The Hawkeye State
Famous Speeches
Grab Bag
World Geography
Also an NBA Team Name
Name that Elvis Song
100

This state has the nickname of "The Hawkeye State"

What is Iowa?

This name was popularized by two promoters from Burlington who were inspired by a combination of Chief Black Hawk, a Native American leader, and the character Hawkeye from the novel The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper.  

100

His most famous speech was the "I have a dream" speech was delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963.

Who is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr?

King had a prepared speech, but as he spoke, friend and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson called out to him, "Tell 'em about the dream, Martin!". He then abandoned his text and launched into the now-iconic "I have a dream" section.

100

The DC in Washington DC stands for this

What is the District of Columbia? 

D.C. is not a state, but a federal district. As a result, its citizens cannot vote in congressional elections. 

100

This is the worlds largest country by area.

What is Russia?

Russia's vast size means it spans 11 time zones and covers over 6.6 million square miles.

100

This loud rumbling sound is associated with lightening 

What is Thunder?

The Oklahoma City Thunder were originally the Seattle SuperSonics, winning an NBA championship in 1979 before relocating in 2008.

100

Name that Elvis song #1

What is "...Hound Dog"

"Hound Dog" was originally a blues song by Big Mama Thornton before Elvis Presley recorded his hit version, which he first performed on national television in 1956

200

This is the capital city of Iowa

What is Des Moines?

 The city's name comes from the French "Rivière des Moines," meaning "River of the Monks," and it was originally settled as Fort Des Moines in 1843

200

In a 1775 speech, Patrick Henry gave a compelling argument for armed resistance against the British that culminated in his immortal words of "give me liberty or...." this

What is "Or Give Me Death"?

The speech was a powerful plea for Virginia to arm itself and prepare for the impending war with Great Britain. It is credited with persuading the Virginia Convention to pass a resolution to raise a military force.

200

This is the term for a scientist who studies weather

What is a meteorologist?

Only a fraction of meteorologists are public-facing weather reporters. Many work for government agencies like NOAA or for private companies in industries like aviation, energy, and agriculture.

200

This major city sits on both the European and Asian continents.

What is Istanbul?

While being the ancient capital of multiple Empires, including the Eastern Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire, it is not the modern capital of Turkey. Ankara is the modern day capital city of Turkey.

200

This is what you call an adult male deer, easily recognizable in the fall when they have antlers.

What are Bucks? 

The Milwaukee Bucks were founded in 1968 and quickly won their first NBA championship in 1971, just three years later.

200

Name that Elvis Song #2

What is "Blue Suede Shoes"?

Elvis famously wore the shoes on the Steve Allen Show in 1956, and they have been a symbol of his style ever since.

400

This is the major river that makes up Iowa's eastern border. 

What is the Mississippi River?

It is a vital corridor for migratory birds, with over half of all North American birds migrating along the river annually. 

400

Early into the Great Depression, this President told the American people that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" 

Who is Franklin Delano Roosevelt? 

In the full sentence, Roosevelt described fear as "nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance," emphasizing that fear itself was the most damaging force that prevented progress and recovery. 

400

Which TV show was set in a Korean War military hospital

What is M*A*S*H*?

Many cast members, including Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Mike Farrell, and Jamie Farr, were U.S. military veterans.

400

The Andes Mountains can be found on this continent.

What is South America?

The Andes are the longest continental mountain range in the world, spanning 7,000 km (4,300 miles) along the western edge of South America.

400

Prior to the invention of the Space Shuttle, astronauts were launched into space using these. 

What are Rockets?

In the 2016-17 season, they set an NBA record for the most three-point shots made in a single season. 

400

Name that Elvis Song #3

What is "Can't Help Falling In Love"

"Can't Help Falling in Love" was the very last song Elvis ever performed live at his final concert on June 26, 1977, in Indianapolis.

600

In 1959, this up and coming musician, along with Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper were tragically killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.

Who is Buddy Holly?

The phrase "The Day the Music Died" came from Don McLean's 1971 song "American Pie" and is a reference to the crash, which happened on February 3, 1959.

600

In a 1962 speech at Rice University, this President declared "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills". 

Who is John F. Kennedy?

The quote suggests that facing difficult challenges can bring out the best in people and that striving for a hard goal is more valuable than settling for an easy one.

600

This is the name of the space shuttle that tragically exploded on live TV in 1986

What is the Challenger?

Seventy-three seconds after liftoff, the shuttle exploded due to a faulty O-ring seal in the right solid rocket booster that failed in the cold Florida morning temperatures. As a direct result of the disaster, NASA significantly reformed its safety protocols and management practices. 

600

This is the smallest country in the world.

What is Vatican City?

Due to the small population, the rate of petty crime per capita is the highest in the world, primarily consisting of pickpocketing and other theft by tourists. Similarly, it has the highest per capita wine consumption in the world. 

600

This genre of music was born in and is often associated with New Orleans. 

What is Jazz?

The Utah Jazz were originally founded as the New Orleans Jazz in 1974 but kept their name after relocating to Utah in 1979.

600

Name that Elvis song #4

What is "Jailhouse Rock"?

While the song was initially a working title, the movie's title was changed to "Jailhouse Rock" after the song was written and found to be so successful. 

800

The world's biggest truck stop, just outside of Walcott, is located on this major east/west interstate highway that runs through Iowa

What is I80?

Spanning 220 acres, The I-80 Truck Stop includes amenities like a 24-hour restaurant, a barber shop, a dentist, a movie theater, a workout room, and the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum. The facility has 900 parking spots for trucks, making it a comprehensive hub for drivers.  

800

Abe Lincolns most famous speech, called this, began with the words "Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

What is the Gettysburg Address?

Lincoln gave the speech in November 1863, a time when public support for the war was wavering due to heavy casualties and the unpopular draft. The address reframed the war as a fight to preserve democracy itself and was crucial in boosting the Union's spirits

800

This is the chemical symbol for the element gold .

What is Au?

The chemical symbol for gold, Au, comes from the Latin word aurum, meaning "shining dawn".

800

This canal, under Egyptian control, links the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea

What is the Suez Canal?

The canal's strategic importance has led to conflicts, most notably the Suez Crisis of 1956, when Egypt's nationalization of the canal sparked a war with the British, French, and Israelis. Today, the Suez Canal handles 14% of global trade, moving goods like oil, coal, and fertilizers between continents. 

800

At an annual festival in Pamplona, Spain, the streets are sectioned off while some brave individuals choose to run in the street with these large animals. 

What are Bulls?

The Chicago Bulls are the only NBA franchise to win multiple championships without ever losing in the NBA Finals. They achieved six titles in two separate three-peats (1991–1993 and 1996–1998).

800

Name that Elvis Song #5

What is Suspicious Minds?

 The song is considered one of Elvis' signature songs and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. 

1000

This is the river that makes up most of Iowa's western border. 

What is the Missouri River?

A major steamboat, the Bertrand, sank in the river in 1865, and its preserved artifacts are now on display at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near Missouri Valley, Iowa.

1000

In June of 1987, in a speech delivered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, this U.S. president proclaimed  "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Who is Ronald Reagan?

The line "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" was nearly removed from the speech entirely. State Department and National Security Council advisors argued against the phrase, calling it "naïve," "needlessly provocative," and likely to raise "false hopes".

1000

This iconic hairstyle became popular in the 1960s, often associated with the band The Beatles

What is the mop top?

This simple, shaggy look was revolutionary for its time, defying the short, conservative hairstyles common for men.

1000

This is the Mount Everest lies on the border of these two countries

What are China and Nepal?

This international border splits the peak into a southern side (Nepal) and a northern side (China), with two main climbing routes originating from each side.

1000

These cowboy accessories are worn on the back of the heel of a cowboy boot, used to help get the horse going when standing idle.

What are Spurs?

The San Antonio Spurs hold the second-highest all-time winning percentage in the NBA, with a .592 all-time winning percentage.

1000

Name that Elvis Song #6

What is "(You're The) Devil in Disguise"?

When the song was first played for a British audience on the show Juke Box Jury, John Lennon famously voted it "a miss," stating that Elvis sounded like "Bing Crosby now". Despite Lennon's critique, the song was a huge international hit, topping the UK charts for one week, reaching number one in Japan, and peaked at #3 on the Bill Board charts in the U.S.