A New York State of Mind Online Quiz | Mixed New York

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. New York City is comprised of areas known as boroughs. How many are there?

Answer: five

The five boroughs of New York City are: Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island. Of the five, Queens is the largest in area at 108.53 square miles, with Brooklyn second at 70.82. However, Brooklyn is the most populous as of the 2017 census.

2. Which of these was an early name for New York City?

Answer: New Amsterdam

The settlement on Manhattan Island that was to become New York City was named by Dutch explorer Henry Hudson. But New Amsterdam was not the original name. Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazanno discovered the site in 1524 and named it New Angouleme in honor of King Francis I of France who was the former Count of Angouleme. Hudson, exploring on behalf of the Dutch East India Company, was looking for the Northwest Passage but he found the area around Manhattan Island to be a good source for beaver pelts - a highly valued commodity overseas.

3. In what part of New York is the legendary Apollo Theater located?

Answer: Harlem

Originally inhabited by mostly Jewish and Italian immigrants and their descendants, the growing number of African-Americans migrating from the segregated South caused that population to become dominant in Harlem over time. Ironically the Apollo Theater was originally a burlesque house with a "Whites Only" admission policy.

When the theater was purchased in 1933 by Sidney Cohen after being closed for a few years he renovated the building and re-opened it under the name "Apollo Theater".

4. In 1863 New York was the scene of one of the worst riots in American history. What incited the riot?

Answer: The imposition of a military draft

From July 13th to July 16th Lower Manhattan in New York City was embroiled in violent riots protesting laws initiated by Congress authorizing the drafting of men into service to fight in the American Civil War. The riots soon escalated beyond protesting the draft and into ugly and violent racial and political battles. Competition for jobs between recently freed blacks and white immigrants added fuel to the situation.

There was not a sufficient number of police to handle the riots so President Lincoln ordered militia to the city.

5. For a change here's a sports question. What baseball player, who played for New York his entire career, was known as "The Yankee Clipper"?

Answer: Joe DiMaggio

"Joltin'" Joe DiMaggio's record of hitting safely in 56 consecutive games in 1941 is a testament to his ability. Gehrig and Jeter both played for the Yankees in their entire career, but Ruth began his major league career with the Boston Red Sox and ended it with the Boston Braves. DiMaggio was married to Marilyn Monroe for two years.

6. One of New York's most popular attractions is Radio City Music Hall. In what year did it open?

Answer: 1932

Radio City Music Hall opened on December 27, 1932 with a stage show that lasted six hours, from 8 pm to 2 am. The length and format of the show received mostly bad reviews from the critics, many of whom left before it finished. Eventually the shows were streamlined and the theater became a major New York attraction highlighted by the famous dance troupe The Rockettes.

7. The financial district of New York is known as "Wall Street". How many blocks long is it?

Answer: Eight

In addition to several major financial institutions Wall Street has been home to the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ and other stock exchanges. While there are varying accounts of how Wall Street got its name the most accepted one is that it contained the original site of a 12 foot high wall constructed by agreement between the Dutch West India Company (headed by Peter Stuyvesant) and the city government in the 1640s. White colonists and African slaves were used in the construction of the fortress.

8. "New York, New York", from the movie of the same name, has been a signature song for both Frank Sinatra and Liza Minelli. But what stage and movie musical contains a completely different song with that same title?

Answer: On The Town

The music for "On The Town" was composed by Leonard Bernstein. In the movie Frank Sinatra played one of the three sailors. The other two were portrayed by Gene Kelly (who also directed the movie) and Jules Munshin. Betty Garrett, Ann Miller and Vera-Ellen played the female leads.

9. What twice yearly event celebrates the works of New York's garment district?

Answer: Fashion Week

Several cities worldwide celebrate "Fashion Week" in the spring and fall, but New York is considered one of the "Big Four" along with Paris, London and Milan. As the 21st century began more cities began hosting fashion weeks including Mumbai, Berlin, Rome, Shanghai and New Delhi among others.

While the concept of a fashion week originated in Paris, New York was the first to actually adopt that name. The first "New York Fashion Week" took place in 1943.

10. Which of these men was never Mayor of New York City?

Answer: Mario Cuomo

Mario Cuomo served three terms as Governor of New York but was never Mayor. All three of the others were Mayors in the 19th century including Hugh J. Grant (no relation to the British actor) who served two terms from 1889 to 1893. Clinton served three terms as Mayor between 1803 and 1815. Gilroy served one term from 1893 to 1894.

Source: Author Bob9491

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

A New York State of Mind Trivia Quiz

This isn't about the song. It's a quiz devoted to one of the places on my "bucket list"--New York City. Someday I will get there! Meanwhile, have fun with this quiz!

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