A Day With the Addams Family
Fill in the blank: “They’re creepy and they’re kooky, ___________ and spooky…”.
What is mysterious? The iconic theme song was written by Vic Mizzy, who also wrote the theme to Green Acres.
Henry Ford first sold this car model in October 1908.
What is Model T? The original Model T cost around $825 and could reach speeds of 40 mph.
Atticus Finch is the family patriarch in this 1960 novel.
What is To Kill a Mockingbird? In 2015, the sequel (which Harper Lee actually wrote first), Go Set a Watchman, was published.
This 1960 Hitchcock thriller stars Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh.
What is Psycho? The popular horror film has sparked sequels and spin-offs, including a 2013 television series.
1961: This 35th president of the United States was inaugurated earlier that year
Who is John F. Kennedy? The article describes him as a great leader who supported civil rights, public education, and medical care for the elderly.
This is the name of John Astin’s character in the 1964 television series The Addams Family.
Who is Gomez Addams? Other actors to portray Gomez include Raul Julia and Oscar Isaac.
In October 1990, this country was reunited after 45 years of division between the east and west.
What is Germany? The fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification of Germany are celebrated on “Unity Day” every October 3.
Slaughterhouse Five by this author follows the life of American soldier Billy Pilgrim during WWII.
Who is Kurt Vonnegut? A veteran himself, Vonnegut drew from his experiences, including his time as a POW, to write the story of Billy Pilgrim.
Jonathan Haze stars as Seymour in this 1960 horrorcomedy about a flower shop.
What is Little Shop of Horrors? The movie reused old film sets, and the entire film was shot in a matter of days.
1968: Astronauts James Lovell, Frank Borman, and William Anders were the Men of the Year after completing this mission.
What is the Apollo 8 mission? Apollo 8 was the first human spaceflight to reach the moon and marked a pivotal point in the space race.
This daughter of Gomez and Morticia is named after a line in a popular nursery rhyme.
Who is Wednesday Addams? As the nursery rhyme goes, “Wednesday’s child is full of woe."
It was October 1957 when this motto's first appeared on U.S. paper currency.
What is “In God We Trust”? The motto had been used on coins since the days of the Civil War.
The Lorax is the titular hero of a 1971 children’s book by this author.
Who is Dr. Seuss? The Lorax is a creature who “speaks for the trees” in this environmentalist classic.
The tagline of this scary film of 1975 claims, “You’ll never go in the water again!”
What is Jaws? This movie is considered the first summer blockbuster due to the record crowds that turned up to see its initial release.
1975: American Women were named the Persons of the Year; among the dozen women profiled was this then-First Lady
Who is Betty Ford? The article noted her enthusiastic support for the Equal Rights Amendment and other humanitarian causes.
You might say this character is Ted Cassidy’s “right-hand man,” since he is portrayed by Cassidy’s right hand in most scenes.
Who is Thing? Though the end credits for the 1964 series credit Thing as portrayed by “Itself,” Ted Cassidy actually played it in most scenes.
This Florida tourist attraction first opened in October 1971 with a theme park, golf courses, and resorts.
What is Walt Disney World? Magic Kingdom is the oldest of Walt Disney World’s theme parks, having since been joined by Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
Mild-mannered Arthur Dent goes on an intergalactic adventure in this Douglas Adams sci-fi classic.
What is The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy? Douglas Adams became the youngest person to receive a Golden Pen Award for this book
This actress and daughter of Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis stars in Halloween, one of the most iconic ’70s horror flicks.
Who is Jamie Lee Curtis? She reprised her role as Laurie in the 2018 Halloween film.
1963: This reverend and civil rights activist is best remembered for his “I Have a Dream” speech.
Who is Martin Luther King Jr.? His work in civil rights helped pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
This butler for the Addams family is perhaps best remembered for his famous line “You rang?”
Who is Lurch? The role was not originally intended as a speaking part, but writers were so impressed with Ted Cassidy’s line delivery that they began writing dialogue for him.
This Vice President resigned on October 10, 1973.
Who is Spiro Agnew? He plead no contest to a charge of federal income tax evasion on the same day
George Smiley is one of the main characters in this John le Carré spy novel.
What is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy? Le Carré’s popular spy novel has been adapted to film and television, including a 1979 miniseries starring Alec Guinness.
Many of this Boston poet’s works have been adapted to film, including the chilling 1961 adaptation of The Pit and the Pendulum.
Who is Edgar Allan Poe? Other films based on his work include 1962’s Tales of Terror and 1970’s An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe.
1980: This actor-turnedpolitician was awarded the honor after being elected the 40th president of the United States.
Who is Ronald Reagan? Reagan would be Person of the Year again in 1983, that time sharing the honor with Yuri Andropov.