U.S. History trivia quiz

[Elendil's Heir]

Famous American battles....

461. At this "Gettysburg of the West" in late 1864, Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood threw his men against entrenched Union troops, nearly destroying his own army. The Union Army withdrew from the field that night, but it was a bitter "win" for Hood.
462. Alexander Hamilton personally led the infantry which captured a British fort during this battle, won by Gen. Washington with French help.
463. President Lincoln himself came under Confederate fire during Jubal Early's attack against this fortification guarding Washington, D.C.
464. British redcoats forced the patriot defenders from this Boston-area heights, usually incorrectly called "Bunker Hill," but took heavy losses.
465. The name of this American general appears on no official monument at Saratoga, even though many historians consider it his finest hour. Who was he, and why is he not appropriately honored?

[OtakuLoki]

462. Alexander Hamilton personally led the infantry which captured a British fort during this battle, won by Gen. Washington with French help.
464. British redcoats forced the patriot defenders from this Boston-area heights, usually incorrectly called "Bunker Hill," but took heavy losses.
465. The name of this American general appears on no official monument at Saratoga, even though many historians consider it his finest hour. Who was he, and why is he not appropriately honored?


462. I'm guessing that this is Yorktown, but that's just a guess. (Mostly because it's the most famous battle I can think of where Washington won with French help.)

464. Breed's Hill.

465. Benedict Arnold. Do I really have to mention that by the time the honors were being constructed for the monument Benedict Arnold was living as a pensioner in England, and his name was mud here in the US? ;)


A new question from me:

466. Who said this after the Battle of Bunker Hill: "Another three such victories and we will have lost the colonies."?

[5 time champ]

461. At this "Gettysburg of the West" in late 1864, Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood threw his men against entrenched Union troops, nearly destroying his own army. The Union Army withdrew from the field that night, but it was a bitter "win" for Hood.
Franklin, TN

466. Who said this after the Battle of Bunker Hill: "Another three such victories and we will have lost the colonies."?
George III ?

[OtakuLoki]

466. Who said this after the Battle of Bunker Hill: "Another three such victories and we will have lost the colonies."?
George III ?


No, that's not it.

[Elendil's Heir]

462. I'm guessing that this is Yorktown, but that's just a guess. (Mostly because it's the most famous battle I can think of where Washington won with French help.)

464. Breed's Hill.

465. Benedict Arnold. Do I really have to mention that by the time the honors were being constructed for the monument Benedict Arnold was living as a pensioner in England, and his name was mud here in the US? ;)
....


All correct. Well done, Otaku! Also correct, 5 time, as to Franklin, Tenn.

[Elendil's Heir]

Hmmm.

466. Lord Howe?

Some noteworthy Secretaries of War and, later, Defense....

467. This first SecWar had been Washington's artillery chief during the Revolution.
468. This Pennsylvania hack helped Lincoln secure the GOP nomination and was rewarded with the post of SecWar. After revealing himself to be incompetent and crooked, he was packed off far, far away as minister (ambassador) to Russia.
469. This early SecDef suffered from depression, committed suicide at Bethesda and later had an aircraft carrier named after him.
470. This SecDef served for all of the Kennedy and most of the Johnson administrations.
471. Nicknamed "the Knife" in another role during the Nixon years, this SecDef was called "the Ladle" as he spread around billions for Reagan's massive defense buildup.

[OtakuLoki]

Hmmm.

466. Lord Howe?

No, sorry.

469. This early SecDef suffered from depression, committed suicide at Bethesda and later had an aircraft carrier named after him.

469. James Forrestal. Namesake of the "Forestfire"

[Hippy Hollow]

470. This SecDef served for all of the Kennedy and most of the Johnson administrations.
471. Nicknamed "the Knife" in another role during the Nixon years, this SecDef was called "the Ladle" as he spread around billions for Reagan's massive defense buildup.
470. Robert McNamara?
471. Cap Weinberger?

[movingfinger]

468. Seward?

[5 time champ]

Some noteworthy Secretaries of War and, later, Defense....

467. This first SecWar had been Washington's artillery chief during the Revolution.
468. This Pennsylvania hack helped Lincoln secure the GOP nomination and was rewarded with the post of SecWar. After revealing himself to be incompetent and crooked, he was packed off far, far away as minister (ambassador) to Russia.
469. This early SecDef suffered from depression, committed suicide at Bethesda and later had an aircraft carrier named after him.
470. This SecDef served for all of the Kennedy and most of the Johnson administrations.
471. Nicknamed "the Knife" in another role during the Nixon years, this SecDef was called "the Ladle" as he spread around billions for Reagan's massive defense buildup.

Hmm- coming up with questions is harder than answering them, for me at least:
467: Henry Knox
468: Simon Cameron
The other three were correctly answered.

What do I know about Secretaries of the Interior.

[Elendil's Heir]

468. Seward?

Nope. The other SecWar/SecDef answers are correct.

[Elendil's Heir]

...What do I know about Secretaries of the Interior.

OK, I'm game:

472. This SecInt and former senator resigned in disgrace during the Teapot Dome scandal.
473. This conservative SecInt ordered that the buffalo on the Department of the Interior's seal be turned to face to... the right (yes, he was heraldically correct, but people still snickered).
473. This Kennedy SecInt came from a prominent Western political family.
474. This Bush SecInt was embarrassed when an article she wrote several years earlier, expressing support in principle for the Confederacy, came to light.
475. This well-regarded Clinton SecInt was a former presidential candidate.

[5 time champ]

472. This SecInt and former senator resigned in disgrace during the Teapot Dome scandal.
Albert Fall

473. This conservative SecInt ordered that the buffalo on the Department of the Interior's seal be turned to face to... the right (yes, he was heraldically correct, but people still snickered).
James Watt

473. This Kennedy SecInt came from a prominent Western political family.
Udall, Stewart?

474. This Bush SecInt was embarrassed when an article she wrote several years earlier, expressing support in principle for the Confederacy, came to light.
:smack: blanking on her name-from Colorado I think, not sure that I will be able to recall it
On preview-Gale Norton?

475. This well-regarded Clinton SecInt was a former presidential candidate.
Bruce Babbit

So, next time they have open tryouts, you should go here http://www.jeopardy.com/contestants_searchinfo.php
I'll give you a recommendation.

[Elendil's Heir]

All correct. Damn, you're good! I qualified for Jeopardy! once while I was in law school, c. 1991, but they never called me to be on the show. Bastards.

[5 time champ]

You have to be patient and persistent, I was on the waiting list three times before they finally called.

[OtakuLoki]

Okay, I have to ask - why would it have been heraldically correct to change the way that the buffalo faces on the Seal of the Department of the Interior?

[5 time champ]

Misc Secretaries
476. This SecAg from Indiana's big mouth got him fired.

477. This SecAg from Idaho was famous for potatoes.

478. This SecAg under Eisenhower answered a higher calling later in life?

479. The first SecVA?

480. The second Cabinet Secretary to become President?

[Petey]

480. The second Cabinet Secretary to become President?

Madison was the second Secretary of State to become president. Jefferson was first.

[Elendil's Heir]

Misc Secretaries
476. This SecAg from Indiana's big mouth got him fired.
...
478. This SecAg under Eisenhower answered a higher calling later in life?
....


476. Earl Butz, fired by Ford for making an astonishingly racist remark during the '76 campaign.

478. Ezra Taft Benson, who became the top Mormon dude (presiding bishop?).

[Elendil's Heir]

Okay, I have to ask - why would it have been heraldically correct to change the way that the buffalo faces on the Seal of the Department of the Interior?

Under the classical rules of heraldry, an animal should face to its right on a seal or coat of arms (as the bald eagle does on the Great Seal of the U.S.). The buffalo on the Department of the Interior's seal faced to its left for many years, which wasn't quite kosher, heraldically speakin'. Watt took some flak for seeming to indicate that the buffalo, too, had been caught up in the Reagan Revolution.

[5 time champ]

All correct so far.

Earl Butz' "loose shoes . . " remark was made in the presence of & subsequently reported by john Dean of Watergate fame.

[Elendil's Heir]

5 time, why was John Dean hanging out with Earl Butz? That would have been after Watergate.

Next... what is the significance of these dates in American history?

481. Feb. 22, 1732
482. Sept. 17, 1787
483. July 4, 1826
484. March 9, 1862
485. Jan. 20, 1981

[OtakuLoki]

Hmm...

Next... what is the significance of these dates in American history?

483. July 4, 1826
485. Jan. 20, 1981

483. I believe this is the date upon which both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died.

485. This is the date that John Hinkley Jr. attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan.


Answering expired questions:

428. Why did the Whydah become a name known to people outside of the circle of history buffs in the 20th century?

428. Because the wreck was found in the 1980s and it became the first wreck of a pirate vessel to be examined using modern archaeologic techniques. (And I believe still the only known wreck of a pirate vessel.)

466. Who said this after the Battle of Bunker Hill: "Another three such victories and we will have lost the colonies."?

466. Gen. Thomas Gage, who was relieved by Lord Howe after the Battle of Bunker Hill.

[want2know]

485. Jan. 20, 1981

Two events: Ronald Reagan was inaugurated and the Iran hostages were released.

[Elendil's Heir]

...
483. I believe this is the date upon which both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died.

485. This is the date that John Hinkley Jr. attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan....

483. Correct. Also the 50th anniversary of the public release of the Declaration of Independence (many but not all members of the Continental Congress signed it on the 2nd, but some didn't for months or even years later, IIRC).

485. Incorrect. Want2know has it, though.

[want2know]

481. Feb. 22, 1732

George Washington's date of birth.

[5 time champ]

482. Sept. 17, 1787
Adoption of the US Constitution

484. March 9, 1862
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation ?

[Elendil's Heir]

[481. Feb. 22, 1732] George Washington's date of birth.

Correct.

[Elendil's Heir]

482. Sept. 17, 1787
Adoption of the US Constitution

484. March 9, 1862
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation ?

482. Yes, that was the day the Constitutional Convention voted to adopt it; it was ratified in 1788 by the requisite states.

484. Incorrect.

Let's turn to unsuccessful presidential candidates....

486. This newspaper editor was defeated by Grant, and died soon afterwards.
487. This candidate cried when she announced she was withdrawing from the 1988 race.
488. This 1916 GOP nominee narrowly lost to Wilson, and later went on to serve as Chief Justice.
489. This vainglorious general was defeated by Lincoln in 1864, but went on to serve as governor of New Jersey.
490. This Maine Democrat ran for VP, then President, and eventually served as Secretary of State.

[Siam Sam]

486. This newspaper editor was defeated by Grant, and died soon afterwards.
488. This 1916 GOP nominee narrowly lost to Wilson, and later went on to serve as Chief Justice.
490. This Maine Democrat ran for VP, then President, and eventually served as Secretary of State.
486. Horace Greely?

488. Ex-President Taft?

490. Edmund Muskie.

Here are a couple more I thought of:

491. Who was the last president born in a log cabin?

492. Who was the first president born in a hospital?

[Elendil's Heir]

486. Horace Greely?

488. Ex-President Taft?

490. Edmund Muskie.

Here are a couple more I thought of:

491. Who was the last president born in a log cabin?

492. Who was the first president born in a hospital?

486. Right. It's "Greeley," though, I think.
488. Wrong.
490. Right.

My guesses:

491. Abraham Lincoln.
492. Jimmy Carter.

[Siam Sam]

486. Right. It's "Greeley," though, I think.
488. Wrong.
490. Right.

My guesses:

491. Abraham Lincoln.
492. Jimmy Carter.
491. Incorrect.

492. Correct. Actually, way back when, I'd heard Carter was the only president to have been born in a hospital, but we may have had one or two more since him.

And yes, it IS spelled Greeley, come to think of it.

[Siam Sam]

487. This candidate cried when she announced she was withdrawing from the 1988 race.
487. Geraldine Ferrarro? I know she was the Veep candidate in 1984 and am thinking she would have been the only female in 1988 with the momentum to try a run. I ought to remember the 1988 election better, but I was in Thailand even back then and so missed a lot of it.

[5 time champ]

487. This candidate cried when she announced she was withdrawing from the 1988 race.
Patricia Schroeder

488. This 1916 GOP nominee narrowly lost to Wilson, and later went on to serve as Chief Justice.
Charles Evans Hughes??
Wilson defeated WH Taft in 1912. So there's a great trivia question: Which President defeated TWO futures Chief Justices?

489. This vainglorious general was defeated by Lincoln in 1864, but went on to serve as governor of New Jersey.
George Brinston McCllelan

491. Who was the last president born in a log cabin?
Benjamin Harrison??

[Siam Sam]

491. Who was the last president born in a log cabin?
Benjamin Harrison??
491. Incorrect. (But we're getting closer.)

And yes, I think #487 IS Patricia schroeder. I remember it now.

[5 time champ]

5 time, why was John Dean hanging out with Earl Butz? That would have been after Watergate.


IIRC, they just happened to be on a commercial plane together. I think Dean was writing for Rolling Stone at the time and wrote about it. There were comments at the time that John Dean was the last person Butz should have told those jokes in front of.

[Elendil's Heir]

487. This candidate cried when she announced she was withdrawing from the 1988 race.
Patricia Schroeder

488. This 1916 GOP nominee narrowly lost to Wilson, and later went on to serve as Chief Justice.
Charles Evans Hughes??
Wilson defeated WH Taft in 1912. So there's a great trivia question: Which President defeated TWO futures Chief Justices?

489. This vainglorious general was defeated by Lincoln in 1864, but went on to serve as governor of New Jersey.
George Brinston McCllelan
....

All correct (and it's "George Brinton McClellan," not that spelling counts ;) ).

[5 time champ]

Sorry, good thing we're not playing Jeopardy!, TMI would have made my answer wrong!

[Elendil's Heir]

How 'bout some famous American treaties...?

493. This treaty, negotiated in part by Adams and Franklin, ended the Revolutionary War.
494. What is distinctive about the group portrait intended to mark the occasion?
495. This treaty ended the War of 1812.
496. President Wilson helped negotiate this treaty, which ended World War I.
497. Japanese diplomats signed the treaty ending WW2... where, exactly?

[kidchameleon]

495. This treaty ended the War of 1812.

Treaty of Ghent.

497. Japanese diplomats signed the treaty ending WW2... where, exactly?

Shoot. It was on an aircraft carrier. The Lexington?

[pravnik]

497. Japanese diplomats signed the treaty ending WW2... where, exactly?I was thinking the U.S.S. Minnesota, but I looked it up and that's not right.

[5 time champ]

493. This treaty, negotiated in part by Adams and Franklin, ended the Revolutionary War.
Treaty of Paris

494. What is distinctive about the group portrait intended to mark the occasion?
I'm guessing that the British & Americans signed it in separate ceremonies

496. President Wilson helped negotiate this treaty, which ended World War I.
Treaty of Versailles

497. Japanese diplomats signed the treaty ending WW2... where, exactly?
Hmm- the President then was the Man from Independence [MO] Harry Truman-- the deck of the Battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay

[5 time champ]

498. What is the last year that American males were drafted into the armed services?

Four terms, four questions about Franklin Delano Rossevelt.

499. FDR used this rhyming phrase to mock three prominent Congressional Republicans that tried to thwart the New Deal.

[Wow, 500 questions in this thread!]
500. From where did FDR say the planes in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo were launched?

501. Who was FDR's "Assistant President"?

502. This actor portrayed FDR in a one-man show.

[Elendil's Heir]

493. This treaty, negotiated in part by Adams and Franklin, ended the Revolutionary War.
Treaty of Paris

494. What is distinctive about the group portrait intended to mark the occasion?
I'm guessing that the British & Americans signed it in separate ceremonies

496. President Wilson helped negotiate this treaty, which ended World War I.
Treaty of Versailles

497. Japanese diplomats signed the treaty ending WW2... where, exactly?
Hmm- the President then was the Man from Independence [MO] Harry Truman-- the deck of the Battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay


493. Correct.
494. Close, but no cigar.
496. Correct.
497. Correct.

kidchameleon, correct about the Treaty of Ghent and the War of 1812.

pravnik, no research please, per the OP.

[OtakuLoki]

[Wow, 500 questions in this thread!]
500. From where did FDR say the planes in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo were launched?

501. Who was FDR's "Assistant President"?

500. Shangri-La. And then, later in the war, this phrase was commemorated when the Essex-class carrier, the Shangri-La was commissioned.

501. Eleanor Roosevelt

[Elendil's Heir]

498. What is the last year that American males were drafted into the armed services?

Four terms, four questions about Franklin Delano Rossevelt.

499. FDR used this rhyming phrase to mock three prominent Congressional Republicans that tried to thwart the New Deal.

[Wow, 500 questions in this thread!]
500. From where did FDR say the planes in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo were launched?

501. Who was FDR's "Assistant President"?

502. This actor portrayed FDR in a one-man show.

498. 1971, I think.
499. Ooo, I know this. Tip of my tongue! Damn.
500. The Shangri-La (and a carrier was later named just that, after the novel - by James Hilton, IIRC).
501. Harry Hopkins.
502. James Whitmore?

Huzzah for us passing the 500 mark!

[Elendil's Heir]

Just popped into my head....

499. Martin, Barton and Fish.

[5 time champ]

498. Nope

499. Said in FDR's disdainful, patrician tones "Mahtin, Bahtin & Fiiisshh

500. Yes

501. Right

502. No, that is the answer to another good question.

[Siam Sam]

BTW: The Battleship Missouri is now docked permanently at Pearl Harbor and open to the public, for a price. A bit steep, I thought, at $20! If I remember the price correctly.

Still no other answers for my #491, last president to be born in a log cabin? Well, let's see. A hint is that, if memory serves me, the first elevator was installed in the White House while he was there.

[movingfinger]

502. Ralph Bellamy in "Sunrise at Campobello"

[5 time champ]

I don't believe that was a one-man show.

[Governor Quinn]

Some questions of my own, all related to a favorite topic of mine, urban politics:

In these cases, name the politician suggested by the clue:

503. The youngest mayor in New York City history, and, arguably, the only Hispanic Mayor of the city to date.

504. The last Republican mayor of Boston.

505. The first mayor of Chicago since the early 1930s to not come from Bridgeport.

506. The last white mayor of Detroit.

507. The Mayor of Cleveland who became a Supreme Court Justice.

508. The last Mayor of San Francisco to become Governor of California.

509. The Mayor of Baltimore who returned to the Mayor's office after two terms as Governor of Maryland.

510. The Mayor of Albany who is believed to be the longest-served large city mayor in American history.

[Random]

505. The first mayor of Chicago since the early 1930s to not come from Bridgeport.

Harold Washington.

[Siam Sam]

I have no idea who the mayor is for #510, but I do know we had a mayor in Honolulu, which I assume counts as a big city, who was mayor for 22 years cumulatively (his terms were interspersed with several governorships and I believe a stint in Congress). Frank Fasi.

I'll give #491 another day or so.

[Random]

500. Shangri-La. And then, later in the war, this phrase was commemorated when the Essex-class carrier, the Shangri-La was commissioned.




One of the the carriers my Dad served on.

[Governor Quinn]

505. Incorrect.

Fasi never served in Congress (though he did run unsuccessfully for the US Senate in 1959), never became Governor (though he ran at least five times), and the guy I'm thinking of lasted longer.

[Siam Sam]

505. Incorrect.

Fasi never served in Congress (though he did run unsuccessfully for the US Senate in 1959), never became Governor (though he ran at least five times), and the guy I'm thinking of lasted longer.
Actually, I was thinking of a bid he made four years ago that I was told about. But that's right, he lost that. And his governor bids. My foggy old memory is remembering more clearly now. At least I'm sure about the 22 years as mayor. :(

[Elendil's Heir]

...
507. The Mayor of Cleveland who became a Supreme Court Justice.
....

Harold Burton.

Please ask no more than five questions at a time, per the OP. Thanks!

Whaddya know about Secretaries of State?

511. He took a trip with an equally-famous friend to Vermont not long after it joined the Union.
512. Early on, he wrote a long memo to the President, essentially offering to run the administration, but in time came to respect and even love his boss.
513. A pacifist and former presidential candidate himself, he resigned after the U.S. entered a war.
514. He joined the Cabinet of his good friend and former colleague, and during his career also served as governor of a Southern state and as a Supreme Court justice.
515. This Georgian served as Secretary of State longer than any other since WW2.

[OtakuLoki]

512. Early on, he wrote a long memo to the President, essentially offering to run the administration, but in time came to respect and even love his boss.

512. I believe this is Seward, but I thought he ended up as Lincoln's SecNav, so I'm not 100% sure.

[Random]

512. Early on, he wrote a long memo to the President, essentially offering to run the administration, but in time came to respect and even love his boss.

Seward

513. A pacifist and former presidential candidate himself, he resigned after the U.S. entered a war.

Bryan

[Governor Quinn]

507. Correct

[5 time champ]

515. This Georgian served as Secretary of State longer than any other since WW2.
Dean Rusk

[Siam Sam]

Okay, time's up on #491. The last president to be born in a log cabin, and during whose administration the first elevator was installed in the White Houe, was James Garfield.

I think I remember reading that his mother used to have fun riding up andd own in the elevataor.

[Elendil's Heir]

512. Early on, he wrote a long memo to the President, essentially offering to run the administration, but in time came to respect and even love his boss.

Seward

513. A pacifist and former presidential candidate himself, he resigned after the U.S. entered a war.

Bryan

Both correct. And 5 time champ is correct about question 515, Dean Rusk.

[Elendil's Heir]

Still unanswered....

Now that we've broken the 500-question ceiling, here are the questions which, I believe, either haven't been answered or for which we have no confirmation of the correct answer. If I'm wrong about any of these, or if I left any off the list, please let us know.

Here goes:

66. Who was the first African American to fight for the Colonies in the Revolutionary War?

71. Teddy's mother, Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, is believed by many literary experts to have been one of the inspirations for what iconic fictional character? (I guessed Scarlett O'Hara).

81. What major league baseball player was taken on an All-Star team (which included Babe Ruth) tour of Japan prior to WWII because he was conversant in Japanese and was assigned to take pictures of various Japanese sites in Tokyo which were later used in bombing raids?

117. What contemporary statesman did Lincoln quote and respond to in his famous 1860 Cooper Union speech?

118. At its opening, the lights of the Empire State Building were ceremonially turned on remotely by what individual?

119. What did Thomas Edison call his mobile film studio?

135. The most famous portrait of [Chief Justice] John Jay has him in robes of these two colors.

138. This Copperhead leader was arrested, sent through the Confederate lines, and eventually ended up in Canada and running (unsuccessfully) for governor of Ohio.

166. George Washington inherited his Mount Vernon estate from whom?

172. When was the last time there were no living ex-Presidents?

174. Who was the first President featured on a coin? (Incorrect guess: Washington).

177. Why is Cawker City, Kansas famous?

178. What's the name of the most famous animal in Margate, NJ?

179. What did the US buy from Santa Anna, and how much was the price?

180. What was the station name and location of the oldest educational television network in the country?

184. Those who supported the Continental Congress in the mid-to-late 1770s were called patriots or _____?

185. Before the Civil War, Northern politicians who were pro-Southern in their views and/or policies were called _____?

186. In the same time period, the Southerners who were most ardently pro-slavery and pro-secession were called _____?

188. In the 1870s, reform-minded Republicans fed up with the Grant Administration's cronyism and corruption were called _____?

Middle names:
203. Hay, McKinley's Secretary of State

204. Stanton, Lincoln's Secretary of War

205. Rehnquist, the Chief Justice

215. This destroyer was sunk by a U-boat before the U.S. was technically at war with Germany in WW2.

216. This battleship made a famous dash around South America to reach the Pacific during the Spanish-American War.

230. What was the name of the radioactive "health" drink that caused a scandal which provided some of the impetus to get the original legislation forming the FDA passed?

240. Who was the first Episcopal bishop in the U.S.? Hint: A seminary was later named after him.

253. The U.S. Naval Academy wasn't established until the year ____; before that, midshipmen were trained entirely at sea.

259. The Air Force Academy's mascot is this animal.

260. The plane which, in various incarnations, flew 24/7/365 throughout the Cold War to conduct the U.S. retaliatory response to any overwhelming first strike, was codenamed __________ ________.

276. When this irascible former champion golfer saw his age misprinted in the paper he accosted the author of the article and complained. The author responded that it was a typographical error. The golfer then said "typographical my a** it was a perfect 5 and a perfect 9." Who was he?

286. Besides protecting the President and other VIPs, what are the Secret Service's two other major responsibilities? (Anti-counterfeiting was one correct answer already given; what’s the other?)

287. Name the star, his character's name and the name of the 1950's series about an FBI agent who infiltrated the Communist party.

295. How many proposed constitutional amendments have been introduced in Congress? (A correct round number will be accepted).

297. What first name did the first two soldiers buried in Arlington National Cemetery share?

301. What were George Washington's last words?

309. Who was JFK's White House chief of staff? (Incorrect answers already given: Kenneth O’Donnell and Ted Sorenson).

316. This one-armed Civil War veteran explored the Grand Canyon.

325. The Vatican did not have a papal nuncio (ambassador) accredited to the United States until the administration of this President. (Incorrect guesses: JFK and Nixon).

349. Which President, by executive order, first standardized the arrangement of stars and stripes on the U.S. flag?

350. Other than stars, what did the original pre-Civil War "Old Glory" have in its blue canton?

351. Flags of the Irish Brigade during the Civil War were distinctive because...?

352. How many official "national" flags did the Confederate Congress approve between 1861-65?

362. Lincoln appointed this key supporter and Illinois state judge to the Supreme Court.

365. This tiny burg in New England is famous for voting first in national elections? (Incorrect guess: Hart's Location, NH).

367. What year was the first polio vaccine announced?

373. This iron-willed and highly effective governor of a midwestern state secretly sent the GOP minority of his state legislature out of town to deny the Copperhead Democratic majority a quorum. He then ruled the state as a virtual dictator to the end of the Civil War.

374. This moderate Republican shaved three times a day due to his heavy beard growth, and served as both governor of his large state and as one of its U.S. senators. (Two hints: He shared a last name with a President, and briefly considered a run for the White House himself).

386. Bearer of a famous name, he headed the Pullman Co. at the time of its controversial strike.

399. One of the early reactors gave rise to an acronym that is used to this day to describe shutting down a nuclear fission reactor. What is this acronym, and what words were used to develop the acronym?

400. In the 1950's the US Gov't subsidized the construction of a small town in the vicinity of Los Alamos, at the request of the researchers there. What was the grim nickname for this town? And what was the maximum population of this town?

405. This Watergate prosecutor was also a member of the 9/11 Commission?

417. What important transportation innovation did Frank Sprague pioneer?

418. Frustrated by the bungling of Gen. Charles Lee during this battle, George Washington lost his temper and swore so long and profanely that a witness said nearby trees shook. (A hint: This battle was also later the subject of another SDMB thread).

429. The Great Western Trail, also called the Texas Trail, terminated at what famous Kansas cowtown?

431. What cattle drive route led along the Pecos River from Texas through New Mexico, ultimately arriving at Denver, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming?

433. What cattle trail at one point crossed the Red River and Indian Territory to terminate at Abilene, Kansas?

447. This was William McKinley's best-known slogan.

450. Despite some scandals in his past, Edwin Edwards ran again for governor of Louisiana against former Klan official David Duke, and won. What rhyming slogan did Edwards's supporters popularize? (Incorrect guess: "Vote for the crook; it's important," which doesn't rhyme).

463. President Lincoln himself came under Confederate fire during Jubal Early's attack against this fortification guarding Washington, D.C.

466. Who said this after the Battle of Bunker Hill: "Another three such victories and we will have lost the colonies"?

477. This SecAg from Idaho was famous for potatoes.

479. The first SecVA?

480. The second Cabinet Secretary to become President?

What is the significance of this date in American history?
484. March 9, 1862

Have at them!

[Random]

Most of these are little more than guesses, but what the hell:

66. Who was the first African American to fight for the Colonies in the Revolutionary War?

Crispus Attucks


81. What major league baseball player was taken on an All-Star team (which included Babe Ruth) tour of Japan prior to WWII because he was conversant in Japanese and was assigned to take pictures of various Japanese sites in Tokyo which were later used in bombing raids?

I know his first name, which was Mo, and that he was Jewish (or at least had a Jewish last name)

117. What contemporary statesman did Lincoln quote and respond to in his famous 1860 Cooper Union speech?

Douglas


166. George Washington inherited his Mount Vernon estate from whom?

HIs brother. Lawrence?

172. When was the last time there were no living ex-Presidents?

Hoover lasted a long time, so it had to be before that. When McKinley was shot?

174. Who was the first President featured on a coin? (Incorrect guess:
Washington).

Jefferson?


286. Besides protecting the President and other VIPs, what are the Secret Service's two other major responsibilities? (Anti-counterfeiting was one correct answer already given; what’s the other?)

Protection of some Federal buildings?


351. Flags of the Irish Brigade during the Civil War were distinctive because...?

They had a harp on them


367. What year was the first polio vaccine announced?

1951?

386. Bearer of a famous name, he headed the Pullman Co. at the time of its controversial strike.

THis wouldn&t be a trick question, would it? Pullman.

399. One of the early reactors gave rise to an acronym that is used to this day to describe shutting down a nuclear fission reactor. What is this acronym, and what words were used to develop the acronym?

SCRAM (no idea on the words that make this up)

418. Frustrated by the bungling of Gen. Charles Lee during this battle, George Washington lost his temper and swore so long and profanely that a witness said nearby trees shook. (A hint: This battle was also later the subject of another SDMB thread).

Monmouth?

[OtakuLoki]

174. Who was the first President featured on a coin? (Incorrect guess: Washington).

215. This destroyer was sunk by a U-boat before the U.S. was technically at war with Germany in WW2.

259. The Air Force Academy's mascot is this animal.



174. I believe Lincoln, with the 1909 Lincoln "wheat sheaf" penny.

215. The USS Reuben James

259. A goat.


399. One of the early reactors gave rise to an acronym that is used to this day to describe shutting down a nuclear fission reactor. What is this acronym, and what words were used to develop the acronym?

SCRAM (no idea on the words that make this up)

As far as that goes, you're correct.

I've left a few more dangling questions than I'd intended. I'll give them until midnight tonight, then post the answers.

[Julius Henry]

Still unanswered....

172. When was the last time there were no living ex-Presidents?


I can knock this one off the list. That would have been from LBJ's death in January 1973 until Nixon's resignation in August 1974.

[Elendil's Heir]

Most of these are little more than guesses, but what the hell:
...
117. What contemporary statesman did Lincoln quote and respond to in his famous 1860 Cooper Union speech?

Douglas

166. George Washington inherited his Mount Vernon estate from whom?

HIs brother. Lawrence?

286. Besides protecting the President and other VIPs, what are the Secret Service's two other major responsibilities? (Anti-counterfeiting was one correct answer already given; what’s the other?)

Protection of some Federal buildings?

351. Flags of the Irish Brigade during the Civil War were distinctive because...?

They had a harp on them

386. Bearer of a famous name, he headed the Pullman Co. at the time of its controversial strike.

THis wouldn&t be a trick question, would it? Pullman.
...
418. Frustrated by the bungling of Gen. Charles Lee during this battle, George Washington lost his temper and swore so long and profanely that a witness said nearby trees shook. (A hint: This battle was also later the subject of another SDMB thread).

Monmouth?

117. Correct, it was his longtime rival Sen. Stephen Douglas (D-Ill.), who said in an earlier speed that the Framers better understood the question of Congress's power to limit the spread of slavery than did those of 1860. Lincoln agreed, and then used a very careful historical analysis to show that a strong majority of the Framers, incl. the Southerners, believed Congress had the power to limit the spread of slavery - which was anathema to the Southern slaveholding elite of Lincoln's day.

166. Correct, his half-brother Lawrence.

286. Incorrect (that falls under "protecting VIPs," I'd say).

351. I was expecting "they were green," but you're right, they had harps on them, too.

386. Incorrect.

418. Correct! What Exit? will be pleased.

[Elendil's Heir]

...
215. The USS Reuben James

259. A goat.
....


215. Correct.

259. Incorrect.

[5 time champ]

A lot of end-of-the-year cleanup
172. Julius Henry I can knock this one off the list. That would have been from LBJ's death in January 1973 until Nixon's resignation in August 1974. Correct

174. I believe Lincoln, with the 1909 Lincoln "wheat sheaf" penny. Correct, OtakuLoki

480. The second Cabinet Secretary to become President?
Madison was the second Secretary of State to become president. Jefferson was first. by Petey

367. What year was the first polio vaccine announced? It is not 1951.

[Governor Quinn]

81. What major league baseball player was taken on an All-Star team (which included Babe Ruth) tour of Japan prior to WWII because he was conversant in Japanese and was assigned to take pictures of various Japanese sites in Tokyo which were later used in bombing raids?

118. At its opening, the lights of the Empire State Building were ceremonially turned on remotely by what individual?

119. What did Thomas Edison call his mobile film studio?

138. This Copperhead leader was arrested, sent through the Confederate lines, and eventually ended up in Canada and running (unsuccessfully) for governor of Ohio.

179. What did the US buy from Santa Anna, and how much was the price?


185. Before the Civil War, Northern politicians who were pro-Southern in their views and/or policies were called _____?

186. In the same time period, the Southerners who were most ardently pro-slavery and pro-secession were called _____?

216. This battleship made a famous dash around South America to reach the Pacific during the Spanish-American War.



365. This tiny burg in New England is famous for voting first in national elections? (Incorrect guess: Hart's Location, NH).


81. Moe Berg

118. Al Smith?

119. Black Maria

138. Clement Vanlandingham (spelling of last name probably wrong)

179. The area around Tuscon (Gadsen Purchase), for $10 million.

185. Doughfaces

186. Fire-Eaters

216. The USS Oregon

365. Dixon's Notch?

[5 time champ]

365. Dixon's Notch?
Very close

[gonzomax]

506. Detroit White Mayor. Gribbs but many militant blacks claim it was Dennis Archer

[5 time champ]

Two from my Rte 66 category are still outstanding:
346. From Chicago to LA, Rte 66 goes through these states?

347. This world famous bridge with a 22° bend it the middle was once a part of Rte 66?

Various & sundry of mine that I don't see answered
248. This Attorney General served the longest term of office?

405. This Watergate prosecutor was also a member of the 9/11 Commission?

402. I am prepared to run over my own mother to get the President re-elected [Watergate Era] Not G Gordon Liddy, this guy may have been as tough as Liddy.

A potpourri of ethnic mobsters in American History
443. This getaway car driver testified at the Kefauver Commission hearing.

444. Members of this gang were gunned down in the St Valentine's Day Massacre.

445. The most recently legally executed mobster in the United States? [Hint: he was not from the New York-New Jersey Territories]

[OtakuLoki]

Another numismatic question:

516. There are two varieties of the 1909 Lincoln penny. What are they, and why was the change made? (Note: this is not a reference to mint marks.)

[Polycarp]

Another numismatic question:

516. There are two varieties of the 1909 Lincoln penny. What are they, and why was the change made? (Note: this is not a reference to mint marks.)

Doing this without looking up the details:

The coin was designed by Victor D. Brenner, who placed his initials on the coin, IIRC in an obvious place at the bottom of the reverse. For reasons I don't recall this made some people think it was a socialist plot, and the initials became controversial, and were removed fairly early in the coinage run, so only a small percentage of the 1909 coins were issued with the initials. The San Francisco mint version with initials was extremely rare, the least common and most expensive coin variety that was not a minting error of all Lincoln cents. (Note: the initials were restored, this time inconspicuously at the base of the Lincoln bust, about ten years later.)

[OtakuLoki]

Doing this without looking up the details:

The coin was designed by Victor D. Brenner, who placed his initials on the coin, IIRC in an obvious place at the bottom of the reverse. For reasons I don't recall this made some people think it was a socialist plot, and the initials became controversial, and were removed fairly early in the coinage run, so only a small percentage of the 1909 coins were issued with the initials. The San Francisco mint version with initials was extremely rare, the least common and most expensive coin variety that was not a minting error of all Lincoln cents. (Note: the initials were restored, this time inconspicuously at the base of the Lincoln bust, about ten years later.)


I'll give you this, though I'd always heard that instead of a socialist plot, it was simply that the combination of the letters V and D was suggestive, as most *ahem* reasonable people knew that meant Venereal Disease.

Certainly the two versions I'd referenced were the "VDB" and the "non-VDB" coins. ISTR that the initials were moved to under the bust, where they are, still, that same year, but I can't say for certain.

[Polycarp]

172. When was the last time there were no living ex-Presidents?

During the Harding and Coolidge Administrations, from Woodrow Wilson's death (I think in 1921 but it may have been '22 or '23) and March 3, 1929, when Coolidge left office.

185. Before the Civil War, Northern politicians who were pro-Southern in their views and/or policies were called _____?

Mugwumps

186. In the same time period, the Southerners who were most ardently pro-slavery and pro-secession were called _____?

Fire-eaters

240. Who was the first Episcopal bishop in the U.S.? Hint: A seminary was later named after him.

Samuel Seabury -- who was also the only one ordained by the Scottish Episcopal Church; the St. Andrew's Cross in the Episcopal Church's shield logo commemorates this.

316. This one-armed Civil War veteran explored the Grand Canyon.

John Wesley Harding

365. This tiny burg in New England is famous for voting first in national elections? (Incorrect guess: Hart's Location, NH).

Dixville Notch, NH

480. The second Cabinet Secretary to become President?

James Madison was Jefferson's Secretary of State -- Jefferson having been Washington's.

[OtakuLoki]

Some "expired" questions I've left dangling.



230. What was the name of the radioactive "health" drink that caused a scandal which provided some of the impetus to get the original legislation forming the FDA passed?

Radiothor.

399. One of the early reactors gave rise to an acronym that is used to this day to describe shutting down a nuclear fission reactor. What is this acronym, and what words were used to develop the acronym?

The acronym is SCRAM. The phrase that corresponds to it is "Shutdown Control Rod Ax Man." Given the people we're talking about I don't know whether the job was given a title that backed into the name, or not. This early pile had the control rods pulled out of the core by winch-like apparatus, with rope being wound onto drums. Instead of trying to improvise a way to let the drums spin freely, in case of a need to shut down the reactor quickly, they stationed men with axes at the rope, with instructions to use the axes to cut the ropes, if they heard the order, "SCRAM." Presumably, after that, they were to run screaming out of the building, too. ;)

400. In the 1950's the US Gov't subsidized the construction of a small town in the vicinity of Los Alamos, at the request of the researchers there. What was the grim nickname for this town? And what was the maximum population of this town?

Doomtown. Population: Zero. It was a mock-up town with dummies planted through the school, houses, and ISTR even a small clinic/hospital. Then when everything was ready - they detonated a small nuclear bomb so they could measure the effects.

466. Who said this after the Battle of Bunker Hill: "Another three such victories and we will have lost the colonies"?


General Thomas Gage, the man who was replaced by Lord Howe.

[thirdwarning]

444. St. Valentine's Day massacre -- Bugs Moran

I think I answered this before.

[thirdwarning]

Taking some wild shots here:

367. Polio vaccine - 1959
429. End of cattle trail - Abilene
498. Last year for the draft - 1972
502. Portrayed FDR - Edward Hermann

[Elendil's Heir]

...
118. Al Smith?

119. Black Maria

138. Clement Vanlandingham (spelling of last name probably wrong)
...
185. Doughfaces

186. Fire-Eaters

216. The USS Oregon
....

All correct except 118. And 138's name is spelled "Vallandigham."

[Elendil's Heir]

...
240. Who was the first Episcopal bishop in the U.S.? Hint: A seminary was later named after him.

Samuel Seabury -- who was also the only one ordained by the Scottish Episcopal Church; the St. Andrew's Cross in the Episcopal Church's shield logo commemorates this.

316. This one-armed Civil War veteran explored the Grand Canyon.

John Wesley Harding
....


Both correct - very good!

[Polycarp]

Answer to 514: Jimmy Byrnes

NEW QUESTIONS: These three relate to identical namesakes:

516: Grandfather and grandson were respectively Vice President and two-time unsuccessful Presidential candidate.

517: General who was father of a President and whose namesake was a President.

518: Grandfather and grandson Supreme Court justices, both remembered principally for their dissents.

And:

519: He served in the cabinets of Taft, Hoover, FDR, and Truman.

[Random]

516: Grandfather and grandson were respectively Vice President and two-time unsuccessful Presidential candidate.

Adlai Stevenson

[Petey]

517: General who was father of a President and whose namesake was a President.



Benjamin Harrison (signer of Declaration of Independence) was father of William Henry Harrison and great-grandfather of President Benjamin Harrison.

(not sure if he was a general)

[Elendil's Heir]

Answer to 514: Jimmy Byrnes

NEW QUESTIONS: These three relate to identical namesakes:
...
518: Grandfather and grandson Supreme Court justices, both remembered principally for their dissents.
...
519: He served in the cabinets of Taft, Hoover, FDR, and Truman.

514. Correct as to Jimmy Byrnes, who joined the Cabinet of his good friend and former colleague Harry Truman, and during his career also served as governor of South Carolina and as a Supreme Court justice.

My answers:

518. Both were named John Marshall Harlan, IIRC.

519. Henry Stimson.

[Elendil's Heir]

Speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives.

520. This first Speaker of the U.S. House hailed from Pennsylvania.
521. He ruled with an iron fist, gave his name to a House office building and demanded that the House restaurant always offer his beloved bean soup.
522. LBJ was a protege of his, and was once photographed affectionately kissing the top of the Speaker's bald head.
523. He married the eldest daughter of Theodore Roosevelt.
524. Speaker Dennis Hastert had this nickname, a relic of his earlier career.

[OtakuLoki]

521. He ruled with an iron fist, gave his name to a House office building and demanded that the House restaurant always offer his beloved bean soup.


521. I'm going to go with Henry Clay, here.

[Polycarp]

Random, Petey, and Elendil's Heir are all correct on the four I posted (516-19).

[Polycarp]

522. LBJ was a protege of his, and was once photographed affectionately kissing the top of the Speaker's bald head.
523. He married the eldest daughter of Theodore Roosevelt.

522. That would be Sam Rayburn.

523. Nicholas Longworth for this one.

Alice Roosevelt Longworth outlived her husband by decades and was a fixture in Washington society, famed for the sardonic bons mots she would come up with: "If you can't say anything good about anybody .... come sit here by me!" :D

[Elendil's Heir]

521. I'm going to go with Henry Clay, here.

Incorrect.

Polycarp, you're correct in your two answers. Alice Roosevelt Longworth even had that remark embroidered on a pillow!

[5 time champ]

520. This first Speaker of the U.S. House hailed from Pennsylvania.
Frederick ? Muhlenberg

521. He ruled with an iron fist, gave his name to a House office building and demanded that the House restaurant always offer his beloved bean soup.
Joe Cannon

[5 time champ]

They said it
525. Open, in the name of the Great Jehovah & the Continental Congress

526. Get there the firstest with the mostest

527. Come on, you wolverines.

528. Though we have lost a son, let all the boys of California now be our sons. [This is a very, very close approximation- I can't come up with the exact quote]

529. I have always been fond of this West African proverb . . . giving you the proverb would be too easy.

[Elendil's Heir]

520. This first Speaker of the U.S. House hailed from Pennsylvania.
Frederick ? Muhlenberg

521. He ruled with an iron fist, gave his name to a House office building and demanded that the House restaurant always offer his beloved bean soup.
Joe Cannon

Both correct. Muhlenberg's middle name was "Augustus."

[Elendil's Heir]

They said it
525. Open, in the name of the Great Jehovah & the Continental Congress

526. Get there the firstest with the mostest

527. Come on, you wolverines.

528. Though we have lost a son, let all the boys of California now be our sons. [This is a very, very close approximation- I can't come up with the exact quote]

529. I have always been fond of this West African proverb . . . giving you the proverb would be too easy.

525. Ethan Allen, at Ft. Ticonderoga.
526. Nathan Bedford Forrest's (apocryphal) tactical advice.
527. George Armstrong Custer during the Civil War - at Gettysburg?
528. Got me there.
529. Theodore Roosevelt, the proverb being "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."

[5 time champ]

Taking some wild shots here:

367. Polio vaccine - 1959

498. Last year for the draft - 1972
502. Portrayed FDR - Edward Hermann

367. Not in 1959

498. Not in 1972; there were still about 600 men drafted in the year of 1973 when the all-volunteer armed services started.

I followed that stuff fairly closely as I turned 18 in 1973.

503. I don't believe that Edward Hermann played FDR in a one-man show. Or if he did, that is not whom I am thinking about.

[5 time champ]

525. Ethan Allen, at Ft. Ticonderoga.
526. Nathan Bedford Forrest's (apocryphal) tactical advice.
527. George Armstrong Custer during the Civil War - at Gettysburg?
528. Got me there.
529. Theodore Roosevelt, the proverb being "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."
Correct as usual; didn't remember the "you will go far" part though. That quote just so happened to be the Final Jeopardy answer in my UToC appearance a couple years ago. :o

[Random]

524. Speaker Dennis Hastert had this nickname, a relic of his earlier career




Coach. (He was a wrestling coach, I believe at the h.s. level.)

[Random]

528. Though we have lost a son, let all the boys of California now be our sons. [This is a very, very close approximation- I can't come up with the exact quote].


Stanford?

[Julius Henry]

502. This actor portrayed FDR in a one-man show.
Robert Vaughn, who also once portayed a young Harry Truman in a TV movie.

[Random]

I suppose it's time for me to give back to this thread.

Disasters:

530. This event drowned more passengers than were lost when the Titanic sank. Ironically, a safety measure enacted because of the Titanic disaster caused the subsequent event.

531. This earthquake was more intense than any in the contiguous USA, but caused few deaths (if any).

532. This epidemic caused (by far) more deaths than any other.

533. Among the claimed causes of this disaster are a meteorite and a domestic animal. (I make no claims to the credibilty of either theory.)

534. Although not a calamity in the sense of the others (loss of human life or widespread property damage), this disaster was probably caused by snakes on a plane.

[OtakuLoki]

530. This event drowned more people than were lost when the Titanic sank. Ironically, a safety measure enacted because of the Titanic disaster caused the subsequent event.

531. This earthquake was more intense than any in the contiguous USA, but caused few deaths (if any).

532. This epidemic caused (by far) more deaths than any other.

533. Among the claimed causes of this disaster are a meteorite and a domestic animal. (I make no claims to the credibilty of either theory.)

534. Although not a calamity in the sense of the others (loss of human life or widespread property damage), this disaster was probably caused by snakes on a plane.


530. The capsizing at harbor of the M/V Eastland. To say the disaster was caused by the additional lifeboats is a bit misleading - the Eastland had major stability issues its whole career - even through at least one name change. Overloading, and a poorly designed trim system had a lot more to do with the disaster. Which doesn't mean that the additional weight of the added lifeboats made her more stable, of course.

531. The New Madrid Earthquake. I think of 1821.

532. The Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918-1919.

533. The Great Chicago Fire. Though I'd never heard the meteorite theory. Cool.

534. Noooo clue.

[OtakuLoki]

Hmm.. a few more disasters:

535. This steamer disaster was the most deadly nautical disaster in US history.

536. This steamer disaster in the waters around NYC is largely forgotten, in part because of the ethnicity of the victims.

537. One of the causes for the high fatality numbers for the disaster in question 536, was that the life vests and belts were both rotting and filled with lead or steel scraps to make weight standards. How many people were convicted of murder for these deadly frauds?

538. The USS Akron and USS Macon were both lost, within a few years of each other, in very similar circumstances. Why is the death toll so much higher for the Akron's loss?

539. The following Navy commands were unusual: USS Shenandoah, USS Los Angeles, USS Akron, USS Macon, and a fifth command whose name I cannot recall at this time, dammit. What was so unusual about these commands?

[Random]

530. The capsizing at harbor of the M/V Eastland. To say the disaster was caused by the additional lifeboats is a bit misleading - the Eastland had major stability issues its whole career - even through at least one name change. Overloading, and a poorly designed trim system had a lot more to do with the disaster. Which doesn't mean that the additional weight of the added lifeboats made her more stable, of course.

531. The New Madrid Earthquake. I think of 1821.

532. The Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918-1919.

533. The Great Chicago Fire. Though I'd never heard the meteorite theory. Cool.

.

530. Correct. Yeah, it probably would have been more accurate to say "contributed to" instead of caused.

531. Correct, although IIRC , your date is about a dozen years too late. (Also, there were at least two earthquakes in the series, but that's nitpicking.) If these took place today, they'd be truly terrible events.

532. Correct. Another catastrophe that could easily take place again.

533. Correct. (Although it is far from proven, the meteorite theory is somewhat supported by the fact that there were serious fires the same day in Wisconsin and Michigan. The Wisconsin fire, which was the subject of a previous question in this thread, actually killed many more people than the Chicago fire.)

[Random]

535. This steamer disaster was the most deadly nautical disaster in US history.

Damn, I'm spacing the name. It was a boiler explosion and fire aboard a paddlewheel boat on the Mississippi.


538. The USS Akron and USS Macon were both lost, within a few years of each other, in very similar circumstances. Why is the death toll so much higher for the Akron's loss?

Hydrogen instead of helium?

539. The following Navy commands were unusual: USS Shenandoah, USS Los Angeles, USS Akron, USS Macon, and a fifth command whose name I cannot recall at this time, dammit. What was so unusual about these commands?[/QUOTE]

They were blimps/airships.

[OtakuLoki]

535. This steamer disaster was the most deadly nautical disaster in US history.

Damn, I'm spacing the name. It was a boiler explosion and fire aboard a paddlewheel boat on the Mississippi.

That's what it was, but I really am looking for the name.

538. The USS Akron and USS Macon were both lost, within a few years of each other, in very similar circumstances. Why is the death toll so much higher for the Akron's loss?

Helium? Nope. Both airships were using helium as lifting gas.

539. The following Navy commands were unusual: USS Shenandoah, USS Los Angeles, USS Akron, USS Macon, and a fifth command whose name I cannot recall at this time, dammit. What was so unusual about these commands?

They were blimps/airships.


True. Actually, they were all rigid hull airships, or dirigibles.

[5 time champ]

528. Stanford?
You are correct, sir. Kinda ironic, in the light of the glurge about Leland Stanford and his wife. The story is the very plainly dressed and humble Mr & Mrs Leland Stanford went to Harvard U to try to donate funds get a statue dedicated for their recently deceased son. The high & mighty Harvard President curtly dismissed the couple. Smarting from the snub, the Stanfords decided to build the University that bears their names to honor their son.

The story is untrue, far from being humble & plain- Leland Stanford was a notorious rail baron. He was well received by the Presidents of several Ivy League colleges.

The irony is Stanford's true quote about looking out for the young men of California is never mentioned in the glurge.

[5 time champ]

Robert Vaughn, who also once portayed a young Harry Truman in a TV movie.
Correctamente. Would you like to make any attempts at my other unanswered questions?

[Elendil's Heir]

524. Speaker Dennis Hastert had this nickname, a relic of his earlier career.

Coach. (He was a wrestling coach, I believe at the h.s. level.)

Correct.

[Elendil's Heir]

Hmm.. a few more disasters:

535. This steamer disaster was the most deadly nautical disaster in US history.
....


The Sultana, destroyed in what was probably a boiler explosion while carrying 2,000+ recently-freed Union POWs, including survivors of the notorious Confederate prison camp at Andersonville, home in April 1865. It happened around the same time as Lincoln's assassination, which pushed it out of the headlines. A worse disaster in terms of lives lost than the Titanic's tragic sinking.

[OtakuLoki]

The Sultana, destroyed in what was probably a boiler explosion while carrying 2,000+ recently-freed Union POWs, including survivors of the notorious Confederate prison camp at Andersonville, home in April 1865. It happened around the same time as Lincoln's assassination, which pushed it out of the headlines. A worse disaster in terms of lives lost than the Titanic's tragic sinking.


Correct.

[Polycarp]

Hmm.. a few more disasters:

538. The USS Akron and USS Macon were both lost, within a few years of each other, in very similar circumstances. Why is the death toll so much higher for the Akron's loss?

The Akron went down over the Atlantic during a severe squall; the Macon went down in the Pacific during good weather due to structural failure in the frame, and parts remained floating.

539. The following Navy commands were unusual: USS Shenandoah, USS Los Angeles, USS Akron, USS Macon, and a fifth command whose name I cannot recall at this time, dammit. What was so unusual about these commands?

As someone already noted, they were rigid airships (not blimps; to refer to them as 'blimps' is like calling an aircraft carrier a rowboat). For what it may be worth, the US Navy contracted with (a) Goodyear, IIRC, to build the Shenandoah [ZR-1], (b) the British [IIRC Air Force] to build the ZR-2, known as the R-38 while under construction in Britain, and (c) Luftschiffbau Zeppelin to build the Los Angeles [ZR-3], as pair of German war reparations. The ZR-2 crashed in England prior to delivery to the US; the Los Angeles operated without serious mishap from 1922 until the Hindenburg crash in 1937, after which it remained in commission but never flew again, finally being decommissioned and dismantled in 1940. (The Akron and Macon were ZR-4 and -5 respectively.)

[Random]

Okay, I glanced over at one of my bookshelves for inspiration (don't worry, I didn't actually open any books), and came up with a few more:

540. One last disaster question, to round out the category (which has already covered war, pestilence, earthquakes, fires and floods): A repeated challenge that Great Plains settlers faced in the 1800's is completely unknown in the western hemisphere today, although farmers in parts of Africa and Asia still must deal with it. Part of the natural world, this problem just fortuitously disappeared here, though no deliberate action of the part of humans. Bonus question: Recent scholarship has suggested a cause for this disappearance. What is it?

541. This American author was perhaps the preeminent thinker on the importance and use of navies.

542. We obviously have some naval historians in this thread, so I'll try to provide more of a challenge in the next couple questions. First, what American admiral would have commanded at the battle of Midway, but for a chance event, and what was that event?

543. This U.S. carrier suffered a catastrophic explosion and fire in Boston harbor in the early 1950's, killing many?

544. Who later served as the chief of staff for the admiral described in 542? (Hint: a descendant of his is prominent in politics today.)

[OtakuLoki]

The Akron went down over the Atlantic during a severe squall; the Macon went down in the Pacific during good weather due to structural failure in the frame, and parts remained floating.

The actual cause of loss for both the Akron and Macon was operator error, by over stressing the frame, and causing it to break, lose buoyancy, and crash into the water. That's the similarity I'd been thinking of. Both airships left an amount of flotsam in the waters, after they sank. But the biggest single factor in the difference between the death tolls was that the Akron had no flotation devices (rafts, life vests, or belts) aboard, in a weight-saving measure. Macon, which went down some two years later, had them aboard, and lost only two men - one who jumped in a panic during the airship's fall to ground, and another who swam back into the sinking wreck to retrieve some possessions.

[Elendil's Heir]

...
540. One last disaster question, to round out the category (which has already covered war, pestilence, earthquakes, fires and floods): A repeated challenge that Great Plains settlers faced in the 1800's is completely unknown in the western hemisphere today, although farmers in parts of Africa and Asia still must deal with it. Part of the natural world, this problem just fortuitously disappeared here, though no deliberate action of the part of humans. Bonus question: Recent scholarship has suggested a cause for this disappearance. What is it?

541. This American author was perhaps the preeminent thinker on the importance and use of navies.

542. We obviously have some naval historians in this thread, so I'll try to provide more of a challenge in the next couple questions. First, what American admiral would have commanded at the battle of Midway, but for a chance event, and what was that event?
...
544. Who later served as the chief of staff for the admiral described in 542? (Hint: a descendant of his is prominent in politics today.)

540. Locusts?
541. Alfred Thayer Mahan.
542. Adm. William Halsey (a relative, through marriage, of mine). He had a very bad skin rash at the time, which some of his aides thought was psychosomatic, and had to be hospitalized.
544. John McCain, grandfather of the current presidential candidate. There's still a destroyer named after him.

[Elendil's Heir]

I'll go ahead and answer the questions which I posed awhile ago that are still unanswered.


...
118. At its opening, the lights of the Empire State Building were ceremonially turned on remotely by what individual?
...
135. The most famous portrait of [Chief Justice] John Jay has him in robes of these two colors.
...
184. Those who supported the Continental Congress in the mid-to-late 1770s were called patriots or _____?
...
188. In the 1870s, reform-minded Republicans fed up with the Grant Administration's cronyism and corruption were called _____?

Middle names:
203. Hay, McKinley's Secretary of State

204. Stanton, Lincoln's Secretary of War

205. Rehnquist, the Chief Justice
...
253. The U.S. Naval Academy wasn't established until the year ____; before that, midshipmen were trained entirely at sea.

259. The Air Force Academy's mascot is this animal.

260. The plane which, in various incarnations, flew 24/7/365 throughout the Cold War to conduct the U.S. retaliatory response to any overwhelming first strike, was codenamed __________ ________.
...
286. Besides protecting the President and other VIPs, what are the Secret Service's two other major responsibilities? (Anti-counterfeiting was one correct answer already given; what’s the other?)
...
295. How many proposed constitutional amendments have been introduced in Congress? (A correct round number will be accepted).

297. What first name did the first two soldiers buried in Arlington National Cemetery share?

301. What were George Washington's last words?

309. Who was JFK's White House chief of staff? (Incorrect answers already given: Kenneth O’Donnell and Ted Sorenson).
...
325. The Vatican did not have a papal nuncio (ambassador) accredited to the United States until the administration of this President. (Incorrect guesses: JFK and Nixon).

349. Which President, by executive order, first standardized the arrangement of stars and stripes on the U.S. flag?

350. Other than stars, what did the original pre-Civil War "Old Glory" have in its blue canton?
...
352. How many official "national" flags did the Confederate Congress approve between 1861-65?

362. Lincoln appointed this key supporter and Illinois state judge to the Supreme Court.
...
373. This iron-willed and highly effective governor of a midwestern state secretly sent the GOP minority of his state legislature out of town to deny the Copperhead Democratic majority a quorum. He then ruled the state as a virtual dictator to the end of the Civil War.

374. This moderate Republican shaved three times a day due to his heavy beard growth, and served as both governor of his large state and as one of its U.S. senators. (Two hints: He shared a last name with a President, and briefly considered a run for the White House himself).

386. Bearer of a famous name, he headed the Pullman Co. at the time of its controversial strike.
...
447. This was William McKinley's best-known slogan.

450. Despite some scandals in his past, Edwin Edwards ran again for governor of Louisiana against former Klan official David Duke, and won. What rhyming slogan did Edwards's supporters popularize? (Incorrect guess: "Vote for the crook; it's important," which doesn't rhyme).

463. President Lincoln himself came under Confederate fire during Jubal Early's attack against this fortification guarding Washington, D.C.
...
What is the significance of this date in American history?
484. March 9, 1862
....

118. FDR
135. Black and red
184. Whigs
188. Mugwumps
203. John Milton Hay
204. Edwin McMasters Stanton
205. William Hubbs Rehnquist
253. 1846
259. Falcon
260. Looking Glass
286. Investigating Internet crime
295. More than ten thousand!
297. William
301. "'Tis well."
309. Trick question: JFK had no White House chief of staff.
325. Reagan (in 1985, IIRC).
349. Taft, in 1912.
350. The owner of the original Old Glory was a merchant captain. His flag had a small sewn anchor in addition to the stars.
352. Three.
362. David Davis. Lincoln had "ridden circuit" with him in Illinois for many years, and the two became good friends and mutual admirers. Davis was instrumental in securing the nomination for Lincoln at the GOP 1860 convention in Chicago.
373. Oliver Morton of Indiana, the only state governor honored with a monument at Vicksburg due to his strong and effective support of his state's troops in the field.
374. Pete Wilson of California.
386. Robert Todd Lincoln.
447. "The Full Dinner Pail."
450. "Better a lizard than a wizard."
463. Fort Stevens, on the NW edge of Washington, D.C. The fort still stands, although the neighborhood has changed out of all recognition.
484. The first battle between ironclads, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, at Hampton Roads, Va.

[Random]

540. Locusts?
541. Alfred Thayer Mahan.
542. Adm. William Halsey (a relative, through marriage, of mine). He had a very bad skin rash at the time, which some of his aides thought was psychosomatic, and had to be hospitalized.
544. John McCain, grandfather of the current presidential candidate. There's still a destroyer named after him.


Yup.

[Elendil's Heir]

What's the suggested cause for locusts' disappearance here, Random?

The U.S. Senate.

545. According to the Constitution, this officeholder is automatically President of the Senate.
546. In the absence of that individual, who is entitled to preside over the Senate?
547. How is that person (from question 546) customarily designated?
548. In the 19th century, which individual who held the post from question 546 came closest to becoming President of the United States, and how?
549. When Bill Clinton was on trial in the Senate in 1999 after being impeached by the House, commemorative pens were presented to every senator. What was wrong with the pens?

[kidchameleon]

545. According to the Constitution, this officeholder is automatically President of the Senate.
The Vice President

546. In the absence of that individual, who is entitled to preside over the Senate?

president pro tempre

548. In the 19th century, which individual who held that post came closest to becoming President of the United States, and how?

Shoot I know how, but not who.

[5 time champ]

545. According to the Constitution, this officeholder is automatically President of the Senate.
Vice President of the United States

546. In the absence of that individual, who is entitled to preside over the Senate?
President Pro Tem of the Senate

547. How is that person (from question 546) customarily designated?
Most senior member of the majority party of the Senate

548. In the 19th century, which individual who held the post from question 546 came closest to becoming President of the United States, and how?
Good question- there must have been an extended period of time during the Tyler, Filllmore or Arthur Administrations when the Speaker of the House was either vacant or the Speaker was a naturalized citizen thus ineligible to be President

549. When Bill Clinton was on trial in the Senate in 1999 after being impeached by the House, commemorative pens were presented to every senator. What was wrong with the pens?
The pens referred to the Senate's impeachment, rather than trial. ??

[Random]

What's the suggested cause for locusts' disappearance here, Random?



Apparently, similar to the monarch butterfly, despite being widespread in geographic terms for most of their existence (including breeding in those widespread areas), the locust periodically retreated to a fairly localized area. In the spirit of this thread, I am avoiding consulting sources, so I may be off in details, but IIRC, it was certain mountain river valleys in California. Once those became intensively farmed and irrigated, the locust life cycle was irreparably disrupted.

[Elendil's Heir]

545. According to the Constitution, this officeholder is automatically President of the Senate.
Vice President of the United States

546. In the absence of that individual, who is entitled to preside over the Senate?
President Pro Tem of the Senate

547. How is that person (from question 546) customarily designated?
Most senior member of the majority party of the Senate

548. In the 19th century, which individual who held the post from question 546 came closest to becoming President of the United States, and how?
Good question- there must have been an extended period of time during the Tyler, Filllmore or Arthur Administrations when the Speaker of the House was either vacant or the Speaker was a naturalized citizen thus ineligible to be President

549. When Bill Clinton was on trial in the Senate in 1999 after being impeached by the House, commemorative pens were presented to every senator. What was wrong with the pens?
The pens referred to the Senate's impeachment, rather than trial. ??

545. Correct.
546. Correct.
547. Correct.
548. Not quite. Actually, the President pro tempore of the Senate was ahead of the Speaker of the House in the statutory order of succession for many years. Which particular President pro tem came closest to taking up occupancy in the White House? A hint: he almost helped make it happen himself.
549. Incorrect.

[Elendil's Heir]

Apparently, similar to the monarch butterfly, despite being widespread in geographic terms for most of their existence (including breeding in those widespread areas), the locust periodically retreated to a fairly localized area. In the spirit of this thread, I am avoiding consulting sources, so I may be off in details, but IIRC, it was certain mountain river valleys in California. Once those became intensively farmed and irrigated, the locust life cycle was irreparably disrupted.

Never heard about that - thanks!

[Random]

Shoot I know how, but not who.


Me, too.

[Enterprise]

548. Not quite. Actually, the President pro tempore of the Senate was ahead of the Speaker of the House in the statutory order of succession for many years. Which particular President pro tem came closest to taking up occupancy in the White House? A hint: he almost helped make it happen himself.

Benjamin Wade was President pro tempore of the Senate during the impeachment of Andrew Johnson. There was no incumbent VP (since Johnson had just succeeded Lincoln), and if the Senate, including Wade's vote, voted Johnson guilty, Wade would (in a small way) made himself President of the United States.

[Elendil's Heir]

Benjamin Wade was President pro tempore of the Senate during the impeachment of Andrew Johnson. There was no incumbent VP (since Johnson had just succeeded Lincoln), and if the Senate, including Wade's vote, voted Johnson guilty, Wade would (in a small way) made himself President of the United States.

Exactly. "Bluff Ben" Wade, a Radical Republican from Ohio, who neglected to recuse himself from the 1868 Senate vote that would have made him President. Johnson was acquitted by a single vote.

[Elendil's Heir]

More on American flags.

550. According to Barbara Tuchman, a fort of what nation first recognized the U.S. flag, leading to a diplomatic complaint by the British?
551. The First Navy Jack featured what animal?
552. Before 9-11, what was the only ship entitled to regularly fly the First Navy Jack?
553. Union regimental colors during the Civil War were usually what color?
554. Only one state has a flag with a green field. What is it?

[Governor Quinn]

506. Correct.

If the remaining questions are not answered by New Year's Eve, I will post the answers.

[5 time champ]

550. According to Barbara Tuchman, a fort of what nation first recognized the U.S. flag, leading to a diplomatic complaint by the British?
Tuchman's book was called the First Salute, I didn't read it but, the country in question was the Netherlands

552. Before 9-11, what was the only ship entitled to regularly fly the First Navy Jack?
USS Constitution ?

553. Union regimental colors during the Civil War were usually what color?
blue

554. Only one state has a flag with a green field. What is it?
Vermont?

[Elendil's Heir]

550. According to Barbara Tuchman, a fort of what nation first recognized the U.S. flag, leading to a diplomatic complaint by the British?
Tuchman's book was called the First Salute, I didn't read it but, the country in question was the Netherlands

552. Before 9-11, what was the only ship entitled to regularly fly the First Navy Jack?
USS Constitution ?

553. Union regimental colors during the Civil War were usually what color?
blue

554. Only one state has a flag with a green field. What is it?
Vermont?

550. Correct. It was on a Dutch possession in the Caribbean; I forget the name of the island.
552. Incorrect.
553. Correct.
554. Incorrect.

[Elendil's Heir]

506. Correct.

If the remaining questions are not answered by New Year's Eve, I will post the answers.

Question 506 was about the last white mayor of Detroit. I don't think anyone ever answered it, did they?

[Random]

550. Correct. It was on a Dutch possession in the Caribbean; I forget the name of the island.
.


St. Eustatius

[Siam Sam]

550. Correct. It was on a Dutch possession in the Caribbean; I forget the name of the island.
Aruba?

[Random]

551. The First Navy Jack featured what animal?


Rattlesnake

[Saratoga Sam]

554. Washington State

[Elendil's Heir]

Both Random and Saratoga Sam are correct.

[Governor Quinn]

Question 506 was about the last white mayor of Detroit. I don't think anyone ever answered it, did they?

gonzomax did in post #824.

[Elendil's Heir]

gonzomax did in post #824.

Ah, thanks. That was awhile ago.

What was the significance of these dates?

555. April 30, 1789
556. March 1, 1803
557. Sept. 17, 1862
558. April 15, 1865
559. March 4, 1933

[OtakuLoki]

Since you're the OP, I'm going to ask for a rules clarification: Can I look around in this thread before answering questions?


(Yeah, I know, I know. I owe more questions. I'm scratching through my scalp, these days already....)

[Siam Sam]

Ah, thanks. That was awhile ago.

What was the significance of these dates?

555. April 30, 1789
556. March 1, 1803
557. Sept. 17, 1862
558. April 15, 1865
559. March 4, 1933
558. Assassination of Lincoln.

559. First inauguration of FDR.

[5 time champ]

555. April 30, 1789
Inauguration of George Washington

556. March 1, 1803
Louisiana Purchase signed

557. Sept. 17, 1862
Battle of Antietam

558. April 15, 1865
Death of Abraham Lincoln

559. March 4, 1933
FDR declares Bank Holiday ?

[Elendil's Heir]

Since you're the OP, I'm going to ask for a rules clarification: Can I look around in this thread before answering questions?


(Yeah, I know, I know. I owe more questions. I'm scratching through my scalp, these days already....)

I'd have no problem with you consulting this thread. Of course you shouldn't ask another question again, even if rephrased, if you get it from this thread.

Looking forward to your questions.

[Elendil's Heir]

555. April 30, 1789
Inauguration of George Washington

556. March 1, 1803
Louisiana Purchase signed

557. Sept. 17, 1862
Battle of Antietam

558. April 15, 1865
Death of Abraham Lincoln

559. March 4, 1933
FDR declares Bank Holiday ?

555. Correct. Originally set the month before, but pushed back because preparations weren't complete.
556. Nope.
557. Yup.
558. Righto.
559. I think that was a few days later, wasn't it? Siam Sam has it - the "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" inaugural address.

[Saratoga Sam]

556. March 1, 1803 - The date Lewis and Clark pushed off from St Louis?

[Elendil's Heir]

556. March 1, 1803 - The date Lewis and Clark pushed off from St Louis?

Um... maybe, I don't know, but not what I was thinking of. Incorrect.

Here are some special Christmas questions. Happy holidays, fellow Dopers!

560. This notable American battle was fought on Christmas Day.
561. President Reagan preferred to celebrate Christmas here.
562. The famous "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" column first appeared in what newspaper?
563. This American political cartoonist did much to popularize contemporary views of Santa.
564. This Christmas movie gave its title to a massive American chain of hotels.

[Saratoga Sam]

556. March 1, 1803

- USMC fights Berber pirates at Tripoli?

560. This notable American battle was fought on Christmas Day.

Fredericksburg (1862)

563. This American political cartoonist did much to popularize contemporary views of Santa.

Thomas Nast

564. This Christmas movie gave its title to a massive American chain of hotels.

Holiday Inn

[Elendil's Heir]

556. March 1, 1803

- USMC fights Berber pirates at Tripoli?

560. This notable American battle was fought on Christmas Day.

Fredericksburg (1862)

563. This American political cartoonist did much to popularize contemporary views of Santa.

Thomas Nast

564. This Christmas movie gave its title to a massive American chain of hotels.

Holiday Inn

556. Incorrect.
560. Incorrect.
563. Correct.
564. Correct.

[Governor Quinn]

562. The famous "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" column first appeared in what newspaper?


562. The New York Sun (the historic one, not the current one)

[OtakuLoki]

565. Author's Row, in Concord, MA, refers to what?

566. What eighteenth century charismatic spiritual revival movement leader shares a name with a recent Presidential candidate?

567. Who was the first US Naval officer in non-line service to make flag rank?

568. The US Naval officers Bainbridge and Hull share a distinction. What is it?

569. Why do some people find it amusing/ironic that a certain Mr. Smoot was the President of the International Organization of Standards?


Merry Christmas, everyone!



ETA: 560. This notable American battle was fought on Christmas Day.

560. Trenton.

[Random]

569. Why do some people find it amusing/ironic that a certain Mr. Smoot was the President of the International Organization of Standards?


.


The body length of a certain undergraduate Smoot was once used to measure a bridge in Massachusetts.

[OtakuLoki]

Random, correct. IIRC the bridge was one of those crossing the Charles connecting Boston to Cambridge.

[Random]

568. The US Naval officers Bainbridge and Hull share a distinction. What is it?



Both captained the Constitution.

[OtakuLoki]

Both captained the Constitution.


Correct again. During the War of 1812. And each, I believe, captured several RN vessels.

ETA: And here I thought that it was 567 that was the gimme question.

[Random]

ETA: And here I thought that it was 567 that was the gimme question.


Grace Hopper is the name that came to mind, but I figured some doctor or chaplain had to have made flag rank in WWII, so I don*t think I*m correct.

[OtakuLoki]

Grace Hopper is the name that came to mind, but I figured some doctor or chaplain had to have made flag rank in WWII, so I don*t think I*m correct.


Nope, it's not Amazing Grace. I'm a big fan of hers, but she wasn't whom I was thinking of. And the officer I'm thinking of was already flag rank when she was raised to it herself. And he's not medical or chaplain corps, either.

[Siam Sam]

559. I think that was a few days later, wasn't it? Siam Sam has it - the "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" inaugural address.
That inauguration was also notable for being the last one in March. FDR's second inauguration was the first one to be held on January 20, in 1937. The 3-1/2 month lag time before was largely a result of it taking so long to get one's afffairs in order and then journeying to Washington to take up the post. But modern transportation had cut travel time way down by the 1930s.

A more important consideration that I've read, though, was that in the 1932 election, people badly wanted Hoover out and FDR in and felt 3 1/2 months had been WAY too long to wait, considering the desperate situation of the times. So it was decided to move the inauguration date up.

[5 time champ]

566. What eighteenth century charismatic spiritual revival movement leader shares a name with a recent Presidential candidate?
Jonathan Edwards

556. March 1, 1803 - The date Lewis and Clark pushed off from St Louis?
Lewis & Clark left much later than 3/1/1803. How about the aforementioned "Interview at Weehawken," the Burr-Hamilton Duel?

561. President Reagan preferred to celebrate Christmas here.
California White House: Santa Barbara??

[OtakuLoki]

5 Time Champ is right with his answer for 566.

And now, I'm off to bed. I hope everyone enjoys their holiday!

[Saratoga Sam]

565. Author's Row, in Concord, MA, refers to what?

566. What eighteenth century charismatic spiritual revival movement leader shares a name with a recent Presidential candidate?

567. Who was the first US Naval officer in non-line service to make flag rank?

568. The US Naval officers Bainbridge and Hull share a distinction. What is it?

569. Why do some people find it amusing/ironic that a certain Mr. Smoot was the President of the International Organization of Standards?


Merry Christmas, everyone!



ETA:

560. Trenton.

567. Hyman Rickover?

560. Couldn't be Trenton; Washington's army rowed over the Delaware on Christmas evening, then fought the battle the following morning (Dec 26)

[OtakuLoki]

567. Hyman Rickover?

560. Couldn't be Trenton; Washington's army rowed over the Delaware on Christmas evening, then fought the battle the following morning (Dec 26)


You're right about Rickover.

As for Trenton, I'm not going to insist that I was right, I'd just remembered reading something about it, and Monroe's actions in the battle that made me think it might have happened on Christmas.

[Elendil's Heir]

562. [re: "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus] The New York Sun (the historic one, not the current one)

Incorrect.

For 560, I was thinking of the Battle of Trenton, which I'd (mis?)remembered was fought on Dec. 25. My bad.

Siam Sam, I've read the same thing elsewhere was to why Inauguration Day was moved forward from March 4 to Jan. 20.

[Elendil's Heir]

...
556. March 1, 1803 - The date Lewis and Clark pushed off from St Louis?
Lewis & Clark left much later than 3/1/1803. How about the aforementioned "Interview at Weehawken," the Burr-Hamilton Duel?

561. President Reagan preferred to celebrate Christmas here.
California White House: Santa Barbara??

Incorrect as to both.

OtakuLoki, I remember reading in Time magazine that then-Navy Secretary John Lehman hurriedly named a nuclear submarine after Rickover because he feared that Congress would otherwise name a supercarrier after him.

Presidential travels.

570. George Washington traveled outside of what is now the U.S. only once in his lifetime. Where did he go?
571. Abraham Lincoln also maybe traveled outside of what is now the U.S. only once in his lifetime (his biographers aren't quite sure). If he went anywhere else, where was it?
572. Who was the first President to leave the U.S. during his term in office, and where did he go?
573. President Truman conducted his famous 1948 "Whistlestop Campaign" aboard this plush, armored, distinctively-named railroad car.
574. What was noteworthy about President Nixon's return from his historic 1972 state visit to China?

[OtakuLoki]

OtakuLoki, I remember reading in Time magazine that then-Navy Secretary John Lehman hurriedly named a nuclear submarine after Rickover because he feared that Congress would otherwise name a supercarrier after him.


LOL I'd not heard that. I can believe it, though. He was not popular with the brass nor the civilian chain-of-command from all I'd heard. And his popularity in Congress was hard to believe. ISTR that all his promotions above the rank of Captain were forced on an unwilling Navy by Congress.



ETA: Honestly, though, I'd rather have a birdfarm named for Rickover, than trying to explain to people who John C. Stennis was. (Though I'll admit the sub was probably more appropriate.)

[Siam Sam]

Incorrect as to both.

OtakuLoki, I remember reading in Time magazine that then-Navy Secretary John Lehman hurriedly named a nuclear submarine after Rickover because he feared that Congress would otherwise name a supercarrier after him.

Presidential travels.

570. George Washington traveled outside of what is now the U.S. only once in his lifetime. Where did he go?
571. Abraham Lincoln also maybe traveled outside of what is now the U.S. only once in his lifetime (his biographers aren't quite sure). If he went anywhere else, where was it?
572. Who was the first President to leave the U.S. during his term in office, and where did he go?
570. Canada?

571. Canada?

572. Definitely Canada, Warren G. Harding.

[Saratoga Sam]

Presidential travels.

570. George Washington traveled outside of what is now the U.S. only once in his lifetime. Where did he go?


570. Barbados, where I believe he caught smallpox

[5 time champ]

Well, Elendil you may have stumped me on a group of questions.

571. Abraham Lincoln also maybe traveled outside of what is now the U.S. only once in his lifetime (his biographers aren't quite sure). If he went anywhere else, where was it?
I was unaware that Lincoln ever left the US So if it isn't Canada, how about that he secretly strategized with his generals on one occasion in Bermuda??


573. President Truman conducted his famous 1948 "Whistlestop Campaign" aboard this plush, armored, distinctively-named railroad car.
I oughta know this one--How about the Missouri Mule??

[Elendil's Heir]

570. Barbados, where I believe he caught smallpox

Correct. Washington went in his teens with his half-brother Lawrence, who was having health problems (tuberculosis, IIRC). The house in which they stayed was recently restored by a joint U.S.-Barbados nonprofit group. GW's smallpox immunity led him to have his own troops vaccinated during the Revolution, much to their advantage.

[Elendil's Heir]

...
572. Definitely Canada, Warren G. Harding.

Incorrect. Think earlier, and it wasn't Lincoln (see next answer).

[Elendil's Heir]

...
571. Abraham Lincoln also maybe traveled outside of what is now the U.S. only once in his lifetime (his biographers aren't quite sure). If he went anywhere else, where was it?
I was unaware that Lincoln ever left the US So if it isn't Canada, how about that he secretly strategized with his generals on one occasion in Bermuda??

573. President Truman conducted his famous 1948 "Whistlestop Campaign" aboard this plush, armored, distinctively-named railroad car.
I oughta know this one--How about the Missouri Mule??

571. Yes, Canada. He and Mary once visited the Niagara Falls region, but the records are ambiguous as to whether or not they actually crossed over into Canada.

573. Incorrect.

[5 time champ]

575. Mideast Peace talks were held in Annapolis, MD recently, what was the subject of a much earlier Annapolis Convention?

576. The National Road once ended in this town in Illinois?

577. The people of Charleston, SC used to jokingly wonder why the city didn't fall into the sea. What and who were the cause of this?

578. This First Lady did a fair amount of traveling-- while in Hawaii she once went surfing. [Hint: it was before WWII]

579. Where was the Republican Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln held?

[Random]

579. Where was the Republican Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln held?


First time? Chicago, I think.

[Random]

576. The National Road once ended in this town in Illinois?



Withdrawn. I was confused with Route 66.

[Elendil's Heir]

575. Mideast Peace talks were held in Annapolis, MD recently, what was the subject of a much earlier Annapolis Convention?
...
578. This First Lady did a fair amount of traveling-- while in Hawaii she once went surfing. [Hint: it was before WWII]

579. Where was the Republican Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln held?

575. Building closer ties among the colonies before the American Revolution.

578. Eleanor Roosevelt.

579. Chicago... at the Wigwam, a temporary convention hall.

[5 time champ]

575. IIRC, the Annapolis Convention was held after the Revolution. The Convention's failure to accomplish much led to the Constitutional Convention.

578. Eleanor Roosevelt on a surfboard :eek: Maybe true, but that was not whom I was thinking about.

579. Correct.

So you are not familiar with the Charleston SC quip?

[Elendil's Heir]

Hmmm. I thought it was the Mount Vernon meeting, at GW's home, that pretty much led to the Philadelphia convention. And no, I don't know that Charleston quip.

Vice Presidents.

580. The first vice president sworn in outside of the U.S. was sworn in where, and why?
581. Of all the vice presidents, he most recently served as a governor.
582. The term "Veep" was first applied to him.
583. He was the second person appointed vice president under the terms of the 25th Amendment.
584. He was quoted as saying, "What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar."

[Siam Sam]

Incorrect. Think earlier, and it wasn't Lincoln (see next answer).
The next answer didn't say. I have not looked it up, but I'm pretty sure I read once that it was Harding, on an automobile trip to Alaska. But if not him, did Wilson actually go stump for the League of Nations in Europe?

[Siam Sam]

584. He was quoted as saying, "What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar."
585. Calvin Coolidge, while Veep?

[Elendil's Heir]

The next answer didn't say. I have not looked it up, but I'm pretty sure I read once that it was Harding, on an automobile trip to Alaska. But if not him, did Wilson actually go stump for the League of Nations in Europe?

I meant my next post - Lincoln isn't the correct answer; neither is Harding nor Wilson.

Siam Sam, for question 585, it's not Coolidge.

[Siam Sam]

Wasn't in your next post either, was it? :p

[5 time champ]

581. Of all the vice presidents, he most recently served as a governor.
Nelson Rockefeller of NY

582. The term "Veep" was first applied to him.
John Nance Garner??

583. He was the second person appointed vice president under the terms of the 25th Amendment.
Nelson Rockefeller

584. He was quoted as saying, "What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar."
Thomas Marshall

[Elendil's Heir]

581. Of all the vice presidents, he most recently served as a governor.
Nelson Rockefeller of NY

582. The term "Veep" was first applied to him.
John Nance Garner??

583. He was the second person appointed vice president under the terms of the 25th Amendment.
Nelson Rockefeller

584. He was quoted as saying, "What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar."
Thomas Marshall

All correct except 582. Rockefeller was, of course, Ford's VP, and Marshall was Wilson's. Well done.

[ElvisL1ves]

"Veep" = Alben Barkley

[Elendil's Heir]

[582.] "Veep" = Alben Barkley

Correct. The Kentuckian was Truman's VP, and the oldest ever, IIRC.

Some Ohio history.

585. The Point of Beginning, from which all western U.S. cartography is drawn, is near this Ohio town.
586. Civil War Gen. William Sherman got his middle name from this courageous Indian chief, killed while leading a rebellion.
587. How is the Ohio state flag different from every other state flag?
588. This WWI Ohio flying ace is honored in the name of a Columbus-area airport.
589. Thomas Edison originally hailed from this Ohio town, and kept a lab there.

[Siam Sam]

586. Civil War Gen. William Sherman got his middle name from this courageous Indian chief, killed while leading a rebellion.

588. This WWI Ohio flying ace is honored in the name of a Columbus-area airport.
586. Tecumseh.

588. Eddie Rickenbacker?

[5 time champ]

587. How is the Ohio state flag different from every other state flag?
Ohio's state flag is a pennant, rather than the typical rectangular shape.

[An Gadaí]

587. How is the Ohio state flag different from every other state flag?
Ohio's state flag is a pennant, rather than the typical rectangular shape.

I just noticed this yesterday and commented on it to my friend when I saw the flag flying with the US flag.

[Enterprise]

566. What eighteenth century charismatic spiritual revival movement leader shares a name with a recent Presidential candidate?

567. Who was the first US Naval officer in non-line service to make flag rank?


566. Do you mean Jonathan Edwards? I though John Edwards wasn't a Jonathan, but maybe I'm totally wrong anyway.

567. Unless I misunderstand the question, I doubt that Hyman Rickover is correct, despite the mentions above. Rear-Admiral Ben Moreell, of the Bureau of Yards and Docks and the CEC, was promoted Admiral late in World War II; this certainly predates Rickover. I'm not sure Moreell was the first non-line officer.

[OtakuLoki]

567. Unless I misunderstand the question, I doubt that Hyman Rickover is correct, despite the mentions above. Rear-Admiral Ben Moreell, of the Bureau of Yards and Docks and the CEC, was promoted Admiral late in World War II; this certainly predates Rickover. I'm not sure Moreell was the first non-line officer.

First, regarding your comment about John Edwards, he used to go by his full name. And it rubbed a number of people from New England the wrong way back in 2000, at least in part for the association with a movement that's seen, now, to have been a bit fundamentalist, if not outright fanatic. FTM, ISTR reading that some historians place eighteenth century backlash against the Great Awakening (IIRC the name of his movement) as being key in getting New England support for the idea of a Separation of Church and State.


I'm not familiar with Moreel, but I will say that simply because someone is commanding the Bureau of Yards and Docks doesn't mean the officer isn't a line officer. The Navy has a number of restricted service commissions. The most common are Medical, Engineering (which is separate from engineering-track line officers), Chaplain corps, JAG, and ISTR a couple of others. The basic difference between line and non-line commissions is that a line officer is eligible for command of a warship, while non-line officers aren't. And my recollection is that Rickover was promoted to flag rank, by act of Congress. Over the objections of the Navy Dept. And one of those objections was that the Navy objected to the idea of a non-line flag officer.

As always, we're going by memory here, so I can't claim infallibility - just that this is what I honestly believe to be an accurate representation of the events. (Though I won't place any bets on the name of Jonathan Edwards movement, I always screwed it up, even in HS.)

[Elendil's Heir]

586. Tecumseh.

588. Eddie Rickenbacker?

Correct about both.

5 time champ is correct about the Ohio flag. It is a pennant, or more technically, a burgee, based on cavalry flags of the Civil War and Spanish-American War.

Since I wasn't answering the question, or formulating a new one, I checked Wikipedia, which says that the presidential candidate's birth name is actually Johnny, not John or Jonathan.

[OtakuLoki]

Ookay...

But he did run in 2000 under the name Jonathan, didn't he? Or am I stuck in another alternate universe? Again.


(And if I am stuck transiting between alternate universes, why can't I ever fall into one of the neat ones with continuing dirigible service, huh?)

[Elendil's Heir]

I don't ever remember Edwards going by anything other than John. But that's just me.

According to my Transatlantic Dirigible Service timetable, the Montgolfier will be leaving Rochester for Paris at 4:02pm today. Looks like there are still a few seats available. Watch out, though - it's pricey!

[OtakuLoki]

I don't ever remember Edwards going by anything other than John. But that's just me.


I thought he went by Jonathan. I always assumed it was a decision chosen to distance his name from that of the TV "psychic" John Edwards. I remember talking to a similarly history-minded friend who also grew up in Massachusetts, and we both admitted to having some uncomfortable associations with his name, which had nothing to do with the candidate himself. (Yes, I'm so far removed from popular culture that an association with a 200 year-dead religious leader means more to me than an association with a then-popular TV psychic.)

Now, I'm going to have to go see if the candidate's campaign might actually answer the question....

[Chefguy]

I didn't read all 18 pages, so hopefully this hasn't been asked/answered.

Who was King Philip, and why did we have a war with him?

Where did Meriwether Lewis die, and how many heirs did he leave?

[Enterprise]

First, regarding your comment about John Edwards, he used to go by his full name. And it rubbed a number of people from New England the wrong way back in 2000, at least in part for the association with a movement that's seen, now, to have been a bit fundamentalist, if not outright fanatic. FTM, ISTR reading that some historians place eighteenth century backlash against the Great Awakening (IIRC the name of his movement) as being key in getting New England support for the idea of a Separation of Church and State.


There is a considerable track record of a separation of church and state in NE history, starting not so much with Jonathan Edwards but with Roger Williams (and so basically with the first settlement of Boston). The Great Awakening is very interesting in its differences to the then-conventional Puritan spirtuality -- while certainly a bit fanatic by most of today's standards, it's positively benign compared with some of the original Puritan thinkers' ideas.

As for the John / Jonathan, Edwards/Edwards problem, I was mainly wondering...if it turns out the Senator is Jonathan as well, that's dandy.


I'm not familiar with Moreel, but I will say that simply because someone is commanding the Bureau of Yards and Docks doesn't mean the officer isn't a line officer. The Navy has a number of restricted service commissions. The most common are Medical, Engineering (which is separate from engineering-track line officers), Chaplain corps, JAG, and ISTR a couple of others. The basic difference between line and non-line commissions is that a line officer is eligible for command of a warship, while non-line officers aren't. And my recollection is that Rickover was promoted to flag rank, by act of Congress. Over the objections of the Navy Dept. And one of those objections was that the Navy objected to the idea of a non-line flag officer.


That's undoubtedly true, though I wouldn't put it past the Navy to claim that as a reason in order to avoid Rickover, regardless of the factual truth of it. I know that Moreell was not a line officer -- I'm positive, as far as I memory of it is concerned. I haven't looked it up and could only do Wikipedia at the moment, being away from my books.

As always, we're going by memory here, so I can't claim infallibility - just that this is what I honestly believe to be an accurate representation of the events. (Though I won't place any bets on the name of Jonathan Edwards movement, I always screwed it up, even in HS.)

That was just fine, it's indeed the Great Awakening. :)

[Enterprise]

I didn't read all 18 pages, so hopefully this hasn't been asked/answered.

Who was King Philip, and why did we have a war with him?

Where did Meriwether Lewis die, and how many heirs did he leave?

These should be 590 and 591, no?

590. King Philip was Metacom, Sachem of the Wampanoag Indians of Massachusetts (named, apparently, by his parents in a then-current tradition of giving children an Indian and a , who Massachusetts fought a war with, why? Good question, and not especially well-resolved so far. It may have been land hunger of Puritan settlers, it may have been a fear for their independence on the part of the Indians. You can still incite considerable scholarly debate in that field...

[Chefguy]

These should be 590 and 591, no?

590. King Philip was Metacom, Sachem of the Wampanoag Indians of Massachusetts (named, apparently, by his parents in a then-current tradition of giving children an Indian and a , who Massachusetts fought a war with, why? Good question, and not especially well-resolved so far. It may have been land hunger of Puritan settlers, it may have been a fear for their independence on the part of the Indians. You can still incite considerable scholarly debate in that field...

Yeah, I realized that the second part of the question was open to interpretation, but was too lazy to go back and delete it. I would venture a guess that 99% of Americans have never heard of King Philip's War; the alliances formed during the conflict had a huge impact on the settlement of new lands, and had the various tribes decided to band together, they would probably have wiped out the fledgling colonies, and I would not be posting here today.

[OtakuLoki]

Yeah, I realized that the second part of the question was open to interpretation, but was too lazy to go back and delete it. I would venture a guess that 99% of Americans have never heard of King Philip's War; the alliances formed during the conflict had a huge impact on the settlement of new lands, and had the various tribes decided to band together, they would probably have wiped out the fledgling colonies, and I would not be posting here today.


I couldn't remember Metacom's name, but having grown up in one of the towns that exist today where original settlements were wiped out (interestingly enough, the same settlement where the Kettles of "Ma and Pa Kettle" fame lived during that time) I couldn't escape some knowledge of the conflict.

For that matter, there was a curve on one of the main roads in town known colloquially as either "Dead Man's Curve*" or "Treaty Elm Corner," where an elm tree had been planted at the time of the treaty ending King Philip's War. The apellation "Treaty Elm Corner" was dying out, though - the tree had died in the 60s AIUI, with the first onslaught of Dutch Elm Disease in New England.




*Yes, I know. Every town in America now has it's own "Dead Man's Curve." But, blast it, I got tired of trying to explain what I meant when I talked about "Treaty Elm Corner." ;)

[Governor Quinn]

Some questions of my own, all related to a favorite topic of mine, urban politics:

In these cases, name the politician suggested by the clue:

503. The youngest mayor in New York City history, and, arguably, the only Hispanic Mayor of the city to date.

504. The last Republican mayor of Boston.

505. The first mayor of Chicago since the early 1930s to not come from Bridgeport.

508. The last Mayor of San Francisco to become Governor of California.

509. The Mayor of Baltimore who returned to the Mayor's office after two terms as Governor of Maryland.

510. The Mayor of Albany who is believed to be the longest-served large city mayor in American history.

Answers to these questions:

503. John Purroy Mitchel, elected at 34.

504. Malcolm Nichols, elected in 1925.

505. Jane Byrne, who was a North Sider.

508. "Sunny Jim" Rolph.

509. Theodore McKeldin, elected Mayor for the second time in 1963 after serving as Governor of Maryland from 1951 to 1959.

510. Erastus Corning II, first elected Mayor in 1941, served until his death in 1983.

[Siam Sam]

5 time champ is correct about the Ohio flag. It is a pennant, or more technically, a burgee, based on cavalry flags of the Civil War and Spanish-American War.
Not American history, but that makes me think of Nepal's flag, which is two pennants. The only national flag not a rectangle, I believe.

[Elendil's Heir]

Not American history, but that makes me think of Nepal's flag, which is two pennants. The only national flag not a rectangle, I believe.

Well, Nepal's flag is a single piece of cloth, but it kinda looks like two pennants, one atop the other, that's true. And I think that both Switzerland's and Vatican City's flags are squares, not rectangles.

Otaku, did you ever catch your flight to Paris? ;)

Codewords, ciphers and espionage.

592. Coded papers in the possession of this slain Union cavalry leader - maybe fake, maybe not - indicated that Jefferson Davis was a target of his raid.
593. Broken Japanese naval codes made a big difference to the USN's planning in the runup to this WW2 Pacific battle.
594. The June 6, 1944 Normandy landings were codenamed Operation _______.
595. This top CIA counterintelligence officer for many years chased a Soviet mole who just wasn't there... as far as we know.
596. JFK's Secret Service codename on the day of his assassination was _________.

[Random]

593. Broken Japanese naval codes made a big difference to the USN's planning in the runup to this WW2 Pacific battle.

Midway.
594. The June 6, 1944 Normandy landings were codenamed Operation _______.

Overlord.

595. This top CIA counterintelligence officer for many years chased a Soviet mole
who just wasn't there... as far as we know.

Angleton.

[5 time champ]

More codewords, cyphers & espionage
597. The broken Japanese Naval Codes mentioned in 593 were known by what color?

598. During the Revolutionary War plot to poison George Washington, what food [one of his favorites] was supposed to be poisoned?

599. What was the target of Operation Torch in World War II?

600. Where did Whitaker Chambers hide some of the evidence to be used against Alger Hiss?

601. It was not a secret code name but, what was the development code name of Microsoft's wildly popular Vista OS?

[Enterprise]

592. Ulric (?) Dahlgren, son of the gun inventor / U.S. commodore.
594. The landings themselves were code-named "Neptune", while "Overlord" was the overall codename for all related operations.
597. The codes referred to in the Midway question were not known by "Purple", as frequently believed, but, if at all, by "Magic". "Purple" was the codename for the diplomatic codes that were of some importance prior to Pearl Harbor.
599. "Torch" was the codename for the Allied landings in North Africa.

[Julius Henry]

600. Where did Whitaker Chambers hide some of the evidence to be used against Alger Hiss?
A pumpkin.

[Siam Sam]

Well, Nepal's flag is a single piece of cloth, but it kinda looks like two pennants, one atop the other, that's true. And I think that both Switzerland's and Vatican City's flags are squares, not rectangles.
Yes, a single cloth but looks like two pennants. Switzerland's is square? I should have known that, as I've spent a little time in Switzerland, but for some reason that did not strike me. Anyway, Nepal's flag is definitely unique-looking.

[5 time champ]

597. I stand corrected, That factoid of Japanese Navy Purple Code goes back to a World War II book that I would have read in the 1960s.

599. Correct

600. In a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch in Gaithersburg MD IIRC.

Fire away Enterprise if you have any questions.

[Elendil's Heir]

593. Broken Japanese naval codes made a big difference to the USN's planning in the runup to this WW2 Pacific battle.

Midway.
594. The June 6, 1944 Normandy landings were codenamed Operation _______.

Overlord.

595. This top CIA counterintelligence officer for many years chased a Soviet mole
who just wasn't there... as far as we know.

Angleton.

All correct. James Jesus Angleton, to be precise; finally canned on President Ford's orders for his paranoia, IIRC.

Enterprise, correct on 592.

598. Tomatoes.

[5 time champ]

Tomatoes was not the answer I was looking for.

[Elendil's Heir]

Identify the President by his earlier gigs.

602. Editor, sanitarium resident, senator.
603. Surveyor, planter, soldier, state legislator.
604. College professor, author, governor.
605. International aid administrator, agronomist, Secretary of Commerce.
606. Lawyer, mayor, governor, strikebreaker.

[OtakuLoki]

Identify the President by his earlier gigs.

603. Surveyor, planter, soldier, state legislator.
604. College professor, author, governor.


Just some guesses, here:

603. James Madison

604. Woodrow Wilson



Oh, and would you believe it? I made it to Paris in just 25 hours. ;)

[5 time champ]

602. Editor, sanitarium resident, senator.
Harding

605. International aid administrator, agronomist, Secretary of Commerce.
Hoover

606. Lawyer, mayor, governor, strikebreaker.
Coolidge

[5 time champ]

607. This inventor made his fortune salvaging sunken Mississippi River steamboats, built Civil War ironclads, and designed & built a navigation/flood control system near New Orleans [and he wasn't paid a dime by the Federal Govt until they were sure it worked.]

608. Another item on the President's long & varied resume was "Flood Czar" in the aftermath of this very destructive flood.

609. This building in Chicago was considered to be the first skyscraper.

610. In Richard Nixon's Checkers Speech, how did Nixon described this article of clothing worn by his wife Pat. [Hint: it wasn't pink underwear]?

611. And one the from Codes, Cyphers & Espionage category. Re: JFK's aforementioned PT-109, what was the medium of the send help message sent by Kennedy & the ship's crew?

[want2know]

610. In Richard Nixon's Checkers Speech, how did Nixon described this article of clothing worn by his wife Pat. [Hint: it wasn't pink underwear]?

611. And one the from Codes, Cyphers & Espionage category. Re: JFK's aforementioned PT-109, what was the medium of the send help message sent by Kennedy & the ship's crew?

610. A "plain Republican cloth coat".

611. The messages were on coconut shells, IIRC--something like "NATIVE KNOWS POSIT".

[5 time champ]

correct on both- fire away

[Elendil's Heir]

Just some guesses, here:

603. James Madison

604. Woodrow Wilson

Oh, and would you believe it? I made it to Paris in just 25 hours. ;)

603. Incorrect.
604. Correct.

Hope you enjoy yourself in the City of Lights!

[Elendil's Heir]

602. Editor, sanitarium resident, senator.
Harding

605. International aid administrator, agronomist, Secretary of Commerce.
Hoover

606. Lawyer, mayor, governor, strikebreaker.
Coolidge

All correct.

607. James Eads.

[Governor Quinn]

603. George Washington.

608. Herbert Hoover, after the Mississippi flooded in the mid-1920s.

[Governor Quinn]

Some more questions, based on politicians:

612. In 1958, the Governor of California and the former Senate Majority Leader from that state engaged in an action that ended both their political careers. Who were they, and what was it?

613. In 1950 and 1952, back-to-back Senate Majority Leaders were defeated by Republicans who would become of note later. Who were they, and who were the Republicans?

614. He was the last Speaker of the House to leave his post to enter the US Senate.

615. Only one Senator has represented three states in the United States Senate. Name him and the states he represented.

616. Name the first US Senator to reach the age of 100.

[OtakuLoki]

615. Only one Senator has represented three states in the United States Senate. Name him and the states he represented.


Okay, this is a complete guess: Daniel Webster, the Gentleman from Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire?

[Governor Quinn]

Okay, this is a complete guess: Daniel Webster, the Gentleman from Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire?

Incorrect. He only served New Hampshire in the House, and he never represented Maine at any level.

[Elendil's Heir]

603. George Washington....

Correct. I didn't ask question 608, so I won't answer yea or nay, but I think you're right. And you stumped me on 612-616!

Identify these noteworthy Americans by what they said. Extra credit if you provide context.

617. "Watson, come here, I want you."
618. "The administration of justice is the surest pillar of government."
619. "I fired [him] because of the damned insubordination of God's right-hand man."
620. "He doesn't know chicken shit from chicken salad."
621. "They won't think anything at all, my dear."

[Frosted Glass]

609. This building in Chicago was considered to be the first skyscraper.


The Home Insurance Building designed by William LeBaron Jenney.

[OtakuLoki]

617. "Watson, come here, I want you."


618: Alexander Graham Bell, the first words to pass through his telephone. IIRC he spilled one of the acid baths from one of the batteries on himself and needed assistance cleaning up.

[5 time champ]

607-611 all correct

Stumped on 612-616 also.

Making a guess on 616 as Claude Pepper.

[5 time champ]

619. "I fired [him] because of the damned insubordination of God's right-hand man."
Harry Truman said of Gen. Douglas MacArthur

620. "He doesn't know chicken shit from chicken salad."
Sounds like an LBJ quote

[Elendil's Heir]

618: Alexander Graham Bell, the first words to pass through his telephone. IIRC he spilled one of the acid baths from one of the batteries on himself and needed assistance cleaning up.

Correct. 5 time champ is also correct in his two answers. I believe LBJ was speaking of then-House Minority Whip Gerald R. Ford.

Claude Pepper was in the House when he reached 100, wasn't he? Governor Quinn, did you mean an incumbent senator?

[5 time champ]

But wasn't Claude Pepper a Senator back in the New Deal days,

Or are we missing the obvious- Strom Thurmond.

[Governor Quinn]

To respond to the last two posts:

Claude Pepper was only 88 or 89 when he died, and 616 was designed as something of a trick- two different Senators (neither of them still in the Senate) reached 100 before Thurmond.

[Elendil's Heir]

Anchors aweigh!

622. The early aircraft carriers USS Saratoga and Lexington were virtually identical. What was done to help Navy pilots tell them apart from the air? (A hint: it wasn't hull numbers).
623. Before Farragut's promotion, this was the title given to top naval officers during the Civil War.
624. What was Adm. Dewey's flagship, now moored in Philadelphia?
625. As the Navy joke goes, what individual prevented two carriers from being named USS America?
626. The Navy approved the construction of three prototype ironclads when the CSS Virginia's construction became known. The USS Monitor was one; what were the other two?

[OtakuLoki]

624. What was Adm. Dewey's flagship, now moored in Philadelphia?
625. As the Navy joke goes, what individual prevented two carriers from being named USS America?
626. The Navy approved the construction of three prototype ironclads when the CSS Virginia's construction became known. The USS Monitor was one; what were the other two?


624. USS Olympia. She was actually saved by the actions of her crew association after the pre-Dreadnought battleships were made obsolete. She's also the only surviving example of that kind of warship in the world, AIUI.

625. I know that there are a number of Navy types who don't like that name, nor United States for warships - just because of the low humor/comedy potential. America blows up in battle! United States runs aground! America gets stuck in the mud! I'm going to guess it's JFK.

626. Bah. I know one of them was USS New Ironsides. And, for the life of me I can't recall the third. (mutter mutter)

[5 time champ]

623. Before Farragut's promotion, this was the title given to top naval officers during the Civil War.
Commodore

[Elendil's Heir]

624. USS Olympia. She was actually saved by the actions of her crew association after the pre-Dreadnought battleships were made obsolete. She's also the only surviving example of that kind of warship in the world, AIUI.

625. I know that there are a number of Navy types who don't like that name, nor United States for warships - just because of the low humor/comedy potential. America blows up in battle! United States runs aground! America gets stuck in the mud! I'm going to guess it's JFK.

626. Bah. I know one of them was USS New Ironsides. And, for the life of me I can't recall the third. (mutter mutter)

624. Correct.
625. Nope.
626. That's one of them, yes.

5 time champ, incorrect as to 623. Remember this is "during the Civil War."

[Elendil's Heir]

The Vice Presidency.

627. He served as U.S. Grant's VP and was implicated in the Credit Mobilier scandal.
628. Of what VP did the President, when asked what major decision he had helped with, say, "If you give me a week, I might think of one"?
629. He was Lincoln's first VP, and later returned to the Senate.
630. He was Theodore Roosevelt's only VP, of whom TR, unimpressed by his range of options, said, "Who else was I going to pick?"
631. Vice President Cheney lives in an official residence on the grounds of what?

[OtakuLoki]

631. Vice President Cheney lives in an official residence on the grounds of what?


I can't even guess at the others, but -

631. The US Naval Observatory. (IIRC in Bethesda, MD)

[Elendil's Heir]

...
631. The US Naval Observatory. (IIRC in Bethesda, MD)

Correct as to the name, but I think it's within D.C. city limits, actually.

[Julius Henry]

628. Of what VP did the President, when asked what major decision he had helped with, say, "If you give me a week, I might think of one"?
President Eisenhower said this about his Vice-President, Richard Nixon.

629. He was Lincoln's first VP, and later returned to the Senate.
Hannibal Hamlin

[Elendil's Heir]

Both correct. Ike's remark, at the very end of a White House press conference late in the 1960 campaign, might - as with so many other things in that very tight election - have made the difference for Nixon.

[Enterprise]

Anchors aweigh!

622. The early aircraft carriers USS Saratoga and Lexington were virtually identical. What was done to help Navy pilots tell them apart from the air? (A hint: it wasn't hull numbers).


I believe (and should know, seeing as I run a website about this stuff) that Saratoga had two vertical stripes down her stack; but it may have been Lexington that had them, or I may have been hallucinating altogether...


623. Before Farragut's promotion, this was the title given to top naval officers during the Civil War.

"Flag Officer"


626. The Navy approved the construction of three prototype ironclads when the CSS Virginia's construction became known. The USS Monitor was one; what were the other two?

I'm taking up the guessing and suggested that the third one was Galena.

[5 time champ]

630. He was Theodore Roosevelt's only VP, of whom TR, unimpressed by his range of options, said, "Who else was I going to pick?"
The "What this country needs is a good 5¢ cigar" guy, Thomas Marshall.

[5 time champ]

Clearing up for the New Year
Two from my Rte 66 category are still outstanding:
346. From Chicago to LA, Rte 66 goes through these states?
Illinois,
Missouri,
Kansas, [very short distance- no city in Kansas mentioned in song]
Oklahoma,
Texas,
New Mexico,
Arizona
California

347. This world famous bridge with a 22° bend it the middle was once a part of Rte 66?
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge Madison, IL & St Louis, MO. I say world famous because I have met with Germans, Irish, British & Norwegians who are all fans of Route 66 and were familiar with the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.

Various & sundry of mine that I don't see answered
248. This Attorney General served the longest term of office?
Janet Reno, I believe she is the only AG to serve more than one full term

405. This Watergate prosecutor was also a member of the 9/11 Commission?
Richard Ben-Veniste

402. I am prepared to run over my own mother to get the President re-elected [Watergate Era] Not G Gordon Liddy, this guy may have been as tough as Liddy.
Charles Colson

A potpourri of ethnic mobsters in American History
443. This getaway car driver testified at the Kefauver Commission hearing.
Joe Valachi, author of the Valachi Papers

445. The most recently legally executed mobster in the United States? [Hint: he was not from the New York-New Jersey Territories]
David Leisure, in the early 1980s St Louis had quite a little gangland war amongst the Syrian and Lebanese gangs.

[Governor Quinn]

627. Schuyler Colfax.

[Elendil's Heir]

[622.] I believe (and should know, seeing as I run a website about this stuff) that Saratoga had two vertical stripes down her stack; but it may have been Lexington that had them, or I may have been hallucinating altogether...

[623.] "Flag Officer"

[626.] I'm taking up the guessing and suggested that the third one was Galena.

All correct. I believe it was the Saratoga, too. Well done, Enterprise!

5 time champ, incorrect as to Marshall. He was Wilson's VP (and already the subject of another question).

Governor Quinn, correct as to Schuyler Colfax. One of the most elegantly-named VPs ever, I'd say!

What was the significance of these dates in American history?

632. July 4, 1863
633. Sept. 1, 1864
634. July 4, 1960
635. Aug. 9, 1974
636. Nov. 5, 1996

After reading the OP and correctly answering a question, you may of course post sequentially-numbered questions of your own. Have at it!

[OtakuLoki]

632. July 4, 1863

This was the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg.

[5 time champ]

635. Aug. 9, 1974
Nixon resigns the Presidency

636. Nov. 5, 1996
That day just happened to by my 41st Birthday, but that's probably not the answer you were looking for. How about 11/5/96 was the date of Bill Clinton's re-election

632. July 4, 1863
is the Fall of Vickburg, Mississippi. The last day of Gettysburg was July 3.

633. Sept. 1, 1864
Fall and burning of Atlanta, Georgia ?

634. July 4, 1960
Total guess, U2 spy plane shot down??

. . . and Richard Nixon was elected on my 13th birthday FWIW.

[Elendil's Heir]

635. Aug. 9, 1974
Nixon resigns the Presidency

636. Nov. 5, 1996
That day just happened to by my 41st Birthday, but that's probably not the answer you were looking for. How about 11/5/96 was the date of Bill Clinton's re-election

632. July 4, 1863
is the Fall of Vickburg, Mississippi. The last day of Gettysburg was July 3.

633. Sept. 1, 1864
Fall and burning of Atlanta, Georgia ?

634. July 4, 1960
Total guess, U2 spy plane shot down??....

Correct for all except the last.

As it happens, I'll always remember Nov. 5, 1996, because it's the day our eldest son was born. Fortunately, we'd already voted absentee!

[Elendil's Heir]

The State Department.

637. This Secretary of State said archly that one of his President's proudest achievements "should not be sullied by any taint of legality."
638. In diplomatic letters from other countries, the President is often addressed by this honorific.
639. He was Grant's very talented and well-respected Secretary of State but, despite his name, wasn't known for his swimming skills.
640. This former SecState ran against Wilson in 1916, narrowly losing.
641. Name either of Carter's two SecStates.

[5 time champ]

638. In diplomatic letters from other countries, the President is often addressed by this honorific.
Your Excellency
641. Name either of Carter's two SecStates.
Cyrus Vance was the first, he resigned after the failed Iranian Embassy hostage rescue. Vance was succeeded by Ed Muskie

[Elendil's Heir]

638. In diplomatic letters from other countries, the President is often addressed by this honorific.
Your Excellency
641. Name either of Carter's two SecStates.
Cyrus Vance was the first, he resigned after the failed Iranian Embassy hostage rescue. Vance was succeeded by Ed Muskie

Both correct.