North Carolina Famous People Trivia

1. Though not born in North Carolina, Michael Jordan is definitely considered a native of the Tar Heel State. Before joining the UNC basketball team, Jordan played high-school ball in which eastern North Carolina city?

From Quiz Famous North Carolinians

Answer: Wilmington

Jordan played his ball at Laney High School in Wilmington. He has been honored by having a stretch of Interstate 40 near the city named for him.

From Quiz Famous North Carolina Folk

Answer: Dolley Madison & Dolly Madison & Madison

Dolley Payne Todd Madison was born in Piedmont, NC. She was raised in a strict Quaker household. After her first husband's death in 1793, Dolley cast aside the tenets of her strict Quaker raising and began to wear the fashionable clothes she had always admired. In 1794, she married James Madison who was 19 years her senior. When Madison was elected President, Dolley was known for her lavish parties and fashions. When she fled from the British 1814, Dolley took Washington's portrait and many important state papers out of the White House.

From Quiz Famous North Carolina Folk

Answer: Old Hickory

Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) was nicknamed "Old Hickory." He received the name during the War of 1812, because it was said he was untiring as if he was made of hickory. Jackson served as President of the United States from 1829-1837. "Stonewall" was the nickaname of Thomas Jackson, a Condeferate general in the American Civil War. Andrew Jackson was known for his fiery temper, so I doubt anyone would have called him a Blockhead--at least to his face.

From Quiz Famous North Carolinians

Answer: Durham

An incredibly busy woman who has sung for US Presidents and given free concerts across the country, Caesar served on Durham's city council from 1987 to 1991. During her term, she focused on issues regarding the poor and the elderly. Often called "The First Lady of Gospel", she is also an ordained pastor, leading a church in nearby Raleigh. She also feted fellow singer Bob Dylan with his song "Gotta Serve Somebody" when Dylan was honored by the Kennedy Center in 1997. (Thanks to www.africanpubs.com for additional information on Shirley Caesar.)

From Quiz Famous North Carolina Folk

Answer: Practiced law and spent many years in the US Senate

Zebulon B. Vance (1830-1894) was elected as NC's Governor in 1862 and again in 1864. He was arrested and imprisoned after Gen. Johnston's surrender to Sherman. He was released late in 1865, and went back to practicing law. In 1876, Vance again became Governor of NC, but ran for the US Senate and won in 1878. He was still serving in the Senate at the time of his death in 1894. His family farm, the Zebulon Vance Birthplace, is located near Weaverville, NC, in the western mountains. It is open to the public and has been fully restored.

From Quiz Famous North Carolinians

Answer: NC State

Although Andrea Stinson's high school was in the same conference as my high school at the time, I didn't get to see her play until I went to NC State. She has been a joy to watch, both as a collegian and as a professional. Equally exciting is the fact that she played for Kay Yow, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002--an honor for which Stinson herself will someday be considered.

From Quiz Famous North Carolina Folk

Answer: Andy Griffith

Andy Griffith (Andy Taylor) was born in Mount Airy NC on June 1, 1926. Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee) was born and raised in New York City. She retired to Siler City, NC and lived there until her death in 1989 at age 86. Don Knotts (Barney) was born in Morgantown, West Virginia. The "Andy Griffith Show" is still running today in syndication.

From Quiz Famous North Carolinians

Answer: 5

A former Democrat who switched party affiliations to challenge a liberal Democratic candidate, Helms won the first of his five terms in the Senate in 1972. During his tenure, Helms's conservative leanings and divisive tactics won the support of much of the state outside of the heavily-urbanized I-85 Crescent. At the same time, they also served to contradict the policies of a forward-looking state. With his health beginning to fail, Helms stepped down after his fifth term and was succeeded by Salisbury native Elizabeth Dole.

From Quiz Famous North Carolina Folk

Answer: Became Miss America 1962

The lovely dark-haired Ms. Fletcher became the first Miss North Carolina to be crowned Miss America. She was born in Asheville, NC.

From Quiz Famous North Carolinians

Answer: Pepsi-Cola

A native of the town of Chinquapin, North Carolina, and a graduate of UNC, Caleb Bradham began his soda business in earnest when he trademarked the Pepsi name in 1903, then started selling his soda to other fountain vendors and in glass bottles. By the early 1930's, though, with rising sugar prices and the onset of the Depression, Pepsi-Cola, out of Bradham's hands since 1920, hit bankruptcy. Pepsi was purchased by the Loft Candy Company in 1931, refomulated and reintroduced to the market. It has remained a staple in the American home ever since. (Thanks to About.com and Insider.com for information on Caleb Bradham.)

From Quiz Famous North Carolina Folk

Answer: Flew in the space shuttle with John Glenn

Astronaut Curtis Brown was on board Discovery in 1999 when John Glenn returned to space. He is a veteran of six space flights and has logged over 1,383 hours in space. Brown was born on Mar. 11, 1956 in Elizabethtown, NC.

From Quiz Famous North Carolina Folk

Answer: Dale Earnhardt & Earnhardt

Dale Earnhardt (1951-2001) was born in Kannapolis, NC. In 1998, Earnhardt had finally won the Daytona 500 after nineteen unsuccessful attempts. It was at the Daytona 500 in 2001 that Earnhardt was killed when his car struck a wall on the last lap. Known for his aggressive driving style, his nickname was the Intimidator. Earnhardt had fans all over the country. His father. Ralph Earnhardt, was a former NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) driver.

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