Final Jeopardy: Historic Americans (9-16-25)

The Final Jeopardy question (9/16/2025) in the category “Historic Americans” was:

Upon this man’s re-election, Karl Marx called him “the single-minded son of the working class”

4x champ Paolo Pasco, a puzzle writer orig. from San Diego, CA, has won $107,342 so far. In Game 5, his challengers are: Alex Rossell Hayes, a political scientist orig. from Baltimore, MD; and Susan Harris, a professor from Chicago, IL.

Round 1 Categories: European History – It’s a Mystery to Us – Words in Friendliness – That’s Quite a Novel Synopsis – Revenge – A Dish Best Served Cold

Paolo found the Jeopardy! round Daily Double in “Friendliness” under the $800 clue on the 5th pick of the round. He was in the lead with $2,400, $1,800 more than Susan in second place. Paolo made it a true Daily Double, and he was RIGHT.

From the Latin for “unfaithful”, it’s an unbeliever with respect to a particular religion show

WHAT IS AN INFIDEL?

Paolo finished in the lead with $10,800. Susan was second with $4,200 and Alex was last with $4,000. All clues were shown.

Round 2 Categories: U.S. Geography – “Great” Stuff – Interesting Trees – Hodgepodge – Thanks for the Memoirs – Fiery Words & Phrases

Paolo found the first Daily Double in “Fiery Words & Phrases” under the $1,200 clue on the 6th pick of the round. He was in the lead with $14,000, $10,800 more than Alex in second place. Paolo bet $5,000 and he was RIGHT.

A Christian rite begins this phrase for a severe introductory trial show

WHAT IS BAPTISM BY FIRE?

Paolo got the last Daily Double in “‘Great’ Stuff” under the $800 clue with 7 clues left after it. He was in the lead with $25,400, $17,800 more than Alex in second place. Paolo bet $2,000, and he was RIGHT.

This 5,000-pound aquatic carnivore can detect one drop of blood in 25 gallons of water show

WHAT IS A GREAT WHITE SHARK?

Paolo finished in the lead with a runaway $28,200. Alex was second with $9,600 and Susan was last with $3,400. All clues were shown.

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NONE of the contestants got Final Jeopardy! right.

WHO IS ABRAHAM LINCOLN?

In late November of 1864, Karl Marx sent a letter of congratulations to newly re-elected Abraham Lincoln. It wasn’t a personal letter, but was written on behalf of the International Workingmen’s Association with signatures of the members of the Central Council. Marx signed as Corresponding Secretary for Germany. The IWA was particularly happy with the abolition of slavery and Lincoln’s belief that labor was more important than capital.

Wikipedia has an article specifically about the letter, with links to the original letter expressing the IWA’s approval of Lincoln’s abolitionist and labor policies.

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Susan thought it was Andrew Jackson. She lost $3,399 and finished with $1.00.

Alex wrote “Who has thumbs and is happy to come in second?” He only lost $1.00 and finished with $9,599.

Paolo harkened back to his chat story with “Who wants to recreate that OK Go music video with me?” He lost $1,026 but won the game with $27,174. Paolo’s 5-day total is $134,516.

2 triple stumpers from THANKS FOR THE MEMOIRS:

($1600) In “Tell Me Everything”, Minka Kelly includes her love of Kitsch –as in Taylor, complicating the set of this TV show

($2000) “Heartbreaker” is the life story of this lead guitarist seen here at Tom Petty’s side

More clues on Page 2

2 years ago: Only ONE of the players got this FJ in “HISTORIC GEOGRAPHY”

Of Spain’s colonial possessions in the Americas, this 3,400 square mile one in the Antilles never gained independence, but did change hands show

WHAT IS PUERTO RICO?

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