October Origins
October is the 10th month today, but its name comes from the Latin word meaning what number?
Eight.
“Octo” means eight because October was originally the eighth month in the ancient Roman calendar.
In The Wizard of Oz, what does Dorothy say she is no longer in?
Kansas
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union shocked the world by launching what was the first artificial satellite?
Sputnik 1
What is the only month that has fewer than 30 days?
February
This candy consists of three colored sections and is shaped somewhat like a kernel of corn.
Candy Corn
What ancient Celtic festival is considered one of the major origins of Halloween?
Samhain
Samhain marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.
What 1960 Alfred Hitchcock film famously features a woman named Marion Crane and a motel run by Norman Bates?
Psycho
On October 9, 1967, which revolutionary figure was executed in Bolivia?
Che Guevara
If Halloween is on a Saturday, what day of the week will Thanksgiving be that same year?
Thursday
What actor played Herman Munster?
Fred Gwynne
What name is commonly given to October's full moon?
The Hunter's Moon
The name traditionally referred to the time of year when hunters prepared for winter.
In Ghostbusters, what is the name of the giant marshmallow character who appears near the end of the film?
Stay Puft / the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man
On October 24, 1945, what international organization officially came into existence?
The United Nations
What common English word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?
Short
In The Addams Family, what is the name of the family's daughter?
Wednesday
In 1582, a calendar reform caused October to lose how many dates in several countries?
Ten days
In the first countries adopting the Gregorian calendar, October 4 was followed by October 15.
In the 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, which two legendary actresses played the title characters?
Bette Davis and Joan Crawford
On October 28, 1886, what famous New York City landmark was officially dedicated?
The Statue of Liberty
A farmer has 17 sheep. All but 9 run away. How many sheep are left?
9
In the original 1897 novel Dracula, Dracula's castle is located in which historical region of present-day Romania?
Transylvania
October was once known in Old England by a name meaning approximately “winter full moon.” What was it?
Winterfylleth
The term referred to October as the month associated with the arrival of winter.
In the 1948 film The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, which actor famously says, “Badges? We don't need no badges”?
Alfonso Bedoya
On October 29, 1929, what notorious day helped symbolize the beginning of the Great Depression?
Black Tuesday
What number comes next: 1, 11, 21, 1211, 111221...?
312211
According to superstition, what animal crossing your path is traditionally considered bad luck?
Black Cat