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Odd U.S. Senate Trivia Quiz

Odd facts about the United States Senate and events surrounding it during its history.

A multiple-choice quiz by Blakey. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
Blakey

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
190,572

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
757

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. James Shield, from Maine, holds a senatorial record that might never be broken, what is it? Hint

Longest filibuster

He represented three states

Longest serving senator

Writing the longest bill

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Question 2 of 10

2. Senator Blanche K. Bruce presided over the senate in 1879 but there was something special about him, what was it? Hint

He was Confederate General

He was a former slave

He was a Union deserter

He was deaf and dumb

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Question 3 of 10

3. In 1881 two senators resigned over President Garfield's appointment of a customs collector; what state were they from? Hint

Illinois

Vermont

New York

Delaware

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Question 4 of 10

4. In 1884 the man considered to be the 'Father of the Senate' died, who was he? Hint

Daniel Webster

Henry B. Anthony

James Blain

Thomas Bainbridge

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 1893 Senator William Ruffin Cox was chosen as secretary of the senate but during the Civil War he did what? Hint

He protested the draft

He evaded the draft

He was a Union General

He was a former Confederate General

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Question 6 of 10

6. What event in 1902 led to the senate adopting new rules on decorum and behavior? Hint

A wild party involving senators

A fistfight

Too many senators indicted for bribery

Improper voting

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Question 7 of 10

7. What amendment gives voters the right to choose their senators? Hint

Twentieth

Eighteenth

Seventeenth

Thirteenth

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Question 8 of 10

8. In 1911 Congressman Victor Berger, of Wisconsin, introduced a resolution that called for what? Hint

Abolishing the senate

Making Joshua Norton I emperor of the United States

Declare all elections as illegal

Making Ice cream the national treat

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Question 9 of 10

9. Erich Muenter is known for doing what to the senate building in 1915? Hint

Painting graffitti on the walls

Being the architect of record during its construction

Creating a gas explosion

Bombing a senate wing

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Question 10 of 10

10. Senator Rebecca Felton of Georgia was the first female senator, being appointed to fill a vacancy in 1922. How old was she when she became a senator? Hint

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. James Shield, from Maine, holds a senatorial record that might never be broken, what is it?

Answer: He represented three states

In 1849 he represented Illinois then moved to Minnesota and represented them in 1858 and later moved to Missouri where he represented them in 1879.

2. Senator Blanche K. Bruce presided over the senate in 1879 but there was something special about him, what was it?

Answer: He was a former slave

He was the second African American to serve in the senate and the first African American to preside over it.

3. In 1881 two senators resigned over President Garfield's appointment of a customs collector; what state were they from?

Answer: New York

Senator Roscoe Conkling was furious over President Garfield's appointment, without being consulted first. He called it a "violation of senatorial courtesy". He was also very much involved with the customshouse in New York and wanted someone else in the position. Senator Thomas Platt joined him. The two hoped for a quick reappointment from the New York Legislature.

4. In 1884 the man considered to be the 'Father of the Senate' died, who was he?

Answer: Henry B. Anthony

He was the longest serving senator at the time of his death giving twenty five years of service. He is also remembered for his Anthony Rule which sped up the process for non-controversial bills.

5. In 1893 Senator William Ruffin Cox was chosen as secretary of the senate but during the Civil War he did what?

Answer: He was a former Confederate General

In 1892 the Democrats took control of the senate and appointed him as secretary. The Republicans were, at first, appalled. The tradition was that when a political change occured in the senate, the executive officers would remain the same. He replaced a former Union general.

6. What event in 1902 led to the senate adopting new rules on decorum and behavior?

Answer: A fistfight

Senator John McLaurin of South Carolina attacked fellow South Carolina Senator Ben Tillman, on the senate floor, accusing him of malicious lies. The senate chambers were in an uproar as senators tried to break the two apart with spectators looking on.

7. What amendment gives voters the right to choose their senators?

Answer: Seventeenth

Prior to the amendment senators were appointed by state legislatures. After a number of scandals involving corruption, Senator William Randolph Hearst had a nine part series run in his publication, 'Cosmopolitan', called "Treason of the Senate" in 1906. The ensuing public opinions over the articles led to the adoption of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913.

8. In 1911 Congressman Victor Berger, of Wisconsin, introduced a resolution that called for what?

Answer: Abolishing the senate

Berger, a socialist, was frustrated at state legislatures sending too many corrupt officials to Washington. His move fueled the reform movement and eventually helped lead to the Seventeenth Amendment.

9. Erich Muenter is known for doing what to the senate building in 1915?

Answer: Bombing a senate wing

Muenter was a German immigrant and a professor at Harvard who was disgusted at the growing involvement of the United States in World War I. He was trying to shoot J.P. Morgan when he was captured. Morgan's companies were supplying Great Britain with war materials.

10. Senator Rebecca Felton of Georgia was the first female senator, being appointed to fill a vacancy in 1922. How old was she when she became a senator?

Answer: 87

She served in the senate for twenty four hours giving just one speech.
The Governor of Georgia at the time appointed her because he was running for the senate himself. He felt that appointing a women would attract the female vote and with the senate not meeting again until after the election she would have to step aside to let him in. Female suffragettes called President Harding requesting a special session so she could take the oath of office but he refused. The Governor lost the election and the victor stepped aside allowing her to take the oath and serve for just one day. All facts for this quiz are taken from the website:

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/history/one_item_and_teasers/1878.htm

Source: Author Blakey

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