Movies
A young boy takes a train to the North Pole on Christmas Eve in what classic 1985 children's book by Chris Van Allsburg?
The Polar Express
What California island, notorious for other reasons, was occupied for over a year in 1969 and 1970 by activists associated with the American Indian Movement?
Alcatraz
In what classic work of children's literature do the characters Mike, Veruca, Violet, Augustus, and Charlie get a tour of a confectionery manufacturing facility?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
What is the chemical symbol for the element with the atomic number 79?
Au
What is the shortest complete sentence in the English language?
"I am." (or "Go." depending on interpretation)
In what 1987 movie does Baby Houseman fall in love with her dance instructor?
Dirty Dancing
General Philip Sheridan presented to a joint session of Congress in 1875 to encourage the mass slaughter of what mammal? The General wanted to limit the resources of groups against whom he was fighting.
American Bison
What 1897 novel sees Abraham Van Helsing chasing down the title character in his namesake castle in modern-day Romania?
Dracula
What chemical element is named after the Scandinavian region?
Scandium
What New Jersey town is home to a statue of Frank Sinatra?
Hoboken
What "sweet" Canadian actor and comedian rose to fame as a member of the Toronto branch of the Second City, starred in major movies like "Uncle Buck," and died of a heart attack in Mexico at the age of 43?
John Candy
What Native American language is renowned for being used by code talkers from a namesake tribe during World War II?
Navajo
First appearing in the children's book "Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys", what is the most famous character created by H. A. and Margaret Rey?
Curious George
Which element has the highest atomic number that naturally occurs on Earth?
Uranium
How many states does the Appalachian Trail cross?
14
What 1990 Rob Reiner psychological thriller film gave Kathy Bates an Academy Award for playing a nurse that holds author James Caan hostage so he can rewrite one of his books? Based on a Stephen King book, the title implies that sad things are going to happen.
Misery
According to some accounts, what constellation was identified in songs as the "Drinkin' Gourd" by enslaved people who used it to orient themselves along the Underground Railroad?
The Big Dipper (Ursa Major)
In 1994, Bill Gates paid over $30 million for “The Codex Leicester”—a very, very, very old collection of scientific writings by what artist who was more well-known for a painting of a woman he did, but was actually quite a skilled anatomical sketch artist?
Leonardo da Vinci
What is the rarest naturally occurring element on Earth?
Astatine
What sport was featured on the first curved U.S. coin in 2014?
Baseball
The bittersweet song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is originally from what Judy Garland movie musical with a US city in its name?
Meet Me in St. Louis
A 1970 speech given by the Native American activist Frank "Wamsutta" James in Plymouth, Massachusetts marked the inaugural National Day of Mourning demonstration. On what important day in the American calendar does this demonstration take place annually?
Thanksgiving
Agatha Christie's "By the Pricking of My Thumbs" and Ray Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes" are two novels who take their titles from lines in what Shakespeare play?
Macbeth
What is the heaviest element on the periodic table?
Oganesson
What Oscar-winning actor was a cast member on the '70s show “The Electric Company?”
Morgan Freeman