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If you love history, then you’ll love these American history trivia questions. Work your way through this US history trivia, and you’ll learn more about the fascinating nation.
History trivia questions are always more interesting, because you’re left with a sense of discovery that actually means something.
This isn’t like music trivia questions or Halloween trivia questions. This knowledge is actually important and meaningful.
Of course, American history trivia questions can still be lots of fun. Try out these questions for yourself, and you’ll learn how thrilling history can be.
Contents
3 Best American History Trivia
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If you’re searching for American history trivia questions that will really blow people away, it’s best to choose only the most amazing questions available.
1. When was America discovered?
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Answer
1492
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Christopher Columbus is generally credited with discovering America, although Norse Vikings actually had a fully-functioning settlement in North America hundreds of years prior.
2. In the United States, what is Marine One?
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Answer
Presidents Helicopter
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Marin One might refer to a helicopter, but “Air Force One” actually refers to a special plane that the president uses to fly across the nation. This plan has the ability to coordinate the launch of nuclear warheads.
3. Which President was the first to be televised?
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Answer
F D Roosevelt
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Aside from being the first televised president, F.D. Roosevelt also created the New Deal, leading millions of Americans through the hardships of the Great Depression and later the Second World War.
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3 American history trivia for kids
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In order to make history fun for kids, it’s important to present it in a way that seems lighthearted and friendly. You can do just that with this American history trivia for kids.
4. In 1951, what was broadcasted in America?
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Answer
First colored Television program
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Although the first colored television program was broadcast in 1951, the first working color TV was demonstrated much earlier in 1944. This was done by John Logie Baird, a Scotsman.
5. Who discovered America?
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Answer
Christopher Columbus
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Christopher Columbus’ famous voyage was very nearly stopped in its tracks by a mutiny. His sailors realized how far they had traveled from home, and they were on the verge of rebellion when they finally sighted land.
6. On what date was the Declaration of Independence signed?
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Answer
July fourth seventeen seventy-six
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The Declaration of Independence states that all American citizens are entitled to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. The Declaration of Independence also states that all men are created equal.
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3 Funny American history trivia
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While some American history trivia might be serious, there are also some hilarious moments to remember. Relive them all with these funny trivia questions.
7. Tell the name of Abraham Lincoln's Dog?
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Answer
Fido
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Fido’s Latin translation suggests that Lincoln’s dog was someone that he trusted - someone he could confide in. This is because the Latin translation of “Fido is something like “I am faithful.”
8. Name the campaign against the sale or drinking of Alcohol.
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Answer
The Temperence Movement
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The movement against the drinking and sale of alcohol culminated with the Prohibition Era, a time when mobsters controlled vast underground empires filled with illegal alcohol sales and violence.
9. George Washington Thomas Jefferson and Sam Adams all did what?
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Answer
Brewed own beer
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Brewing your own beer is relatively easy. The origins of beer can be traced back to the ancient Egyptian times, and today you can easily brew your own beer with special kits.
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3 fun american history trivia
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If you simply want to have fun while answering American history trivia questions, then it’s best to choose jovial and upbeat questions, such as these fun trivia questions.
10. What was the original name of Martin Luther King, Jr.?
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Answer
Michael
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Martin Luther King Jr. actually changed his name from Michael to Martin after his father did the same. His father changed his name to Martin in order to honor the great theologian and Protestant leader, Martin Luther.
11. Which President gave the shortest inaugural speech?
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Answer
George Washington
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George Washington said only 130 words during his second inaugural speech. To be fair, he didn’t really need to say much, seeing has he had already established his vision during his first term.
12. Which actor top-billed the 1960’s television series Batman?
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Answer
Adam West
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Adam West became a major TV figure during the 1960s, appearing alongside his stalwart sidekick Robin in a number of episodes. Tragically, Adam West passed away in 2017.
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3 easy american history trivia
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It’s always a good idea to mix in a few easy questions. Choose these easy trivia questions, and you can answer them without breaking a sweat.
13. Before America was apparently discovered by Columbus who lived there?
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Answer
Native Americans
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Native Americans first arrived in North America either by walking over the Bering Strait (which was frozen at the time) or using watercraft to move down along the coast from Alaska.
14. To which US state would we need to travel to see the Statue of Liberty?
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Answer
New York
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The statue of liberty was actually a gift from France, even though it’s considered one of the most American symbols to this day.
15. What city was the first capital of the United States?
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Answer
New York City
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Today, Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States. “D.C.” stands for “District of Columbia,” which is technically not a state.
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4 hard american history trivia
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If you’re looking for a bit of a challenge, you might want to try out something with a higher difficulty rating, such as these hard trivia questions.
16. In which year Abraham Lincoln was assassinated?
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Answer
1865
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Abraham Lincoln’s assassination was strange for a number of reasons. For example, his assassin was an actor who Lincoln had seen perform just months earlier.
17. Which European language was first spoken in the United States?
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Answer
Spanish
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The Spanish language was the first spoken in the United States because the first Europeans who landed in America were Spanish. They were part of Christopher Columbus’ crew.
18. Which year did California become a state?
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1850
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Today, California has the largest population of all US states. Because of this, it holds significant influence during election years.
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19. On what year did the Ford Model T enter production?
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Answer
1908
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The first Ford Model T was the first car that was became widely-adopted by the public. The first prototypes were made from Hemp fibers and fueled by hemp biofuel.
4 random american history trivia
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Sometimes, it makes sense to shake things up a little. Choose one of these random trivia questions, and you can keep things spontaneous.
20. What was the initial reported cause of death for Elvis Presley that spread in the media?
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Answer
Heart attack
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Elvis Presley actually likely died of an overdose from prescription medications, including barbiturates. He was found dead in a bathroom.
21. When was the Hoover dam construction completed?
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Answer
1936
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The Hoover Dam was later referenced heavily in the popular video game Fallout: New Vegas. During the game, the player fights a massive battle on the walls of the Hoover Dam as the final chapter.
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22. Who installed the first elevator in America?
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Answer
Elisha Otis
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Another early example of an elevator was found in Hitler’s “Eagle’s Nest,” his personal home and command center in Berchtesgaden, near Austria.
23. In which year cigarettes were banned on the US Television.
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Answer
1971
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Funnily enough, the Nazis were the first to launch widespread anti-smoking campaigns. Doctors of the Third Reich understood the health concerns behind smoking.
4 80s american history trivia
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The 80s were a great decade for America. If you want to learn more about what happened in America during the 80s, check out these 80s trivia questions.
24. Who was elected U.S. president in 1980?
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Answer
Ronald Reagan
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Before becoming president of the United States, Reagan was a famous movie star. His on-screen persona undoubtedly helped him win over the majority of the American people.
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25. Which popular teen-oriented cable TV channel launched in 1981?
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MTV
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They say that MTV killed the radio star, but in truth that never actually played out. However, YouTube almost certainly succeeded in killing MTV years later.
26. Which menu item did McDonald's unveil in 1983?
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Answer
McNugget
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Can you imagine an era without Chicken Nuggets? If you're a 90s baby, you have taken Chicken Nuggets for granted all your life.
27. Who preceded Ronald Raegan’s presidency in the United States of America?
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Answer
Jimmy Carter
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Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer before he took office. When he left the presidency, his peanut business was deep in debt.
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90s american history trivia
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Many adults today fondly remember the 90s in America. If you want to relive this awesome decade, all you need to do is answer these 90s trivia questions.
28. In 1992, the largest mall in the US, Mall of America, opened in which state?
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Answer
Minnesota
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The Mall of America might be the largest in the nation, but it’s not the largest in the world. That honor instead falls to the West Edmonton Mall in Canada.
29. True or False. Bill Clinton was the first president in American history to be impeached in 1998.
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Answer
FALSE
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Bill Clinton may have been impeached, but he wasn’t actually removed from office. In fact, his approval ratings went up after his impeachment because Americans found him more relatable.
30. What was the top-grossing movie of 1990?
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Answer
Home Alone
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Macaulay Culkin was the star of the show when it came to Home Alone, and many audiences absolutely loved this young actor. Unfortunately, his career saw a slump after he became an adult.
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3 American sports history trivia
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If there’s one thing that almost all Americans love, it’s sports. If you think you know sports, try out this American sports trivia.
31. What's the last Grand Slam tennis tournament played in a calendar year?
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Answer
The U.S. Open
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The US Open is only one tennis tournament, and there are many others. Wimbledon, for example, is typically regarded as the most prestigious.
32. What did an MIT instructor add to a baseball bat to reduce its air drag by 60 percent?
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Answer
Dimples
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Using the same logic, drag was significantly reduced on golf balls after engineers also installed dimples.
33. Which two cities have the oldest stadiums in major league baseball?
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Answer
Boston and Detroit.
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Boston’s baseball stadium is known as Fenway Park. Built in 1912, it is home to the Boston Red Sox. Comerica Park, home to the Detroit Tigers, was also opened in 1912.
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Downloadable List of American History Trivia
Here is a downloadable list of American history trivia questions (right-click the image and select Save Image As:...)
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Here is How To Pick The best American history trivia
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When choosing American history trivia questions, it can be a little challenging to decide on the best ones. How do you know which American history trivia questions are good?
Well, all you need to do is follow this simple guide, and you can feel assured that your American history trivia will be filled with only the best questions.
1. Pick Questions on a Variety of Different States
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Don’t just focus on one or two US states when choosing your trivia questions. Each state has its own unique and interesting history, so do your best to cover them all. You never know what kinds of interesting information you might find.
2. Pick Questions that Cover a Variety of Different Eras
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America might be a relatively “young” nation as far as history is concerned, but there are lots of interesting moments to choose from through the ages.
When picking questions, it’s important to cover all of these different eras without focusing too heavily on a particular one.
3. Don’t Just Focus on the Presidents and the “Important” People
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Some of the most interesting stories of US history come from the experiences of the “average Joe.”
When choosing questions, make sure to focus on the achievements of the average American instead of picking only questions that cover US presidents and other “important figures.”
More Awesome Trivia Question
If you're enjoying the benefits of trivia questions, then the fun doesn’t need to stop. There are plenty more awesome trivia questions that you can answer, so why wait?
- Think you know football? Well, you’re not a true football expert until you’ve answered all of these football trivia questions.
- Ready for some baseball trivia? Learn more about this great American game as you answer some nifty and challenging questions.
- If you think you know everything there is to know about the National Football League, you need to challenge yourself with some NFL trivia. It’s the only way you’ll know whether you’re a true fan.
In Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve learned plenty of new things about this amazing nation after answering this American History trivia. America’s story is certainly an inspiring one, and this US history trivia shows us how far the nation has come.
While there are plenty of other moments in world history that deserve appreciation, the United States has undoubtedly played a massive role in shaping the modern world.
Sometimes, history trivia questions show everyone how important certain achievements have been in the past. These achievements can be extremely inspiring.
Who knows? Maybe these trivia questions have inspired you to become the next President of the United States!
