Purplely Correct Trivia Quiz

Answer: George Washington

The original Purple Heart was known as the Badge of Military Merit and was established by George Washington on August 7, 1782 while he was Commander-in- Chief of the Continental Army. Three medals were given during the Revolutionary War. and although it was never abolished, the medal wasn't proposed after that until the end of World War I.

There have been several famous people who have received the award. Obviously, John F. Kennedy received it as noted in the story of PT-109. Other famous recipients of the medal include actors Charles Durning, Charles Bronson and James Arness (star of "Gunsmoke"); sports figures Rocky Bleier, Warren Spahn and Pat Tillman; as well as movie director Oliver Stone.

Answer: California

This purple-toned grass is found throughout the valleys and mountain areas of California, especially in the Sacramento Valley. It was named California's state grass in 2004. In Montana, it is the bluebunch wheatgrass. Colorado has the blue grama. Missouri is home of the big bluestem.

Answer: People Eater

The song was number one for six weeks on the Billboard pop charts in 1958. A childhood friend of Wooley's gave him the idea. The creature came down from outer space to be in a rock and roll band and the "one-eyed, one-horned flying" creature began to eat purple people while here.

Sheb Wooley was big within country music, but is probably best known as the driver Pete Nolan in the hit TV western "Rawhide" (1959-1966), starring Clint Eastwood.

Answer: Bobby Vinton

Bobby Vinton was a popular ballad singer from the 1960s who recorded such colorful hits as "Roses Are Red"(1962) and "Blue Velvet"(1963), but he never recorded any Top 40 "purple" songs. Prince recorded the hit "Purple Rain" (1984) from the album of the same name, which also became a hit movie. Rock legend Jimi Hendrix recorded "Purple Haze"(1967) and Stone Temple Pilots released the album "Purple" in 1994.

Answer: Amethyst

Amethyst is the birthstone for February. Actually all four come in various colors but the signature color is what most people refer to. Sapphires are normally blue. Topazes come in various colors, including brown. Jades are green.

Answer: The Color Purple

"The Color Purple" (1985) was a Stephen Spielberg film based on the Pulitzer Prize novel by Alice Walker. It told the story of Celie Harris, and showed the problems that African American women faced during the 1930s, including poverty, racism and sexism.

The movie introduced the world to Whoopi Goldberg who played the part of Celie. Other stars of the film included Danny Glover, Rae Don Chong and Oprah Winfrey. The 11 nominations without a win tied the record set back in 1977 by the film "The Turning Point", which starred Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft.

Answer: fire extinguisher

Purple-K is a dry chemical agent used in some dry powdered fire extinguishers. It is used primarily to fight Class B (flammable liquid) fires, as well as Class C (electrical) fires. It works better than carbon dioxide or sodium bicarbonate.

Answer: Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings defensive line consisted of Alan Page, Carl Eller, Jim Marshall and Gary Larsen. Since the Vikings wore purple uniforms, the nickname was fitting. The LA Rams defensive line during the same time was known as the "Fearsome Foursome". The Steelers of the 1970s were known as the "Steel Curtain" and the NY Jets of the 1980s spawned the name "New York Sack Exchange".

Answer: Indigo

Indigo is part of the color spectrum in between blue and violet and is more bluish in color. Lavender, Mauve and orchids are purplish plants.

Answer: New Riders of the Purple Sage

New Riders of the Purple Sage evolved from the psychedelic rock era of San Francisco in 1969. The band included later Grateful Dead lead man Jerry Garcia. Their best known song was "Panama Red" (1969). Deep Purple was a big '70s band led by Ian Gillan and Richie Blackmore. Purple was a British band which paid homage to Deep Purple. Purple Ribbon All Stars was a hip hop group that came out of the early 2000s.