Which of the following does NOT occur in May?
International Nurses Day
Mother's Day
Victoria Day
Belmont Stakes in the U.S.
What did Johannes Gutenberg invent?
The printing press. The first Gutenberg Bible was printed in 1455, and it included colored illustrations.
Was dry-cleaning invented in Europe?
No. It was invented by Thomas Jennings, a Black man who was born free in New York City. He was the first to receive a patent for “dry scouring."
How did the month of May get its name?
It was named after the Greek god Mars.
It is short for maypole.
It was named after the Greek god Maia.
May means “five” in Latin.
True or False? May occurs during the autumn season in the northern hemisphere.
False. In the northern hemisphere, May occurs during spring.
What is the birthstone for May?
Emerald. Colombia produces the largest and the highest quality emeralds in the world.
On what continent was the TV invented?
North America. Philo Taylor Farnsworth invented the electronic television. He got the idea while plowing a field. He was just 14 when the idea struck him.
What is Eli Whitney most famous for inventing?
Cotton gin.
Who invented crop rotation, which then led to the development of more than 300 peanut products?
George Washington Carver. His crop rotation led to an abundance of crops, not just peanuts.
An inventor from what country received the first patent for peanut butter?
Canada. Marcellus Gilmore Edson received the first patent for peanut butter in 1884.
Who was the first to secure a patent for the telephone?
Alexander Graham Bell. The 29-year-old inventor did so in March 1876. He had a personal interest in sound technology because his mother and wife were deaf.
What famous poet born in May said, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.”
Joyce Kilmer
Robert Browning
Alexander Pope. Pope was a poet during the 18th century.
Robert Burns
Who is known for inventing the incandescent lightbulb, the phonograph, and the early movie camera?
Thomas Edison. He was one of the original owners of Edison General Electric.
Football player Johnny Unitas was born on May 7, 1933. What position did he play?
Quarterback
Wide receiver
Tight end
Running back
What founding father used his experiments with electricity to create a lightning rod that directed electricity away from buildings?
Benjamin Franklin. Some of his inventions included bifocals, the Franklin stove, and swim fins used in snorkeling and diving.
What is the only six-letter word that ends with the letters “MAY”? (hint: disappointed feeling)
Dismay
What baseball brothers were nicknamed Dizzy and Daffy: DiMaggio or Dean?
Dean. Dizzy and Daffy Dean were pitchers. They played together for a few years as members of the St. Louis Cardinals.
True or False? May is one of the months mentioned in the song “Shine On Harvest Moon.”
False. The line from the song is “I ain’t had no lovin’ since April, January, June, or July."
May was the ______ month in the Julian calendar.
Fourth
Third
First
Fifth. May is the fifth month in both the Julian and Gre
Eleven-year-old Frank Neuhauser won the first National Spelling Bee in May 1925. Which is the correct spelling of the winning word?
Gladiolus
Glodiolus
Gladoilus
Gladiolis
Who is generally considered to have invented the modern airplane?
The Wright Brothers (Orville and Wilbur) were first to take flight, and also invented the modern airplane.
Jazz musician Miles Davis was born on May 26, 1926. What instrument did he play?
Trumpet. Davis won nine Grammy Awards during his career. He was heavily involved in the development of jazz.
What car manufacturer produces the Corvette: Toyota or Chevrolet?
Chevrolet. The two-door sports car is called the “Vette” for short. It’s been produced since 1953.
Singer Peggy Lee was born on May 26, 1920. Which of her songs begins “Never know how much I love you, never know how much I care”?
“Black Coffee”
“Fever.” It is her signature song, and it made her internat
“It’s a Good Day”
“Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me)”
Jimmy Stewart was born on May 20, 1908. Which is NOT one of his films?
Harvey
The Philadelphia Story
Rear Window
Charade. Charade starred Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.
Which two astrological signs represent May?
Taurus and Gemini
Aries and Gemini
Gemini and Virgo
Pisces and Aries
Who is credited with inventing the code that uses dots and dashes?
Samuel Morse. Others contributed to the invention called Morse code, which was transmitted across telegraph lines.
What type of eye surgery equipment did Patricia Bath receive a patent for?
Cataract. She invented the Laserphaco Pro probe, which is less painful and more precise than previous cataract procedures.
Was the first Black inventor to become a millionaire a man or woman?
Woman. Madam C. J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, came from the cotton fields to invent a line of hair treatment products that revolutionized Black hair care.