May 4- History

For most of the 1800's, trouble had been brewing in America. Two distinct regions of the nation started growing apart, the North and the South. Ever since early colonization, these different regions were in for trouble. The Compromise of 1820 did little to offset the tension, neither did the compromise of 1850 or the Kansas- Nebraska act. New territories joining the union all the time didn't help it's problems either. And eventually, it came to war when the first Southern state seceded. Which brings me to my question of the day: Which was the first state to secede?





The first state to secede was South Carolina on December 20, 1860.

May 1- Music

The music of bluegrass. Coming from the state of Kentucky, The Blue Grass State, bluegrass music is a mixture of country, jazz, and blues. It also claims the deep roots of Irish, English, Scottish and Welsh traditional music (People from those countries were the first Europeans to pioneer the "backwoods", or west of the Appalachian). Incorporating many stringed instruments, bluegrass is quite a thing to listen to if you haven't before. Anyway, this all brings me to my question of the day: Who is often considered the "Father of Bluegrass"?




The artist Bill Monroe (1911-1996) is often referred to as the "Father of Bluegrass". He is most known for his band The Blue Grass Boys.

April 29- Geography

When American states and territories were first being made, the proud citizens were clamoring for things to make their state famous or well known. New Hampshire is the Granite State. Pennsylvania is known as the Keystone State (Because, like a keystone, it held early America together.) and New York, named for the Duke of York (brother of Charles ll) is known as the Empire State. But, unbeknownst to many people, there is a state that "copies" New York's nickname, which brings me to my question of the day: Which state has the nickname of "Little Empire State"





The state that goes by the name of "Little Empire State" is Georgia.

April 22- Geography

Being that today is Earth Day, a holiday founded in San Francisco, I'm going to ask a California question. San Francisco is located on a peninsula in California. The San Francisco Bay to the Southeast helps carve out this body of water, but there is a lesser known bay to the North. This brings me to the question: What is the name of the bay to the North of San Francisco?






The name of the bay is the San Pablo Bay. San Rafael Bay could have also been correct, but it is very small.