Riddles With Answers

Which of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was destroyed by a fame-seeking arsonist?

Temple of Artemis
Lighthouse of Alexandria
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Fact: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was deliberately set ablaze in 356 B.C. by a man named Herostratus. According to ancient accounts, Herostratus admitted that he committed the crime solely to make his name famous. Authorities attempted to erase him from history by banning any mention of his name, but the story survived through historical records. Ironically, his quest for notoriety succeeded, and the term “Herostratic fame” is still used today to describe someone who seeks attention through destructive or infamous acts.

Correct Answer: Temple of Artemis

What is the name of both a U.S. state and a sovereign nation?

New Jersey
Georgia
Delaware
Missouri

Fact: Georgia is the home to both Joseph Stalin and Jimmy Carter. Yes that’s correct, both of these men are from Georgia. Wait, how could that be? This is of course because there are 2 popular locations on Earth named Georgia. Georgia of course is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. Georgia is also a nation in Eastern Europe, and located on the coast of the Black Sea. Georgia, known until 1995 as the Republic of Georgia, became an independent republic after gaining its sovereignty from Russia in 1991.

Correct Answer: Georgia

What was the first Southern U.S. state to secede from the Union?

Virginia
Georgia
Mississippi
South Carolina

Fact: South Carolina was the first Southern state to secede from the Union, doing so on December 20, 1860, shortly after the election of Abraham Lincoln. State leaders feared that Lincoln’s opposition to the expansion of slavery threatened their economic and political interests. South Carolina’s decision triggered a wave of secessions across the South, ultimately leading to the formation of the Confederate States of America. Within months, ten additional Southern states had left the Union, setting the stage for the outbreak of the American Civil War.

Correct Answer: South Carolina

Which U.S. state has produced the most Miss America winners in the pageant’s history?

Texas
California
New York
Pennsylvania

Fact: Since the Miss America pageant began in 1921, New York has produced more winners than any other state. With the crowning of Miss America 2026, New York earned its eighth title, surpassing California, Ohio, and Oklahoma, which each have six winners. The pageant has awarded scholarships, career opportunities, and national recognition to young women for more than a century across the nation. In addition to the national title, winners often use their platform to promote charitable causes, education, and community service.

Correct Answer: New York

Approximately how much is the annual pension paid to former U.S. presidents?

$175,000
$250,000
$400,000
$510,000

Fact: Under the Former Presidents Act of 1958, former U.S. presidents receive a lifetime annual pension equal to the pay of the head of an executive department, commonly held by Cabinet secretaries. As of 2026, that pension is approximately $253,100 per year. Former presidents may also receive funding for office staff, travel, office space, and other official expenses, while lifetime protection is provided separately by the U.S. Secret Service. The law was enacted to ensure that former presidents could maintain a dignified public role after leaving office without financial hardship.

Correct Answer: $250,000

Which U.S. president established the Interstate Highway System?

Theodore Roosevelt
Lyndon B. Johnson
Harry S. Truman
Dwight D. Eisenhower

Fact: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, creating the Interstate Highway System and launching one of the largest and most ambitious public works projects in American history. The network was designed to improve transportation, promote economic growth, and enhance national defense by allowing the rapid movement of military personnel and equipment. Today, the Interstate Highway System spans more than 48,000 miles, connects every major region of the country, and serves as the backbone of U.S. transportation.

Correct Answer: Dwight D. Eisenhower

What marked the start of trading before the NYSE adopted a bell in 1903?

Gong
Trumpet
Drum
Whistle

Fact: Before the New York Stock Exchange introduced its iconic brass bell in 1903, trading sessions were opened and closed with the striking of a Chinese gong. The gong had been adopted in the 1870s as trading volume increased and a louder signal was needed on the bustling exchange floor. When the NYSE moved into its current building on Wall Street in 1903, the gong was replaced by an electrically operated brass bell powerful enough to be heard throughout the larger trading floor. The opening and closing bell tradition has continued for more than a century.

Correct Answer: Gong

Which Wisconsin town is the official birthplace of Flag Day?

A. Madison
B. Milwaukee
C. Waubeka

Fact: In 2004, Congress declared Waubeka the official birthplace of Flag Day in honor of Bernard J. Cigrand’s celebrations there in 1885.

Correct Answer: Waubeka

Who is credited with designing the early US flag pattern?

A. Francis Hopkinson
B. George Washington
C. Betsy Ross

Fact: Though Betsy Ross is often highlighted, historical evidence suggests Continental Congress delegate Francis Hopkinson designed the original pattern.

Correct Answer: Francis Hopkinson

Which Wisconsin town is recognized as Flag Day’s birthplace?

A. Waubeka
B. Green Bay
C. La Crosse

Fact: In 2004, the U.S. Congress declared Waubeka, Wisconsin the official birthplace of Flag Day in honor of Bernard J. Cigrand’s celebrations there.

Correct Answer: Waubeka