Not-So-Common Knowledge

Question: Who wrote the Johnny Cash classic “A Boy Named Sue”?

Answer: More famous for his poetry, Shel Silverstein wrote the novelty song “A Boy Named Sue,” which became a huge hit when Johnny Cash included it on his 1969 album Johnny Cash at San Quentin.

Question: Which of these actors was born Maurice Micklewhite?

Answer: Born Maurice Micklewhite in 1933, Michael Caine went on to appear in more than 100 films, renowned for his versatility in leading and character roles.

Question: In which county is the English city of Canterbury located?

Answer: Famous for its magnificent cathedral, the historic English city of Canterbury is in the southeastern county of Kent.

Question: Which of these ships was a sister ship to the British luxury liner Titanic?

Answer: Mainly built side by side with Titanic, Olympic was in service from 1911 to 1935.

Question: Who was Richard Nixon’s vice president from 1969 to 1973?

Answer: Spiro Agnew served as the 39th vice president of the United States in the Republican administration of Pres. Richard Nixon.

Question: During the Apollo 11 lunar mission, who piloted the command module while Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin explored the surface of the Moon?

Answer: On July 16, 1969, Michael Collins was launched to the Moon on the Apollo 11 mission with commander Neil A. Armstrong and lunar module pilot Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the Moon in the lunar module Eagle on July 20 while Collins remained in the command module Columbia.

Question: Better known for his exploits as a professional wrestler, Jesse Ventura also served as governor of which American state from 1999 to 2003?

Answer: American professional wrestler and actor Jesse Ventura served as governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003.

Question: Who assassinated Robert Kennedy in 1968?

Answer: Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian-born Jordanian citizen, was convicted (1969) of fatally shooting U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968. He received the death penalty, but the sentence was later commuted to life.

Question: During the American Revolution, where did the Battle of Bunker Hill actually take place?

Answer: The first major battle of the American Revolution is known as the Battle of Bunker Hill, but Breed’s Hill was the primary locus of combat.

Question: Which city hosted the second modern Olympic Games?

Answer: The second modern Olympic Games were held in 1900 in Paris.

Question: Who won the second season of American Idol?

Answer: Ruben Studdard rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol. He later received a Grammy Award nomination in 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his recording of “Superstar.”

Question: Which of these legendary bands was originally known as Warsaw?

Answer: Inspired by seeing the Sex Pistols perform in Manchester, Warsaw was formed in the spring of 1977 to play thrashing punk music. By early 1978 they had replaced their original drummer and changed the band’s name to Joy Division.

Question: Which of these actors was the second “Doctor” in the BBC’s science fiction television series Doctor Who?

Answer: Patrick Troughton played the Doctor from 1966 to 1969.

Question: Who was the second of King Henry VIII of England’s wives?

Answer: Mother of the future Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn was Henry VIII’s second wife.