This Week in History
Illinois
Spooky Stories
Frank Sinatra, The Man
The Periodic Table
The US Constitution
Name That Island Country
100
In 1979, this iconic American film actor passes away at the age of 72. He starred in many western films including "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "The Quiet Man," and "True Grit." Who is this man?
John Wayne
100
In a great Chicago face off, both the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox played each other in the 1906 baseball World Series. Which team came out victorious?
The White Sox (4 games to 2)
100
Dr. Frankenstein reanimates a patchwork cadaver in Mary Shelley's 1818 gothic novel. What is Dr. Frankenstein's first name?
Victor
100
Frank was born in an East Coast state with the nickname "The Garden State." Which state was he born in?
New Jersey
100
At atomic number 2, this element is responsible for helping balloons float. What element is it?
Helium
100
The Constitution was signed in Independence Hall. What city is Independence Hall located in?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
100
Located between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans.
Australia
200
In 1752, one of the founding fathers flies a kite during a thunderstorm to prove the connection between lightning and electricity. Who was this man?
Benjamin Franklin
200
The longest street in Chicago is also the second longest street in the entire world. It was built between 1851 and 1869 and since then has been the scene of the famous St. Patrick’s Day parades and the world’s largest motorcycle parade Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade. Which street is this?
Western Avenue
200
In 1891, Oscar Wilde published a novel about a a hedonistic young man whose immoral nature manifests in a painting of him that he has locked away. What is this man's name?
Dorian Gray
200
Frank was to Italian Immigrant parents, Natalina "Dolly" Garaventa,and Antonino Martino "Marty" Sinatra. Much like his parents, "Frank," was a nickname. What was Frank's real first name?
Francis Albert Sinatra
200
There are 4 elements on the Periodic Table that share names with planets: 92 Uranium, 93 Neptunium, 94 Plutonium, and 80, which is an element that was used in hat making, and can be found inside of old thermometers. What planet does this element share a name with?
Mercury
200
In what harbor can one find the USS Constitution, known as "Old Ironside," anchored in?
Boston Harbor
200
Located to the east of the Eurasian continent and by the Pacific Ocean.
Japan
300
In 1777, Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes. In its first form, it had the 13 red and white stripes and a circle of stars. What Philadelphia seamstress is said to have designed the flag?
Betsy Ross
300
A bloody event occurred in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago on February 14th, 1929? It was the murder of seven members and associates of Chicago's North Side Gang. What was this event called?
The St. Valentine's Day Massacre
300
In 1897, Irish author Bram Stoker publishes a gothic novel that rockets him into literary fame. What is this Victorian masterpiece?
Dracula
300
Frank began starring in films in the early 1940's, but made his largest splash on the silver screen in 1954, when he won an Oscar for his performance as Army Private, Angelo Maggio. What is the name of this film, also starring Burt Lancaster and Montgomery Clift?
"From Here to Eternity"
300
Marie Curie and her husband, Pierre, discovered the element at atomic number 88 in the year 1898. This element was used to make watch faces glow before it was discovered that it was poisonous. What element is this?
Radium
300
The first of the 13 Colonies to ratify the Constitution was one of the smallest. It is also the State that President Joe Biden represented in Congress in 1996. What state is this?
Delaware
300
Located off the northwest of continental Europe, and west of Great Britain.
Ireland
400
In 1967, the first African American is appointed to the Supreme Court. What is his name?
Thurgood Marshall
400
Chicago is of course the most populated city in Illinois. Ranking at number 2, this city is located in the Kane and DuPage counties in northeastern IL. What is this city?
Aurora
400
The 1886 Gothic novella by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson introduces us to Dr. Henry Jekyll, who consumes a serum that transforms him into an evil alter ego that goes by what name?
Mr. Edward Hyde
400
Frank often ended his sets with this 1968 song, set to the music of rench song "Comme d'habitude" composed by Jacques Revaux. The English lyrics of the song were written by Paul Anka and are unrelated to the original French song. It has been recorded by many famous artists since, including Elvis Presley, and Sid Vicious. What is the name of this song?
"My Way"
400
At atomic number 33, we have an element that is highly poisonous. Before it was discovered that it was deadly, it was often used to dye fabrics green. Perhaps it is best known for it's use in the title of a 1944 film starring Cary Grant. What is this element?
Arsenic
400
This founding father is known as the "Father of the Constitution," he made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing The Federalist Papers. Who is this man?
James Madison
400
Located where the northern Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean meet.
Cuba
500
In 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court hands down its decision, establishing the principle that all criminal suspects must be advised of their rights before interrogation. Now considered standard police procedure, “You have the right to remain silent..." What are these list of rights called?
The Miranda Rights
500
The IATA (International Air Transport Association) airport code for O'Hare airport in Chicago is "ORD." This is a remnant of the original name of the airport, built on a German-American farming community. In 1949, it was renamed after aviator Edward "Butch" O'Hare, the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient during that war. What was the original name of O'Hare?
Orchard Field
500
In one of Edgar Allen Poe's short stories, a man named Montresor traps his enemy, Fortunado, by bricking him in behind a wall in the catacomb beneath his home. He lures Fortunado down to his death with the promise of what kind of sherry wine?
Amontillado
500
In the 1940's, Frank sang with the Big Bands, including American jazz trombonist, composer, conductor and bandleader known as the "Sentimental Gentleman of Swing." Who is this band leader with the initials, T.D.?
Tommy Dorsey
500
Atomic number 36, represented by the letters, "Kr," is a rare noble gas on the Periodic Table. It is not be confused for the home planet of fictional superhero, Superman, that shares the same name. What is this element?
Krypton
500
In 1933, President Herbert Hoover announced that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution would be exhibited at which building in Washington D.C.?
The National Archives
500
Located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
Greenland