• George Washington was born in Virginia on Feb. 11, 1731, according to the Julian calendar, which Great Britain and its colonies were using at the time. In 1752, however, Great Britain changed to the Gregorian calendar, which necessitated the recalculation of birthdates and anniversaries. By the new reckoning, Washington’s birthday was shifted a full year and 11 days, to Feb. 22, 1732. That’s why Washington’s birthday is observed on the 22nd of February.

• The yellow barrels you often see along highway roadsides around potential crash hazards are called Fitch barriers. They’re named for John Fitch, the race car driver turned roadside safety expert who designed them. Filled with sand or water, the barrels absorb the impact of an oncoming car, slowing or stopping it before it hits a less forgiving structure, such as a bridge abutment. Fitch barriers are an economical and effective way to increase the chances of a wayward driver walking away from a crash.

1. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act was signed into law in June 1968 by which U.S. president?

A) Dwight Eisenhower

B) Lyndon Johnson

C) John F. Kennedy

D) Richard Nixon

2. Who was the original drummer for the band Motley Crue?

A) Tommy Lee

B) Mick Mars

C) Vince Neil

D) Nikki Sixx

3. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History collection contains a dress and wristbands worn by Lucy Lawless in what TV series?

A) “Downton Abbey”

B) “I Love Lucy”

C) “Wonder Woman”

D) “Xena: Warrior Princess”

4. About 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur in the Pacific region known by what name?

A) Devil’s Right Hand

B) Field of Diamonds

C) Ring of Fire

D) Rock Island Line

5. The 1958 motion picture musical “Gigi” was based on a novella by which French writer?

A) Colette

B) Victor Hugo

C) Marcel Proust

D) Emile Zola

6. In 1911, which country became the first to officially plant its flag at the South Pole?

A) Norway

B) Russia

C) Sweden

D) United States

Answers

1) Lyndon Johnson approved the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

2) Tommy Lee is the drummer for Motley Crue.

3) The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History contains items worn by Lucy Lawless as Xena: Warrior Princess.

4) The earthquake-prone region that circles the Pacific from Chile to New Zealand is known as the Ring of Fire.

5) The motion picture musical “Gigi” was based on a novella by Colette.

6) An expedition led by Roald Amundsen of Norway reached the South Pole in 1911.