South Carolina History Trivia Quiz

Answer: Columbia

Columbia had been chosen by vote as the new state capital in 1786, due to its central location. In 1865, Sherman marched through the Carolinas, burning Columbia and numerous other towns.

Answer: Fort Sumter

On April 12, 1861, the firing began just outside the harbor. President Jefferson Davis made the decision to start the war. Edmund Ruffin was given the honor firing the first shot. After a 34 hour battle, Anderson's men raised the white flag in defeat and were allowed to leave the fort.

The only casualty during the battle was when a gun exploded during the victory celebration killing a young solider.

Answer: Province of Carolana

King Charles I first named the colony 'Province of Carolana', which he changed to Carolina later, in order to name it after himself. In 1663, King Charles II gave the land to nobles and they split the land into two parts in 1719. The split formed the basis of today's North Carolina and South Carolina.

Answer: Great Britain

South Carolina declared independence from Great Britain on March 15, 1776. South Carolina joined the US by signing the Declaration of Independence. South Carolina became the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation on February 5, 1778. Later after the presidential elections in 1860, South Carolina seceded from the Union.

Answer: 8th

Ratification of the Constitution by the State of South Carolina, was on May 23, 1788. South Carolina was the eighth state to do so. Ratification by South Carolina destroyed Virginian hopes for a separate southern states confederacy.

Answer: After the forts built at the Battle of Sullivan's Island

In the battle at Sullivan's Island the South Carolinians built a fort out of palmetto wood which helped to defeat the British. When the British fired cannonballs at the fort, the soft palmetto wood just absorbed the cannonballs instead of knocking the fort down.

Answer: Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson was the 7th President of the United States. He was born on March 15, 1767 in Lancaster County in South Carolina. Jackson was the first president to invite the public to the White House to attend the ball honoring his inauguration. Andrew Jackson is also the face of the United States twenty dollar bill.

Answer: James Brown, Vanna White, Joe Frazier, Chubby Checker, Jesse Jackson, and Dizzy Gillespie

James Brown often called "The Godfather of Soul" was born in Barnwell, SC in 1933. Vanna White from television's "Wheel of Fortune" was born in North Myrtle Beach, SC in 1957. Joe Frazier heavyweight boxer was born in Beaufort, SC in 1944. Singer Chubby Checker was born in Spring Gulley, SC in 1941 and is known for the hit song "The Twist". Civil right leader Jesse Jackson was born on 1941 in Greenville, SC. Trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie was born in Cheraw, SC on 1914.

Answer: The Friendship Nine

The incident took place at McCrory's Five & Dime in Rock Hill. The Friendship Nine were given the option of paying a fine or serving 30 days in jail, they chose to serve the time on a chain gang. The city of Rock Hill paid tribute to these brave men in 2007 with a historical marker. These are the nine men: W.Thomas Massey, Willie Edward McCleod, James Frank Wells, Clarence Henner Graham, David Williamson, Robert Lewis McCullough, Mack Cartier Workman, John Alexander Gaines, and Thomas Gaither.

Answer: Darlington

In 1949, Harold Brasington planned to build Nascar's first super speedway in Darlington, SC. The racetrack had to be built in a egg shape due to a minnow pond owned by Sherman Ramsey. The first race was scheduled for Labor Day 1950 and driver Johnny Mantz won.