When you’re 60-years-old and living on the road it’s easy to get disoriented. Surely that explains why Bruce Springsteen shouted out “Hello, Ohio!” to the crowd at the Auburn Hills Palace in Michigan last Friday. He mistakenly referred to the Buckeye State from the stage several times before one of his bandmates set him straight. Even if you’re born to run, it’s good to know where you are. To prevent similar faux pas over the rest of his tour, here’s a handy quiz to help The Boss—and you– test your knowledge of the next ten cities on his tour.
1. Known today as “Music City,” this state capital was an important river port long before it became the home of the Grand Ole Opry in 1925.
2. Francis Scott Key wrote The Star-Spangled Banner describing an unsuccessful British attack on this city during the War of 1812. It is also the hometown of Edgar Allan Poe and Babe Ruth.
3. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Erie, this city grew rapidly after the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. At the beginning of 20th century, it was the 8th largest city in America, however today there are fewer people living there than in 1900.
4. The first capital of California, this city must now content itself to be known as The Capital of Silicon Valley.
5. By reputation the most politically liberal city in one of the nation’s most conservative states, it is home to the headquarters of Dell Computers and Whole Foods Supermarkets.
6. First settled in the 1830s by the Creek tribe, it was once known as the “Oil Capital of the World.” Today, however, this city on the Arkansas River in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains has a diverse economy in energy, education, finance and aviation.
7. Located just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, this city was originally settled as a gold mining town. It really is 5,280 feet above sea level.
8. Chicago may be nicknamed the Second City, but its population makes it #3. This city is actually the second largest in the United States.
9. Founded by Puritan colonists in 1630, this city had America’s first public school, and first subway system.
10. One of America’s best known poets, Wallace Stevens, spent most of his career working as a lawyer and insurance executive in this city, still known as “The Insurance Capital of the World.” Other famous authors who lived there included Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Answers, scoring guide, and Springsteen tour dates below:
Continue reading ‘Core Knowledge Quiz: Springsteen Study Guide Edition’
Students learn the subject in other countries, but most American public schools don’t teach it — except as part of history and social studies.
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