Fun Facts About the U.S.A. Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cadillac Mountain

The top of Cadillac Mountain is the first to see the sun. This mountain is located on Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park, a gorgeous national park located on the Maine coast in the mid-section of the state. Due to the fact that the mountain rises 1530 feet, it is the tallest point along the North Atlantic Seaboard. Mount Katahdin is the tallest peak. Mount Washington in New Hampshire is the highest point in the Northeastern U.S.

Originally called Green Mountain, the name was later changed in honor of French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. The summit can be reached by a paved road or hiking trails, a popular activity for those who want to see the sunrise first thing in the morning.

Answer: Charles Kemmons Wilson

Wilson, who lived in Memphis, took a road trip to Washington D.C. and discovered that many hotels along the way lacked the amenities that we know today. Having successfully owned movie theaters and vending machine businesses, he set his sights on becoming a hotelier. He named his hotel chain Holiday Inn after the 1942 film starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.

Wilson decided to add amenities not offered at that time. By adding swimming pools, air conditioning, and television, the hotel stay was much more comfortable for travelers. Being a father himself, he believed that children should stay for free.

Perhaps the best thing about the hotel chain was that it was affordable. Adding the amenities increased the chain's popularity, particularly for travelers who wanted comfort at an affordable price.

Answer: San Jose

San Jose is the largest city by area and population in Northern California. The city was settled in 1777 by José Joaquin Moraga, a Spanish farmer. It became the state capital after the American occupation of California, previously having been under Spanish control. The coming of the railroad in the mid-19th century improved much needed trade connections.

Today San Jose thrives as a bustling city. With museums, planetariums, science centers, universities, and the famous Winchester Mystery House, the city has come a long way since its humble beginnings.

Answer: South Dakota

Belle Fourche, South Dakota holds the distinction of being the geographic center. With the addition of Hawaii in 1959, its landmass added to the landmass of the continental U.S. which shifted latitude and longitude to 20 miles north of Belle Fourche.

A beautiful monument can be found there as well. "The Avenue of Flags" includes all 50 state flags as well as the national flags of the United States and Canada.

Answer: Cleveland, Ohio

The specific location for the first installation was Euclid Avenue and East 105th Street. It consisted of four pairs of red and green lights, one for each side of the intersection. A warning buzzer indicated when the light was about to change. Wired to a manually operated switch inside a control booth, the system was designed to avoid conflicting signals.

James Hoge, a Cleveland engineer, designed the first electric traffic light which was patented in 1918, years after it was first installed.

Answer: Arbor Day

The first documented festival of tree planting was held 1594 in Mondoñedo, a Spanish village in Lugo, Spain. Lime and horse-chestnut trees still grow in the the area known as Alameda de los Remedios.

J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska City, Nebraska established the first Arbor Day in the U.S. On April 10, 1872 one million trees were planted in Nebraska. President Theodore Roosevelt delivered conservation speeches to executives of the lumber industry as well as public school children. He emphasized the importance of forestation.

Nowadays Arbor Day is celebrated all over the world.

Answer: Louisiana

The culture of New Orleans changed when voodoo practices were introduced. Louisiana Voodoo came about by blending Roman Catholic beliefs, traditional religions of West Africa, and Haitian Vodue.

Situated in the French Quarter, the museum offers exhibits such as voodoo dolls, potions, candles, and other artifacts. It also offers haunted tours.

Local artist Charles Gandolfo founded the Historic Voodoo Museum in 1972.

Answer: earmuffs

Very often inventions are created out of need. Living in Maine, where winters can be bitterly cold, Chester realized he needed to create something to cover his ears when outside. He came up with the idea of two ear-shaped loops connected by wire. He then added fur to the loops and a steel band to hold everything together.

For nearly 60 years the production of earmuffs provided much needed employment for citizens living in Farmington, Maine.

Chester received a patent for his earmuffs in 1877.

Answer: Blythe Geoglyphs

Located fifteen miles north of Blythe, California, six figures are carved into the desert sand in three locations. Native Americans resided in the lower Colorado River area centuries ago and are believed to have been the ones who created the images.

The human figures represent Mastamho, the Creator of all life. The animal figures represent Hatakulya, mountain lions who helped with the Creation. There is also a spiral. Sacred ceremonial dances were held in this area in ancient times.

Answer: William Howard Taft

Although Taft had other chairs placed around campus, the one in Woolsey Hall, labelled E-9, is the only wide chair still located where it was originally placed.

Taft taught at Yale Law School after serving as President. He held that position until President Warren G. Harding appointed him Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1912.

Taft reportedly weighed 350 lbs.