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Famous American Firsts Trivia Quiz

Some people are the first to do something by happenstance; others by design and hardwork. Each of these people is notable for having been the first American to do a specific thing; some on accident and some by force of will.

A multiple-choice quiz by justinolson8. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
justinolson8

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
304,998

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1005

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This Scottish-born lawyer was the first justice of the United States Supreme Court to take office after being appointed by President Washington and confirmed by the Senate. Who was it? Hint

James Wilson

Bushrod Washington

John Jay

William Cushing

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Question 2 of 10

2. In 1800, he became the first president to lose a reelection bid. Which of these became the "First Loser?" Hint

James Madison

George Washington

John Adams

Thomas Jefferson

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Question 3 of 10

3. While overshadowed by the first Republican President, this man is credited as being the first presidential candidate from the Republican Party. Who was this precursor to Lincoln? Hint

James K. Polk

William L. Dayton

Millard Fillmore

John C. Fremont

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Question 4 of 10

4. Grandchild of John White, this person was the first English born child in the New World. Name this interesting first. Hint

John Smith

Molly Pitcher

Virginia Dare

Walter Raleigh

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Question 5 of 10

5. Not only was he the 25h Governor of Louisiana, he was also the first African-American governor of any US state. Who was this notable first? Hint

Douglas Wilder

Bobby Jindal

Deval Patrick

P. B. S. Pinchback

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Question 6 of 10

6. The US issued this potash maker the first ever US Patent (Patent X000001) on July 31, 1790. Name this innovative first. Hint

Edmund Randolph

Oliver Evans

John Ruggles

Samuel Hopkins

7. While in April of 1961, Soviet Yuri Gagarin was the first person to travel into space, this adventuresome American tackled this feat just one month later. Name this American pioneer of the final frontier. Hint

Neil Armstrong

Alan Shepard, Jr.

Sally Ride

Thurgood Marshall

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Question 8 of 10

8. This President was both the first to die while in office and at 32 days, the shortest-serving American President. Who was this notable first? Hint

James Buchanan

Grover Cleveland

Calvin Coolidge

William Henry Harrison

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Question 9 of 10

9. This oft-forgotten President was the first President who was neither a lawyer nor a general. Who was this noteworthy outsider? Hint

John Tyler

Zachary Taylor

James Monroe

Andrew Johnson

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Question 10 of 10

10. Hillary Clinton launched a vigorous attempt to become the first female president of the US. However it has been done several times before. Who attempted to break the presidential glass ceiling first? Hint

Tennessee Celeste Claflin

Elizabeth Dole

Geraldine Ferraro

Victoria Woodhull

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This Scottish-born lawyer was the first justice of the United States Supreme Court to take office after being appointed by President Washington and confirmed by the Senate. Who was it?

Answer: James Wilson

Wilson took office on October 5, 1779, 14 days before John Jay. He was also the first justice to die while in office. John Jay was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Bushrod Washington succeeded James Wilson after Wilson's death. William Cushing was but one of the original six justices of the Supreme Court.

2. In 1800, he became the first president to lose a reelection bid. Which of these became the "First Loser?"

Answer: John Adams

Adams served two terms as VP under Washington, but only one term as president. Interestingly, his son, John Q. Adams was the second president to lose a reelection bid. Each of the others ran for president twice and was elected twice.

3. While overshadowed by the first Republican President, this man is credited as being the first presidential candidate from the Republican Party. Who was this precursor to Lincoln?

Answer: John C. Fremont

Fremont was the first candidate from a major political party to be vehemently outspoken with regard to his anti-slavery position. James K. Polk and Millard Fillmore were Democratic Presidents. William L. Dayton was Fremont's running mate, so he was the first Republican Vice Presidential candidate.

4. Grandchild of John White, this person was the first English born child in the New World. Name this interesting first.

Answer: Virginia Dare

Virginia Dare disappeared along with the rest of the colonists in Roanoke sometime before August 1590. She has been immortalized in several writings and television productions.

5. Not only was he the 25h Governor of Louisiana, he was also the first African-American governor of any US state. Who was this notable first?

Answer: P. B. S. Pinchback

Pinchback was Governor of Louisiana for 35 days in the 1870s. He succeeded to office after the impeachment of his predecessor. Nearly 120 years later, in 1990, Douglas Wilder became the first African-American elected to any US Governorship and the second black governor in US history. Deval Patrick was the third in 2007 and David Patterson was the fourth in 2008. Bobby Jindal is currently Governor of Louisiana and is the second non-white governor of the state.

6. The US issued this potash maker the first ever US Patent (Patent X000001) on July 31, 1790. Name this innovative first.

Answer: Samuel Hopkins

Hopkins was granted a patent for a new process to make potash and pearlash. Edmund Randolph, the first US Attorney General, who signed the patent. Oliver Evans received the last patent issued in 1790. John Ruggles, former US Senator from Maine, is the holder of Patent #1 issued in 1836 after a new numbering system was developed.

Answer: Alan Shepard, Jr.

Shepard returned to space in 1971 to pilot Apollo 14 and touchdown on the Moon. Shepard also became the first person to hit a golf ball on the moon. Neil Armstrong was the first person to step foot on the Moon and the Commander of the famed Apollo 11. Sally Ride was the first American woman to travel into space. Thurgood Marshall didn't have anything to do with space, but was the first African-American to serve as Justice of the Supreme Court.

8. This President was both the first to die while in office and at 32 days, the shortest-serving American President. Who was this notable first?

Answer: William Henry Harrison

Harrison, the grandfather of later President Benjamin Harrison, also has the distinction of giving the longest presidential inaugural address in history. James Buchanan, Calvin Coolidge, and Grover Cleveland were all Presidents who served after William Henry Harrison.

9. This oft-forgotten President was the first President who was neither a lawyer nor a general. Who was this noteworthy outsider?

Answer: Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson was the first and only tailor to become an American President. He was also the first President to be impeached. Tyler (lawyer), Monroe (lawyer), and Taylor (general) were other Presidents all serving before Johnson.

Answer: Victoria Woodhull

With her profound dislike of eugenics, Woodhull opposed abortion. Claflin was Woodhull's sister. Geraldine Ferraro was the first female to be nominated for Vice President of a major American political party (Democratic Party). Elizabeth Dole has gained some support for a presidential run, but has never declared an intention to do so.

Source: Author justinolson8

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