Author: Carla

Prior to the word “cheese,” what word was traditionally used to prompt a smile in photographs?

Jazz
Prunes
Whiskey
PIckles

Fact: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, wide grins were often considered silly or undignified in formal portraits. To encourage a more restrained, composed look, photographers frequently told subjects to say “prunes.” The word pursed the lips into a tight, modest expression that neatly matched the era’s preference for seriousness. By contrast, “cheese” — which spread in the 1940s — pulled the mouth into a natural, friendly smile, eliciting a genuine, warm smile, with the “e” sound helping to create a more distinct, bared-teeth expression.

Correct Answer: Prunes

According to the American Heart Association, which disco hit provides the best pace for chest compressions during CPR?

YMCA
Stayin’ Alive
Disco Inferno
I Will Survive

Fact: U.S. doctors have found that the Bee Gees disco song “Stayin’ Alive” provides an ideal beat to follow while performing chest compressions as part of CPR on a heart attack victim. The 1977 hit song has a rhythm of 103 beats per minute (bpm), which is close to the recommended rate of at least 100 chest compressions per 60 seconds that should be delivered during CPR. In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) officially recommends that if you see someone collapse, you should “call 9-1-1 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the classic disco song “Stayin’ Alive.”

Correct Answer: Stayin’ Alive

What famous dish is named after an Italian Island?

Calzone
Gnocchi
Stromboli
Tortelloni

Fact: The dish Stromboli takes its name from the volcanic island of Stromboli, one of the Aeolian Islands off the northern coast of Sicily. The island is famous for its continuous eruptions, earning it the nickname “the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.” Mount Stromboli has been in almost continuous eruption for the past 2,000–5,000 years, with its last serious one occurring on September 11, 1930, when six people were killed. Despite the Italian name, the dish itself originated in Philadelphia in the 1950s as a rolled, baked turnover filled with meats, cheeses, and vegetables.

Correct Answer: Stromboli

During World War II, which entire country was awarded the George Cross medal for bravery?

Belgium
Greece
Malta
Norway

Fact: In 1942, King George VI awarded the George Cross—the highest civilian decoration for heroism in the British honors system—to the entire population of Malta. The island nation endured relentless bombing campaigns from Axis forces due to its strategic location in the Mediterranean, serving as a vital base for Allied supply routes. Despite severe food shortages and widespread destruction, the Maltese people demonstrated extraordinary resilience and courage. To this day, the George Cross is incorporated into Malta’s national flag as a symbol of collective bravery.

Correct Answer: Malta

What do koalas primarily eat?

A Eucalyptus leaves
B Bamboo shoots
C Acacia pods

Fact: Koalas have a very selective diet, feeding almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves, which contain toxins that most other animals cannot digest. This dietary choice is crucial for their survival, allowing them to thrive in their specific habitat.

Correct Answer: Eucalyptus leaves

Which animal group are koalas more closely related to?

A Wombats
B Rabbits
C Bandicoots

Fact: Despite often being called ‘koala bears,’ koalas are not bears at all. They are marsupials, closely related to wombats, which share similar physical and genetic characteristics.

Correct Answer: Wombats

How many hours a day do koalas typically sleep?

A 12 hours
B 8 hours
C 20 hours

Fact: Koalas sleep for up to 20 hours a day, a lifestyle that allows them to conserve energy while their gut processes the toxic eucalyptus leaves they consume. This adaptation is key to their survival in the wild.

Correct Answer: 20 hours

What type of food did McDonald’s originally specialize in when it first opened in 1940?

Tacos
Hot Dogs
Barbecue
Milkshakes

Fact: When Richard and Maurice McDonald first opened their restaurant in San Bernardino, California, in 1940, it wasn’t the burger giant we know today. Originally called McDonald’s Bar-B-Q, the restaurant specialized in barbecue dishes, including barbecued beef, pork, and ribs. However, the brothers soon realized that hamburgers were their best-selling item, so in 1948 they revamped the restaurant into a streamlined, assembly-line style operation focusing on burgers, fries, and milkshakes. This shift laid the foundation for the fast-food empire that would transform dining worldwide.

Correct Answer: Barbecue

Which U.S. president sported a handlebar mustache?

Grover Cleveland
Chester A. Arthur
Ulysses S. Grant
William Howard Taft

Fact: Only one U.S. president is known for sporting a full handlebar mustache: William Howard Taft, the 27th president (1909–1913). Taft’s distinctive handlebar was thick, bushy, and carefully curled at the ends, giving him a dignified, old-fashioned appearance that stood out even in his own era. His mustache became a defining feature of his public image, often highlighted in political cartoons and remembered in photographs of the early 20th century. In fact, Taft is the last U.S. president to wear any kind of facial hair while in office. Since his presidency, every commander-in-chief has been clean-shaven.

Correct Answer: William Howard Taft

Which Vice President of the United States was charged with treason?

Answer: Aaron Burr