Can You Identify These Amazing Moments in History?

Last updated · 10 min play time

This quiz was expert reviewed by Colleen Curran. Colleen earned an MA in History at Boston College in 2016. She specialized in nineteenth and twentieth-century American race and labor history. She currently works as an Editor for the Massachusetts Historical Commission and continues her education in the Sustainable Development program at the Harvard Extension School.

The subject of history is unfairly rolled into bed with terms like 'boring' and 'dull'. However, the truth is that the subject of history can be absolutely thrilling if you really dig into it. From empires rising and falling to individuals single-handedly changing the course of the world, history is what we are made out of. Today we are going to travel through time in order to take a look at, and quiz you on, some of the most incredible historic moments of our world. Are you ready for the test?

 


Colleen earned an MA in History at Boston College. She currently works as an Editor for the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and continues her education in the Sustainable Development program at the Harvard Extension School.

She specialized in nineteenth and twentieth-century American race and labor history.

Moments in History Quiz Questions

28 Questions · 223.9K Plays · 4 Comments

Question 1

In 1896 ______ revived the Olympic Games.

  • A
    Greece
  • B
    Italy
  • C
    United States
  • D
    Canada

Question 2

We’re going to start by traveling backward in time to the age of empires. What empire had control of the most land area during their peak reign?

  • A
    Qing Dynasty
  • B
    Mongol Empire
  • C
    British Empire
  • D
    Russian Empire

Question 3

This person was known as one of the most famous ‘conductors’ on the ‘Underground Railroad’. What was this person’s name?

  • A
    Harriet Tubman
  • B
    Margaret Garner
  • C
    Nat Turner
  • D
    Anna J. Cooper

Question 4

Our last Presidential question, for now, we promise. What American President served two separate and distinct terms?

  • A
    Ronald Reagan
  • B
    George Bush
  • C
    Grover Cleveland
  • D
    George Washington

Question 5

During the 19th century one of history’s most famous soldiers, Napoleon Bonaparte, would be born. Where was he born?

  • A
    South America
  • B
    Corsica
  • C
    Italy
  • D
    Spain

Question 6

Put on your sunglasses, we’re heading to the Middle East. In 762 the Islamic Caliphate moved their capital from Damascus to _________.

  • A
    Baghdad
  • B
    Medina
  • C
    Agrabah
  • D
    Al-Fustat

Question 7

What do scholars ascribe as the Maya’s most impressive development?

  • A
    Development of math and astronomy.
  • B
    Advanced stone working.
  • C
    Their practice of healing.
  • D
    Advanced societal hierarchy.

Question 8

Known as ‘The Universal Ruler’, this great warrior led his people into becoming one of the greatest dynasties of all time.

  • A
    Alexander the Great
  • B
    Genghis Khan
  • C
    Vladimir Lenin
  • D
    King Xerxes

Question 9

Speaking of famous American faces. Which U.S. President was the first ever to appear on TV?

  • A
    Ronald Reagan
  • B
    Richard Nixon
  • C
    John F. Kennedy
  • D
    Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Question 10

Islam is the most prevalent religion in the Middle East. What country houses the ancient and sacred city of Mecca?

  • A
    Syria
  • B
    Iraq
  • C
    Saudi Arabia
  • D
    Iran

Question 11

Continuing on with Karl Marx, what famous manifesto did he co-write?

  • A
    The Communist Manifesto
  • B
    The Marxist Manifesto
  • C
    The Socialist’s Manifesto
  • D
    The Working Class Manifesto

Question 12

Let’s take a break from all of this bloodshed. Which famous canal was opened up in 1869?

  • A
    Panama Canal
  • B
    Suez Canal
  • C
    Canals of Bruges
  • D
    Suzhou Canals

Question 13

Let’s shift focus over to the United States. When the Declaration of Independence was signed, which famous face was not in attendance?

  • A
    John Adams
  • B
    Thomas Jefferson
  • C
    George Washington
  • D
    Benjamin Franklin

Question 14

Let’s shift gears again. The 19th Century was a time of amazing progress. Which of these feats was accomplished first.

  • A
    Abraham Lincoln pens the Gettysburg Address.
  • B
    Darwin writes ‘On the Origin of Species’.
  • C
    Women in New Zealand win the right to vote.
  • D
    The Kingdom of Italy is established.

Question 15

Frederick Douglass escaped the shackles of slavery and founded his own abolition newspaper. What was it called?

  • A
    The Southern Star
  • B
    The Union Today
  • C
    The North Star
  • D
    The Northern Commander

Question 16

While we are on the subject of great rulers, what was Hammurabi, King of Ancient Mesopotamia, known for?

  • A
    Code of Law
  • B
    Vitality in battle
  • C
    Multiple wives
  • D
    His beard

Question 17

Alfred the Great is considered one of the greatest rulers of all time. What land did he rule over?

  • A
    East Anglia
  • B
    Mercia
  • C
    Wessex
  • D
    Northumbria

Question 18

Where was Julius Caesar assassinated?

  • A
    Theater of Pompey
  • B
    Campus Martius
  • C
    Roman bath
  • D
    In his bed

Question 19

Let’s turn things around and avoid war for a moment. Karl Marx was a German philosopher and revolutionary. Along with _____, he helped to found the concept of Marxism.

  • A
    Friedrich Reich
  • B
    Friedrich II
  • C
    Friedrich Engels
  • D
    Friedrich Nietzsche

Question 20

World War I is often pushed under the rug by discussion over World War II. However, it was certainly still violent! What was the most deadly excursion during World War I?

  • A
    The Spring Offensive
  • B
    Hundred Days Offensive
  • C
    Battle of Verdun
  • D
    Battle of the Somme

Question 21

What phrase was uttered regarding the assassination of Julius Caesar?

  • A
    “Death to the brute.”
  • B
    “As others fall, so does he.”
  • C
    “So ends his tyranny.”
  • D
    “Thus perish all tyrants.”

Question 22

The Middle East has another popular nickname; can you guess what it is?

  • A
    The Crossroads of the World
  • B
    The Cradle of Civilization
  • C
    Land of the Upright Men
  • D
    Lungs of the World

Question 23

Fast forwarding a couple hundred years we find ourselves at the New York Stock Exchange in 1929. What stocks were sold at a loss to precipitate the Great Depression?

  • A
    Shell Oil
  • B
    Coca-Cola
  • C
    General Motors
  • D
    General Electric

Question 24

Let’s dive back in time, way before World War I. When the Maya ruled Mesoamerica, what did they use as currency?

  • A
    Corn
  • B
    Gold
  • C
    Glass
  • D
    Cacao

Question 25

Despite his prowess as a military leader, Napoleon would end up dying in exile. How did he end up passing away?

  • A
    Stomach Ulcer
  • B
    Assassination
  • C
    Old Age
  • D
    Tuberculosis

Question 26

While we are still rolling around in the ancient past, let’s talk sieges. Which legendary, and deadly, siege had the most casualties?

  • A
    Siege of Baghdad in 1258
  • B
    Siege of Jerusalem in 1099
  • C
    Siege of Sidon in 343 BC
  • D
    Siege of Vicksburg in 1863

Question 27

1933 was the high mark for unemployment in America during the Great Depression. What percentage of America was unemployed at this time?

  • A
    15.9%
  • B
    35.9%
  • C
    24.9%
  • D
    33.9%

Question 28

While the United States fought in the Civil War, China was also engulfed in bloodshed – the Taiping Rebellion. How many people died during the Taiping Rebellion?

  • A
    5 million
  • B
    10 million
  • C
    500,000
  • D
    20 million

Comments (4)

We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.

It was a little difficult.

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très bien et un ramonage de nos méninges ! hahah

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I wasn't even born on any of the questions LOL~

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Good difficult questions in this quiz.

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