Riddles

1. The more I am used to learn, the duller I get. The bigger I create, the smaller I get. What am I?
2. Joe is sweet but sometimes bitter. Even though he is a great pick-me-up to his friends, they still tend to roast him. What is Joe?
3. I have a spine, but I easily fall. I have leaves, but they don’t fall. I am solid, but when drenched, I am ruined. What am I?
4. You can hear me at noon. You can hear me in pain. You can even hear me when I am not there, and you can even buy me in a box. Everyone can hear me, but you might not be able to buy me. What am I?

(Answers are at the bottom of the article.)

This Week in History

Sunday: Jan. 7, 1927 — Harlem Globetrotters play their first game in Hinckley, Illinois

The Harlem Globetrotters, originally named Savoy Big Five, was created by Abe Saperstein, who took over coaching duties for the African American team. During a time when only whites could play professional basketball, Saperstein decided to promote the racial makeup of the team by naming them after the city of Harlem. The first game the Globetrotters played, they were paid only $75. The Harlem Globetrotters won 101 out of 117 games in their first season.

Monday: Jan. 8, 1642 — Astronomer Galileo dies in Italy

Galileo, the father of astronomy, modern physics, and science, was imprisoned under house arrest in 1633. He was charged with heresy against the church by the Inquisition based on his findings of solar rotation, proving the Copernican System.

Tuesday: Jan. 9, 2007 — Steve Jobs debuts the iphone

• Fun Facts:
  • By November 2007, more than 1.4 million iphones were sold
  • July 2008, Apple launched its App Store
  • Iphone went on sale June 29, 2007 in the USA, late 2007 in Europe, and 2008 in Asia

Wednesday: Jan. 10, 1994 — Green Beret indicted for murder

Helle Craft, the victim, was a Pam Am flight attendant. She disappeared on November 18, 1986, near the Housatonic River in Connecticut. Although her body was never found, her husband, Richard Crafts was a prime suspect. When questioned, his story about his whereabouts began to crumble, and he recently bought new bedding and a woodchipper rental. A search of the Craft’s house showed that there was a blood smear on their mattress that matched Helle’s. A witness came forward saying that he saw a woodchipper near the river…

Thursday: Jan. 11, 1908 — President Theodore Roosevelt makes Grand Canyon a national monument

• Fun Facts:
  • Native Americans lived in the area since the 13th century.
  • The canyon was first sighted by Spanish Explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in 1540.
  • More than 5 million people visit the canyon per year.

Friday: Jan 12, 1919 — Leaders of the Big Four meet for the first time in Paris

The leaders of the Big Four (France: Georges Clemenceau; Italy: Vittorio Orlando; USA: Woodrow Wilson; and Great Britain: David Lloyd George) meet up at the French Foreign Ministry on the Quai d’Orsay in Paris, the first of over 100 meetings.

Clemenceau and  Lloyd George convinced Wilson to not invite Germany to the preliminary round of talk before the general conference, breaking traditional diplomacy. Wilson feared this, thinking the terms would be biased and irritate Germans, which, indeed, did.

Saturday: Jan. 13, 1128– Pope recognizes Knights Templar

Pope Honorius II gives the Knights Templar a papal sanction, making it an army of God.

The Knights Templar, founded in 1118, was led by Hugh de Payens. It aimed to claim back the Holy Lands and protect Christian pilgrims during the Crusades. In the beginning, the Templars only had nine members due to the fact they were celibate, were of noble birth, and “ were required to take strict vows of poverty.” In  1312, Pope Clement V dissolved the Templars.

Riddle Answers: Pencil, Coffee (Cup of Joe), Book, A ring

History.com Staff. “Harlem Globetrotters play their first game.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/harlem-globetrotters-play-their-first-game.

History.com Staff. “Astronomer Galileo dies in Italy.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2010, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/astronomer-galileo-dies-in-italy.

History.com Staff. “Steve Jobs debuts the iPhone.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2012, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/steve-jobs-debuts-the-iphone.

History.com Staff. “Harlem Globetrotters play their first game.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/harlem-globetrotters-play-their-first-game.

History.com Staff. “Theodore Roosevelt makes Grand Canyon a national monument.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/theodore-roosevelt-makes-grand-canyon-a-national-monument.

History.com Staff. “Leaders of the Big Four nations meet for the first time in Paris.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/leaders-of-the-big-four-nations-meet-for-the-first-time-in-paris.

History.com Staff. “Pope recognizes Knights Templar.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pope-recognizes-knights-templar.