From the Founding Fathers to modern milestones, test your knowledge of U.S. History with our fascinating collection of trivia questions covering wars, presidents, social movements, and landmark moments that shaped America!
1. In which American city did the Continental Congress meet to sign the historic document declaring independence from Great Britain?
Philadelphia
The Declaration of Independence was signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Second Continental Congress was meeting in 1776.
2. Before being purchased by the English in 1664, what Dutch name did the colony of New York originally bear?
New Amsterdam
The Dutch established New Amsterdam as the capital of New Netherland in 1625, and it remained under Dutch control until the English renamed it New York.
3. Which indigenous American people traditionally inhabited the Upper Midwest region, including present-day Minnesota and the Dakotas?
Sioux
The Sioux, also known as the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota peoples, historically occupied territories across the Upper Midwest of North America.
4. Who commanded the Union forces to victory at the decisive Battle of Gettysburg in 1863?
George Meade
General George Meade led the Union Army of the Potomac to defeat Confederate forces under Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Gettysburg.
5. Which of these founding fathers appears on US paper currency but not on any circulating coins?
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin appears on the $100 bill but is not featured on any currently circulating US coins.
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Learn more!6. What was the official military codename for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France in 1944?
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the codename for the Battle of Normandy, which began on June 6, 1944 (D-Day) and lasted until August 1944.
7. What biblical figure's name was given to Harriet Tubman for her role in leading slaves to freedom?
Moses
Harriet Tubman was called 'Moses' because, like the biblical figure, she led her people to freedom from bondage.
8. Which astronaut remained in the Command Module during the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing?
Michael Collins
Michael Collins piloted the Command Module Columbia while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the lunar surface.
9. Which President's wife spearheaded the anti-drug campaign known as 'Just Say No' in the 1980s?
Nancy Reagan
Nancy Reagan, wife of President Ronald Reagan, launched the 'Just Say No' campaign in 1982 as part of the War on Drugs.
10. Which MLB team broke their infamous 'Curse of the Bambino' by winning the World Series in 2004?
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918, ending an 86-year championship drought often attributed to the 'Curse of the Bambino.'
11. At which iconic Washington DC monument did MLK deliver his historic 'I Have a Dream' speech during the March on Washington?
The Lincoln Memorial
Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington on August 28, 1963.
12. On which summer day in 1776 did the majority of Continental Congress delegates actually sign the Declaration of Independence?
August 2nd, 1776
While July 4th marks the adoption of the Declaration, most delegates actually signed the physical document on August 2nd, 1776.
13. Which US President met with Churchill and Stalin at the crucial Yalta Conference near the end of World War II?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt attended the Yalta Conference in February 1945, just two months before his death.
14. What pioneering aviation record did Amelia Earhart set in 1932?
She was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean
Earhart completed this historic solo flight across the Atlantic in May 1932, becoming the first woman to accomplish this feat.
15. Which European nation gifted the United States with the iconic Statue of Liberty?
France
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States in 1886, commemorating the centennial of American independence.
16. Which state earned the nickname 'The First State' by being the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution?
Delaware
Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, earning its nickname 'The First State.'
17. What form of money did the Continental Congress issue before establishing the U.S. Dollar?
Continental currency
The Continental Congress issued Continental currency to finance the American Revolution before the establishment of the U.S. Dollar.
18. How many U.S. Presidents have died as a result of assassination throughout American history?
4
Four U.S. Presidents have been assassinated: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy.
19. In which of the original thirteen colonies was the first U.S. President born?
Virginia
George Washington was born at Popes Creek plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia in 1732.
20. What was the famous code name of the anonymous source who helped expose the Watergate scandal?
Deep Throat
Mark Felt, known as 'Deep Throat,' was the FBI Associate Director who provided crucial information about the Watergate scandal to Washington Post reporters.
21. Which U.S. government agency's surveillance programs were exposed by Edward Snowden in 2013?
The NSA
Edward Snowden leaked classified information about NSA surveillance programs, revealing extensive domestic spying operations.
22. Which Spanish-founded settlement holds the distinction of being the oldest European city in what is now the United States?
St. Augustine, Florida, founded in 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain
St. Augustine was established by Spanish explorers in 1565, making it the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded settlement in the continental United States.
23. Which Norse explorer is credited with reaching North American shores around 1000 CE, nearly 500 years before Columbus?
Leif Erikson
Leif Erikson led the first known European expedition to North America, establishing a settlement in present-day Newfoundland around 1000 CE.
24. What vessel carried the Pilgrims across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World in 1620?
The Mayflower
The Mayflower transported 102 English Puritans, now known as the Pilgrims, from Plymouth, England to the New World in 1620.
25. Which metropolitan center served as the first capital of the United States before Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.?
New York City
New York City served as the first capital of the United States from 1789 to 1790, before the capital was moved to Philadelphia.
26. Which U.S. President was the first occupant of the Executive Mansion, now known as the White House?
John Adams
John Adams became the first president to occupy the White House when he moved in during November 1800 near the end of his term.
27. Which American polymath and founding father created a practical solution for both near and far-sighted vision?
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals in the 1780s to address the need for different prescriptions for reading and distance vision.
28. Which pioneering expedition team completed the first American overland journey to the Pacific Coast?
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark
The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) was the first American expedition to cross the western portion of the United States to reach the Pacific Coast.
29. Which U.S. President had the briefest tenure in office, serving only 31 days before his death?
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison died of pneumonia in 1841 after just 31 days in office, making his presidency the shortest in U.S. history.
30. In what year did the iconic Liberty Bell crack for the final time, falling silent forever?
1846
The Liberty Bell cracked irreparably in 1846 while ringing to commemorate George Washington's birthday.
31. In which year did the United States government first begin printing paper currency?
1862
The first U.S. paper currency was printed in 1862 during the Civil War to help finance the Union's war effort.
32. Which politician served as the only President of the Confederate States of America?
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis was the first and only President of the Confederate States of America, serving from 1861 to 1865.
33. At which historic Washington D.C. venue did John Wilkes Booth assassinate President Lincoln?
Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.
President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865, while attending a performance.
34. During the Civil War, which portion of Virginia broke away to form its own state?
West Virginia
West Virginia separated from Virginia in 1863, choosing to remain loyal to the Union during the Civil War.
35. Who broke racial barriers by becoming the first African American to serve in the United States Senate?
Hiram Rhodes Revels
Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first African American senator in 1870, representing Mississippi during Reconstruction.
36. Which natural landmark in Wyoming was designated as America's first national monument?
Devil's Tower
Devil's Tower was declared the first U.S. National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906.
37. In which year did Henry Ford revolutionize the automotive industry by introducing the Model T?
1908
Henry Ford introduced the Model T in 1908, making automobiles accessible to the average American through mass production.
38. Who was at the helm of the RMS Titanic during its ill-fated maiden voyage?
Edward Smith
Captain Edward Smith was commanding the Titanic when it struck an iceberg and sank in 1912.
39. Which groundbreaking woman became the first female member of Congress?
Jeanette Rankin
Jeanette Rankin of Montana became the first woman elected to Congress in 1916, before women had the right to vote nationally.
40. Which Pittsburgh radio station made history as America's first commercial broadcaster?
KDKA in Pittsburgh
KDKA became the first commercial radio station in the United States when it began broadcasting in 1920.
41. On what date did the stock market crash that triggered the Great Depression occur?
October 29, 1929
The stock market crash known as Black Tuesday occurred on October 29, 1929, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.
42. Which U.S. President pioneered the use of television as a political medium?
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
FDR was the first president to appear on television, doing so at the 1939 World's Fair opening.
43. Which Cold War era president was the first to receive a Secret Service code name?
President Harry Truman
Harry Truman became the first president to receive a Secret Service code name as part of increased security measures during the Cold War.
44. What's the official designation for the helicopter that transports the U.S. President?
Marine One
Any Marine Corps helicopter carrying the President is designated as Marine One, similar to how Air Force One designates presidential aircraft.
45. Which devastating Category 5 hurricane caused catastrophic damage to New Orleans in 2005?
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in August 2005, becoming one of the deadliest and most costly natural disasters in U.S. history.
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Try out azigy!46. Which U.S. state has the smallest land area?
Rhode Island
Rhode Island is the smallest U.S. state by land area, covering approximately 1,545 square miles.
47. In which U.S. state can you find the majestic Grand Canyon?
Arizona
The Grand Canyon, one of the world's most famous natural landmarks, is located in northern Arizona.
48. Which historic French Quarter landmark serves as the heart of New Orleans?
Jackson Square
Jackson Square, originally known as Place d'Armes, has been a central landmark in New Orleans since the city's founding in 1718.
49. What is the current total number of states in the United States?
50
The United States consists of 50 states, with Hawaii being the last state admitted to the Union in 1959.
50. What is the current official name of North America's highest peak, which was formerly called Mount McKinley?
Denali
In 2015, the mountain was officially renamed Denali, its traditional Native Alaskan name, after being called Mount McKinley for nearly a century.
51. Which state comprises the largest geographical area in the United States?
Alaska
Alaska is the largest U.S. state by area, covering 663,268 square miles, more than twice the size of Texas.
52. What is the capital city of Nevada?
Carson City
Carson City has served as Nevada's capital since the state's admission to the Union in 1864.
53. Which is the longest river system in North America?
Missouri
The Missouri River is the longest river in North America, stretching 2,341 miles from its headwaters to its confluence with the Mississippi.
54. Which popular nickname is officially associated with Florida?
The Sunshine State
Florida is officially known as the Sunshine State due to its warm climate and abundance of sunny days throughout the year.
55. In which U.S. state would you find the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial?
South Dakota
Mount Rushmore, featuring carved portraits of four U.S. presidents, is located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota.
56. Which colonial Massachusetts town became infamous for its witch trials in 1692?
Salem
Salem, Massachusetts was the site of notorious witch trials in 1692-1693, resulting in 20 executions.
57. In what year was America's oldest institution of higher learning established?
1636
Harvard College, now Harvard University, was established in 1636, making it the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.
58. Which two bodies of water does the Erie Canal connect?
Hudson River and Lake Erie
The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, connects the Hudson River to Lake Erie, providing a waterway between New York City and the Great Lakes.
59. When is Veterans Day observed annually in the United States?
Nov 11
Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I.
60. Which civil rights activist sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott through her act of defiance?
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks ignited the civil rights movement by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955.
61. What was the widespread computer concern as the year 2000 approached?
Y2K
The Y2K bug was a computer flaw that caused concern about potential system failures when dates changed from 1999 to 2000.
62. Who founded the online encyclopedia Wikipedia?
Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger
Wikipedia was launched in 2001 by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger as a free, collaborative online encyclopedia.
63. Which prestigious Connecticut university was originally established as the Collegiate School at Saybrook in 1701?
Yale
Yale University was founded as the Collegiate School at Saybrook in 1701, later moving to New Haven and being renamed in honor of benefactor Elihu Yale.
64. Which U.S. President resigned from office in 1974 due to the Watergate scandal?
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon became the first and only U.S. President to resign from office, doing so on August 8, 1974, amid the Watergate scandal.
65. What was the name of the 1962 standoff between the U.S. and Soviet Union over nuclear missiles in Cuba?
The Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation in October 1962 that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.
66. Which NASA space shuttle disaster in 1986 claimed the lives of seven crew members, including teacher Christa McAuliffe?
Challenger
The Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight on January 28, 1986, resulting in the deaths of all seven crew members.
67. Which oil platform's explosion in 2010 led to the worst oil spill in U.S. history?
Deepwater Horizon
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill released approximately 134 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico over 87 days.
68. Which Spanish explorer searched for the mythical Fountain of Youth in Florida?
Ponce de Leon
Juan Ponce de Leon explored Florida in 1513 while searching for the legendary Fountain of Youth.
69. What U.S. military academy was established on Independence Day in 1802?
West Point
The United States Military Academy at West Point was established on July 4, 1802, as America's first military academy.
70. Which major holiday was outlawed in colonial Boston from 1659 to 1681?
Christmas
The Puritan-led Massachusetts Bay Colony banned Christmas celebrations from 1659 to 1681, viewing them as pagan and unbiblical.
71. Which English settlement became America's first permanent colony in 1607?
Jamestown
Jamestown, Virginia, established in 1607, became the first permanent English settlement in North America.
72. How many total victims were executed during the Salem Witch Trials?
20
Twenty-five people died during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692-1693, including 19 who were hanged and one who was pressed to death.
73. For what amount did Peter Minuit reportedly purchase Manhattan Island from Native Americans?
The equivalent of $24 worth of goods
Dutch colonist Peter Minuit allegedly purchased Manhattan Island in 1626 for trade goods worth approximately 60 guilders, or $24.
74. How many days did the first Thanksgiving celebration last?
Three days
The first Thanksgiving celebration in 1621 was a three-day harvest festival shared between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people.
75. What was the first representative legislative assembly in colonial America?
The House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses, established in Virginia in 1619, was the first elected legislative assembly in colonial America.
76. What was the name of the final major conflict between Britain and France for control of North America?
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War (1754-1763) was the North American theater of the Seven Years' War between Britain and France.
77. What historic protest against British taxation occurred in Boston Harbor in 1773?
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a protest against British taxation where colonists dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor.
78. What was the 1803 land deal that doubled the size of the United States?
The Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal between the United States and France that added approximately 828,000 square miles of land for $15 million.
79. What was the famous 1836 battle where Texian defenders were defeated by Mexican forces under Santa Anna?
The Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a 13-day siege that ended with the defeat of Texian defenders by Mexican forces under General Santa Anna.
80. What major engineering project completed in 1914 connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans?
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal, completed in 1914, created a vital shipping route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Isthmus of Panama.
81. From which nation did the United States purchase Alaska in 1867?
Russia
The United States acquired Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, in what became known as 'Seward's Folly.'
82. Which founding father served as the fourth President of the United States?
James Madison
James Madison, known as the 'Father of the Constitution,' served as the fourth U.S. President from 1809 to 1817.
83. What significant period marked America's transition from manual labor and animal-based production to machine manufacturing?
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution transformed America from an agricultural society to an industrialized nation during the 19th century.
84. What was President Roosevelt's comprehensive series of economic programs aimed at recovery from the Great Depression?
The New Deal
The New Deal was implemented between 1933 and 1939 to provide relief, reform, and recovery to the American people during the Great Depression.
85. Who was the first self-made female millionaire in American history?
Madam C.J. Walker
Madam C.J. Walker became the first self-made female millionaire through her hair care products business in the early 1900s.
86. In which major Southern city was civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. born?
Atlanta, Georgia
Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929.
87. Which landmark Supreme Court case ended legal racial segregation in American public schools?
Brown v. Board of Education
The 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision overturned the 'separate but equal' doctrine in public education.
88. Who broke the color barrier on the Supreme Court as its first African American Justice?
Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967, serving until 1991.
89. What decisive naval battle in the Pacific Theater turned the tide of World War II against Japan?
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway in June 1942 resulted in a decisive American victory that marked a turning point in the Pacific War.
90. Which U.S. President was the first American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize?
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for mediating the Russo-Japanese War.
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Check out azigy!91. Which Native American tribe did the famous historical figure Pocahontas belong to?
The Powhatan Tribal Nations
Pocahontas was a member of the Powhatan Tribal Nations and played a significant role in early English-Native American relations.
92. How many colonists lost their lives in the infamous Boston Massacre of 1770?
Five
Five colonists were killed when British soldiers fired into a crowd on March 5, 1770, in what became known as the Boston Massacre.
93. What series of punitive laws did Britain impose on Massachusetts following the Boston Tea Party?
The Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were a series of punitive laws passed by Britain in 1774 to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party.
94. What treaty officially ended the American Revolutionary War in 1783?
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783, formally ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized American independence.
95. On which hill did the misnamed Battle of Bunker Hill actually take place?
Breed's Hill
Although called the Battle of Bunker Hill, the majority of the fighting actually took place on nearby Breed's Hill.
96. Who served as the President of the Second Continental Congress and was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence?
John Hancock
John Hancock was President of the Continental Congress and is famous for his prominent signature on the Declaration of Independence.
97. What was the first governing document of the United States, predating the Constitution?
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, was America's first constitution and created a loose confederation of sovereign states.
98. How many biological children did George Washington have during his lifetime?
Zero
George Washington had no biological children, though he did raise Martha Washington's children from her previous marriage.
99. Which Civil War battle resulted in the highest single-day casualty count in American military history?
The Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, resulted in approximately 23,000 casualties, making it the bloodiest single day in American military history.
100. When did President Lincoln issue the Emancipation Proclamation?
Jan 1., 1863
President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring slaves in rebel states to be free.
101. Which U.S. President declared war against Great Britain in 1812?
James Madison
President James Madison declared war on Great Britain in 1812, leading to the War of 1812.
102. In which American city was the first subway system constructed?
Boston
Boston's subway system, which opened in 1897, was the first underground rapid transit system in the United States.
103. When and where did General Robert E. Lee surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant?
April 9, 1865
Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the Civil War.
104. Which Vice President fatally wounded Alexander Hamilton in a duel?
Aaron Burr
Vice President Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel in Weehawken, New Jersey, on July 11, 1804.
105. Which treaty ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain?
The Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814, ended the War of 1812 and restored the pre-war borders.
106. Which U.S. President served two non-consecutive terms in office?
Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland served as the 22nd and 24th President, making him the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms.
107. What was the name of George Washington's plantation home?
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, located in Fairfax County, Virginia, was George Washington's plantation home for most of his adult life.