Famous For a Day Trivia Quiz

Answer: William Hung

Hung, whose full name is William James Hung Hing Cheong, recorded three albums under the Koch Entertainment label. His rise to fame, more of a marketing gimmick than anything, was relatively short-lived. He now works in law enforcement.

Answer: Clara Peller

Peller suffered from emphysema, which might have contributed to her gruff-sounding voice. She became a sensation after Wendy's ads first aired in early 1984 with sales jumping 31%. Peller's catchphrase, although airing on TV for a limited time, contributed greatly to the fast food chain's success. Once the "Where's the beef?" campaign ended, sales dropped for two years until Dave Thomas, Wendy's founder, took over the advertising campaign.

Answer: Jane Grey

Known as the "Nine Days' Queen," Jane ruled England from July 10 to July 15, 1553. Before King Edward VI died, he chose Jane, a Protestant and first cousin once removed, as his successor rather than his half-sister Mary, a Catholic and the rightful heir.

The Privy Council changed loyalties by deciding that Mary should be Queen and, in order to depose Jane, charged both Jane and her husband, Lord Guildford Dudley, with high treason. Mary was pronounced Queen of England. Unfortunately for Lady Jane and Lord Guildford, they were later beheaded.

Answer: Raintree County

Ross Lockridge grew up in Indiana and used that setting for his novel, although Raintree County itself is fictional. The book traces the history of the county through the experiences of the protagonist, John Wickliff Shawnessy. Lockridge never had a chance to complete another novel since he committed suicide soon after the novel's publication in 1948.

Answer: Mara Wilson

Mara chose to give up acting in part because she felt it hindered her creativity. She understands the price child actors pay to remain in the business. Nowadays she devotes her time to writing.

Answer: Percy Fawcett

Before he disappeared, Percy Fawcett had explored the wilds of Brazil and Bolivia. On his last expedition Fawcett, along with his oldest son and a man named Raleigh Rimmell, set off to find the Lost City of Z. They were never seen again. As with most disappearances, theories abound.

Some believe the three were killed by hostile Indians. Others believe that they might have died from disease or a wild animal attack. To make matters worse, after the disappearance 100 searchers died while looking for the men.

It is a mystery that remains unsolved to this day.

Answer: Pet rocks

Dahl claims to have gotten the idea for the pet rock from listening to co-workers talk about their pets. Each pet rock came with its own box with cut-out holes, care instructions, and a straw. The fad only lasted six months but earned enough in sales to make Dahl a wealthy man.

Answer: William Henry Harrison

William Henry Harrison was not only the first president to die in office but he spent the shortest amount of time as a U.S. president. Most of his adult life was spent serving in the military and later politics. He was both a senator and U.S. representative for Ohio and governor of the Indiana territory.

He led U.S. forces against the American Indians at the battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. He served as a general during the War of 1812 and fought during the battle of the Thames. In April 1841, Harrison caught a cold that developed into pneumonia.

He died from complications of pneumonia and septicemia.

Answer: Christa McAuliffe

Sharon Christa McAuliffe taught history, English, and social studies in Concord, New Hampshire. She had been selected to be the first teacher in space out of over 11,000 applicants. Christa was one of seven crew members who perished on that fateful morning.

It was later discovered that the O rings had malfunctioned. Due to a number of factors, I have always felt that the Challenger should not have been launched that day.

Answer: Milli Vanilli

Record-producer Frank Farian was the mastermind behind it all. He had back-up singers already in place and wanted the young models, Fabrice Morvan and Robert Pilatus, to appear as though they were singing and looking good while doing it. Once it was discovered that it had all been a sham, the jig was up. Amidst the scandal, Milli Vanilli returned their Grammy. Pilatus later committed suicide and Morvan went on to record a moderately successful album in 2003 titled "Love Revolution."