Trivial Pursuits
Time Machine
February, February
From Coast to Coast
Line It Up
100
Pawns, bishops, and rooks are some of the pieces on this game’s board.
What is chess? The object of the game is to take the opponent’s king. However, most players view the queen as the most valuable piece because of its versatility.
100
This event sparked the United States’ formal entry into World War II.
What is the bombing (of the USS Arizona) at Pearl Harbor? The bombing took place on December 7, 1941, and we honor those who died every year on the anniversary known as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
100
When February has 29 days, the year is known as this
What is a leap year? The length of a year is 365.25 days, so every four years, we have a year with an extra day.
100
Destin and Panama City, Florida, are on this coast.
What is Gulf? By 2025, sixty million people are estimated to live along the Gulf Coast.
100
This is the name for two lines that will never cross one another.
What are parallel? One example would be railroad tracks. Parallel lines can run vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
200
Origami is the art of this.
What is folding paper? It’s a form of Japanese art, and the paper is folded in the shape of animals and inanimate objects. If you made a paper plane as a child, then you are familiar with the art form.
200
Color TV shows debuted during this decade.
What are the 1950s? CBS released the first color TV programming in 1951 to an audience without color TVs. RCA released the first color TV in 1954. It measured 12 inches horizontally, and the price tag was $1,000.
200
Shrove Tuesday falls this number of days before Easter.
What is 40? It’s also known as Fat Tuesday. Lent starts on Valentine’s Day this year, so it might not be the ideal year to give up chocolate for Lent. Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was the last day to indulge in luxury foods before Easter.
200
This country has the longest coastline in North America.
What is Canada? It also has the longest coastline in the world, with 125,567 miles.
200
This is the midway point between the goal lines on the football field.
What is the 50-yard line? Each 10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-yard line has a stripe painted across the field. The yards between are designated with hash marks.
300
You can brew this alcoholic drink at home from hops.
What is beer? The process takes around a month to complete and much longer if you grow your own hops, which take two years to mature.
300
“Aquarius” was part of the soundtrack of this 1968 Broadway production.
What is Hair? The original cast included Diane Keaton, Meat Loaf, and Ben Vereen—before anyone had ever heard of them.
300
This monarch came to the throne on February 6, 1952.
Who is Queen Elizabeth II? Her coronation was held June 2, 1953.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(979x674:981x676)/queen-elizabeth-coronation-1-dbffa7819fb44a52bb4c1a213bcafc18.jpg)
300
This highway runs three-quarters of the length of California.
What is (State Route) Highway 1, or the Pacific Coast Highway? Along the way, you’ll traverse magnificent views, including cliffs, beaches, and forests.
300
This line figuratively separates the North from the South in the U.S.
What is the Mason–Dixon line? It runs approximately along the shore of the Ohio River from the Missouri-Iowa border to the East Coast. Charles Mason, an astronomer, and Jeremiah Dixon, a surveyor, drew the line.
400
Numismatic refers to these items.
What are coins? The term generally refers to collecting them. Some people get their start collecting coins when they come across valuable ones selling for far less than they’re worth at estate sales. Often, they may find them tucked into another item they’ve purchased.
400
This ring was invented during the 1970s and reflected what you were feeling.
What is the mood ring? The idea behind the fad was that the ring reflects the wearer’s mood through color. It’s made with liquid crystals that change hues based on the finger’s temperature.
400
On the first day of Lent, Catholics receive these in church.
What are ashes (on the forehead)? It’s known as Ash Wednesday. The ashes symbolize death—ashes to ashes—as Christians await the celebration of new life at Easter.
400
Perth is located on this coast of Australia.
What is west? The 2,000-mile trip from Perth to Broome is a memorable journey full of epic coastlines to the north. Fun fact: You can ride camels on the beach in Broome.
400
When these lines cross, they form 90-degree angles.
What are perpendicular? They form right angles, which is another way to say 90-degree angles. Intersecting lines that do not form right angles are not perpendicular.
500
This is the name for a three-dimensional miniature scene with a painted background.
What is diorama? Examples of dioramas include miniature war reenactments, circuses, Nativity scenes, and Christmas villages.
500
Babe Ruth hit his last home run on May 25, 1935, for a total of this many home runs in his career.
What is 714? This record stood as the most career home runs until April 8, 1974 when Hank Aaron hit 715. Aaron went on to finish his career with a record 755 home runs.
500
You might encounter these bushes with delicate, rose-style blooms in February.
What are camellias? They come in the same colors as roses, and many shade-tolerant varieties are available. Camellias can also be grown as houseplants.
500
Expert surfers head for this coast when in Oahu, Hawaii.
What is north? Weekend surfers should head north to Hale‘iwa Beach Park to see the experts in action. While on the North Coast, beginners can head to Pua‘ena Point Beach Park for tamer waves.
500
This is another name for lines of longitude.
What are meridians? These vertical lines converge at the North and South Poles.