Overwhelming Underdogs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Harry Truman

Democrat Harry Truman had become President in 1945 following the death of Franklin Roosevelt. The headline "Dewey Defeats Truman" was found in the "Chicago Tribune" which tended to support Republican candidates. In the election, Truman defeated Republican Thomas Dewey by a relatively close 49.6% to 45.1% in the popular vote.

His margin in the Electoral College was a more comfortable 303 to 189. Notable third party candidates in this election were Progressive Henry Wallace and Dixiecrat Strom Thurmond.

Answer: Joe Namath

After victories by the Green Bay Packers in what retroactively became known as Super Bowls I and II, popular opinion was the NFL's Baltimore Colts would similarly roll over the New York Jets. Played in the Orange Bowl at Miami, Florida, and broadcast on NBC, the Jets defeated the Colts, 16-7. Namath was the game MVP despite barely exceeding 200 yards passing and throwing no touchdown passes.

Answer: The Battle of Yorktown (1781)

The General was George Washington. Of his most famous victories, The Siege of Boston ended when the British withdrew forces before the battle began. The Battle of Trenton (including the crossing of the Delaware River) involved a surprise attack. The Battle of Monmouth is usually seen as a draw.

The Battle of Yorktown was Washington's only major set battle victory of the war. Incidentally, "The World Turned Upside Down" included references to "impossible" happenings like mice chasing cats.

Answer: Roger Maris

When Babe Ruth hit 60 homeruns in 1927, he broke his own record of 59 in 1921 which broke his record of 54 in 1920. By comparison, Maris when Maris hit 61 in 1961, he hit more than 40% above his previous best--39 in 1960. Mickey Mantle, a teammate of Maris, hit 54 in 1961--a number that would be impressive almost any other year but was seen as somewhat of a disappointment in 1961.

In terms of career home runs, Ruth hit 714, Mantle hit 536, and Maris hit 260. The reason that Maris's record is often seen with an asterisk is that Ruth hit 60 in a 154 game season and Maris hit his 61 in a 162 game season.

After 154 games, Maris had only hit 59 home runs.

Answer: Susan Lucci

Lucci has appeared as Erica Kane on "All My Children" on ABC from 1970 to 2011. She was nominated for a daytime Emmy for the first time in 1978, finally winning in 1999. Her character is considered one of the most famous characters in soap opera history.

Answer: Andrew Johnson

Born in North Carolina in 1808, Johnson first gained success as a tailor in Greenville, Tennessee. Moving into politics, he represented Tennessee in both Houses of Congress and also served Tennessee as governor. He ran successfully with Abraham Lincoln on the National Union Ticket in 1864.

His one-term Presidency during Reconstruction is commonly seen as unsuccessful. He was the first President in US history to be impeached--escaping conviction and removal from office by exactly one vote.

Answer: Fred Astaire

Astaire claimed the statement actually was: "Can't act. Slightly bald. Also dances". Astaire's most famous movie partner was Ginger Rogers, with whom he appeared in movies like "Top Hat." Astaire's career lasted for decades. In later years, he appeared in "Finian's Rainbow" and even dramatic roles in movies like "The Towering Inferno", for which he received his only Academy Award nomination.

Answer: Mugsy Bogues

Tyrone Curtis "Mugsy" Bogues stands 5 foot 3 inches. He played 14 seasons in the NBA, mostly with the Charlotte Hornets and scored 6,856 points. He played his college basketball at Wake Forest, where his number is retired. When he served as the final head coach of the now out of operation Charlotte Sting of the WNBA, he stood three inches shorter than the shortest player on the team.

Answer: A sling

It can be hard to imagine that something that is sometimes seen as a child's toy could be so deadly. I will go to the source to provide more information (King James translation):

"And he (David) took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine... And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth." (1 Samuel 17: 40, 49)

Answer: The Kentucky Derby

Roscoe Goose and Donerail were both natives of Kentucky. Those who bet on them in 1913 received a payment of $184.90 for a $2 bet--the best payout ever for a Kentucky Derby winner. Donerail's time was 2:04 4/5 which was the record for the 1 1/4 mile course at that time.

The Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes are traditionally seen as the Triple Crown of horse racing in the United States. Goose and Donegal did not win either of the other two Triple Crown races that year.