St. Louis - Random Trivia Answers

• A1) King Louis IX of France. The city is named for the long-dead, thirteenth century king partly because he was the only French king to be canonized (declared to be a saint).
• A2) Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The two longest U.S. rivers measure 2,540 and 2,340 miles respectively. When considered as a single waterway, the 3,902-mile length makes it the fourth longest river in the world.
• A3) Albert Bond Lambert. The former Lambert Field, where Lindbergh took off from (see question 11) was named for the St. Louis police commissioner who was dubbed "Major" by the Aero Club of St. Louis.
• A4) Thomas Jefferson. The arch in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial serves as a symbolic gateway for the expansion of the United States westward following Jefferson's completion of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
• A5) Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The fair ran for a full seven months from the end of April to the beginning of December. The waffle-style ice cream cone was invented at the exposition, while Puffed Wheat cereal, peanut butter, iced tea, Dr Pepper, and cotton candy were all greatly popularized.
• A6) Washington University in St. Louis. Francis Field and Gymnasium, renamed in honor of the local organizer, former mayor and governor David R. Francis, is marked with a plaque commemorating the first Olympics held in the western hemisphere. The Olympics were held as part of the Saint Louis World's Fair after Olympic organizers had originally awarded the games to Chicago but did not want to compete with a possible rival sporting event.
• A7) Busch Stadium. The third incarnation of Busch Stadium opened in 2006. The Gateway Arch can be seen behind center field, and the playing field is visible from the top of the arch.
• A8) Edward Jones Dome. The Ed was known as the Trans World Dome until TWA was bought out by American Airlines in 2001, then was called the Dome at America's Center for a year. The field itself is sponsored by Russell Athletic.
• A9) Scottrade Center. The arena was called the Kiel Center from 1994 to 2000 and the Savvis Center from 2000 until 2006.
• A10) William Christopher Handy. The Father of the Blues honored other cities with "Memphis Blues" and "Atlanta Blues".
• A11) Paris, France. Lindbergh took off from Garden City, New York on May 20, 1927 and landed 33½ hours later. The plane is now displayed at the National Air and Space Museum.
• A12) Judy Garland. The singer-actress portrayed the 17-year-old heroine five years after she played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz when she herself was 17 years old.