Stargazing
Bucket List
Country Musicians
TV Sitcoms
Everyday Conveniences
Revisiting September Past
100

This is the star closest to Earth.

What is the sun? The sun is classified as a dwarf star. All the other stars we see in the sky are larger than the sun.

100

For the busy person who flies to destinations for work trips, this mode of commercial transportation hearkens back to a slower time.

What is train travel? It’s the perfect example of “the destination is the journey.” Both Canada and the United States have transcontinental train travel.

100

His tune “I Walk the Line” landed him in the No. 1 position on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time.

Who is Johnny Cash? His other hits include “A Boy Named Sue,” “Ring of Fire,” and “If I Were a Carpenter.”

100

Bea Arthur starred in this sitcom before joining the cast of The Golden Girls.

What is Maude? The show was a spinoff from All in the Family, on which she also appeared.

100

This was the first form of mass communication after the newspaper.

What is radio? Cell phones and Bluetooth would not have been possible without the discovery that radio waves travel through space.

100

The ruins of this “unsinkable” ship were found in September 1985.

What is the RMS Titanic? After more than 70 years at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, a French American expedition found the remains.

200

This is the study of the stars and other heavenly bodies beyond Earth.

What is astronomy? Many people confuse astronomy with astrology, which is the belief that astronomical phenomena, like the stars overhead when you were born, have an ongoing influence on one’s daily life and personality.

200

Some people want to travel to all seven of these major areas across the globe.

What are continents? Some wealthy travelers might also register for space travel on SpaceX, Blue Origin, or Virgin Galactic.

200

In addition to her singing prowess, she is known for her starring role as Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5.

Who is Dolly Parton? Her costars in the film include Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dabney Coleman. Parton has won 10 Grammy Awards. She’s also known for her theme park, children’s literacy program, and impressive wig collection.

200

You can find Felix Unger and Oscar Madison duking it out verbally over their differences in lifestyle and housekeeping in this sitcom.

What is The Odd Couple? Tony Randall plays Felix, and Jack Klugman plays Oscar in the wildly popular TV show.

200

This appliance can be found in most kitchens in North America. It causes the water molecules in food to vibrate, heating them up quickly.

What is the microwave? In 1947, the first microwave oven cost $5,000. In today’s money, that’s roughly $69,500.

200

In September 1964, this commission issued its report on the Kennedy assassination.

What is Warren? The Warren Commission’s report concluded Lee Harvey Oswald killed John F. Kennedy with a single bullet. To this day, there are many who don’t believe the findings in part or in whole.

400

This galaxy includes our own solar system.

What is the Milky Way? It is believed that the Milky Way has approximately 100 billion stars.

400

You can soar high above the ground in the “bucket” of one of these.

What is a hot-air balloon? If you like to view hot-air balloons, you can visit the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta held every fall.

400

This crossover musician is best known for performing his tune “The Gambler” and Lionel Richie’s “Lady.”

Who is Kenny Rogers? Rogers also performed many duets throughout his career, including with Dolly Parton and Dottie West.

400

Robin Williams plays an out-of-this-world character against Pam Dauber’s more down-to-earth role in this sitcom.

What is Mork and Mindy? Mork is from the planet Ork, and Williams is a natural for the part.

400

Western Union used to be in the business of sending telegrams. Today its business is this.

What is money transfer? In 1867, Western Union helped broker the sale of Alaska to the United States via its telegram services. It has been transferring money since 1871.

400

In September 1974, this president pardoned President Richard Nixon.

Who is President Gerald Ford? He did it so a trial would not further polarize the country. Some blame his failure to gain a second term on the pardon.

600

This determines the color of a star.

What is its temperature? Blue stars are the hottest, and red stars are the coolest. To put this into perspective, the coolest red stars are around 2,500 Kelvin (4,000ºF/2,200ºC).

600

If you run a 26.2-mile race, you are participating in this.

What is a marathon? If running isn’t for you, try a walkathon. Some charities, such as the March of Dimes, hold walkathons all over the country.

600

This country legend died in a plane crash on her way to Nashville in 1963. One of her most enduring hits is “Crazy.”

Who is Patsy Cline? Willie Nelson wrote “Crazy.” A week before her fatal trip, Cline said, “I’ve had two bad [accidents]. The third one will either be a charm or it’ll kill me.”

600

Hal Linden plays the lieutenant of the 12th precinct in this zany sitcom.

What is Barney Miller? Miller’s ragtag police department includes Detective Phil Fish (Abe Vigoda), Detective Stan “Wojo” Wojciehowicz (Max Gail), and Detective Sergeant Arthur Dietrich (Steve Landesberg), among others.

600

A popular recent addition to cars for winter driving, these keep you cozy and can also relieve back pain.

What are heated seats? The seats also increase circulation and are invaluable if you are stranded in winter and need to stay warm until help arrives.

600

In September 1973, this aircraft made its first transatlantic flight, breaking records for the fastest crossing.

What is the Concorde? The first crossing took only three hours and 33 minutes. The first passenger flight wasn’t until 1976, and it continued to transport passengers at speeds greater than Mach 2 until 2003.

800

The sun is the source of these two common forms of energy.

What are light and heat? According to National Geographic, the sun also influences weather, ocean currents, seasons, and climate. Without the sun, there would be no plants, since they require sunlight for photosynthesis.

800

To expand your ability to communicate, you might study one of these.

What is a foreign language? There are many free language courses available online.

800

This country musician was married to Julia Roberts from 1993–1995.

Who is Lyle Lovett? They got married during the same month they began dating.

800

Linda Lavin plays a server in this greasy-spoon sitcom.

What is Alice? Her sidekicks in the show are Flo and Vera, and together they make the most of working for the owner Mel while Alice waits to be discovered for her singing ability.

800

Before we had bleach, we used this blue product, which is still widely available, to whiten laundry.

What is Mrs. Stewart’s Liquid Bluing? The product has been around since 1883. It’s a concentrated, bright-blue liquid that must be diluted before adding to the wash.

800

On a September day in 1926, this 11-day feast in Little Italy made its debut.

What is Feast of San Gennaro (gen-AIR-o)? It’s a New York September tradition, and New Yorkers and visitors flock to Mulberry Street in the heart of Little Italy for shopping, parades, contests, live entertainment, and eating.

1000

This is one of the two major gases that make up the sun.

What are hydrogen or helium? Hydrogen makes up 70 percent of the gas in the sun, with helium contributing 28 percent. Other gases include carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and micro-percentages of others.

1000

This dangerous activity, as we know it, dates back to France in the late 18th century and involves jumping from a very great height.

What is skydiving? André-Jacques Garnerin became famous in late 18th-century France when he jumped from hot-air balloons with a parachute for show.

1000

She is known as “The Queen of Country” and covers Bobbie Gentry’s 1969 song “Fancy” on her 1990 album Rumor Has It. She also stars in an eponymous sitcom that aired from 2001–2007.

Who is Reba McEntire? Fun fact: Reba learned how to drive at the age of five.

1000

Freddy Prinze stars in this show alongside Jack Albertson.

What is Chico and the Man? The storyline illustrates the relationship between Chico and a cynical mechanic as they partner to bring in new business. Della Reese and Charo have recurring roles in the show.

1000

These ubiquitous square codes store information and are often “decoded” with a smartphone.

What are QR codes? They can be used to sign in to accounts or hold transcript information. They even appear on tombstones in Japan.

1000

September didn’t always have 30 days. It used to have this many.

What is 29? Julius Caesar added an extra day in 46 BC.