Question - 613

What started this way?

Answer: The modern Miss Universe contest started out as the International Pageant of Pulchritude in Galveston, Texas in 1926. Ameya, matti tapaninen, Krithi, Dinesh, Saket, and Iam got it.

Question - 598

Identify and connect.

Question - 585

What is the claim to fame of this piece of glacial erratic?

NOTE: Sorry about the erratic posting over the last week. I will be out of town from this weekend, so if anyone wants to take over during the Christmas break, please let Dinky or me know.

Answer: Plymouth rock, site of the arrival of the Mayflower Pilgrims in 1620.

Question - 579

What does this map depict? (courtesy: Manix)

Answer: United States of Autocomplete. Google's autocomplete feature applied to the names of each state (as of Dec 3, 2010). AJ, Krithi, Dinesh, mekie, and jamie got it. Nicely cracked.