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The principal objective of Hands Across America was to generate funds and awareness specifically for domestic hunger and homelessness.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary objective of Hands Across America was to address domestic hunger and homelessness within the United States, not international famine relief.
The primary focus of Hands Across America was the alleviation of hunger and homelessness, not environmental conservation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Hands Across America was specifically organized to address domestic hunger and homelessness, diverging from environmental conservation as its main objective.
What was the primary purpose of the Hands Across America event?
Answer: To create a human chain across the contiguous United States to combat hunger and homelessness.
Explanation: The primary purpose was to form a human chain across the contiguous United States to raise funds and awareness for domestic hunger and homelessness.
The Hands Across America event was conducted on Sunday, May 25, 1986, aligning with the Memorial Day weekend.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that Hands Across America took place on Sunday, May 25, 1986, which fell within the Memorial Day weekend.
The participation in the Hands Across America event was approximately 10 million individuals.
Answer: False
Explanation: The actual number of participants was approximately 5.5 million, not 10 million.
Ken Kragen characterized the organizational structure of Hands Across America as a hierarchical system, akin to pyramid selling, with defined roles from state organizers down to mile captains.
Answer: False
Explanation: Kragen described the structure as more centralized and hierarchical, involving state, regional, and local organizers, rather than a purely decentralized network.
To ensure continuity, organizers employed materials such as ribbons, ropes, or banners to bridge any gaps that emerged within the human chain.
Answer: True
Explanation: The use of connecting materials like ribbons and ropes was a logistical strategy to maintain the integrity of the human chain, particularly in areas with lower participation.
The primary human chain segment of the Hands Across America event had a duration of approximately one hour.
Answer: False
Explanation: The main human chain event was significantly shorter, lasting for approximately 15 minutes.
The easternmost point of the Hands Across America chain was situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Answer: False
Explanation: The easternmost point of the chain was located at Battery Park in New York City.
Scuba divers were utilized to establish a connection for the human chain across the Susquehanna River, where pedestrian access was restricted.
Answer: False
Explanation: Scuba divers were employed to connect the chain across the Susquehanna River, not the Delaware River.
Washington D.C. registered the highest turnout percentage, surpassing 900%, for its designated segment of the human chain.
Answer: True
Explanation: Washington D.C. achieved the highest turnout percentage among all participating areas, reaching 947.0%.
Arizona recorded the lowest turnout percentage among participating states, signifying considerable gaps in its segment.
Answer: False
Explanation: Arizona had the lowest turnout percentage at 30.8%, indicating significant gaps, contrary to the assertion of highest participation.
The aggregate number of participants across the contiguous United States was estimated to be slightly over 6 million.
Answer: False
Explanation: The total estimated number of participants was 5,442,960, which is less than 6 million.
The overall turnout percentage for the contiguous United States during the event was approximately 95.0%.
Answer: True
Explanation: The data indicates that the overall turnout percentage for the contiguous United States reached approximately 95.0%.
On what specific date did the Hands Across America event occur?
Answer: May 25, 1986
Explanation: Hands Across America took place on May 25, 1986.
What was the approximate number of participants in the Hands Across America event?
Answer: Approximately 5.5 million
Explanation: Approximately 5.5 million individuals participated in the Hands Across America event.
How did organizers endeavor to fill gaps in the human chain, particularly in remote or sparsely populated areas?
Answer: By encouraging people from cities to travel to remote areas and using connecting materials like ropes.
Explanation: Organizers encouraged urban residents to travel to remote locations to fill participation gaps and employed materials such as ribbons, ropes, or banners to bridge any breaks in the human chain.
What was the duration of the main human chain event?
Answer: 15 minutes
Explanation: The primary human chain event lasted for 15 minutes.
Where was the easternmost point of the Hands Across America chain situated?
Answer: Battery Park, New York City
Explanation: The easternmost point of the chain was located at Battery Park in New York City.
How was the human chain connected across the Susquehanna River where pedestrian access was restricted?
Answer: Scuba divers connected the chain underwater.
Explanation: Scuba divers were employed to establish the connection across the Susquehanna River due to restricted pedestrian access on the bridge.
Which state exhibited the lowest turnout percentage, thereby indicating significant gaps within its segment of the chain?
Answer: Arizona
Explanation: Arizona registered the lowest turnout percentage at 30.8%, signifying substantial gaps in its segment.
What was the overall turnout percentage for the contiguous United States during the Hands Across America event?
Answer: 95.0%
Explanation: The overall turnout percentage for the contiguous United States was approximately 95.0%.
Which musical group joined participants in Desert Center, California, to form the 'human energy ribbon' across a desert gap?
Answer: REO Speedwagon
Explanation: The band REO Speedwagon participated in the 'human energy ribbon' event across the desert gap in Desert Center, California.
Ken Kragen, the principal organizer of Hands Across America, was also a co-founder of the USA for Africa charity, which produced the 'We Are the World' single.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ken Kragen was a co-founder of USA for Africa, not Band Aid. USA for Africa was the organization behind 'We Are the World'.
Coca-Cola provided significant sponsorship, reportedly covering approximately $18.8 million of the event's operating expenses.
Answer: True
Explanation: Coca-Cola's substantial sponsorship was crucial, as the company agreed to cover an estimated $18.8 million in operating costs for Hands Across America.
President Ronald Reagan participated in Hands Across America, and his involvement drew criticism due to his statements concerning hunger.
Answer: True
Explanation: President Reagan's participation was noted, as was the subsequent criticism he received for remarks perceived as insensitive regarding the issue of hunger.
Senator Ted Kennedy voiced criticism regarding President Reagan's approach to addressing hunger during the event.
Answer: False
Explanation: Senator Ted Kennedy did not praise President Reagan's approach; rather, he criticized it as insufficient.
Who is identified as the principal organizer and promoter of the Hands Across America event?
Answer: Ken Kragen
Explanation: Ken Kragen is identified as the main organizer and promoter of Hands Across America.
Which major corporation provided significant sponsorship by agreeing to underwrite substantial operating costs for the event?
Answer: Coca-Cola
Explanation: Coca-Cola was a major corporate sponsor, agreeing to cover an estimated $18.8 million in operating costs.
What was the relationship between Hands Across America and the charity USA for Africa?
Answer: Ken Kragen, organizer of HAA, was a co-founder of USA for Africa, and HAA was seen as an extension of their work.
Explanation: Ken Kragen, the organizer of Hands Across America, was also a co-founder of USA for Africa, the organization behind 'We Are the World.' Hands Across America was considered an extension of that effort.
Which U.S. President participated in the Hands Across America event?
Answer: Ronald Reagan
Explanation: President Ronald Reagan was a participant in the Hands Across America event.
What controversy arose concerning President Reagan's participation in Hands Across America?
Answer: He made remarks suggesting hunger was due to a 'lack of knowledge,' which activists found insensitive.
Explanation: President Reagan faced criticism for remarks implying hunger stemmed from a 'lack of knowledge' regarding available resources, a statement criticized by activists as insensitive, particularly in light of his administration's reductions in social program funding.
What specific criticism did Senator Ted Kennedy articulate concerning President Reagan's approach to the issue of hunger?
Answer: He suggested Reagan's approach was insufficient.
Explanation: Senator Ted Kennedy suggested that President Reagan's approach to hunger was insufficient.
What subsequent fundraising initiative did the USA for Africa Foundation launch following the Hands Across America event?
Answer: Brands Across America
Explanation: The USA for Africa Foundation launched the 'Brands Across America' initiative after Hands Across America to continue its fundraising efforts.
Hands Across America generated over $50 million in gross revenue, but the net amount available for charities after operating costs was significantly lower.
Answer: False
Explanation: The event aimed for higher figures, but the net amount raised for charities after deducting operating costs was approximately $15 million, not over $50 million.
The initial fundraising aspirations for Hands Across America ranged between $50 million and $100 million, with Ken Kragen considering $20 million an 'extreme success'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Organizers expressed ambitious fundraising goals, hoping for $50 million to $100 million, while Ken Kragen identified $20 million as a benchmark for extreme success.
By the close of 1986, charity groups had commended the prompt distribution of funds raised by Hands Across America.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to praise for swift distribution, charity groups criticized the delay in fund disbursement, noting that no money had been distributed by the end of 1986.
What was the net financial proceeds generated by Hands Across America after the deduction of operating expenses?
Answer: About $15 million
Explanation: The net amount raised for charities after accounting for operating costs was approximately $15 million.
What fundraising target did Ken Kragen identify as an 'extreme success' for the Hands Across America initiative?
Answer: $20 million
Explanation: Ken Kragen stated that raising $20 million would be considered an extreme success for the event.
What criticism was directed at the process of distributing the funds generated by Hands Across America?
Answer: Charity groups criticized the delay in fund distribution.
Explanation: Charity groups expressed criticism regarding the delay in the distribution of the funds raised by Hands Across America.
An earlier iteration of the Hands Across America concept, attempted during the 1976 Bicentennial, was notably unsuccessful in establishing a nationwide chain.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1976 attempt at Hands Across America failed to achieve significant success, managing only limited chain segments and insufficient fundraising.
The theme song for Hands Across America was titled 'Hands Across America,' and it featured lead vocals by Joe Cerisano and Sandy Farina, with musical accompaniment by Toto.
Answer: False
Explanation: The theme song was specifically 'Hands Across America,' distinct from 'We Are the World,' which was associated with the USA for Africa charity.
Hands Across America was perceived as a novel concept, distinct from preceding large-scale celebrity-sponsored charity events of the mid-1980s.
Answer: False
Explanation: Hands Across America was among the later events in a series of major charity initiatives during the mid-1980s, following events like Band Aid and Live Aid, and occurred amidst growing public skepticism.
The term 'compassion fatigue' was invoked by Bob Geldof to articulate the growing public skepticism regarding the efficacy of repeated charitable appeals.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bob Geldof used the term 'compassion fatigue' to describe public weariness with charity events, not to describe the success of Hands Across America.
In an episode of "The Simpsons," Homer Simpson's recollection of Hands Across America described it as a complete success, devoid of any gaps.
Answer: False
Explanation: Homer Simpson's recollection in "The Simpsons" humorously noted the event's imperfections, specifically mentioning 'large gaps in the western states'.
The song 'Hands Across America' attained a peak position of number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Answer: False
Explanation: The song 'Hands Across America' reached a peak position of number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, not number 10.
What was the outcome of the prior 'Hands Across America' initiative attempted during the 1976 Bicentennial celebration?
Answer: It was unsuccessful, failing to raise sufficient funds and only setting up limited chain segments.
Explanation: The 1976 attempt was unsuccessful, failing to raise adequate funds and establishing only limited chain segments.
Which musical group performed with lead vocalists on the theme song titled 'Hands Across America'?
Answer: Toto
Explanation: The band Toto performed with lead vocalists Joe Cerisano and Sandy Farina on the theme song 'Hands Across America'.
How did Hands Across America compare in context to other significant celebrity-sponsored charity events occurring in the mid-1980s?
Answer: It was one of the last in a series, occurring as public skepticism grew.
Explanation: Hands Across America was among the concluding major celebrity charity events of the mid-1980s, succeeding initiatives such as Band Aid, Live Aid, and Farm Aid. Concurrently, public skepticism regarding the efficacy of such large-scale events was escalating.
The term 'compassion fatigue' was cited in relation to Hands Across America primarily as an explanation for:
Answer: The growing skepticism about the effectiveness of repeated charity appeals.
Explanation: 'Compassion fatigue' was used to describe the public's growing skepticism and weariness concerning the repeated nature and perceived effectiveness of charitable appeals.
What was the peak chart position attained by the song 'Hands Across America' on the Billboard Hot 100?
Answer: #65
Explanation: The song 'Hands Across America' achieved its highest position at number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.