In the Comics
This arachnid-themed superhero was introduced in 1962 and has been slinging his way through comics ever since.
Who is Spider-Man? At the time, Spider-Man was unusual for a lead comic character because he was a teenager.
This 1985 film stars Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg and is based on a novel of the same name by Alice Walker.
What is The Color Purple? Winfrey was prompted by Steven Spielberg to ad-lib the big speech her character Sofia gave at the dinner table.
This synthetic fabric gained massive popularity in the ’70s and was seen in many disco fashions.
What is polyester? In the ’80s, polyester went from a disco favorite to an athletic wear must-have.
The 1980 Winter Olympics were held in Lake Placid, in this northeastern U.S. state.
What is New York? The games were held from February 13–23 and included highlights like the “Miracle on Ice.”
“Good Vibrations” and “Surfin’ Safari”
Who are the Beach Boys? The Wilson brothers, their cousin Mike Love, and a friend formed the band in 1961 in California.
Artist and sculptor PICASSO.
Who is Pablo? He is credited with helping create the Cubist movement along with fellow artist Georges Braque.
The world first met this lasagna-loving comic cat in 1978.
Who is Garfield? The comic strip has spawned an animated television series as well as several movies.
In this 1968 film, the Beatles traverse under the sea to Pepperland.
What is Yellow Submarine? Despite their reluctance to create the film, the Beatles were reportedly impressed by the results.
Abbreviated YSL, this designer rose to fame in the 1960s and continues to be a sought-after designer today.
Who is Yves Saint Laurent? He worked for Christian Dior as a teenager before going on to create his own designs.
In a national tragedy in 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated in this southern state.
What is Texas? The president was on a speaking tour at the time, promoting themes of natural conservation, education, and world peace.
“Man in the Mirror” and “Beat It”
Who is Michael Jackson? His success began when he sang in the Jackson 5 with his brothers.
Folk singer BAEZ known for hits like “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”
Who is Joan? Baez helped another folk singer, Bob Dylan, rise to fame in the mid-1960s.
The 1980s introduced us to this group of pizza-loving superheroes named after well-known artists. They are “heroes in a half shell.”
Who are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? They are a spoof of many comic stereotypes.
This Molly Ringwald love-triangle classic of 1986 includes the characters Andie, Duckie, and Blane.
What is Pretty in Pink? The teen flick was filmed at the same Los Angeles high school as the 1978 movie Grease.
His designer jeans and other apparel, sometimes emblazoned with a CK, rose to popularity in the 1970s to early ’80s.
Who is Calvin Klein? Klein opened his first shop in 1968 with just $10,000.
The historic launch of Apollo 11 took off from this state’s Cape Kennedy (now Cape Canaveral).
What is Florida? The event was televised, and nearly 650 million people tuned in when Neil Armstrong took his first step onto the lunar surface.
“Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia”
Who is ABBA? The group gained popularity in the ’70s and announced a reunion in 2021.
Civil rights leader CHAVEZ, who fought for farm workers’ rights
Who is Cesar? He formed the National Farm Workers Association and led many marches and boycotts on behalf of farm workers.
This big, green Marvel superhero was introduced in his own comic series in 1962.
Who is the Incredible Hulk (or the Hulk)? The character was originally gray, but the Marvel printers had difficulty with the hue, so he was changed to green.
In this 1954 film, scientists discover a prehistoric beast lurking in the waters of the Amazonian jungle.
What is Creature from the Black Lagoon? Reportedly, filmmaker Ingmar Bergman watched the film every year on his birthday.
This designer’s looks were often worn by Audrey Hepburn, including the black dress she wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Who is Givenchy (gee-vahn-SHEE)? The frock is considered one of the most influential dresses in 20th-century fashion history.
This state’s university in Tuscaloosa was integrated in 1963 with the admission of three African American students.
What is Alabama? President Kennedy mobilized the National Guard to accompany the students as they registered for classes.
“My Girl,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” and “Get Ready”
Who are the Temptations? In 2019, Rolling Stone named them one of the 125 all-time greatest artists.
French general DE GAULLE
Who is Charles? He also served as president of the Fifth Republic of France from 1959 to 1969.
This iconic 1980s graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons begs the question, “Who watches the ________?”
What is Watchmen? The novel was adapted into a television show in 2019.
This 1973 film stars Charlton Heston as Detective Thorn and asks the iconic tagline question, “What is the secret of (this)?”
What is Soylent Green? The Soylent Green factory scenes were actually filmed at a Chevron oil refinery in California.
Designers like Gunne Sax were known for this style of women’s dress, noted for looking like pioneer fashion.
What is the prairie dress? The style was similar to dresses worn in Victorian times.
In 1974, the World’s Fair, also known as Expo ’74, was held in this state.
What is Washington? It was held in Spokane, the smallest city ever to host a World’s Fair.
“The Sound of Silence” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water”
Who are Simon and Garfunkel? The duo met in elementary school in Queens, New York.
Women’s rights activist SANGER
Who is Margaret? One of her notable achievements was coining the term birth control and helping with its legislation.
This Garry Trudeau comic strip was first published in 1970 and features political satire centered on the title character’s life and views.
What is Doonesbury? Mike Doonesbury started out as an idealistic teen and has aged over the course of the comics.
This 1984 Patrick Swayze war film features high school teens fighting Soviet invaders.
What is Red Dawn? According to Hollywood lore, one of the paratroopers in the beginning of the film got blown off-course during filming and was stuck in a tree. He had to convince the people who found him that he wasn’t really an enemy soldier.
These extremely wide-legged pants were popularized by rapper MC Hammer and worn in the ’80s and ’90s.
What are parachute pants (or Hammer pants)? Though the pants gained popularity relatively recently, their origins date back to the bloomers of the 1800s.
On March 28, 1979, the Three Mile Island accident took place in this state.
What is Pennsylvania? It involved a nuclear reactor partially melting down and resulted in many changes in how nuclear power plants operate.
"Stand by Me" & "Spanish Harlem"
Who is Ben E. King? King signed as a solo artist to Atlantic Records’ ATCO subsidiary in 1960, and unleashed two hits that became eternal emblems of R&B and rock: Stand By Me and Spanish Harlem.
Silent Spring author CARSON
Who is Rachel? This environmentalist is most noted for bringing awareness to the harmful effects of pesticides like DDT.