FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Main Index Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Main Index Quizzes, Trivia

US History for Kids Trivia Questions and Answers

Fun Facts & Interesting Information
Search in topic:
Related Questions & Answers:   History for Kids    Art History (Art)   Ancient History for Kids    History of Christianity (Christianity)   War History   

1. When it was completed in 1787, the new Constitution of the United States had to go through a process called ratification to become legal. Which state became the first to ratify the Constitution?


Answer: Delaware

Interesting Information:
Ratification is a legal process that a document has to undergo in order for it to become legal. This means that it is approved by elected representatives of either states or the country as a whole. The United States Constitution was required to be ratified by at least nine of the original thirteen states in order for it to become legal. On December 7, 1787, the Delaware General Assembly, the representative body of Delaware, unanimously approved the new constitution by 30 votes to 0, which made it the first of the old thirteen colonies to ratify the document. As a result of it being the first, Delaware's nickname is "The First State". Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: American Firsts
 
Some incorrect choices:
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut

2. To which US state would we need to travel to see the Statue of Liberty?


Answer: New York

Interesting Information:
Lady Liberty was placed on Liberty Island in New York Harbor and dedicated in 1886. Prior to that, Liberty Island was called Bedloe's Island. It has been owned by the United States government since 1801 and previously used as a line of defense in the harbor. It was chosen as the site because all ships that came to New York had to sail past the island - that way more people would be able to see the statue! Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: Tales of the Lady 2
 
Some incorrect choices:
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia

3. What was the first major land battle of the U.S. Civil War?


Answer: First Bull Run

Interesting Information:
This battle was fought on July 21, 1861, and was a Confederate victory. The heavy casualties squelched any hopes for a short war. Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: U.S. Civil War
 
Some incorrect choices:
Antietam, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor

4. Which now-US state saw an attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and the overthrowing of a queen in 1893?


Answer: Hawaii

Interesting Information:
Although Hawaii did not become a state until 1959, it has payed a huge role in American history. The bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 saw the United States enter World War II. Hawaii was also the only state to have a monarchy and one of a few to be its own nation. Pro-American forces overthrew Queen Lydia Liliuokalani in 1893 and the islands became part of the United States at that time. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: State Your History
 
Some incorrect choices:
Alabama, North Dakota, Maine

5. When what we know of today as the United States first came into existence, it was not independent. Instead, it consisted of 13 colonies, ruled by which country?


Answer: Britain

Interesting Information:
The U.S. was first settled by British citizens, who were given the right to do so by the British King, who claimed the territory. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: Important Events in US History
 
Some incorrect choices:
France, Spain, Belgium

6. This European led the expedition that was the first to arrive in what would eventually become the United States. Who was he?


Answer: Juan Ponce de Leon

Interesting Information:
Juan Ponce de Leon was the Spanish captain of three ships which were searching for the Fountain of Youth. The three ships were: the Santiago, the San Cristobal, and the Santa Maria de la Consolacion. He landed in a land unknown to the Europeans in 1513. He formed a settlement called St. Augustine and named the land la Florida (the flower) because it was Easter season, which the Spaniards called "Pascua Florida". Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: US History (1500s-1600s)
 
Some incorrect choices:
John Smith, Christopher Columbus, John White

7. In the early stages of the American Revolutionary War, who was fighting against whom?


Answer: American colonists against Britain

Interesting Information:
Yes, those rough and tumble colonists that later formed the United States fought the redcoats of Britain. Later in the Revolutionary War, France, Spain and the Netherlands also fought against Britain. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: Basic U.S. History
 
Some incorrect choices:
Britain against Spain, American colonists against France, There was no American Revolutionary War

8. What state should I visit to see a place where people lived inside cliffs?


Answer: Colorado

Interesting Information:
Mesa Verde in Colorado is one of the best examples of cliff dwelling in the world. It is a US National Park and a World Heritage Site, meaning the United Nations considers it important historically. Tribes in the Midwest were nomadic (moved around) and lived in tents. Tribes in New England also lived largely in tents.
Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: American History for Fifth Graders
 
Some incorrect choices:
Washington, Nebraska, Massachusetts

9. Who was the first president of the United States of America?


Answer: George Washington

Interesting Information:
Washington was elected to office in 1789. He would serve for nearly eight full years. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: American History for Kids
 
Some incorrect choices:
Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Tony Gwynn

10. What president succeeded Abraham Lincoln when he was assassinated?


Answer: Andrew Johnson

Interesting Information:
Andrew Johnson was a tailor from Tennessee who rose through political ranks to be selected as a running mate to Lincoln in the 1864 election due to his southern background and his stance on unity of the states. He was, however, a cantankerous man who went head-to-head with Congress over issues relating to reconstruction of the South which resulted in a cry for impeachment that failed. Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: United States History for Kids
 
Some incorrect choices:
U.S. Grant, Barack Obama, Lyndon Johnson

11. Who won the Revolutionary War?


Answer: American colonists

Interesting Information:
The thirteen American colonies won the war and their independence from British rule. Not all those who lived in the colonies supported independence, but the group that wanted it gained control of the colonies by defeating the English soldiers and their supporters. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: American Wars
 
Some incorrect choices:
British, Spanish, Mexicans

12. Whose raid on Harper's Ferry led to further tensions before the war?


Answer: John Brown

Interesting Information:
In an attempt to arm slaves that he was sure would rally to his cause, he lost his sons and was arrested by Lee. Difficulty: Average.

From Quiz: U.S. Civil War- Personalities and Oddities
 
Some incorrect choices:
Robert E. Lee, John Fremont, U.S. Grant

13. In what city was the Declaration of Independence signed?


Answer: Philadelphia

Interesting Information:
Edward Rutledge was the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence; he was 26 years old. The oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin, who was 70 at the time. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: U.S. History
 
Some incorrect choices:
Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami

14. What was the first major battle of the Civil War?


Answer: The First Battle of Bull Run

Interesting Information:
This is the battle in which Thomas Jonathan Jackson earned his nickname "Stonewall" Jackson. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: Trivia of the American Civil War
 
Some incorrect choices:
Battle of Gettysburg, Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Fort Sumter

15. This man was president of the United States during the Civil War. He worked very hard to preserve the country and sadly, was murdered just days after the war ended. His face is on the penny.


Answer: Abraham Lincoln

Interesting Information:
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. He was born in a log cabin in Kentucky in 1809 and became president in 1860. He was shot and killed by John Wilkes Booth in April of 1865. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: The American Civil War for Children
 
Some incorrect choices:
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt

16. P is for: The name of the highest position in US government.


Answer: President of the United States of America

Interesting Information:
George Washington became the first President of the United States of America when he took office on April 30, 1789. Some of the important jobs that the President is expected to perform include being the Chief Executive, the Commander in Chief, the Foreign Policy Director and the Legislative Leader of the country. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: American History P to Z
 
Some incorrect choices:
Vice President of the United States of America, Governor of Pennsylvania, Program Advisor of Public Population Production Programs

17. J is for: The name of "His Airness" who dazzled the NBA from 1984-2003 and won six championships in only eight years.


Answer: Michael Jordan

Interesting Information:
Jordan won the NBA Final MVP award in all six of his championship runs. Michael also played in 14 NBA all-star games, for two Olympic gold medal winning teams and he also starred in the 1996 movie "Space Jam". Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: American History from J to S
 
Some incorrect choices:
Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Justin Tyme, Aiden Joseph

18. A is for: The name of the second President of the United States of America.


Answer: John Adams

Interesting Information:
John Adams was the president right after George Washington ended his term in office. Adams gained most of his recognition for his strong stand during the Stamp Act of 1765 and when, as a lawyer, he represented six soldiers who were involved in the Boston Massacre of 1770. His own Vice President, Thomas Jefferson, defeated him when he ran for a second term as president. Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: American History from A to J
 
Some incorrect choices:
Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Al K. Seltzer

19. What is a pilgrim?


Answer: Someone who goes on a long journey.

Interesting Information:
The Pilgrims on the Mayflower originally lived in England. They wanted to have their own type of church. They set sail to start their new lives in America. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: The Mayflower Crossing
 
Some incorrect choices:
A black and white bird that lives in cold areas., They are fans of the actor Clint Eastwood., It is a group of escaped convicts.

20. How many original colonies were there?


Answer: 13

Interesting Information:
The New England colonies are New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
The MidAtlantic or Middle colonies included New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.
The Southern colonies consisted of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: Colonial America - 6th Grade
 
Some incorrect choices:
12, 7, 5

21. In 1620 these people came to the United States from England and later celebrated the first Thanksgiving.


Answer: The Pilgrims

Interesting Information:
The Pilgrims came from England in 1620 and celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621. When they first arrived in Massachusetts the Pilgrims did not know much about farming or hunting. The Native Americans helped them survive the winter and then the Pilgrims and Native Americans joined and celebrated the first Thanksgiving. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: Basic United States History
 
Some incorrect choices:
The Explorers, The Ocean people, The Hurricanes

22. Who was the Continental Army's main general?


Answer: George Washington

Interesting Information:
George Washington was actually only suggested to be a general to gain southern favor, since he was a Virginian. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: American Revolution
 
Some incorrect choices:
John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, Benedict Arnold

23. Which famous American is on the $1 bill?


Answer: George Washington

Interesting Information:
Andrew Jackson is on the $20 bill. Abraham Lincoln is on the $5 bill. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: U.S. History 101
 
Some incorrect choices:
Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson

24. In 1789, George Washington became the first President of the United States. At the same time, who became the first Vice-President?


Answer: John Adams

Interesting Information:
In December 1788, the first presidential election took place in the United States under the terms of the new constitution. This established the method of electing both the president and vice-president, which initially saw a single list of candidates; the candidate with the most votes was to become president, with the candidate in second named as vice-president. George Washington was unanimously chosen as President of the United States, with John Adams, the former Ambassador to Great Britain, coming in second. Adams, who was the sixth person to sign the Declaration of Independence, served two terms as vice-president under President Washington, before being elected president following the 1796 election. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: American Firsts
 
Some incorrect choices:
Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin

25. The Statue of Liberty was given to the United States as a gift. Which country, whose help was vital during the American Revolution, gave the Statue of Liberty to the United States?


Answer: France

Interesting Information:
There are different stories about how the idea to build the statue began. One story is that the man who designed the statue, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, had a conversation in 1865 with Édouard René de Laboulaye, a man who supported the Union cause during the American Civil War. This conversation sparked an idea that France and the United States should work together to build a monument to honor freedom and independence. Another story is that Laboulaye suggested the project after the Union won the American Civil War. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: Tales of the Lady 2
 
Some incorrect choices:
Russia, Spain, Prussia

26. What battle of the U.S. Civil War is known as the bloodiest day in American history?


Answer: Antietam

Interesting Information:
The number of dead is generally thought to be around 3,000, although recent data may lead to that number being higher. More importantly, the Union victory led to Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: U.S. Civil War
 
Some incorrect choices:
Petersburg, Stones River, Sayler's Creek

27. During which war in the 1700s did sixteen-year-old Sybil Ludington ride to warn US soldiers of a planned attack by the British army?


Answer: US Revolutionary War

Interesting Information:
The ride of Sybil Ludington (1761-1839) took place on April 26, 1777. Her father was the commander of the local American militia. Forces from the British army planned to attack a military supply depot in Danbury, CT. From evening to dawn, Sybil rode over 40 miles through Putnam County, N.Y. and Danbury, CT to warn the militia. Though the British soldiers were able to attack Danbury, the American militia was able to force them to retreat. Sybil's ride was similar to the more famous ride of Paul Revere, but Sybil's ride was longer. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: Not My Problem
 
Some incorrect choices:
US Civil War, World War I, Persian Gulf War

28. In which US state was gold discovered at Sutter's Mill in 1848 and experienced a devastating earthquake in 1906?


Answer: California

Interesting Information:
Sutter's Mill was the location where gold was discovered in 1848 that started the California Gold Rush which saw thousands of Americans move westward. The famous San Francisco earthquake of 1906 destroyed the city and left an estimated 3,000 people dead. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: State Your History
 
Some incorrect choices:
New Mexico, Vermont, West Virginia

29. By the 1770s, America had had enough of British rule. They wanted freedom, and so wrote the Declaration of Independence. Who was the author?


Answer: Thomas Jefferson

Interesting Information:
Thomas Jefferson had a long and fruitful life. Besides writing the Declaration, he was also the third president of the United States. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: Important Events in US History
 
Some incorrect choices:
George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin

30. The first English settlement in the New World failed miserably. What was the colony that they set up called?


Answer: Roanoke

Interesting Information:
Roanoke Island was located in modern day North Carolina. An expedition led by Sir Walter Raleigh and John White explored there. The colony was established in 1585. A couple of months later, John White returned to England to get food and other needs. He had promised to return the following year, but because of a war with Spain, he was delayed. When he did return in 1587, they found the colony abandoned completely. To this day, no one is sure what happened to the colonists of Roanoke. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: US History (1500s-1600s)
 
Some incorrect choices:
Jamestown, Plymouth, Darien

31. For this question we move to Massachusetts. These two men each only served one term as president. Which father and son presidents lived in Peacefield?


Answer: John Adams and John Quincy Adams

Interesting Information:
Peacefield is located in Quincy, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. It is managed today by the National Park Service. The National Park Service also maintains the birthplace homes for these two presidents. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: US Presidents and Their Homes
 
Some incorrect choices:
George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison, Andrew Johnson and Lyndon B. Johnson

32. Who authored the American Declaration of Independence?


Answer: Thomas Jefferson

Interesting Information:
John Hancock was the one that signed his name the largest on this document claiming that King George III should be able to read it clearest of all. John Adams helped to inspire Thomas Jefferson to write it. George Washington became the first President of the United States. Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: Basic U.S. History
 
Some incorrect choices:
John Hancock, John Adams, George Washington

33. Which country did NOT send explorers to America before it became the United States?


Answer: Bulgaria

Interesting Information:
The Spanish were the first to explore the Americas, starting with Christopher Columbus in 1492. The French explored Canada and the Midwest. The English settled Virginia and New England. Bulgaria did not actually exist as a country until 1878.
Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: American History for Fifth Graders
 
Some incorrect choices:
Spain, France, England

34. Who is given credit for the invention of the light bulb?


Answer: Thomas Edison

Interesting Information:
Many scientists and inventors worked to develop the light bulb. Edison created his in 1879, patented it in 1890, and made it commercially affordable. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: United States History for Kids
 
Some incorrect choices:
Robert Fulton, John Deere, Samuel F.B. Morse

35. Where was General Custer's last stand?


Answer: Little Bighorn

Interesting Information:
This battle took place in 1876. The Native Americans defeated General Custer's soldiers. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: American Wars
 
Some incorrect choices:
Gettysburg, Oklahoma, Appomatox

36. Which American President bought the Louisiana Territory from France?


Answer: Thomas Jefferson

Interesting Information:
Thomas Jefferson bought it in 1803. Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: U.S. History
 
Some incorrect choices:
John F. Kennedy, George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt

37. Where were the first shots of the civil war fired?


Answer: Near Charleston, South Carolina

Interesting Information:
In this battle the Confederacy won against the Union, who were stationed at Fort Sumter. Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: Trivia of the American Civil War
 
Some incorrect choices:
Salt Lake City, Utah, 50 miles from Jackson,Mississippi, Atlanta, Georgia

38. Q is for: The group of people that migrated to the United States in the 17th century.


Answer: Quakers

Interesting Information:
The Quakers moved to the United States from England to escape religious persecution. William Penn set up a land, which would later come to be known as the state of Pennsylvania, where the Quakers could come to live their lives and practice their religion in a safe environment. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: American History P to Z
 
Some incorrect choices:
Queens, Quarks, Quahogs

39. K is for: The state that was bleeding because of a border war between 1854 and 1858 due to the issue of slavery.


Answer: Kansas

Interesting Information:
This conflict took place between the "Free-Staters" (people who were anti-slavery) and "Border Ruffians" (people who were pro-slavery). Both sides were trying to influence whether or not Kansas would join the Union and allow slavery within its borders. After many attempts at compromising on a state constitution, the pro-slavery members decided to boycott the process and by doing so allowed the "Free-Staters" to claim victory at the polls. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: American History from J to S
 
Some incorrect choices:
Kazakhstan, Karma, Kentucky

40. B is for: The city where a famous "Tea Party" happened.


Answer: Boston

Interesting Information:
The Boston Tea Party, which took place on Thursday, December 16, 1773, is said to be one of the major sparks for the American Revolution. A group of American colonists were upset over the taxation by the British government so they threw many crates of tea into the Boston Harbor. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: American History from A to J
 
Some incorrect choices:
Baltimore, Bangkok, Brussels
Please remember to credit FunTrivia.com, add links on your website or newsletters, or otherwise spread the word about our website. Thank you very much, and we hope these questions have been useful!
Copyright FunTrivia.com. All Rights Reserved.


By accessing this site, you agree to our Conditions of Use / Privacy / Legal Policies
All content on this site is protected by international law.