Art Rooney and other Famous Pennsylvanians Quiz / Test | People

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1. I may be more associated with Kentucky but I was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania and lived there until I was a teenager. My wife was named Rebecca and I also lived in North Carolina, Virginia, and Missouri. Fess Parker portrayed in me in his other television show. Who was I?

Answer: Daniel Boone

Daniel Boone (1734-1820) was the son of Squire Boone and Sarah Morgan and raised in the Society of Friends. Boone married Rebecca Bryan in 1756 and they had ten children together. His first visit to Kentucky was in 1767 and in 1775 he helped to establish the settlement of Boonesborough. Since Kentucky was considered part of Virginia until 1792, Boone also served in the Virginia state legislature. The bicentennial of Daniel Boone's birth was commemorated by the US Mint which issued a commemorative half dollar featuring Daniel Boone from 1934 to 1938.

Fess Parker portrayed Daniel Boone in a series that ran for six seasons (and 165 episodes) on NBC-TV (1964-1970).

2. Born in Latrobe and died in Pittsburgh, this man is best known for his public television show. It was the best neighborhood to be in since he could make the trolley appear. Normally he was a mister, but for once you can be informal and use his first name. Who was he?

Answer: Fred Rogers

Fred McFeely Rogers (1928-2003) was best known for his long-running PBS show, "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhod (1968-2001). Rogers, who planned on being a minister, studied music in college. He was ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church in the USA. Rogers composed much of the music that was used on his show, which ran for 895 episodes. Wearing his trademark cardigan sweaters, Mr. Rogers was known for his calm and soft-spoken delivery, which by all accounts was how he also behaved off-camera.

3. Born in Franklin County and died in Lancaster County, he was Pennsylvania's first native son to make it to the White House. His one-term Presidency was disastrous as he was unable to prevent a split that would lead to the Civil War. Who was he?

Answer: James Buchanan

James Buchanan (1791-1868) served as a member of the US House of Representatives, member of the US Senate, US Secretary of State, and US Ambassador to Britain before he became President (1857-1861). Beginning his career as a member of the Federalist Party, by the mid 1820s he was a Democrat.

As the United States split in the winter of 1860-1861, he expressed his strong conviction that secession was unconstitutional. This was matched by another strong conviction that the Federal Government did not have the authority to stop it.

A lifelong bachelor, Buchanan helped to raise an orphaned niece and nephew.

4. This actress was born and raised in Upper Darby, PA. Known for her work on the television shows "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock", she also appeared in roles in movies such as "Mean Girls" and "Baby Mama". Who is she?

Answer: Tina Fey

After college, Tina Fey spent several years with the "Second City" improvisational comedy troop in Chicago. While on "Saturday Night Live", Tina Fey (born 1970) spent several years as a co-host on the "Weekend Update" sketch. She also portrayed rolls in "Date Night" and "Megamind". Fey also wrote the comedic autobiography "Bossypants". Married to Jeff Richmond, Tina Fey has two daughters.

5. Though he played most of his football career with the Baltimore Colts, this quarterback was born in Pittsburgh. Passing for 290 touchdowns and over 40,000 yards, he wore number 19 on the field. Who was he?

Answer: Johnny Unitas

Johnny Unitas (1933-2002) also played on the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers (1955) and on the team for the San Diego Chargers (1973) in addition to his time with the Colts (1956-1972). He appeared in Super Bowl III (losing to Joe Namath) and appeared in a Colts' victory in Super Bowl V.

After his retirement, Unitas worked as a color commentator for National Football League games. His streak of completing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive NFL games would stand from 1960 to 2012.

6. Born in Johnstown, PA, this comic book artist (and writer) helped Stan Lee to create the characters of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange. He also helped to co-create the characters the Question and Captain Atom. Who is he?

Answer: Steve Ditko

Steve Ditko (born 1927) has worked with Atlas Comics/Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Charlton Comics. A stint in the US Army shortly after World War Two allowed him to attend art school under the GI Bill. In addition to the previously mentioned characters, Ditko also co-created the Creeper and Hawk and Dove and helped to re-launch Blue Beetle.

7. Born in Doylestown, PA, this author is known for big books with short titles like "Hawaii", "Caribbean", "Texas", and "Poland". One of his works won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and would later be adapted into a stage musical which won the Pulitzer Prize for drama. Who was he?

Answer: James Michener

James Michener (1907-1997) spent several years as an English teacher at the high school and college levels. His experience in the Navy during World War Two led him to write "Tales of the South Pacific" which was the basis for the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "South Pacific".

A popular writer, his novels sold approximately 75 million copies during his lifetime. In 1962, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the US House of Representatives.

8. Born in Springdale, PA, this scientist was best known for her 1962 book "Silent Spring". She worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Who was she?

Answer: Rachel Carson

Rachel Carson (1907-1964) published other works including "The Sea Around Us" and "The Edge of the Sea". "Silent Spring" dealt with the role of pesticides on the environment and is considered a early step in the modern environmental movement. Interestingly, "Silent Spring" does not call for a ban on the use of pesticides but instead caring in their use.

In 1981 the US Postal Service released a stamp honoring Rachel Carson.

9. He was born in Boston but spent the majority of his adult life as a resident of Philadelphia. Inventor of a lightning rod, bifocals, a stove named after him and creator of "Poor Richard's Almanac", it is ALL about him. Who was he?

Answer: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) moved to Philadelphia when he was 17. His autobiography describes many of his accomplishments. He signed the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution. He was President (Governor) of Pennsylvania in the 1780s. He was postmaster general for the British colonies in North America and for the United States.

He created a musical instrument, the armonica, that involved spinning glass pieces. He helped to start the Free Library Company of Philadelphia and published "The Pennsylvania Gazette".

His 1758 essay, "The Way to Wealth" summarized many of his saying attributed to Poor Richard.

10. For the first nine questions, I gave you a description and you named the person. For the last question, I will give the person and you name the accomplishment. Art Rooney (1901-1988) was the founder and long-time owner and chairman of a historic National Football League Franchise. Which one is it?

Answer: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers were founded as the Pirates in 1933. They would begin using the Steelers name in 1940. In 1943, the Steelers combined operations with the Philadelphia Eagles for one season. In 1944, the Steelers combined operations with the Cleveland Rams for one season. Under Rooney's ownership, the team won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, XIV). Famous players for the Steelers include Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, and "Mean Joe" Greene.

Source: Author bernie73

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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Art Rooney and other Famous Pennsylvanians Quiz

Based on the clues, identify the famous person who was born in Pennsylvania or was a long time resident.

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