The Show-Me State
This state has the nickname "The Show Me State"
What is Missouri?
Missouri is the "Show Me State" due to a phrase popularized by Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver in an 1899 speech, where he stated, "I come from Missouri. You have got to show me". This statement captured a skeptical, common-sense attitude of demanding proof before accepting a claim.
If you break one of these, it's said to bring you seven years of bad luck.
What is a Mirror?
Breaking a mirror is considered bad luck primarily due to ancient beliefs that a mirror reflects not just the physical self but also one's soul or spirit, and that damaging the mirror damages the soul. The Romans linked this to a seven-year cycle for the body to renew itself, thus the curse of bad luck would last seven years.
This is the iconic color of Elizabeth Taylor's eyes
What is Purple(Violet)?
In addition to starring in many films, Taylor also guest stars on some 1980s soaps, including "All My Children" and "General Hospital"
On Sept. 8th 1966, this science fiction TV show, staring William Shatner, premiered offering "to boldly go where no other man has gone before".
What is Star Trek?
The series was produced by Lucille Ball's company, Desilu Studios, and she was a supportive "godmother" to the show
This New York Yankees outfielder, known as “The Great Bambino,” held the career home run record with 714 home runs until 1974
Who is Babe Ruth?
Babe Ruth had 2,873 career hits and 714 home runs. He was awarded the Most Valuable Player Award in 1923, was a seven-time World Series champion, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
If you were to fly from Denver, CO to Reno, NV, you would have to fly over this state, known for its Mormon population and nicknamed the Beehive State.
What is Utah?
Utah is nicknamed the "Beehive State" because the beehive symbol represents the hard work, industry, and cooperation of its early pioneers, particularly those of the Mormon faith. The beehive motif is deeply embedded in Utah's culture, appearing on its state seal, flag, and even the governor's residence, known as the "Beehive House".
This is the major north-south river that forms the eastern border of Missouri, separating it from Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
What is the Mississippi River?
The Mississippi Flyway, which follows the river's path, is a major migration route for North American birds, supporting a large number of species.
This number is said to bring bad luck.
What is 13 or 666?
The number 13 is considered unlucky primarily due to its association with negative events in both Christian and Norse mythologies, such as Judas being the 13th guest at the Last Supper and the Norse god Loki being the 13th to a feast, leading to death and chaos.
This 1963 film and ensuing sequels tell stories of an inept French police detective, Inspector Jacques Clouseau.
What is the Pink Panther?
The animated Pink Panther character was created for the opening credits of the 1963 live-action film The Pink Panther, and its popularity led to a series of Oscar-winning animated shorts that aired on Saturday mornings, spawning further cartoons, a TV show, video games, and commercials.
This is the last name of the business tycoon behind the “No. 5” perfume?
What is Chanel?
Coco Chanel chose "No. 5" because it was her lucky number and the fifth in a series of samples presented by perfumer Ernest Beaux. The fragrance's popularity was immense, leading to legendary ads, most notably the 1952 Marilyn Monroe quote, "What do I wear to bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course!"
This MLB team holds the record for most World Series at 27.
Who are the New York Yankees?
The St. Louis Cardinals are in 2nd place with 11 World Series wins.
If you were to fly from Milwaukee, WI to Bismarck, ND, you would have to fly over this state, also known as the land of 10,000 lakes.
What is Minnesota?
Minnesota boasts more shoreline than California, Florida, and Hawaii combined, thanks to its numerous lakes.
Name the two major metropolitan areas that are located in Missouri
What are St. Louis and Kansas City?
During the 1920s Prohibition era, Kansas City was known for its vibrant jazz clubs and, as a result, earned the nickname "Paris of the Plains" for its lively, less-than-dry atmosphere.
It is said to be a bad omen to walk under one of these.
What is an open ladder?
Going under a ladder is considered bad luck for two primary symbolic reasons: it forms a triangular "sacred space" that shouldn't be disturbed, which was a belief in ancient Egypt and also connected to the Christian Trinity; and it resembles a gallows, with the superstition stemming from the idea that walking under it invites your own death or symbolizes a connection to the executioner's work.
A 1987 novel by Fannie Flagg is named for fried tomatoes of this color.
What is Green?
"Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" is about interconnected stories in a small Alabama town.
This is the height of a regulation NBA basket
What is 10 feet.
The regulation NBA three-point line is 23 feet, 9 inches (23'9") from the basket at the top of the key, but shortens to 22 feet (22'0") at the corners
This is the name of the first African American to play in Major League Baseball’s modern era, breaking the color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers?
Who is Jackie Robinson?
A hero of American history, Robinson was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984 by Ronald Reagan, and in 2005, George W. Bush awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal.
If you were flying from Indianapolis, IN to St. Louis, MO, you would have to fly over this state, some call "the land of Lincoln"
What is Illinois?
Illinois is called the "Land of Lincoln" because Abraham Lincoln spent the majority of his adult life there, from 1830 until his election as President in 1861. During his time in Illinois, he honed his political skills by serving in the state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives, and his legal career thrived there.
This is the major landmark and tourist attraction located in St. Louis.
What is the The Gateway Arch?
The Gateway Arch is the world's tallest arch, standing at 630 feet, and is a monument to westward expansion and the Louisiana Purchase. Despite its massive size, the Arch can sway up to 18 inches in high winds
They say it's bad luck if you were to open one of these while indoors.
What is an Umbrella?
Opening an umbrella indoors is considered bad luck for two main reasons: it stems from a safety concern in the Victorian era, where early umbrellas had dangerous metal spokes and spring mechanisms that could injure people or damage property in tight spaces, and from an ancient Egyptian religious belief, where umbrellas protected royalty from the sun and opening one indoors was seen as an insult to the sun god Ra.
The Beatles once sang about how we all live in a submarine of this color.
What is Yellow?
While primarily written by McCartney, John Lennon contributed lyrics, and Donovan added the famous lines "Sky of blue and sea of green". McCartney stated the song was simply meant to be a children's song, with no deeper hidden meaning.
This is the best selling book of all time.
What is the Bible?
The King James Bible and the New International Version are the two most common prints of the Bible today.
During the 1990s, baseball's "home run race" featured star played Mark McGwire and this player for the Chicago Cubs
Who is Sammy Sosa?
Their epic home run race in 1998 captivated fans, with McGwire hitting 70 homes runs over the course of the season, and Sosa hitting 66. In 2001, Barry Bonds would beat that record with 71 home runs in a season.
If you were flying from Jackson, MS to Austin, TX, you would have to flyover this state, nicknamed the Bayou State or, the Pelican State, or the Creole State.
What is Louisiana?
Located in Louisiana, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the world's longest bridge built entirely over water, at 23.87 miles long.
This mountainous region is found primarily in southern Missouri, but also spans into Arkansas, and a little bit into Kansas and Oklahoma
What are the Ozarks?
The Ozarks are actually an uplifted plateau, not mountains in the typical sense. The Ozarks saw major internal fighting during the Civil War, including the first major battle west of the Mississippi, the Battle of Wilson's Creek
In many cultures, if this small animal of a particular color were to cross your path it would bring bad luck.
What is a Black Cat?
In Medieval Europe, it was believed that witches could transform into black cats or use them as familiars to carry out evil deeds. A black cat crossing one's path was seen as a sign that a witch had sent her familiar to cause harm.
This 1984 film stars Prince in a semi-autobiographical tale about a young musician on the rise.
What is Purple Rain?
Prince once had a nightmare that movie critics would hate the film, but Siskel and Ebert both loved it.
He was the first man in space.
Who is Yuri Gagarin?
As a national hero, he became a global celebrity but was grounded from further spaceflights due to fears of losing him. He died in a training jet crash in 1968, only weeks after being cleared to fly again.
Basketball legend Michael Jordan took a break from his career in the NBA to try his hand at baseball with this MLB team.
What are the Chicago White Sox?
The White Sox started in 1894 as the Sioux City Cornhuskers, moving to St. Paul, Minnesota, before becoming the Chicago White Sox in 1900, originally as a minor league team.
If you were to fly from Minneapolis, MN to Detroit, MI, you would have to flyover this state, sometimes called America's Dairyland
What is Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is the top state for cheese production in the U.S. If Wisconsin were a country, it would be the fourth largest global cheese producer.
This is the capital city of Missouri
What is Jefferson City?
Named after President Thomas Jefferson, it's a historic river town situated on the Missouri River, featuring the domed Missouri State Capitol and the famous, formerly operational, Missouri State Penitentiary.
It is often said that when this date falls on this day, that day will bring bad luck.
What is Friday the 13th?
Friday the 13th is considered unlucky due to the associations with 13 mentioned earlier as well as some historical events. The mass arrest and subsequent torture and execution of many Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307, by King Philip IV of France is often cited as a significant contributing factor to the superstition's origins.
This is the color of the top and bottom stripe on the United States flag
What is Red?
The stripes represent the original 13 Colonies and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.
In the Catholic Church, the Bishop of Rome is a title more commonly known as this.
What is the Pope?
The current Pope, Pope Leo XIV, is the first American born Pope, having been born in Chicago, IL on September 14, 1955.
The home of the Chicago Cubs, this ballpark is the 2nd oldest active baseball stadium in the United States.
What is Wrigley Field?
Wrigley Field first opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park and was renamed Wrigley Field in 1926 after the Wrigley family purchased the team.
If you were flying from Portland Oregon to Cheyenne Wyoming, you would have to fly over this state, known for its potatoes and nicknamed the Gem State
What is Idaho?
Idaho earned its nickname because it has yielded over 72 varieties of precious and semi-precious gemstones, including rare star garnets. Idaho grows a third of the country's potatoes and celebrates them with a New Year's Eve "potato drop".