Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. 1778 - This American explorer led an expedition in 1806 to map the southern part of the Louisiana Purchase. He grew up along the western border of the United States (Ohio and Illinois), and in 1805 was sent by General James Wilkinson to find the source of the Mississippi River. Who was this man, who had a peak named after him in modern-day Colorado, even though he never actually made it to the top?
2. 1779 - When this man reached the rank of captain in the United States Navy, he became the youngest man to do so for at least the next two centuries. He became a national hero during the First Barbary War, when he instituted a night raid in Tripoli in early 1804. Who was this man, who has had 46 communities named after him in the United States, the largest city being located in Illinois?
3. 1914 - This man began his acting career in 1939, and made his big break in "Gone with the Wind" as Brent Tarleton. He found plenty of success in the role of Superman, whom he played in 2 different TV shows and 2 movies. From 1951-1958, he made 8 seasons of "Adventures of Superman," and the next year he shot himself. Who was this man, portrayed by Ben Affleck in "Hollywoodland"?
4. 1917 - This American actress won her only Academy Award (for Best Actress) as Belinda McDonald in the 1948 drama "Johnny Belinda." Aside from her acting, she also became the first wife of fellow actor Ronald Reagan, who would end up being the 40th president of the United States, though they divorced in 1948. Who is this woman, who became the first ex-wife of a U.S. president?
5. 1928 - This American politician was a US Senator from Minnesota from 1964-1976 until Jimmy Carter took him as his running mate in the 1976 presidential election, which they won. After he and Carter lost to Ronald Reagan in 1980, he decided to run for president himself in 1984. Who is this man, who suffered the most lopsided election loss since Alf Landon in 1936?
6. 1931 - This American actor began in TV, but quickly moved to movies, where he first starred as "Boo" Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird." He won his first Best Actor Award at the Academy Awards in 1984 for his work in "Tender Mercies." Who is this actor, who also played in "Apocalypse Now," "The Godfather," "The Godfather: Part II," "Network," "THX 1138," and "MASH"?
7. 1932 - This American football coach began his head coaching career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969, and held the position until he retired in 1991. Over that 23-year period, he went 4-0 in the Super Bowl, winning back-to-back titles twice. Who is this legendary coach, who finished his career with a 209-156-1 record, but only won the NFL Coach of the Year Award once?
8. 1946 - This American actress won the very first Oscar she was nominated for - as Best Actress for her role in "Annie Hall." Her big break came in 1972, when she played Michael Corleone's love interest Kay Adams in "The Godfather." Who is this actress, also nominated for Oscars for acting in "Reds," "Marvin's Room," and "Something's Gotta Give"?
9. 1965 - This British actor began his career off quickly, starring in Guy Ritchie's "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels" as Big Chris in 1998. Two years later, he continued his acting as Sphinx in "Gone in Sixty Seconds" and as Bullet Tooth Tony in another Ritchie movie, "Snatch." Who is this actor, who played football for teams such as Leeds United, Sheffield United, and Chelsea before acting?
10. 1969 - This American musician, born Brian Hugh Warner, got his stage name by joining the first name of a 1950s blonde bombshell with the last name of a convicted murderer. He is often criticized by family groups as a bad influence on children with his mannerisms and fashion style. Who is this artist, who released his first #1 album, "Mechanical Animals," in 1998?
Source: Author
illiniman14
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
Snowman before going online.
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