The history of the United States is filled with revolutions, wars, political shifts, and groundbreaking achievements that have shaped the nation. From the Declaration of Independence to modern-day events, America’s past is full of fascinating milestones.
Want to test your knowledge of major events in American history? 🇺🇸 Try these 20 trivia questions and answers to see how well you know the key moments that defined the United States!
📜 Major Events in American History: Trivia Questions & Answers
🔹 The Birth of a Nation (1776-1800)
1. In what year did the United States declare independence?
✅ Answer: 1776
2. Who was the first President of the United States?
✅ Answer: George Washington
3. What was the first constitution of the United States called?
✅ Answer: The Articles of Confederation
4. Which document replaced the Articles of Confederation and became the supreme law of the U.S.?
✅ Answer: The U.S. Constitution (1787)
5. What event led to the U.S. Constitution being written?
✅ Answer: Shays’ Rebellion (1786-1787), which highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
🔹 Expansion, Civil War & Reconstruction (1800-1877)
6. What was the Louisiana Purchase, and which president was responsible for it?
✅ Answer: In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson purchased Louisiana Territory from France, doubling the size of the U.S.
7. Which war between the U.S. and Britain lasted from 1812 to 1815?
✅ Answer: The War of 1812
8. What event caused Southern states to secede from the Union in 1860-1861?
✅ Answer: The election of Abraham Lincoln as President
9. What was the deadliest war in U.S. history?
✅ Answer: The American Civil War (1861-1865)
10. Which amendment abolished slavery in the U.S.?
✅ Answer: The 13th Amendment (1865)
🔹 Industrialization, World Wars & The Great Depression (1878-1945)
11. What event marked the beginning of the Great Depression?
✅ Answer: The Stock Market Crash of 1929
12. When did the U.S. enter World War I?
✅ Answer: 1917
13. What event led the U.S. into World War II?
✅ Answer: The attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941)
14. What was the largest invasion in history that the U.S. took part in during WWII?
✅ Answer: D-Day (June 6, 1944)
15. What were the names of the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan?
✅ Answer: “Little Boy” (Hiroshima) and “Fat Man” (Nagasaki)
🔹 The Modern Era (1945-Today)
16. What was the Cold War?
✅ Answer: A political and military rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union (1947-1991).
17. Which movement in the 1950s and 1960s fought for equal rights for African Americans?
✅ Answer: The Civil Rights Movement
18. Who was the first person to walk on the moon, and in what year?
✅ Answer: Neil Armstrong, 1969
19. What tragic event happened on September 11, 2001?
✅ Answer: The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
20. Who was the first African American President of the United States?
✅ Answer: Barack Obama (elected in 2008)
🏆 How Well Did You Score?
- 16-20 correct: 🎖️ History Expert! You know American history like a pro!
- 11-15 correct: 📚 Great Job! You have a strong grasp of major events.
- 6-10 correct: 🔍 Good Effort! Keep learning, and you’ll be an expert in no time.
- 0-5 correct: 🏛️ No worries! History is full of amazing stories—keep exploring!
Knowing history helps us understand where we came from and where we are headed. If you enjoyed this quiz, share it with friends and see who knows American history best!
Want more quizzes on U.S. Presidents, wars, or major inventions? Let me know in the comments! 🚀