A Quiz About Fifty

Answer: United States

The United States obtained independence from the British in 1776. Delaware was the first state to be established, followed by Pennsylvania and New Jersey, in 1787. In addition to the 48 contiguous states, the United States also includes Alaska and Hawaii, both of which were incorporated in 1959. Washington D.C. serves as the country's federal district.

Mexico has 32 states, Brazil has 26 and a federal district, and France is divided into 18 regions.

Answer: L

The Roman numeral system, as the name suggests, comes from Ancient Rome. It became one of Europe's most widely used systems some centuries ago. Some of the common Roman numerals include I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500) and M (1000). Although Arabic numerals are most common today, Roman numerals are still used in a variety of different contexts.

Answer: Quarters

The United States, which uses the U.S. dollar as currency, has four widely circulated coins: the penny, which is worth 1 cent, the nickel, which is worth five cents, the dime, which is worth 10 cents, and the quarter, which is worth 25 cents. Two less common coins include the half dollar, worth 50 cents, and a $1 golden coin.

The quarter dollar coin features a portrait of President George Washington.

Answer: Golden

British monarchs have popularized the term "jubilee" recently, especially Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her Sapphire Jubilee (65 years as queen) in 2017. The Golden Jubilee marks an anniversary of 50 years; Queen Victoria celebrated hers in 1887, and Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.

The Silver Jubilee marks 25 years, the Ruby Jubilee marks 40, the Diamond Jubilee marks 60, and the Platinum Jubilee marks 70 years!

Answer: 50 Grand

The word "grand," when referring to numbers, means one thousand (1,000). "Fifty grand", therefore, means 50,000. The image shows the Grand Canyon, a rock formation in Arizona that was a favorite site of President Theodore Roosevelt to visit, and earned national park status in 1919.

Answer: Rap

50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, is known for rap songs like "In Da Club", "21 Questions" and "Disco Inferno." He was discovered by fellow rapper Eminem, which would launch him to fame. In 2010, he won his first Grammy Award for the song "Crack a Bottle" with Eminem and Dr. Dre.

Answer: Tin

Tin is a post-transition metal that belongs to the Periodic Table's carbon group. Tin is more common in the form of alloys like bronze, but it is still a popular material that can have uses like solder, plates, and ceilings.

Answer: Portugal

Portugal is a European country that borders Spain, and has Lisbon as its capital city. The most popular sport in Portugal is soccer, and they have had great players born there such as Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo. Before both of those players, Eusebio, considered to be a legend of the sport, played for Benfica (a Portuguese team) from 1961 to 1975. During the 1967/68 season, Eusebio scored 50 goals in only 35 games, an amazing feat!

Answer: Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon

Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon was born in 1765 in Valladolid, a city which is now known as Morelia as it was renamed after him. Morelos is one of the most notable faces of the Mexican independence movement. He was appointed by Miguel Hidalgo as one of the main generals in charge of taking important cities, and wrote the document "Sentimientos de la Nacion", which summarized the ideals behind the independence movement, and served as a predecessor for a Constitution.

Other important figures who are showcased in Mexican currency include Benito Juarez (on the 20 peso bill), Diego Rivera (on the 500 peso bill) and Miguel Hidalgo (on the 1000 peso bill, which is rather uncommon.)

Answer: Train

Train is an American band that has released albums like "Save Me, San Francisco", "California 37" and "Bulletproof Picasso." Their song "50 Ways to Say Goodbye", included in "California 37", shows singer Pat Monahan making up excuses about what happened to his girlfriend rather than admitting she broke up with him.

Some of the excuses, from the lyrics, are that she was "fried getting suntanned", "fell in a cement mixer full of quicksand" and "met a shark under water." Quite intense!