New Year Around the World
In this U.S. city, a giant crystal ball drops in Times Square to mark the start of the New Year.
New York City
This Islamic holiday, marking the end of Ramadan, is celebrated with feasts, family gatherings, and charity.
Eid al-Fitr
This major Canadian city hosts an annual New Year's Eve event at Nathan Phillips Square, featuring fireworks and live music.
Toronto
This winter sport, often associated with the Rocky Mountains, involves strapping boards to your feet and gliding down snow-covered slopes.
skiing
Who was the country music artist who wrote “Rocky Mountain High”
John Denver. Denver was one of the most popular entertainers in the 1970s. His music is known to capture nature and life’s simple pleasures.
What type of word puzzle is famously found in the New York Times?
Crossword puzzle. The crossword first appeared in the newspaper in 1942. The publication added the puzzle to distract people from the harsh news and realities of wartime.
In Spain, it is customary to eat 12 of these fruits at midnight, one for each chime of the clock, to bring good luck for the year ahead.
grapes
This springtime festival in India celebrates the triumph of good over evil with vibrant colors and is known as the "Festival of Colors."
Holi
In Québec, it is a tradition to serve this sweet treat made from snow and maple syrup during New Year celebrations.
maple taffy
This popular winter activity in Ottawa takes place on the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink, stretching over 7.8 kilometers.
skating on the Rideau Canal
Finish the line “A chicken in every pot and a car in every _______”.
Garage. The saying is attributed to Herbert Hoover’s 1928 presidential campaign.
What is the name of a ship that can travel below the water?
Submarine. Submarines were first used as weapons during the Revolutionary War, when Yale student David Bushnell invented a watercraft named the Turtle.
In this country, people wear polka dots and carry coins in their pockets on New Year's Eve to attract prosperity.
Philippines
In this country, Children's Day is celebrated on May 5th, with colorful carp-shaped kites symbolizing the hopes for children's success.
Japan
In rural Newfoundland, a unique New Year’s tradition involves this activity, where participants disguise themselves and visit neighbors for drinks and treats.
mummering
This annual winter festival in Québec City is famous for its ice palace, snow sculptures, and the mascot Bonhomme.
Carnaval de Québec (Quebec Winter Carnival)
The actress who became the most desired pinup girl during World War II.
Betty Grable. Betty Grable’s legs were insured for $1 million by 20th Century Fox in the 1940s. At the peak of her career, she was the highest-paid woman in Hollywood, with a salary of $300,000 per year.
How many nights is Hanukkah celebrated?
Eight. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the Temple’s rededication in Jerusalem.
In this country, it is a tradition to leap off chairs at midnight to jump into the new year and bring good fortune.
Denmark
On January 6th, this holiday celebrates the visit of the Magi to baby Jesus and is known as "Three Kings' Day" in many countries.
Epiphany
In Nova Scotia, New Year’s traditions often include this traditional musical gathering, featuring fiddles and Gaelic songs, reflecting the province's Scottish and Celtic heritage.
ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee)
This traditional Canadian winter sport, played on a frozen sheet of ice with brooms and stones, is a staple in towns and communities across the country.
curling
What game show was hosted by Bob Barker?
The Price Is Right. Bob Barker hosted The Price Is Right for 35 years, from 1972 to 2007.
What popular college is home to the Nittany Lions?
Penn State. Penn State was founded in 1855 as an agricultural school on 200 acres of land gifted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
In Scotland, this New Year’s celebration, known for "first-footing," involves visiting friends and bringing gifts like coal or shortbread.
Hogmanay
This uniquely Scottish celebration of the New Year involves traditions like "first-footing" and singing "Auld Lang Syne."
Hogmanay
In some rural areas of Québec, this New Year’s Eve tradition involves hosting an informal religious ceremony where families come together to pray and give thanks for the year.
veillée (a vigil)
In British Columbia, this adventurous winter activity involves skiing or snowboarding in remote areas away from groomed trails, often accessed by helicopters.
heli-skiing
What character from A Christmas Carol is visited by three Christmas ghosts?
Scrooge. Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in just six weeks. It was first published in time for Christmas on December 19, 1843.
How many points are earned for a football touchdown?
Six. In 1883, a football touchdown counted as four points. It was changed to six points in 1912.