Texas On My Mind Trivia Quiz

Answer: It was an independent Republic

Texas had been an independent Republic since 1836. Following the defeat at the Alamo to Santa Anna's Mexican forces in that year, the hastily assembled Texan Delegation signed a "Declaration of Independence". Thus the Republic of Texas was formed, and this was Texas' status when it was admitted as a State in 1845.

Answer: John F Kennedy

November 22nd, 1963 - a day that will always be indelibly etched amongst the black days of history, the day when President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was shot dead in Dallas, Texas.

The Warren Commission enquiry into his death concluded that the shooting was carried out by Lee Harvey Oswald, and that it was probably part of a broader conspiracy. No official conclusions as to the details of any such conspiracy have ever been published.

Lincoln was shot dead in Washington DC in 1865; McKinley was shot in Buffalo, New York in 1901, and Garfield was shot in Washington DC in July 1881, dying 11 weeks later from infections from the wounds.

Answer: Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, and he died on August 16, 1977 at Memphis, Tennessee. Whilst his roots are clearly in the southern states of America, he has no obvious claims to be a musician of Texas.

The other three musicians named were all born in Texas - Orbison in Vernon, Holly in Lubbock and Jennings in Littlefield.

Answer: Sweden

Einar Ljungberg joined the Social Democratic movement early in the 20th century, and was an active member of the Swedish Social Democratic Party for most of his political life.

In 1909, he was jailed on charges of treason, having argued for the replacement of the Swedish Monarchy by a democratically elected Republic.

After serving almost a year in jail, Ljungberg went to the USA, giving a series of nationwide speeches extolling the virtues of Socialism to Scandinavian immigrants. This where he earned the nickname "Texas", which was given to him by colleagues on his return to Sweden.

He remained staunchly on the left of Swedish politics, and it was no surprise when he led a pro-Bolshevik breakaway group within the Swedish Social Democratic Party, joining the newly formed Swedish Communist Party in 1917.

However, after Stalin came to power in Russia in the late 1920s, Ljungberg left the Communist Party and returned to the Social Democratic Party, where he remained until his death in 1974.

Answer: A ship

The Confederate States Ship Texas (CSS), was an ironclad ram of the Confederate Navy. She was named for the state of Texas. The ship was launched in Richmond, Virginia in January 1865, but saw no action before being captured by the Union.

The twin propeller casement ship was added to the US Navy, but was left at Norfolk until 1867, when she was sold to J.N. Leonard & Co of Connecticut.

Answer: Sharleen Spiteri

"Texas" have enjoyed over a dozen Top 10 hits in the UK since their debut single, "I Don't Want a Lover" hit the British charts in 1989.

Lead singer Sharleen Spiteri was born in Glasgow in 1967, of Irish, Italian and Maltese descent. She was a hairdresser when she co-founded the band "Texas".

Answer: A poem by Florence Nightingale

Although Florence Nightingale was a prolific writer, mainly on matters medical and female emancipation, there is no evidence that she ever wrote a poem titled "Texas" !

The novel by James Mitchener is based around the history of the State of Texas; the three films were produced in 1941, 1991 and 2005 - and do you really want me to explain the whole plot of the SpongeBob Square Pants episode for you?

Answer: El Paso Pongos

The Dallas Desperados play in the Arena Football League, whilst the Amarillo Gorillas ply their trade in the Central Hockey League. The San Antonio Silver Stars are members of the Womens National Basketball Association whilst the El Paso Pongos are a figment of my imagination. A rather pungent one, but fictitious nevertheless.

Answer: Karen Silkwood

Karen Silkwood was born in Longview, Texas in 1946. She was a chemical technician at a chemical plant as well as being a labor union activist. She investigated claims of wrongdoing at the Kerr McGee chemical plant - and died under mysterious circumstances in 1974. Her story was made into a film starring Meryl Streep in 1983.

The other three named are all characters played by Meryl Streep in movies over the years.

Answer: Liverpool

The verse in question is;

"And all the morning it was raining on the streets of Liverpool
So I stayed in and played guitar and sang the lovesick blues
My mind kept going back in time when we both had fun
And how I left her waving to me standing in the Texas sun"

Liverpool lies on the River Mersey - and "Ferry across the Mersey" was a huge hit for Gerry and the Pacemakers on both sides of the Atlantic in 1964-65.