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Indiana Trivia Trivia Quiz

Indiana has an interesting history of people, firsts and nationally-known events. How good is your knowledge of Indiana?

A multiple-choice quiz by slowhand7222. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
slowhand7222

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
367,739

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
387

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which Indiana native was the announcer for Burns and Allen, a comedy duo on stage, movies, and TV from 1927-1958? Hint

Harry Von Zell

Herb Shriner

Red Skelton

John Love

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the oldest institution of higher learning in Indiana? Hint

Purdue University

Vincennes University

DePauw University

Indiana Wesleyan University

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Question 3 of 10

3. What Indiana city was once called the "Circus Capital of the World"? Hint

Evansville

Peru

Fort Wayne

Connersville

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Question 4 of 10

4. In what year was the first running of the Indianapolis 500 race? Hint

1900

1908

1911

1920

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Question 5 of 10

5. What Indiana town was home to Lew Wallace, author of "Ben Hur"? Hint

Connersville

Crawfordsville

Gary

Terre Haute

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Question 6 of 10

6. The Root Glass Company of Terre Haute, Indiana won a competition for what iconic glass container? Hint

Mason jar

Ball canning jar

Coca-Cola bottle

Heinz ketchup bottle

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Question 7 of 10

7. The in-state football rivalry between Indiana University and Purdue University is fought for what prize? Hint

Monon Bell

The Sagamore Paddle

Borg Warner Trophy

Old Oaken Bucket

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Question 8 of 10

8. Author James Whitcomb Riley is honored through a yearly festival in his Indiana hometown; what is it? Hint

Gnaw Bone

Bloomington

Greenfield

Lafayette

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Question 9 of 10

9. Indiana native Steve McQueen starred in what 1958 sci-fi movie? Hint

The Day The Earth Stood Still

Destination Moon

Forbidden Planet

The Blob

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which NBA team had its start in Fort Wayne, Indiana? Hint

Indiana Pacers

Chicago Bulls

Boston Celtics

Detroit Pistons

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which Indiana native was the announcer for Burns and Allen, a comedy duo on stage, movies, and TV from 1927-1958?

Answer: Harry Von Zell

Von Zell (1906-1981) was a radio announcer and actor. He once introduced President Herbert Hoover as "Hoobert Heever", which was a major radio snafu.

2. What is the oldest institution of higher learning in Indiana?

Answer: Vincennes University

Vincennes University was founded in 1801.

3. What Indiana city was once called the "Circus Capital of the World"?

Answer: Peru

Peru, Indiana served as the winter headquarters for Ringling Bros, Hagenbeck and Wallace, Buffalo Bills Wild West Show, and four other circuses. Peru is now home to the International Circus Hall of Fame.

4. In what year was the first running of the Indianapolis 500 race?

Answer: 1911

The Indianapolis 500 is a car race held in Speedway, Indiana. The first use of a rear-view mirror was introduced on a car in this race in 1911. The first race took 6 hours and 42 minutes, at an average speed of 74.6 mph.

5. What Indiana town was home to Lew Wallace, author of "Ben Hur"?

Answer: Crawfordsville

"Ben Hur" has been made into at least five movies, a TV mini-series and a stage play.

Lew Wallace was a Civil War general; following the war, he was Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. He died in 1905 in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

6. The Root Glass Company of Terre Haute, Indiana won a competition for what iconic glass container?

Answer: Coca-Cola bottle

The first Coca-Cola was sold by Mississippi shop owner Joseph A. Biedenharn in 1894. It was sold in just a regular glass bottle, but it wasn't considered distinctive enough to keep from having "copycat" competitors. Earl Dean provided a sketch, in general, for the bottle, and put together a competition for a company to manufacture it.

7. The in-state football rivalry between Indiana University and Purdue University is fought for what prize?

Answer: Old Oaken Bucket

The Borg Warner Trophy was introduced and made the official trophy of the race in 1936. The trophy was designed by Robert J. Hill.

8. Author James Whitcomb Riley is honored through a yearly festival in his Indiana hometown; what is it?

Answer: Greenfield

Riley was known as the Hoosier Poet and the Children's Poet. He wrote the poem "Little Orphant Annie" in 1885. (The spelling was indeed "orphant").

9. Indiana native Steve McQueen starred in what 1958 sci-fi movie?

Answer: The Blob

"The Blob" was McQueen's first leading role. In 1963, he won the Best Actor Award at the Moscow International Film Festival for his role in "The Great Escape".

10. Which NBA team had its start in Fort Wayne, Indiana?

Answer: Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons started as an industrial league basketball team in 1941. The Pistons moved from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Detroit, Michigan in 1957.

Source: Author slowhand7222

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Pagiedamon before going online.
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