Summertime Quiz

1. What day does summer officially begin in the United States?

At the moment of the summer solstice, June 21, when the sun reaches its highest altitude in the north.

2. What favorite summertime footwear was inspired by traditional Japanese sandals?

Flip-flops

3. How old was the person who invented the first popsicle?

11 years old. Little Frank Epperson mixed powdered soda pop and water but forgot about his preparation and left it outside on the porch of his home in California. The concoction froze overnight, and the stick he had used to stir the powder in the water stuck in the frozen liquid. Frank pulled out the whole frozen mass and found that he had invented a new treat. He originally named it the "Epperson icicle." The following summer, he them and sold them around his neighborhood under the new name "Epsicle." He later changed the name to "popsicle" to show that they were made from soda pop.

4. Where does this phrase come from the “dog days of summer” come from?

The term "Dog Days" was used by the Greeks and Romans after Sirius (the "Dog Star") which is the brightest star in the heavens besides the Sun.

5. What was the highest summer temperature ever recorded in the United States?

The highest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. was in California's Death Valley. The temperature reached 134 degrees. The hottest record on Earth took place in El Aisisa, Libya. That temp was 136F.

6.  Where is the world’s largest swimming pool?

San Alfonso del Mar resort in Chile. It is a salt-water pool that is 3,500 feet in length and has a surface area of around 20 acres. The pool is about the size of 6,000 backyard swimming pools and it’s even got ferries to shuttle you from one end to the other. The deep end is 115 feet deep. The pool uses water from the nearby Pacific Ocean to fill it.

7. Which state consumed more ice cream per capita than any other state in the nation in 2008?

Alaska

8. Where is North America’s favorite vacation spot?

Orlando followed by New York City and Las Vegas

9. What is the most hazardous summer activity for children?

Playing on playgrounds, followed by skateboarding and jumping on trampolines

10. According to the song made famous by the Beach Boys where would you find the paradise called "Kokomo?"

"Off the Florida Keys there's a place called Kokomo. That's where you wanna go to get away from it all."

11. In "Summertime," when the livin' is easy, what are fish doing?

"Summertime, and the livin' is easy, fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high..."

12. In "Under the Boardwalk" what is the singer out of?

"Under the boardwalk, out of the sun, Under the boardwalk, we'll be havin' some fun..."