Autumn brings cooler weather and more time indoors. It’s an ideal chance to gather your loved ones around a fire for a cup of cocoa and conversation. If you’re looking for an icebreaker, look no further than this autumn trivia for seniors.
Autumn Trivia for Seniors
Everyone loves autumn. The crisp weather, the fun holidays, the colors in the trees: there’s a lot to enjoy. But how much do you really know about this season? Learn some autumn trivia for seniors, and then share these fun facts with your friends over a hot chocolate or two.
Natural Phenomena
- One of the most interesting natural phenomena in autumn is the equinox. On this day, the earth receives exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. After this date, nights become longer and the weather cools down more. While not as commonly recognized in the United States, the autumn equinox is greeted by celebrations around the world.
- Autumn is when animals in the forest gain their “winter weight,” or an extra layer of fat and muscle that will help them survive the winter. At Katmai National Park, this is celebrated with an annual event called Fat Bear Week. During this week, trail cameras share photos of the bears in the park with the internet, and fans across the world vote on which one has plumped up the most. This year’s winner was Otis, a grizzly bear that weighed in at a whopping 480 pounds!
- People love the beautiful changing colors of the leaves in autumn. But did you know those colors are there all-year round? The chlorophyll in leaves creates a green color that washes out the natural red and yellow pigments. Since chlorophyll is stimulated by sunlight, the lack of sun in autumn gives the scarlet colors their chance to shine.
- You probably know autumn is when birds start to migrate for the winter, but you probably didn’t know how far some of those birds fly. The world champion for longest migration is the little Arctic Tern, a sparrow-like bird that flies over 44,000 miles on its own from Antarctica to Greenland every year.
Traditions and Beliefs
- If you’re looking for good luck in the autumn, look up! Many cultures believe that catching falling leaves brings good fortune. In rural areas of the United States, some believe that every dancing leaf you catch brings “another day of happiness.”
- You probably know Halloween, but do you know anyone that celebrates Dia de los Muertos? This celebration, which translates to “Day of the Dead,” is a Mexican tradition where the living honor their ancestors with decorations and celebration on November 1st and 2nd.
- Autumn wasn’t always called “autumn”. In fact, until the 1500s, this time of year was referred to only as “the harvest.” This is because the bright moon allowed farmers to harvest their late-year crops more easily. This is where we get the term “harvest moon.”
- Have you ever wondered why voting takes place on a Tuesday in November in the United States? Voting was originally scheduled on Tuesdays to allow farmers the time they needed to travel in from rural areas and vote in the cities. Monday was left free to provide a travel day, and November was a month where farmers could travel away from their farms without putting crops at risk.
Miscellaneous Fun
- If you’re expecting to be expecting, it might be a good idea to aim for an autumn due date. According to population experts, babies born in autumn tend to live longer, and also see more academic success.
- “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Yes, this is an old wives’ tale, but there’s also some truth to it. Apples provide your body with a variety of benefits, including stimulating weight loss and reducing your risk of diabetes. A daily apple really can improve your health.
- If you’re a stargazer, be sure to get your telescope out this autumn. This is one of the few times of year that Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn can be visible at dusk. This breathtaking sight is sometimes hard to find in the northern hemisphere, but it’s worth the effort.
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These are only a few fun facts about everyone’s favorite season. Use them to start a conversation, perk up an email to a friend, or do a little research and make your own list to share.
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