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Amazing Alabama Trivia

Learn some fascinating Alabama trivia (and maybe win a prize) with local historian Jim Phillips.

Alabama historian/videographer/speaker/explorer Jim Phillips to date has performed around 1,400 mostly Alabama history related talks for libraries, civic groups, historical societies, retirement communities, church senior groups, etc. in Alabama. Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia.  "Amazing Alabama Trivia" will look into true stories involving Alabamians and Alabama itself.  For example:  What was the largest town in Alabama when entering the Civil War, and what was its population?  What Alabamian has a record breaking history of being struck by lightning in the U.S.?  When and how was Alabama inducted into the UFO sighting "hall of fame', so to speak.  What was the greatest buried gold coin discovery in the history of the U.S.  Who was Tallulah Halleluyah?  What holiday was Alabama the first state to recognize as a state holiday? How did a Miss Alabama/America change the Miss America pageant?  Where did Ricky Nelson spend the last night of his life?  What was the capital of the French Territory in North America in 1711 to 1717....an area that went from the Gulf Coast all the way to Canada?  What is the significance of the 1921 Alabama centennial silver half dollar, and whose image is on it?  These are just a few of the tame examples.  He will give away buffalo nickels and Indian head pennies to the first individual that can correctly answer each of what he refers to as "the touger twenty" questions.

Through his professional video company (1983 - 2008) he produced many educational videos including "History of Jefferson County", "History of St. Clair County", "History of Southern Aviation,"  "History of Birmingham - Southern College" and others. He had the opportunity to use the talents of such Alabamians as Jim Nabors and Fanny Flagg in some of his videos, and helped Hollywood's great casting director Lyn Stalmaster audition and make decisions casting Alabamians for small roles in the 1984 Mel Gibson - Sissy Spacek movie "The River".  He has a BA (communications) from the University of Alabama, graduate studies in motion pictures at San Diego State, and a MA (educational media) from UAB.  His brother is Dr. Doug Phillips who produces, writes and hosts the Emmy winning Alabama Public Television series "Discovery Alabama', produced out of the University of Alabama's Museum of Natural History. There will be about 45 minutes following the talk if you would like to bring a few pre-1920 coins, paper currency notes and/or bottles for a free appraisal by Jim.  

Registration is available but not required to attend.

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