Category Archives: Facts and Trivia

Trivia’s Facts and More (10/22)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

What’s the answer when you divide 40 by 1/2 and add 20?  Try it without a calculator if you dare!

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

The American bison once roamed the Great Plains and prairies of North America in unbelievable numbers.  Estimates run between 40 and 60 million bison.  Today, approximately 350,000 bison inhabit the region.

Bison are frequently called buffaloes, but this term is meant for bovines inhabiting  Africa and Asia.  With a height of 5-6 feet, length of 7-11 feet, and weight up 2,000 pounds for bulls, they are the largest land mammal in North America.

Here are a few more interesting details about bison:

  • Sheds its thick, shaggy mantle in the spring.
  • Due to nearsightedness, vision is poor, but retains keen senses of smell and hearing.
  • Average life span runs between 12 and 20 years.

Today, nearly 30,000 wild bison are located on national parks and wildlife reserves.  Yellowstone National Park is home to nearly 5,500 in two large, migrating herds.  Ranches contain over 300,000 animals, who are treated more like livestock.

Both photographs were taken in Yellowstone National Park (courtesy of Pinterest).

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

100

Watch what you are dividing.  You’re not dividing by 2, you are dividing by 1/2.  Remember your basic skills.  Dividing by 1/2 is like multiplying by 2. 

So the answer is 40 x 2 + 20 = 80 + 20 = 100

Trivia’s Facts and More (10/15)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

Complete the analogy:  HELMET is to HEAD as . . .

a) SWORD is to WARRIOR

b) UMBRELLA is to CLOTHING

c) SHOE is to SOCK

d) WATCH is to WRIST

e) THIMBLE is to FINGER

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Astronauts have been called the sailors of the stars.  For as long as people have gazed up into the heavens, they have dreamed of traveling in space.  

In 1961, the first people journeyed from Earth’s atmosphere into outer space.  The space race between the United States and the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) was on.

The following list offers “firsts” in terms of space travel:

  • First man in space:  Yuri Gagarin (USSR), 1961.
  • First American in space:  Alan Shepard, 1961.
  • First to orbit Earth:  John Glenn (USA), 1962.
  • First woman in space:  Valentina Tereshkova (USSR), 1963.
  • First walk in space:  Alexei Leonov (USSR), 1965.
  • First to orbit the Moon:  Frank Borman, James Lovell, William Anders (USA), 1968.
  • First walk on the Moon:  Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin (USA), 1969.
  • First American woman in space:  Sally Ride, 1983.
Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and astronaut Alan Shephard. (Courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

E

A helmet is worn on the head to protect the head, just as a thimble is worn on a finger to protect the finger.

Trivia’s Facts and More (10/8)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

Bonnie’s father has five daughters but has no sons.  Four of the daughters are named Chacha, Cheche, Chichi, and Chocho.  What is the fifth daughter’s name?

a) Chuchu

b) Chochu

c) Chuchy

d) Chochy

e) none of these

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Montana’s history began long before being admitted to the Union on November 8, 1889, as the 41st American state.  Nicknamed the Treasure State and later the Big Sky Country, many people and events helped to shape its future.

Some interesting facts about Montana:

  • Yogo sapphires, which are known for their clear, cornflower-blue color, are only mined in Montana.
  • Montana’s meaning is rooted in Spanish–it means “land of mountains.”
  • Ironically, only about one-third of the state is mountainous.  The remaining two-thirds consist of primarily prairie grasslands.

Many political figures from Montana made history far beyond its borders.  In the election of 1916, Jeannette Rankin (1880-1973) was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.  She became the first woman ever elected to Congress.

Mike Mansfield (1903-2001) represented Montana in the U.S. Senate from 1953 to 1977.  He also served as Senate Majority Leader from 1961-1977, which is the longest tenure ever.

Representative Jeannette Rankin and Senator Mike Mansfield. (Courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

None of these.  The fifth daughter is Bonnie herself.

Trivia’s Facts and More (10/1)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

Anne has 3 blouses, 4 skirts, and 2 pairs of shoes.  How many different outfits can she wear if an outfit consists of any blouse worn with any skirt and either pair of shoes?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) served as the third President of the United States for two 4-year terms (1801-1809).  He was an accomplished farmer, lawyer, and architect.  

Some interesting notes about Jefferson included:

  • Governor of Virginia 
  • Founded the University of Virginia
  • Portrait found on two-dollar bill and nickel (five cent coin)
  • One of four Presidents with images carved on South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore

Following his election in 1800, Jefferson was given a major opportunity in greatly expand the land size of the young United States.  France was in need to extra money because of Napoleon Bonaparte’s ongoing European wars.  They offered to sell their stake in North America, which became known as the Louisiana Purchase, for $15 million in 1803.

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Answer to Brain Teaser Question

24   (3 x 4 x 2 = 24)

Trivia’s Facts and More (9/24)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

What three letters can be rearranged to make 3 three-letter words?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

One of most misunderstood arachnids of the wild kingdom is the tarantula.   Arachnids include spiders, mites, ticks, scorpions, and a few other species.  Their bodies consist of two parts:  the cephalothorax in front and the abdomen behind.  All have eight legs.

Here are some unique characteristics of the tarantula:

  • Color:  Gray to dark brown, some with red or orange markings.
  • Description:  Large, hairy spider with stout body and eight closely grouped eyes.
  • Habitat:  Hot deserts, grasslands, and rainforests.
  • Diet:  Insects and other bugs.  Larger species eat lizards, birds, and mice.

Tarantulas are primarily active at night, and females may live up to 20 years.  Some tarantulas live on the ground in burrows lined with silk, while others are arboreal (tree-dwelling).   Despite what some of Hollywood’s older films depict, the bite of a tarantula is rarely fatal to humans.

Believe it or not:  Tarantulas found in Central America and other rainforest areas have been known to hitch a ride with a bunch of bananas.  Some even arriving in the United States and Europe, only to be discovered at wholesale produce distribution centers.

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Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Several answes:

AET makes EAT, TEA, ATE

ATR makes ART, RAT, TAR

OTP makes OPT, TOP, POT

APT makes APT, PAT, TAP

REA makes EAR, ARE, ERA

AMR makes ARM, MAR, RAM

ONW makes WON, NOW, OWN

Trivia’s Facts and More (9/17)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

You are competing in a linear race and overtake the runner in second place.  In which position are you now?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

One of North America’s most-enduring animals is the coyote.  Living throughout much of the continent, these adaptive mammals no longer have any primary predators.  Their range has grown steadily over the years, and their population is likely at an all-time high.

The wily coyote will howl at the moon, much like a wolf.  It possesses a bushy tail, very similar to a fox.  Because of these characteristics, coyotes are sometimes mistaken for a wolf or a fox.

Feasting on a diet of rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, frogs, small animals, and even deer, the coyote is usually blessed with an abundance of available food.  Fortunately in the world of animation, Wile E. Coyote is still chasing the cunning Roadrunner.

Coyote roaming during wintertime (note the bushy, fox-like tail). (courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Second place.  You overtook the second runner and took his place, therefore you are not in second.

Trivia’s Facts and More (9/10)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

Suppose a bird is standing in a closed box that is resting on a scale.  When the bird flies in the box, does the scale read the same, more, or less than when the bird is resting?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

As one of the smaller states in the American Union, Maryland’s geography features contrast between the eastern Chesapeake and Atlantic shores and the western Appalachian Mountains.

Here are some quick facts about the Old Line State:

  • Capital City:  Annapolis (home of the United States Naval Academy)
  • Bird:  Baltimore oriole (nickname of Baltimore’s major league baseball team)
  • Motto:  Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine (Strong Deeds, Gentle Words)

The State House, which is located in Annapolis, was occupied in 1799.  It is the oldest such building in the United States.  One note of history is that the building served briefly as the nation’s capitol from November 26, 1783 to August 23, 1784.

Maryland’s State House. (courtesy of Pinterest.)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

When the bird flies, it pushes down on the air, which pushes down on the scale.  The scale reads the same.

Trivia’s Facts and More (9/3)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

There are four people in a line.  Sarah is between Barry and Mary.  Mary is in front of two other people, and John is directly in front of Mary.  Who is first in line, second, third, and fourth?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

The American space program is looking toward future manned flights to the moon after nearly 50 years since the last NASA mission.  

Many people can recall when the first time human steps touched the lunar surface.  On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 was launched with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins aboard.

Days later, Armstrong and Aldrin landed the lunar module, named “Eagle,” on the moon’s surface.  The landing did not go quite according to plan, but the two astronauts made manual adjustments as they descended.

Both of the moon walkers left footprints on the lunar surface.  These will remain visible indefinitely because of the moon’s lack of wind.  

Astronauts Armstrong, Collins, and Aldrin prepare to board Apollo 11 and make history. (courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

From first to last:  John, Mary, Sarah, Barry,  Hint:  Look at the statement that gives the most direct information.  It is the last statement:  “John is directly in front of Mary.”

Trivia’s Facts and More (8/27)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

What day follows the day before yesterday if two days from now will be Sunday?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Massachusetts’ own John Adams followed Virginian George Washington as President of the United States in 1797.  Despite being a one-term President, he served his country with distinction.

Because of his commitment to establishing and strengthening the country’s navy, Adams is sometimes referred to as the “Father of the Navy.”  He was the first President to live in the new Executive Mansion, later called the White House.  He was also the father of the sixth American President, John Quincy Adams.

His loving relationship with his wife, Abigail, has been well-researched from the many letters shared between the two of them.  Over 1,000 of these letters have been preserved.  Together, they witnessed many historical events in the formation of their young nation.

Adams death occurred on July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.  His political rival, chief writer of the Declaration, and America’s third President, Thomas Jefferson, also died on the same day.

Gilbert Stuart’s official portrait of President Adams. (courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Thursday.  The key is to realize that “now” must be Friday.

Trivia’s Facts and More (8/20)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, and has a bed but never sleeps?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Many Americans know some facts about the first President of the United States, George Washington.  Here are a few to note.

Before becoming a soldier and military leader, he spent some of his younger years as a surveyor.  He was home schooled on the family plantation in Westmoreland County in the Colony of Virginia.  This was quite common for youth growing up in many of the southern colonies.

Here are some lesser known facts about “The Father of His Country.”  Prior to being elected President, Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention which crafted the iconic American Constitution, which is still used to this day.

Few people can remember which political party he was affiliated with during his time as President.  Washington was the only President to never be tied to a specific political party.

In his farewell address at the end of his second term in office, President Washington expressed his disdain for political parties.  He felt that the young country should function without them.  His words from this speech spoke with the following vision:

“[The spirit of party] serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration.  It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.”

In 1796, Gilbert Stuart painted this life-size portrait of President Washington. (courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

A river.