CANADIAN CLASSICAL GREATS
Which Canadian pianist became Internationally famous for his interpretations of Bach?
GLENN GOULD - Pianist Glenn Gould is widely regarded as one of the most famous and influential pianists of the 20th. century.
(known for humming while playing)
What Canadian city celebrated a birthday on March 6th.?
TORONTO - Toronto officially became a city on March 6, 1834, when the former town of York was incorporated and renamed Toronto. Each year on March 6, the city marks its founding anniversary. In 2026, Toronto celebrated its 192nd birthday, reflecting nearly two centuries of growth from a small colonial town into Canada’s largest city. 🎉
Which continent contains the world's largest desert?
ANTARCTICA - Antarctica is actually the largest desert in the world - even though it's covered in ice. A desert is defined by "very low precipitation", not temperature. Antarctica receives less than 20cm of precipitation per year in many areas, making it an extremely dry cold desert. The world's largest hot desert is in the Sahara Desert in Africa, and only 2/3 the size of Antarctica.
Deserts are about DRYNESS - not heat.
American entrepreneur best known as the founder of the multi-national technology company Amazon.
JEFF BEZOS - Jeff bezos is an American entrepreneur best known as the founder of Amazon, one of the largest online retailers in the world. Born in January of 1964, Bezos started Amazon in 1994, originally selling books online from a small garage with a few employees. At first they packed books on the floor and shipped them themselves. Slowly orders increased and the small garage business eventually grew into one of the largest companies in the world. Currently his fortune is roughly a "quarter of a trillion" dollars.
What flower is traditionally associated with March?
DAFFODIL - The traditional birth flower for March is the Daffodil. Daffodils bloom early in the spring and symbolize rebirth, hope, and new beginnings, making them a perfect symbol for the month when winter begins to fade. Daffodils belong to the Narcissus family of plants. They grow from bulbs planted in the fall and usually bloom in March or April, and ae among the first flowers to bloom after winter.
What is the name of the prestigious Canadian music awards that include classical categories?
JUNO AWARDS - The Juno Awards are Canada's most important music awards, celebrating the country's best artists and recordings each year. When it first began in 1970, the ceremony was small, but as Canadian music gained international fame with artist like Anne Murray and later Celine Dion, the Junos grew into a major national event and is considered one of the highest honours in Canadian music.
Which annual global observance, held on March 8, celebrates and also highlights the ongoing pursuit of equality?
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - International Women's Day is observed annually on March 8. It began in the early 20th century through labour and women's rights movements and is now recognized worldwide. The day celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while also highlighting the ongoing work needed to achieve gender equality. 💜
Turkey is considered part of which two continents?
EUROPE and ASIA - Most of Turkey’s land lies in the larger eastern part in of Asia, while a smaller western part is in southeastern Europe. The city of Istanbul actually sits on both continents, making it one of the few cities in the world divided between Europe and Asia. You can actually cross from Europe to Asia in just minutes by bridge or ferry.
American retail businesswoman, writer and television personality. She was convicted of felony charges related to a stock trading case and served five months in federal prison.
MARYHA STEWART -Martha Stewart, born in 1941, the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She has written numerous bestselling books, published Martha Stewart Living magazine and hosted two syndicated tv programs from1993 to 2012.
What worldwide environmental event often takes place in March?
EARTH HOUR - Earth Hour is usually held in late March. During this event, people around the world turn of their lights for one hour to raise awareness about climate change and energy conservation. Famous landmarks and millions of homes participate each year.
What is the name of one of the most celebrated opera singer of the 20th and 21st centuries, who is assumed to be Canadian, but born in the USA?
RENEE FLEMING - Renee Fleming is one of the most celebrated opera singers of the 20th. and early 21st centuries. Although she is actually American, born in Pennsylvania, USA, she is often assumed to be Canadian due to appearances that had been spread across major cultural hubs, like Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal, but mainly Toronto - especially with the Canadian Opera Company.
What is the name of the 40-day period of fasting and preparation observed by many Christians in the weeks leading up to Easter?
LENT—Lent is 40 days in the Christian calendar leading up to Easter. During this time, many Christians focus on reflection, prayer, and sometimes giving up certain foods or habits. It begins on Ash Wednesday and is meant to be a time of spiritual preparation and renewal before Easter. This year, Lent begins on Wednesday, February 18, and ends on Thursday, April 2, the day before Easter.
Which continent has the highest average elevation?
ANTARCTICA - Antarctica’s average height above sea level is greater than any other continent. This isn't because of the mountains alone. It's mainly due to its massive ice sheet, which is up to 4 kilometres thick in places. The thick layer of ice sits on top of the land, raising the continent's overall height. so even though Asia has the highest mountain (Mt.Everest), Antarctica sits higher on average because it's essentially a continent-size block of ice.
Ice loss has accelerated, thinning in regions along the coasts. but the ice sheet is still up to 4km thick in places.
Canadian businesswoman and philanthropist, founder and chief executive of the Canadian retail chain of books and music.
HEATHER REISMAN -Heather Maxine Reisman, founder of the retail chain Indigo Books and Music, as well as co-founder and past Chair of Kobo. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2019.
What important seasonal change usually happens in Canada around March 20 or 21?
MARCH EQUINOX - The March Equinox usually occurs around March 20 or 21 and marks the official beginning of spring in Canada and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the united States. On this day, the Sun shines almost directly over the Earth's equator, which means day and night are nearly equal in length across the country. After the equinox, Canada begins to experience longer daylight hours and gradually warmer temperatures, signaloing the transition from winter to spring.
Which Canadian operatic baritone became world famous for his role as Don Giovanni in Mozart's Don Giovanni?
GERALD FINLEY - Gerald Finley, born in 1960, is a Canadian singer who started in local choirs and rose to become one of the leading baritones on the international stage. He became a regular performer at the world's great opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Royal Opera in London. For his contribution to music, he was appointed to an Officer of the Order of Canada.
What is the name of the ritual meal during Passover that retells the story of the Exodus from Egypt? 🍷🥖
SEDER - The Seder takes place during Passover. Families follow a special order of prayers, readings, symbolic foods, and songs to remember the Exodus story, gathering to retell their ancestors’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. Foods like matzah (unleavened bread), bitter herbs, and charoset each represent parts of the story of liberation and slavery. It’s both a religious and family-centered celebration of freedom.
Which continent has land in all four hemispheres?
AFRICA - Africa is the only continent that has land in all four hemispheres because two key lines cross it:
The Equator runs west - west through central Africa
The Prime Meridian runs north - south through West Africa. The unique positioning places Africa in all four hemispheres at once.
The Equator and the Prime Meridian turn the globe into a measurable grid, making travel, mapping, and global communication reliable and standardized.
This philanthropic businessman was a crucial part of Toronto‘s reputation as a world renowned theatre centre.
ED MIRVISH - Ed Mirvish. In 1962 Ed Mirvish bought the Edwardian Royal Alexandra Theatre, saving it from demolition. In 1993 he bought the Princess of Wales Theatre. He also has been credited with the development of much of the King Street Entertainment District by opening an entire block of restaurants.
What is the name of the ancient Persian New Year celebration that marks the first day of spring?
NOWRUZ—Nowruzz is the name of the first day of spring and the start of the Iranian calendar year, usually occurring around March 20 or 21.
Nowruz is a celebration that dates back more than 3,000 years to ancient Persia. This day is celebrated by millions of people in Iran and many other countries in Central Asia and the Middle East. 🌸
What is the name of one of Canada's greatest classical singers, known for her trumpet-like contralto?
MAUREEN FORRESTER - Maureen Forrester was one of Canada's greatest and best-known classical singers. She was renowned for her remarkable trumpet-like contralto and her deeply emotive musical interpretations. She is the only classical performer other than Glenn Gould to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Maureen Forrester was born in Montreal in 1930, she died in 2010 at the age of 80 in Toronto.
What is the name of the international sporting event that is now taking place so shortly after the Olympics?
PARALYMPIC GAMES - The Paralympic Games are one of the world’s largest sporting events. They feature thousands of athletes from around the globe competing in sports such as wheelchair basketball, para swimming, and para athletics. The Paralympic Games began in 1960 in Rome and are held every four years, following the Olympic Games and often using the same venues. This year it is Milano Cortina.
What is the continent-country Australia also know as?
LAND DOWN UNDER - Australia is known as the "Land Down Under" because it is located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, positioning it "below" or "under" the equator and most other major landmasses. The phrase was first recorded in print in 1886 by a historian writer who described a ship carrying passengers "safely down under". The term is primarily used by the tourism industry.
First French speaking Prime Minister of Canada
WILFRED LAURIER - Wilfred Laurier. (1841-1919) was a Canadian lawyer, statesman and politician who served as the seventh prime minister of Canada. He was in office as Prime Minister from 1896-1911. Robert Borden became Prime Minister right after him.
Which famous historical warning is connected to March 15 and the assassination of the Roman leader Julius Caesar?
"BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH" - the historical warning "Beware of the Ides of March" is connected to Julius Caesar, who was assassinated on March 15, 44BC. The phrase became widely known through the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, where a fortune teller warns Caesar to be cautious on the date. The "Ides" referred to the middle off the month in the Roman calendar, and the phrase has since become a famous warning about potential danger or betrayal.