.png){kind=icon}
Question 1: What is Canada's national tree?
Question 2: Who said "I think, therefore I am"?
This famous philosophical statement, originally written in Latin as "Cogito, ergo sum", is the foundation of Descartes' theory of knowledge. It reflects his belief that doubting one's own existence serves as proof of the reality of one's own mind.
Question 3: Why does thunder usually accompany lightning during a thunderstorm?
A lightning bolt can heat the air around it to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit (27,760 degrees Celsius), causing the air to rapidly expand and create a shock wave heard as a crack of thunder. Light travels much faster than sound, which is why we see lightning before hearing the thunder.
Question 4: When did the philosophy of stoicism originate?
Stoicism was founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC. The Stoics taught that virtue, the highest good, is based on knowledge and that wise people live in harmony with the divine Reason that governs nature.
Question 5: Which famous cartoon character's real name is Norville Rogers?
Shaggy's full name was first revealed in the 1988 TV movie "Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf". His nickname comes from the shaggy style of his hair and goatee.
Question 6: How long does it take sunlight to reach Earth?
Sunlight travels at the speed of light, which is about 186,000 miles per second (300,000 km/s). The Sun is about 93 million miles (150 million km) from Earth. Dividing this distance by the speed of light gives us the time it takes for sunlight to reach Earth.
Question 7: What is the most visited tourist attraction in the world?
The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France attracts around 7 million visitors per year, making it the most popular paid monument in the world. It was built in 1889 for the World's Fair.
Question 8: What legendary creature is said to be half-man, half-horse?
In Greek mythology, centaurs were wild creatures, part human and part horse. The most famous centaur was Chiron, known for his wisdom and skill in medicine, music, and archery. He tutored many Greek heroes including Achilles.
Question 9: How many years did it take to construct the Empire State Building?
Despite being 102 stories tall, the Empire State Building was constructed in a remarkably fast 410 days. Construction began on March 17, 1930 and the building opened on May 1, 1931. At the time, it was the tallest building in the world.
Question 10: Which legendary singer was known as "The Man in Black"?
Johnny Cash's habit of wearing black clothes earned him the nickname "The Man in Black". He said he wore black in solidarity with the poor and oppressed. Cash is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
Wowee! In total shock!
The maple tree was officially proclaimed as Canada's national tree in 1996. The maple leaf is prominently featured on the Canadian flag.