🎆July Week 1🎆

✉️Posty Postage Stamps✉️

100

Which founding fathers appeared on the first US postage stamp? 

George Washington and Benjamin Franklin

It would be private enterprise that brought stamps to the U. S. On February 1, 1842, a new carrier service called "City Despatch Post" began operations in New York City, introducing the first adhesive postage stamp ever produced in the western hemisphere, which it required its clients to use for all mail. This stamp was a 3¢ issue bearing a rather amateurish drawing of George Washington, printed from line engraved plates in sheets of 42 images. The company had been founded by Henry Thomas Windsor, a London merchant who at the time was living in Hoboken, New Jersey.

 

200

True or False: Abigail Adams was the first American woman to be depicted on a postage stamp. 

False, it was Martha Washington!

The 8-cent Martha Washington stamp, issued in 1902, was the first stamp issue featuring an American woman. Martha Custis (1731-1802) married George Washington on January 6, 1759. Although a private person, she bravely followed her husband to war and the Presidency. During the Revolutionary War Martha was instrumental in maintaining troop morale, even spending the hard winter in Valley Forge with her husband. She helped organize supplies, rolled bandages, and led women in their work around camp. 

300

Hundreds of topics have been featured on US stamps, which of the following has not yet been the subject of a stamp?

a. Carnivals

b. Music Albums

c. Monsters 

d. Skateboards

b. Music Albums 

There have been many peculiar, quite unusual, slightly odd and downright weird postage stamps from around the world. For instance, a Swarovski Crystal souvenir sheet of stamps issued in Austria in 2004 was embedded with tiny Swarovski crystals, while the UK made scratch and sniff stamps, which smelled of eucalyptus and were issued in 2001 for the centenary of the Nobel Prize. In 2010, the Netherlands made a stamp with a complete story book. And in the 1920s during Germany's hyper-inflation period, stamps were valued at 500 million marks for a period of time! 

400

Which U.S. President, a stamp collector, so enjoyed the hobby that he provided the Post Office Department with his own sketches for stamp designs? 

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 - 1945), thirty-second president of the United States, aroused nationwide interest in stamp collecting when, during the 1930s, the White House released numerous photographs of him working on his stamp collection. Though the intention of issuing images of a relaxed president metaphorically “putting the world in order” reassured citizens during the Great Depression, other, unintended, consequences occurred – primarily a surge in collecting and stamp clubs. 

500

How much do you think a postage stamp cost in each year?

1. 1881

2. 1959

3. 1983

4. 2023

1. 3 Cents

2. 4 Cents

3. 20 Cents

4. 73 Cents

The U.S. ranks No. 5 in a listing of postage costs in a list of 30 countries, according to the USPS' Office of Inspector General. The agency found that the cost of a stamp in the U.S. had risen a total of 26% — from 36 cents to 50 cents — over a five-year period from June 2018 to June 2023 — far less, on average, than in the other countries it looked at. 

🌭Hotty Hot Dogs🌭

100

What cartoon character's first on screen words were "Hot Dog!"?

Mickey Mouse! 

When audiences stepped into theaters to see the ninth Mickey Mouse short The Karnival Kid in 1929, they were treated to a story that featured Mickey working at a carnival, and uttering the Mouse’s first words. And what were these words that would go down in cinema history as the first spoken by arguably the most famous fictional character of the 20th century? “Hot Dogs! Hot Dogs!” Yup, that’s right, Mickey’s first words were an extortion to buy hot dogs. 

200

True or False: Hot dogs were one of the first foods eaten on the moon.

True! 

One small step for man, one giant leap for hot dogs: As the country celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing this week, hot-dog lovers are honoring one of the first foods eaten by Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. on their monumental mission. The Apollo 11 voyage was the first mission to feature hot dogs, in the form of "thermostabilized frankfurters" with a "thermostabilized cheddar cheese spread," according to a NASA report. 

300

How many hot dogs are eaten every 4th of July? 

a. 150 thousand

b. 2 million

c. 150 million

d. 2 billion

c. 150 million

That’s enough hot dogs to stretch from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles five times! Americans consume more than 20 billion hot dogs each year, most of them during the summer months. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans eat an estimated 818 hot dogs every second, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. 

400

What kind of sports games were hot dogs first sold at in 1893? 

Baseball games!

Even today, the term “hot dog” can also be substituted with “frank,” “sausage” or “wiener.” Again, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the term “hot dog.” One popular story that has gained prevalence is that on the New York Polo Grounds during 1901, vendors were abundant selling their frankfurters. The vendors constantly shouted about how the sausages were “red hot” and “genuine Dachshund sausages.” A New York cartoonist apparently took the “Dachshund” to mean the literal dog and quickly created a cartoon depicting little wiener dogs in the now iconic buns. Within this cartoon, he used the phrase “hot dog,” and it stuck. 

500

What are some other names for hot dogs? 

Bonus: What are hot dogs made of? 

Franks, weiners, sausages, frankfurters, weenies, coneys and red hots. 

 

Hot dogs are commonly served with one or more condiments. In 2005, the US-based National Hot Dog & Sausage Council (part of the American Meat Institute) found mustard to be the most popular, preferred by 32% of respondents; 23% favored ketchup; 17% chili; 9% pickle relish, and 7% onions. Other toppings include sauerkraut, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and chili peppers. Condiment preferences vary across the U.S. Southerners showed the strongest preference for chili, while Midwesterners showed the greatest affinity for ketchup.

Bonus: Typically pork and beef meat trimmings with fat, salt, garlic, paprika and preservatives. 

🗽Independence Day📜

100

What are some things that people do to celebrate the 4th of July? 

Set off fireworks, have parades, have barbecues and picnics as well as large family dinners, neighborhood cook outs and going out on boats. 

The 4th of July, or Independence Day, is arguably America’s favorite holiday! The day commemorates when the US gained its independence, so historically, the day is filled with celebrations. One of the most colorful and interesting celebrations of the year, it’s a time to get together with friends, enjoy your favorite summer foods, listen to music, and have a great time. While the day itself is incredibly casual, there’s an important dress code almost everyone goes by. You’re practically required to wear red, white, and blue! 

200

True or False: Less than 50 people signed the Declaration of Independence.

False, 56 people actually signed it!

The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence occurred primarily on August 2, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. The 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress represented the Thirteen Colonies, 12 of which voted to approve the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. 

300

Which president of the United States was the first to host a 4th of July celebration in 1801 at the White House? 

a. John Adams

b. Thomas Jefferson

c. James Madison

d. Andrew Jackson

b. Thomas Jefferson

Although John Adams was the first president to occupy the Executive Mansion in November 1800, it was Thomas Jefferson who first celebrated the Fourth of July at the White House in 1801. Jefferson opened the house and greeted diplomats, civil and military officers, citizens, and Cherokee chiefs in the center of the oval saloon (today's Blue Room). The Marine Band played in the Entrance Hall while on the north grounds a festival took place - complete with horse races, parades, and food and drink. The tradition of an annual reception at the White House continued for much of the nineteenth century.

 

400

Every Independence Day, what rings 13 times in honor of the patriots from the 13 original states? 

The Liberty Bell

Although the Liberty Bell does not ring anymore, it once rang for historical events ranging from the signing of the Constitution to the deaths of the Founding Fathers. Today, the bell is tapped 13 times every Fourth of July to represent the patriots from the 13 colonies. Children who are descendants of the original Declaration of Independence signers receive the honor to conduct the annual taps of the bell. Additionally, the Liberty Bell is lightly rung in observance of Martin Luther King Day each year. 

Fun fact: No one who is currently alive has ever heard the bell ring freely. Although the power of computer modeling has been used in attempts to figure out what it once sounded like.

 

500

What happened on July 4th, 1776 in the United States to make the day a federal holiday? 

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. 

Most of the delegates to the Second Continental Congress signed the document on August 2, 1776. By putting their names on this paper, these men risked losing everything if the British won the American Revolution. Even though the Americans won, some of these men suffered severely by supporting independence.

 

🔥Some More S'mores🔥

100

True or False: Approximately 50% of marshmallows sold are roasted for s'mores. 

True! 

According to The S’mores Cookbook, Americans buy 90 million pounds of marshmallows annually. It’s estimated that, during the summer, approximately 50 percent of marshmallows sold are roasted for s’mores. What are some other things you can use marshmallows for?

200

Who invented s'mores? 

Hint: They come in troops and sell cookies at your door!

The Girl Scouts!

It appears the treat was a campfire staple long before the dictionary officially recognized it: The first known s'mores recipe was published in the Girl Scouts handbook Tramping and Trailing With the Girl Scouts in 1927. The snack was originally called “some mores.”

300

How big was the largest s'more ever made?

a. 100 pounds

b. 200 pounds

c. 500 pounds

d. 1,000 pounds

b. 200 pounds!

Campers at Deer Run Camping Resort in Gardners, Pennsylvania, built what could just be the world’s largest s’more. Weighing in at 267 pounds, the supersized sweet included 140 pounds of marshmallows, 90 pounds of chocolate, and 90 pounds of graham crackers.

400

What popular chocolate bar is traditionally used in s'mores?

Bonus: What type of cracker?

Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar 

According to a release from The Hershey Company, the company produces more than 373 million milk chocolate bars yearly, enough to make 746 million s’mores. Do you have a special way you make s'mores?

Bonus: Graham Crackers!

500

How do you make marshmallows? Have you ever made them?

Mix gelatin with water. Over the stovetop melt sugar/corn syrup with water, then heat to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour sugar mixture into the bowl with gelatin and beat until the batter is thick. Pour into a pan and let sit for 6 hours. Dust with powdered sugar and slice 'em up!

Marshmallows used to be gourmet desserts. French cooks made marshmallow treats by adding frothy egg whites and sugar to the mallow root sap. The process was later simplified when gelatin replaced the plant matter. 

🤘It's Only Rock 'n Roll🤘

100

What tragedy befell the singers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP Richardson in 1959, referred to as "The Day The Music Died"? 

On February 3, 1959, American rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson were all killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson.

At the time, Holly and his band, consisting of Waylon Jennings, Tommy Allsup, and Carl Bunch, were playing on the "Winter Dance Party" tour across the Midwest. Rising artists Valens, Richardson, and vocal group Dion and the Belmonts had joined the tour as well. After stopping at Clear Lake to perform, and frustrated by the conditions on the tour buses, Holly chose to charter a plane to reach their next venue in Moorhead, Minnesota. Richardson, suffering from flu, swapped places with Jennings, taking his seat on the plane, while Allsup lost his seat to Valens on a coin toss.

 

200

True or False: The song "Great Balls of Fire", widely considered as one of the greatest rock and roll songs was famously performed by Larry Lee Lewis. 

False, it was Jerry Lee Lewis! 

If you want to tell an early rock ’n’ roll story guaranteed to score wide grins and knowing nods, go for the one about how Chuck Berry and Jerry Lewis were booked on an Alan Freed package show and Freed gave Berry the closing spot. As the oft-told story goes, Lewis was so outraged that as he finished his set, he took out a Coke bottle full of gasoline and set his piano on fire. 

300

Considered one of the first rock 'n roll songs, "Rock Around the Clock", who had a hit with this song in 1954? 

a. Phil Bailey and his Meteors

b. Gill Daley and his Sputniks

c. Will Shaley and his Asteroids

d. Bill Haley and his Comets

d. Bill Haley and his Comets

On July 9, 1955 "Rock Around the Clock" became the first rock and roll recording to hit the top of Billboard's Pop charts, a feat it repeated on charts around the world. The song stayed at this place for eight weeks. Although the record is sometimes claimed to be the first in the rock and roll genre, Alexis Petridis of The Guardian wrote that "Rock Around the Clock" and "That's All Right" were generally not considered the first rock and roll records but rather "the first white artists' interpretations of a sound already well-established by black musicians almost a decade before. 

400

What evening television show did most rock 'n roll musicians play on when they were gaining popularity? 

The Ed Sullivan Show

The Ed Sullivan Show is especially known to the World War II and baby boomer generations for introducing acts and airing breakthrough performances by popular 1950s and 1960s musicians such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Supremes, the Dave Clark Five, the Animals, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Dusty Springfield, the Beach Boys, the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Buddy Holly, Janis Joplin, the Rolling Stones, the Mamas and the Papas, the Lovin' Spoonful, Herman's Hermits, the Doors, Dionne Warwick, Barbra Streisand, Petula Clark, and the Band. 

500

Which musicians comprised the Million Dollar Quartet, when they recorded their legendary jam session at Sun Studios on 4 December 1956?

Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash 

When Jerry Lee Lewis died in 2022, it wasn't just the death of one of the last rock 'n' rollers. Before his passing, Lewis was the last surviving member of rock 'n' roll's greatest supergroup. Okay, the foursome of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash weren't a "proper" touring or recording band. But on December 4, 1956, purely by chance, this incredible collection of performers – dubbed the Million Dollar Quartet – did get together in the studio and have a jam. Fortunately, a man named Jack Clement had the presence of mind to press record, and this incredible moment was captured forever.