Interesting and/or Entertaining Tidbits: No. 2 Quiz

Answer: Quincy, Massachusetts

Founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg, Dunkin' Donuts is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts and is an international pastry and coffee business. Howard Johnson's is a chain of restaurants and hotels, located primarily throughout the United States and Canada. Founded by Howard D. Johnson in 1925, the initial business was a drugstore that offered amazing ice cream at its soda fountain. Remember "28 flavors"? Howard Johnson hotels are now part of Wyndham Worldwide.

Answer: Tom Cruise

Tom was born in 1962 and has been nominated for at least three Academy Awards and won several Golden Globe Awards. Cruise's first leading role was in the movie "Risky Business", but 1986's "Top Gun" film made his career.

Answer: Presidential Palace

Obviously, the name "Presidential Palace" evoked memories of the king and a monarchy--the very things colonists revolted against in the first place. Pierre L'Enfant planned the new federal city (Washington D.C.) which included a presidential house. The architect of the house was James Hoban. George Washington originally did not like the design, but warmed to it after the addition of a big reception room and East Room.

Answer: Department of Homeland Security

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a Cabinet department whose primary focus is reacting to U.S. disasters and protecting against attacks from terrorists. The DHS is not part of the Defense Department because it operates in civilian capacities. Since 2003, DHS has incorporated the Naturalization and Immigration Service as well.

Answer: Ruth Handler

Ms. Handler was born in 1916 and died in 2002. She became the president of Mattel, Inc. and was known world-wide for her brilliant marketing of the Barbie doll. The Barbie doll is named in honor of the Handler's daughter, Barbara. The Ken doll, named in honor of the Handler's son, was created as a boyfriend for Barbie.

Answer: Paradise Lost

Milton was a 17th-century English poet and political activist of his day. "Paradise Lost" is an epic poem published in 1667 concerning Man's theological fall from grace. "Pandæmonium" is the capital of Hell in the poem.

Answer: Drive

Born in 1858, he was an American businessman. Eno established some of the earliest known innovations in traffic control and road safety (i.e., the stop sign, traffic circle, one-way streets, pedestrian crosswalk). He himself never learned to drive, and automobiles did not come into common use until he was an old man. Eno graduated from Yale University and may have belonged to the Skull and Bones social club.

He created a city traffic code/plan for New York. Eno died in 1945.

Answer: Calvin Coolidge

John Calvin Coolidge, Jr., born July 4, 1872, served as the 30th U.S. President from 1923 to 1929. He became president after the death of President Harding. Coolidge was from Vermont, a lawyer, and a Republican who favored small-government. He died in 1933.

Answer: Elizabeth, New Jersey

Elizabeth's transportation facilities have grown dramatically since WWII, with Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal being one of the world's busiest ports.
Contrary to popular belief, Elizabeth is not named after Queen Elizabeth I, but rather in honor of the wife of Sir Carteret. The city was founded in 1664 by the English, and originally called Elizabethtown.

Answer: Yes

Due to World War I, the Olympic Games of 1916 were not held, and due to World War II, the 1940 and 1944 Games were canceled. Therefore, three Olympiads passed without Olympics because of war.