The history of the United States is filled with remarkable events, influential figures, and major turning points that have shaped the nation. From the Revolutionary War to modern-day achievements, America’s past is full of fascinating stories.
Are you ready to test your U.S. history knowledge? Here are 20 trivia questions that cover key moments in American history—see how many you can get right!
🏛️ The Founding of America – Trivia Questions
- Which year did the United States declare independence from Britain?
- A) 1765
- B) 1776
- C) 1783
- D) 1801
- ✅ Answer: B) 1776
- Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?
- A) George Washington
- B) Benjamin Franklin
- C) Thomas Jefferson
- D) Alexander Hamilton
- ✅ Answer: C) Thomas Jefferson
- Which city was the first capital of the United States?
- A) Washington, D.C.
- B) Philadelphia
- C) New York City
- D) Boston
- ✅ Answer: C) New York City
- What was the name of the first constitution of the United States?
- A) The Articles of Confederation
- B) The Federalist Papers
- C) The Bill of Rights
- D) The Emancipation Proclamation
- ✅ Answer: A) The Articles of Confederation
- Which treaty officially ended the American Revolutionary War?
- A) Treaty of Versailles
- B) Treaty of Paris (1783)
- C) Treaty of Ghent
- D) Jay’s Treaty
- ✅ Answer: B) Treaty of Paris (1783)
⚔️ Wars and Conflicts – Trivia Questions
- Which battle is considered the turning point of the American Revolutionary War?
- A) Battle of Yorktown
- B) Battle of Saratoga
- C) Battle of Bunker Hill
- D) Battle of Lexington
- ✅ Answer: B) Battle of Saratoga
- Who was the U.S. President during the Civil War?
- A) Andrew Jackson
- B) Ulysses S. Grant
- C) Abraham Lincoln
- D) James Buchanan
- ✅ Answer: C) Abraham Lincoln
- Which event triggered the start of the Civil War in 1861?
- A) The Battle of Gettysburg
- B) The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation
- C) The attack on Fort Sumter
- D) The Dred Scott Decision
- ✅ Answer: C) The attack on Fort Sumter
- What event led to the U.S. entering World War II?
- A) The invasion of Poland
- B) The D-Day invasion
- C) The attack on Pearl Harbor
- D) The Battle of Stalingrad
- ✅ Answer: C) The attack on Pearl Harbor
- Which war lasted from 1955 to 1975 and involved U.S. military forces?
- A) The Korean War
- B) The Gulf War
- C) The Vietnam War
- D) The Cold War
- ✅ Answer: C) The Vietnam War
🗳️ U.S. Government and Politics – Trivia Questions
- What is the highest law of the United States?
- A) The Bill of Rights
- B) The Declaration of Independence
- C) The Constitution
- D) The Emancipation Proclamation
- ✅ Answer: C) The Constitution
- How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution currently have?
- A) 10
- B) 21
- C) 27
- D) 33
- ✅ Answer: C) 27
- Who was the only U.S. President to serve more than two terms?
- A) Franklin D. Roosevelt
- B) Theodore Roosevelt
- C) Woodrow Wilson
- D) Harry Truman
- ✅ Answer: A) Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Which U.S. President resigned due to the Watergate scandal?
- A) Lyndon B. Johnson
- B) Richard Nixon
- C) Gerald Ford
- D) Jimmy Carter
- ✅ Answer: B) Richard Nixon
- Which Supreme Court case ruled that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional?
- A) Roe v. Wade
- B) Plessy v. Ferguson
- C) Brown v. Board of Education
- D) Miranda v. Arizona
- ✅ Answer: C) Brown v. Board of Education
🌎 Modern U.S. History – Trivia Questions
- Who was the first African American President of the United States?
- A) Colin Powell
- B) Barack Obama
- C) Kamala Harris
- D) Martin Luther King Jr.
- ✅ Answer: B) Barack Obama
- What was the name of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001?
- A) Operation Desert Storm
- B) 9/11 Attacks
- C) Boston Marathon Bombing
- D) Oklahoma City Bombing
- ✅ Answer: B) 9/11 Attacks
- Which war began in 2003 and led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein?
- A) The Korean War
- B) The Gulf War
- C) The Iraq War
- D) The Vietnam War
- ✅ Answer: C) The Iraq War
- What was the name of the NASA mission that first landed humans on the Moon in 1969?
- A) Apollo 8
- B) Apollo 11
- C) Gemini 7
- D) Voyager 1
- ✅ Answer: B) Apollo 11
- Which landmark U.S. Supreme Court case legalized same-sex marriage nationwide?
- A) Roe v. Wade
- B) Obergefell v. Hodges
- C) Bush v. Gore
- D) Marbury v. Madison
- ✅ Answer: B) Obergefell v. Hodges
How Well Do You Know U.S. History?
The United States has a rich and complex history filled with wars, revolutions, social movements, and incredible achievements. Understanding key events helps us appreciate the nation’s past and its impact on the world.
💬 How many questions did you get right? Share your score in the comments and challenge your friends to beat it! 🇺🇸📜✨
