Indiana - Land of the Indians [1] Quiz

Answer: nobody knows for sure

Although the word 'Hoosier' has been around since the early 1800s, Indiana scholars can't agree on its origins. Some say it refers to a word used as an insult for hill people or hillbillies. Others claim it refers to flat bottomed boats.

Most states have a demonym related to the state name, like Texan, Floridian, etc. We've been Hoosiers since about 1830, so I think the name has stuck.

Answer: The Crossroads of America

There is a beltway that goes all the way around Indianapolis. Six interstates intersect with that beltway. There are four more interstates that travel through the northern part of the state and four different interstates that cross the southern part of Indiana.

Answer: Dave Letterman

Dave was born in the state capital, Indianapolis, in 1947. He attended Broad Ripple High School and Ball State University. He started his career as a radio talk show host and eventually a weatherman. He was making jokes even then. He compared hail stones to canned hams. In 1975, he moved to Los Angeles, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Answer: John Glenn

John Glenn, astronaut and senator, is from Indiana's eastern neighbor, Ohio. Steve McQueen, an actor nicknamed 'The King of Cool', was born in Beech Grove, just outside Indianapolis city limits. Red Skelton, radio and TV funny man, was born in Vincennes, IN. Rupert Boneham was born in Detroit, Michigan, but moved to Indiana at an early age.

He is best known for being a 'Survivor: Pearl Island' contestant who won a million dollars on 'Survivor: All-Stars'. He and his family live in Indianapolis where he mentors troubled teens.

Answer: Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel

Bugsy Siegel was a gangster from Brooklyn, New York. John Dillinger was an infamous bank robber born in Indianapolis in 1903. His story has been told many times in books, on TV and in movies. Jimmy Hoffa was born in Brazil, Indiana. He was the President of the Teamsters.

He disappeared in 1975 and has never been seen or heard from since. D.C. Stephenson moved to Evansville, Indiana where he joined the KKK and eventually became the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan. He was convicted of murder in 1925.

Answer: Heartland Community College

Heartland Community College is located in Indiana's western neighboring state, Illinois. Ball State University (Cardinals) is located in Muncie, IN. Purdue University (Boilermakers) is located in Lafayette, IN. Notre Dame (Fighting Irish) is located in Notre Dame, IN., near the northern Indiana/Michigan border.

Answer: Wayne Gretzky

Gretzky signed with the Racers in 1978. He was traded to the Oilers and when the WHA folded, the Edmonton Oilers joined the National Hockey League. I, on the other hand, papered my den with season Racer tickets since the WHA folded in the middle of a season. Craig Hamner was the 'enforcer' for the Racers, but it was not the beginning of his career in hockey. Bobby and Gordie were hockey greats, just not in Indy.

Answer: Kurt Vonnegut

Kurt Vonnegut was born in Indianapolis in 1922. Some of his best known works were 'Slaughterhouse-Five', 'Breakfast of Champions', and 'Cat's Cradle'.

Answer: Benjamin Harrison

Harrison was the 23rd President. He was born in Ohio, but moved to Indianapolis when he was 21.

Answer: breaded tenderloin

'In Search of the Famous Hoosier Breaded Tenderloin' is a short, comedic documentary that was directed by Jensen Rufe and released in 1998. I'm always on the lookout for a drive-in restaurant, a diner, or a pub that serves breaded tenderloins that are so big they can easily cover two buns. You can usually depend on getting some of the best tenderloins from rolling stands at the State Fair and other outside venues in Indiana.