Alabama - More Interesting than You Know Quiz

Answer: Marshall Space Flight Center

Huntsville is home to many aerospace related companies including Marshall Space Flight Center, US Space and Rocket Center - which is home to Space Camp, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Redstone Arsenal, to name a few.

Answer: Kymulga Cave

One of the most impressive natural wonders of Alabama, the main room of DeSoto Caverns boasts to be larger than a football field and taller than a 12-story building at the highest point, which is a large crack in the ceiling of the room. What is of special note, although the cave was named for explorer Hernando DeSoto, he never actually visited the cave.

Answer: 0

The USS Alabama was the sixth vessel named for the state, and was launched from Norfolk Navy Yard in Virginia on February 16, 1942. This 680-foot long battleship (BB-60 by designation) served in the Pacific theater during the Second World War. The ship was dubbed the "Lucky A" because during her service time, she lost no American lives due to enemy fire. Her sister ships were the Indiana, South Dakota and the Massachusetts, all of which were "South Dakota class" ships. Scenes from the movie "Under Siege" with Steven Seagal, were filmed aboard this vessel.

Answer: Helen Keller

Helen Keller was famous for overcoming her deaf, blind, and speech handicaps and becoming a successful leader in her field of education as well as an inspiration. The Talladega School for the Deaf and Blind is named for her, and she is featured on Alabama's state quarter.

Answer: The Tuskegee Airmen

The first aviation class, comprised of thirteen trainees, began in July 1941 and five of those trainees completed training in March 1942. They eventually contributed to the cessation of segregation in the military. NFL Coach Tony Dungy's father was one of the Airmen.

Answer: Steel

The major ingredients in steel are iron and carbon, both of which can be mined in the state of Alabama - mostly around the central portion of the state, but mines are found throughout. Various types of steel require other mineral additives such as copper, manganese, silicon, and vanadium, which can also be found among Alabama's rich mineral resources. Birmingham Alabama was named after Birmingham, England, the steel capital of England, due to its success in the steel industry.

This area is home to Bessemer Steel.

Answer: Boll weevil

Enterprise, Alabama is home to the Boll Weevil Monument. This statue of a lady holding up a platter with the weevil sitting atop was erected in 1919. It was built to recognize the role that this insect had in altering the direction of the economy of much of the US South, by destroying its cash crop, cotton. George Washington Carver, of peanut fame, spoke at the statue's dedication and used the ceremony as a platform to encourage the use of peanuts as the new crop of choice. Teenagers from Enterprise and surrounding areas have been known to steal the weevil portion of the statue, creating the need to add steel rods to the arms of the statue to keep it intact and prevent vandalism.

Answer: Heather Whitestone

Heather Whitestone had been deaf since she was 18 months old due to the effect that a virus had on her. She was crowned Miss Alabama on her third attempt at the pageant, proving as she had throughout her childhood, that she was not willing to give up her dream. Her touching ballet performance of "Via Dolorosa" secured her win in the talent portion of the competition. Her wildest dream came true on September 17, 1994 when the crown was bestowed on her.

She has said that people have asked her many times what it was like for her when pageant host Regis Philbin said, "and Miss America 1995 is... Heather Whitestone!" Heather laughs and says, "I never heard it." (www.heatherwhitestone.com).

Answer: Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole was the father of singer Natalie Cole. His career included hits such as "The Christmas Song", "Too Young", "Mona Lisa" and his famous "Unforgettable" which - thanks to modern technology - his daughter later remade as a "duet" with her late father. Nat King Cole was an addicted smoker, which resulted in his death - attributed to lung cancer - on February 15, 1965.

Answer: 1931

The Birmingham Airport opened in 1931. At this time a flight from Birmingham to Los Angeles took 19 hours each way. It was renamed the Birmingham International Airport in 1993 as flights to Mexico and Canada were added to its schedules. An expansion that was completed in 2007 allows for the use of the airport by a 747, Boeing's largest commercial jet.