Holiday time around Kilted Kangas' World Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A tall dark handsome man carrying a bit of coal and a bottle of whisky would be a very welcome and considered a good luck visitor in Scotland on which holiday?

Answer: Hogmanay (New Years Eve)

Known as your 'first foot', a tall dark handsome man carrying coal and whisky is supposed to bring luck for the following new year, he has to be your first visitor after the clock has struck midnight. Submitted by scotsbluebell.

2. In Australia, on the second Monday of June we celebrate the Queen's Birthday, other than Western Australia. Which king or queen was this holiday first celebrated for?

Answer: King George III

In 1788, Governor Arthur Phillip declared a public holiday for the then king, George III. In the beginning, the public holiday was celebrated on the day of the birthday, but this changed when King George V died, where it is now celebrated on the second Monday of June. Western Australia celebrates it usually sometime in September / October due to it being its foundation day. Submitted by ClaudiaCat.

3. An important holiday is celebrated in Welsh homes on the first day of March. Which is NOT something you might encounter on this day?

Answer: People wearing will-o-the-wisps

March 1st is the feast day of St. David, the patron saint of Wales. My husband is Welsh, and we proudly display Daffodils, leeks and dragons (all traditional symbols of Wales as an individual country - not a part of England.) I wish we could display "will-o-the-wisps" - but they are ghost lights seen by late night travellers over waterways and bogs (not always benign, they tend to lure folks from the safe path into trouble). Submitted by Jinxgirl.

4. In April, 1872, a rich American organized a massive tree-planting effort that is now known as the US national holiday "Arbor Day." However, in which city did the idea originate?

Answer: Villaneuva de la Sierra

J. Sterling Morton (owner of the Morton salt company of Nebraska City) organized a massive tree-planting effort in the American plains (an estimated over 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska alone.)

However, in 1805, a local priest in the small Spanish town of Villaneuva de la Sierra named Don Ramon Vacas Roxo was "convinced of the importance of trees to health, hygiene, decoration, nature, environment and customs". He was the first known proponent of organized tree planting.

Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau is the national anthem of Wales...no trees involved so far as I know. Submitted by Jinxgirl.

5. The Union Jack will, where physical arrangements allow, be flown along with the national flag at federal buildings, airports, military bases, and other appropriate establishments within Canada, from sunrise to sunset, on the date of the official observance of what day (the second Monday in March)?

Answer: Commonwealth Day

The Commonwealth flag consists of the Commonwealth symbol in gold on a blue background. The symbol consists of a radial grating forming the letter "C" surrounding a circular solid on which are superimposed five latitudinal and five longitudinal lines to represent the globe. The symbol is centred on the rectangle and the dimensions of the rectangle are 2:1. Submitted by KittyKatey.

6. First Sunday in December is the day when people across Canada dress up warm and go to forests or farms, hunting for what very special holiday item?

Answer: Christmas tree

Families across Canada go out together to either a tree farm or in some areas go into the woods and cut down their tree. This is usually followed by going for hot chocolate. Submitted by KittyKatey.

7. In the UK on the night of 5th November each year, families all over the country build a fire in their gardens and let off loads of fireworks. There are also larger organised affairs where the local councils put on massive fireworks displays, laser light shows and have live bands and hot dog stands, etc. What does this commemorate?

Answer: Guy Fawkes Day

Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the government of James I in the UK in 1605 and it has been a tradition in the UK for hundreds of years to celebrate his failure to do so with fires being built either in your own garden or on spare ground where fireworks were let off and the kids all hold sparklers, but due to health and safety interfering (as they always do) this is frowned upon now and the local council usually have an large organised occasion. Small children used to make a scarecrow type figure and wheel it around in a barrow collecting a 'penny for the guy', again, this tradition is rarely seen now. Submitted by scotsbluebell.

8. The game "two-up" is illegal to play in Australia except on one important day. What day is it?

Answer: Anzac Day

Two-up is a traditional gambling game with roots from England and Ireland and was popular with convicts. It has since become symbolic with the Anzacs from the WWI known as diggers. It is played with two pennies on a board that is thrown into the air. Before landing the participants bet on whether it is: two heads, two tails, or one head and one tail.

The person throwing the pennies is known as the spinner. Submitted by DaveDaw.

9. In October in New South Wales, there is a long weekend holiday for Labour Day where an important sporting event is held. What event is it?

Answer: Bathurst 1000

The Bathurst 1000 is a car race held on Mt Panorama, Bathurst, that has been run since 1963 with a nationwide following and it is a much sort after win. Peter Brock is probably the most famous participant winning 9 races and he still holds the record today. The car manufacturers are Ford and Holden, with the fans being very passionate on which one they support. Submitted by DaveDaw.

10. Boxing Day is celebrated in England, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya and other former British colonies. What is the origin of this holiday?

Answer: The day after Christmas, servants would get gift boxes

Boxing Day is traditionally known as the day after Christmas. (In my American family, this day usually involves picking up random gift-wrap and ribbons, not attending to the workers that help our society function.) I understand that since 1994, South Africans call this "The Day of Goodwill." (How cool!) Submitted by dw14224.

Source: Author ClaudiaCat

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Join us in a trip around our countries' holidays and celebrations.

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