Pop Culture
This now ubiquitous search engine began with a research project in 1996
What is Google?
The project by Stanford University PhD students Larry Page and Sergey Brin went on to become The internet search engine
This fruit is often harvested in October and used as a decoration
What is pumpkin?
Morton Illinois is considered the "Pumpkin Capital of the World." It is also home to the Libby's company, which is known for its canned pumpkin puree
This is where you go to fill your car up with gasoline
What is a gas station?
The first drive-in gas station was built in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1913
Throughout the 70s, action figures based on these George Lucas Films were popular toys
What is "Star Wars"?
A recent line of films and TV shows set in the "Star Wars" universe has continued the massive popularity of similar toys.
This is the official term for farsightedness
What is hyperopia?
People who are farsighted have trouble focusing on objects close to them but can see distant objects in focus. If you squint when reading, it's time to get your eyes checked
In 1975, this musical duo declared that "Love Will Keep Us Together"
Who are the Captain and Tennille?
This song was No. 1 for four weeks, starting in June 1975
This time of year is great for bird watchers, as many species are on the move to their winter homes, including the ruby-throated variety of this bird.
What is hummingbird?
If you enjoy learning bird minutia, check out the miniseries on Netflix titled "The Residence." It's a murder mystery in which the main character is a bird enthusiast, and you'll learn more in a few hours than you ever knew about birds
Stop signs are this shape
In 1997, the win for Best Dramatic Score went to this Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche World War II tale.
What is "The English Patient"?
The score is by Gabriel Yared, who also scored "The Talented Mr. Ripley"
The ant known to deliver the worst sting
What is the bullet ant?
The blast of pain from a bullet ant's sting lasts between 12 and 36 hours. Ouch!
Comedians who have mastered this expressionless style include Bea Arthur, Jack Benny, Harvey Korman, and Tim Conway
Waht is deadpan?
Tim Conway and the other actor-comedians on "The Carol Burnett Show often took it upon themselves to improvise. Conway's masterful deadpan often broke his fellow stars to the point they couldn't contain their laughter
The U.S. Supreme Court reconvenes after its summer break on this day of the week in October
What is the first Monday?
Emergency hearings can be conducted during the summer, but the court is technically on hiatus from the end of June until its new term in October
This popular political term for the northeast corridor of the country gets its name from the Amtrak train that services the route, from Washington DC through New York City to Boston
What is the Acela corridor?
The Acela Express train features luxury seats, Wi-Fi, and upgraded dining among its many amenities enjoyed by politicians utilizing the corridor. The Acela Express is the fastest train in the United States, reaching a top speed of 150 mph on a few segments of the trip
Actor Bruce Dern's wife and actor Laura Dern's mother
Who is Diane Ladd?
She launched her career on the soap opera "the Secret Storm". You may know her from the 1974 film "Chinatown", "Primary Colors"(1998), and the Hallmark series "Chesapeake Shores". She is not related to Cheryl Ladd, though they have worked together on several projects
The smallest organ in the body is this gland
What is Pineal Gland?
It is located deep in the brain and produces melatonin to regulate your circadian rhythm, or inner body clock
This soap's slogan is "It Floats"
What is Ivory?
Ivory Soap was introduced in 1879 and has largely remained unchanged for 140 years. Besides being able to float, its other claim to fame is the fact that the soap is "99 + 44/100% pure"
This sport plays its World Series during the fall season
What is baseball?
The first World Series was played in 1903 between the Boston Americans and the Pittsburgh Pirates
A combined eight of his properties, designed in the first half of the 20th century, were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019
Who is Frank Lloyd Wright?
The eight sites include two of his best-known designs: the Guggenheim Museum in New York City and Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania
A 90s power couple was born at a barbecue when Richard Gere met this young supermodel, whom he would later marry
The pair married in 1991, and both went on to have successful careers
This is the term for conflict between belief and actions
What is cognitive dissonance?
When you get an unsettled feeling from doing something that does not align with your values and beliefs, that feeling is cognitive dissonance. If you rationalize a decision and later regret it, that could be a result of cognitive dissonance
In 1999, the Women's Soccer World Cup was played in the United States, and this woman scored the winning penalty.
Who is Brandi Chastain?
It was the second World Cup win for the U.S. and catapulted Chastain to international sports stardom
Very expensive foraged fungi
What are Truffles?
They're technically mushrooms; however, there are differences between mushrooms and truffles beyond their cost. Truffles grow underground near specific tree varieties, and they are typically served raw and shaved, more like a garnish than food. Even when served in minuscule amounts, they are the highlight of the dish
This is the northernmost capital city of an independent country
What is Reykjavik?
It's the capital of Iceland, and 64 percent of the people in Iceland live in the Capital Region of Reykjavik and its surrounding municipalities. The country became a sovereign state under the Danish crown in 1918 and gained full independence in 1944
He wrote "Breakfast at Tiffany's
Who is Truman Capote?
The versatile writer also penned "In Cold Blood" as well as poetry
Pommes Frites is French for these
What are French Fries?
They're just as popular in Paris as they are here, and they appear on most bistro menus. High-quality potatoes are chopped, soaked in water, and thoroughly dried before being fried twice in clean oil-Once to cook them and a second time to brown them