrient concentration than common garlic.
Teenage boys in their muscle cars did this, meaning leaving tire marks on the road from a fast start or stop.
What is “laid rubber”? As cars became more powerful in the 1950s and 1960s, drivers could spin their tires so fast that friction heated the rubber, causing smoking tires and dark marks on the road.