January, January
On January 4, people who are visually impaired celebrate this method of reading and writing.
What is braille? World Braille Day honors Louis Braille, the Frenchman who invented braille and was born with sight but lost it at the age of 10.
Fox gained stardom playing Alex P. Keaton on this sitcom.
What is Family Ties? Fox won a Golden Globe and three Emmys for the role.
“Jet Song” and “Maria” belong to this movie musical from 1961.
What is West Side Story? Leonard Bernstein composed the songs, and Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics.
Glen Bell founded this Mexican fast-food restaurant in 1962 in Downey, California.
What is Taco Bell? Just five years later, Taco Bell opened its 100th restaurant in Anaheim.
This Richard Adams novel details the exploits of a group of rabbits, including Fiver, Hazel, and Bigwig.
What is Watership Down? The novel was made into a film in 1978 and features the vocal talents of John Hurt and Richard Briers.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday is observed as a federal holiday on this day of the week.
What is Monday? We celebrate Dr. King’s birth each year on the third Monday in January
The Michael J. Fox Foundation funds research on this disease.
What is Parkinson’s? A recent study by the foundation helped discover a biological test capable of detecting Parkinson’s. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991.
This Hepburn film features the signature song “Moon River.”
What is Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Composer Henry Mancini said he wrote the song specifically for Audrey Hepburn and always felt her version was best.
This pizza chain got into the fast-food “game” in 1960.
What is Domino’s Pizza? The first Domino’s was in Ypsilanti (ip-suh-LAN-tee), Michigan. By 1983 the chain had spread to Canada.
This 1970 Roald Dahl story details a clever wild canine stealing from neighboring farms to feed his family.
What is Fantastic Mr. Fox? The popular book was made into a movie in 2009 by director Wes Anderson.
) People celebrate the founding of this “down-under” country on January 26.
What is Australia? January 26 is known as Australia Day. The first Australian colonists were prisoners brought from Britain in the late 18th century.
Fox was born in this country in 1961.
What is Canada? His father, William Fox, was a sergeant in the Canadian Army Signal Corps.
“Imperial Attack” and “Princess Leia’s Theme” are both on this movie soundtrack.
What is Star Wars (or Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope)? The music was composed by John Williams and is easily recognizable.
This snack food company was founded in 1961 by C. E. Doolin and Herman Lay.
What is Frito-Lay? Doolin and Lay merged their business with Pepsi-Cola in 1965 to form PepsiCo, of which Frito-Lay is still part of today.
The titular seabird of this 1970 novel struggles to fit in with his flock and embarks on a spiritual journey.
What is Jonathan Livingston Seagull? This popular book has been translated into 40 languages and adapted into a film, play, and ballet.
On January 17, 1991, this operation began the combat phase of the Gulf War in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.
What is Operation Desert Storm? It took place on the heels of Operation Desert Shield, which had begun the prior August and lasted 43 days.
One of Fox’s most famous roles is in Back to the Future, by this director.
Who is Robert Zemeckis? Fox has stated that he was once recognized by a Buddhist monk as “Marty McFly.”
The most iconic music from this 1975 beachy thriller is John Williams’ two-note motif.
What is Jaws? Williams won the 1976 Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic Score for his efforts.
The Oatmeal Creme Pie was the first snack baked by this snack-cake brand, named for the founder’s granddaughter.
What is Little Debbie? The Little Debbie brand and portrait logo were launched in 1960.
) In this children’s book, a needy rodent requests (among other things) a glass of milk, a straw, and a mirror.
What is If You Give a Mouse a Cookie? The book was first published in 1985 and has several sequels, including If You Give a Moose a Muffin.
This large South American tourist destination’s name translates to “River of January.”
What is Rio de Janeiro? It is named this because the Portuguese landed in the area on January 1, 1502.
His real middle initial is A, standing for this name.
What is Andrew? Fox did not want to use his real initial for fear of headlines describing him as “a fox.”
Kenny Loggins sings the title song from this 1984 Kevin Bacon film.
What is Footloose? Another popular song from the movie is Deniece Williams’ “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.” The film was adapted for the Broadway stage in 1998.
Rival Manufacturing debuted this countertop slow cooker in 1971.
What is the Crock-Pot? In true ’70s fashion, the Crock-Pot was sold in colors like Harvest Gold and Avocado Green.
This country veterinarian and author of All Creatures Great and Small began writing at the age of 50.
Who is James Herriot? His stories draw from his real experiences as a veterinarian and training with the Royal Air Force.