USA (2000s)

Question 1

An August 2009 fundraiser “Pickin’ for the Record” sought the world record for most guitar players gathered at one time to play, with an official count of 1,868 players—1,865 more than the reported population of the central Texas community where the event was held. What is the name of that town, which is the subject of the 1977 Waylon Jennings song the group played?

Answer 1

Luckenbach

Question 2

On October 31, 2001, Massachusetts governor Jane Swift signed a bill exonerating the last five women still officially implicated in what event?

Answer 2

Salem Witch Trials

Question 3

In 2012, Barack Obama accepted this CIA director’s resignation.

Answer 3

David Petraeus

Question 4

In 2015, this became the first US state to ban plastic bags at grocery stores.

Answer 4

Hawaii

Question 5

In 2016, Carla Hayden became the first woman and first African-American in this D.C. post and, naturally, was sworn in on a book.

Answer 5

Librarian of Congress

Question 6

Which organization had its terror designation removed by the U.S. government in 2008, 18 years after it was de-listed by the government of its own country? Unlike other organizations (which were removed because they disbanded) it is still operational.

Answer 6

African National Congress

Question 7

Since January 26, 2009, all four of the permanent (as opposed to “acting”) US Ambassadors to the UN have been women. Name either one of those ambassadors who were appointed the position by President Barack Obama. (Card created November 21st, 2019)

Answer 7

Susan Rice, Samantha Power

Question 8

In 2009, members of the U.S. Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices met to develop a set of college and career readiness educational standards in language arts and mathematics. By what two-word phrase are these standards best known?

Answer 8

Common Core

Question 9

In 1954, South Carolina politician Strom Thurmond became the first candidate in U.S. history to be elected to the U.S. Senate by means of a write-in vote. This rare instance has only ever occurred once more, in 2010 with what Alaskan politician?

Answer 9

Lisa Murkowski

Question 10

The longest-serving female U.S. senator in history, Barbara Mikulski represented this state from 1987 to 2017

(Card created January 13th, 2021)

Answer 10

Barbara Mikulski

Question 11

A former 26-year veteran of the CIA, he was the lone cabinet holdover from the Bush to Obama administrations

Answer 11

Robert Gates