How the Crossword Became an American Pastime

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Across
  1. 4. To many, solving a crossword is like creating ____ out of chaos.
  2. 5. Crossword puzzles became especially popular during this holiday in 1913.
  3. 8. The London newspaper that once editorialized against crosswords.
  4. 10. In 2006, this documentary brought crossword fandom into the spotlight.
  5. 11. Wynne’s original name for the puzzle: “____-Cross.”
  6. 13. Crossword rules required “all over ____” (grid must be fully interconnected).
  7. 15. Librarians complained that puzzle fans swarmed the reference _____.
  8. 16. Annual event where solvers compete: American Crossword Puzzle _____.
  9. 18. Simon & Schuster gave away one of these with their first puzzle book.
  10. 20. Margaret Petherbridge ____ urged the New York Times to adopt the puzzle during WWII.
Down
  1. 1. In 1942, this paper finally launched its crossword (three words).
  2. 2. Blackout hours during this global conflict made puzzles a welcome escape (two words/Roman numeral).
  3. 3. A lover of crossword puzzles is sometimes called a ____ (one word from Latin roots).
  4. 6. A famous palindrome that may have inspired Wynne’s design (five letters, one word).
  5. 7. The first American crossword was published in what newspaper in 1913 (three words)
  6. 9. Liverpool native credited with inventing the American crossword (last name).
  7. 12. Early crossword clue: “Nard” is an aromatic ____.
  8. 14. Times puzzles gradually get more tricky from Monday to ____.
  9. 17. The amateur group formed to standardize puzzles: The Amateur Cross Word Puzzle ____ of America.
  10. 19. The puzzle’s sudden popularity was called a national _____.