Ask us

Web posted May 26, 1997

From Staff Reports

Q: In what year did the state of Georgia purchase Jekyll Island?

A: This resort island sold for $650,000 in 1947, according to Fodor's Travel Publication. Jekyll Island was once a restricted home-away-from-home for the rich and famous - the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, Morgans, Astors, Macys, Pulitzers and Goodyear families.

Q: How did the continent of Africa get its name?

A. Roman General Scipio named conquered territory Africa, after its people who were called Afri. After Rome extended its control over the Maghrib, Julius Caesar created a new province called Africa Nova or New Africa. The original province, conquered by General Scipio was referred to as Africa Vetus or Old Africa. The provinces were later united to form Africa Proconsularis.

Q: When was the last assassination attempt on the life of an American President?

A: On October 29, 1994, Francisco Duran shot a tourist resembling President Bill Clinton in front of the White House. The last successful presidential assassination happened on November 22, 1963. Lee Harvey Oswald was accused of fatally shooting President John F. Kennedy.

Q: Who created the voice of Bugs Bunny?

A: Tex Avery originated the voice of America's most cunning rabbit. He also created the voices of Porky Pig and Daffy Duck. Mr. Avery died in 1980.

Q: Which movie did Mae West proclaim ``Come up and see me sometime''?

A: The incomparable Mae West made this statement in the play Diamond Lil. The play was later made into a movie called She Done Him Wrong.

Q. Tell me about the history behind Memorial Day?

A. The genesis of the day honoring America's dead soldiers is credited to Waterloo, N.Y. The townspeople first observed the holiday on May 5, 1866, to honor the dead in the Civil War. Also called Decoration Day, the holiday was made an official federal holiday in 1971.

Q. What is a homing pigeon?

A. Homing pigeons are known to fly more than 1,000 miles in two days. They are a type of bird bred for their ability to find their home. Some believe their sense of direction comes from an ability to orient themselves with the magnetic field of the earth. Others believe they use the sun for direction.

In the information age, homing pigeons aren't the vital link to communication they once were. The Egyptians and Persians first used them 3,000 years ago. During World War I, the pigeons were used to send messages in combat. The army sold the last of its homing pigeons in 1956.

Q. How old is the universe?

A. By most accounts, the universe was born 15 billion years ago. It first started as a globule of dense gas that expanded outward. The sun formed about 4.6 billion years ago as hydrogen gas compressed. Evidence suggests the universe formed out of a single big bang, that is a single, violent explosion of a small mass of matter.

Ever wonder why? Or how much? Or from where? The Augusta Chronicle invites you to Ask Us. Call INFOLINE at 442-4444. Punch in 4444 and you'll have 30 seconds to record a question. Including your name and phone number will help, in the event we don't fully understand the question or cannot publish an answer for other reasons. We'll print answers to as many questions as we can, as quickly as possible.