Show Us What You Know About America With This USA History Quiz!
Written by Daniel Rackley
Last updated · 17 min play time
Since the nation's founding in 1776, the United States has had an amazing amount of historical moments. From laws getting passed to famous battles and some of our most important politicians, let's see how you stack up on your American history knowledge!
Quiz written by
Daniel RackleyAmerican History Quiz Questions
61 Questions · 827.7K Plays · 711 Comments
Question 1
What is the capital of the United States?
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AWashington, D.C.
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BRichmond, Virginia
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CPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
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DAlbany, New York
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States of America. Virginia and Maryland each donated land from their state to create the district, which was named in honor of the first president of the United States, George Washington.
Question 2
What is the name of the famous statue in New York Harbor that has greeted many immigrants to the United States?
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AThe Statue of Liberty
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BThe Statue of Integrity
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CThe Statue of Justice
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DThe Statue of Freedom
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty stands proud on Liberty Island in New York Harbor and was first dedicated on October 28, 1886. The national symbol has received over 3 million visitors and has remained a popular icon of American freedom to this day.
Question 3
What federal holiday in July celebrates the founding of the United States?
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AAmerica Day
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BLiberation Day
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CIndependence Day
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DFounding Father’s Day
Independence Day
Independence Day celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which formally declared the American colonies free from British rule. This celebratory holiday often features fireworks, barbecues, parades, and family reunions.
Question 4
What somewhat controversial national holiday celebrates the arrival of a famous explorer to the Americas?
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AColumbus Day
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BViking Day
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CLewis & Clark Day
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DMagellan Day
Columbus Day
Columbus Day celebrates the day Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas on October 12, 1492. The holiday often comes under fire because of the conflict between European settlers and the Indigenous Peoples who widely suffered in the Americas during colonization efforts.
Question 5
Who gave the famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the Civil Rights movement?
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AW. E. B. DuBois
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BMartin Luther King, Jr.
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CMalcolm X
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DRosa Parks
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most influential figures in American history. He is widely remembered for his passionate “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered during the 1963 March on Washington.
Question 6
What is the name of the highest court in the United States?
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AThe Supreme Court
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BJustice of the Peace Court
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CThe Court of Appeals
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DThere is no such thing as a “highest” court in the U.S.
The Supreme Court
As the final arbiter of the law, the Court is charged with ensuring the American people the promise of equal justice under law and, thereby, also functions as guardian and interpreter of the Constitution.
Question 7
What are the two main political parties in the United States?
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ADemocrats and Libertarians
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BObjectivists and Republicans
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CGreen Party and Whigs
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DDemocrats and Republicans
Democrats and Republicans
Democrats and Republicans have been battling each other since before the Civil War, and there hasn't been a president of another political party since 1853.
Question 8
What are the first three words of the U.S. Constitution?
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A“We the people…”
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B“We the rulers…”
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C“We the government…”
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D“We the majority…”
“We the people…”
The U.S. Constitution begins with three simple words, “We the people.” These three powerful words summarize the great American experiment and idea of self-government.
Question 9
What winter holiday is marked by making resolutions for the upcoming year?
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AResolution Day
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BNew Year’s Day
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CChristmas
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DValentine’s Day
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is observed annually in the United States and many other countries around the world. It always occurs on January 1 and signifies moving into the next year in the modern Gregorian calendar.
Question 10
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
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ABecause there were 13 original colonies
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BTo commemorate the Native Americans who helped the settlers before being relocated
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CTo defy the legend that 13 is an unlucky number
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DThat was how many fit in the allotted design space
Because there were 13 original colonies
Thirteen stripes on the American flag represent the 13 original colonies.
Question 11
On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence stated the American colonies' independence from what country?
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AGreat Britain
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BCanada
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CRussia
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DIreland
Great Britain
On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, telling King George III of Great Britain that the colonies would determine their own government.
Question 12
Which United States government agency is responsible for space exploration?
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ADASA
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BThe Space Program
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CThe Department of Space
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DNASA
NASA
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is the government entity dedicated to the space program, including aerospace and aeronautics research. It was created specifically to have a civilian orientation to encourage peaceful science in space.
Question 13
Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
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AMississippi River
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BNile River
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CThames
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DShenandoah River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River, is one of the two largest rivers in America, the other being the Missouri River.
Question 14
Which country borders the United States to the north?
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AMexico
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BBritish Columbia
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CCanada
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DGreenland
Canada
The United States shares its northern border with Canada. Relations between the U.S. and Canada have historically been very strong and stable.
Question 15
If the President of the United States is unable to serve, who becomes the President?
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AThe First Lady
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BThe Speaker of the House
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CThe Vice President
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DThe Prime Minister of Canada
The Vice President
The presidential line of succession goes: Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, and many more, but hopefully we never get that deep.
Question 16
An astronaut walked on this celestial body for the first time in 1969.
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AMars
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BVenus
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CThe Moon
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DSaturn
The Moon
In 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first two people to land and walk on the moon during spaceflight Apollo 11. This historic event ended the Space Race and remains one of the most important scientific achievements by mankind to date.
Question 17
This event prompted rapid expansion on the United States West Coast.
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AThe Mine Crawl
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BThe Gold Rush
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CThe Dust Bowl
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DThe Bronze Search
The Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush caused an influx of roughly 300,000 people to the quiet territory. The population increase peaked in 1849, resulting in the lasting nickname “forty-niners.” While it drastically helped the American economy, the Gold Rush also decimated indigenous societies and caused significant environmental damage.
Question 18
New York City's Wall Street is most famously the home of what?
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AThe Grand Canyon
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BAmerica's Financial Center
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CWalt Disney World
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DThe Capitol Building
America's Financial Center
Wall Street is a street in New York City's Financial District, but has become a metonym for American financial markets.
Question 19
Which federal holiday honors the contributions of workers in America?
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AUnion Day
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BWorkers Day
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CFactory Day
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DLabor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day in the United States originated during the late 19th century as labor movements started to gain traction. The day is meant to acknowledge the vast workforce that contributes to the prosperity of the United States.
Question 20
Which war was fought between the U.S. North and South?
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AMexican-American War
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BThe Civil War
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CWar of 1812
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DSpanish-American War
The Civil War
Some of the bloodiest battles in American history were fought during the Civil War between 1861 and 1865. Slavery and states’ rights were the primary causes of this war, which threatened to fracture the United States into two nations.
Question 21
What is the name of the movement that occurred in the 1950s and 60s to fight racial discrimination?
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AThe Civil Rights Movement
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BManifest Destiny
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CThe Great Movement
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DThe Right Fighters
The Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement occurred in the 1950s and 60s in the United States. Major figures included Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, James Baldwin, and Josephine Baker.
Question 22
Which of these is NOT one of the three branches of the federal government of the United States?
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AExecutive
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BLegislative
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CCapitalist
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DJudicial
Capitalist
The US government consists of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, each of which has checks and balances to ensure none gets too powerful.
Question 23
Which United States president was responsible for the Emancipation Proclamation?
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AMillard Fillmore
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BJohn Adams
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CAbraham Lincoln
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DGeorge Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. This pivotal moment in American history changed the legal status of more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans from slaves to free people.
Question 24
Who was the first president of the United States?
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AThomas Jefferson
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BJames Madison
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CGeorge Washington
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DAlexander Hamilton
George Washington
George Washington was the first president of the United States and is also known as the “Father of Our Country.” He served from 1789 to 1797 and was followed by John Adams and then Thomas Jefferson.
Question 25
Which of the following mountain ranges is NOT found in the United States?
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AThe Appalachian Mountains
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BThe Himalayan Mountains
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CThe Rocky Mountains
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DThe Sierra Nevada Mountains
The Himalayan Mountains
The Appalachians are in the eastern US, and the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevadas are in the west.
Question 26
What incident led to United States involvement in World War II?
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AOperation Barbarossa
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BAttack on Pearl Harbor
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CHitler invading Poland
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DAttack on New York Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This event propelled the United States into World War II.
Question 27
What federal holiday celebrates George Washington’s birthday?
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APresidents' Day
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BMemorial Day
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CLabor Day
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DIndependence Day
Presidents' Day
Presidents' Day occurs every year on the third Monday in February. Officially, the holiday is just called "Washington's Birthday", but most Americans know it as Presidents' Day. The date is based on George Washington’s birthday, February 22, and is typically a day to celebrate all US presidents, not just Washington.
Question 28
How long is one presidential term?
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A6 years
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B4 years
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C2 years
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D8 years
4 years
The president of the United States is elected to serve a four-year term. Unlike senators or representatives, the president can only serve two terms. While this started as an informal precedent, the 22nd Amendment adopted in 1951 made the term limit an official part of the U.S. Constitution.
Question 29
Which of the following is NOT a war in which the United States was directly involved?
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AThe American Civil War
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BWorld War II
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CThe Vietnam War
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DThe Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War
The United States was involved in Civil War, World War II, the Vietnam War, and many more, but the Spanish Civil War occurred between Spanish republicans and nationalists.
Question 30
What is the national anthem of the United States?
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AThe Star-Spangled Banner
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BMy Country, ‘Tis of Thee
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CAmerica the Beautiful
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DThis Land Is Your Land
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" was written in 1814 and became the official anthem of the United States in 1931. Prior to that congressional resolution, other official US hymns included "America the Beautiful" and "My Country, ‘Tis of Thee".
Question 31
What day is usually Tax Day in the United States?
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AApril 15
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BJanuary 15
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CSeptember 15
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DJune 15
April 15
Most years, Tax Day in the United States falls on April 15. This is the day when individual tax returns are due to the federal government.
Question 32
What large body of water borders the United States on the east coast?
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AAtlantic Ocean
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BEast Ocean
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CArctic Ocean
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DPacific Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean borders the east coast of the United States. Over the centuries, many explorers, settlers, and immigrants crossed the Atlantic by boat to seek freedom and prosperity in America.
Question 33
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
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ASet up Harvard University as independent from the U.S. government
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BDefined the principles of independence for every country on the planet
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CAnnounced the independence of America's Thirteen Colonies from the Kingdom of Great Britain
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DDeclared that women have the right to vote
Announced the independence of America's Thirteen Colonies from the Kingdom of Great Britain
The Second Continental Congress adopted the U.S. Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 to announce the sovereignty from Great Britain.
Question 34
What is the name of the body of water that borders the US west coast?
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AWest Ocean
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BAtlantic Ocean
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CPacific Ocean
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DIndian Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean borders the United States’ west coast. The coastline stretches north to Alaska and south to California.
Question 35
What are the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution called?
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AThe Bill of Wrongs
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BThe Amendments
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CThe Bill of Rights
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DThe Original Ten
The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments added to the U.S. Constitution to guarantee specific rights and freedoms as well as limit the government’s power. The First Amendment grants citizens freedom of speech, press, peaceful assembly, and government petition, which continues to be a cornerstone of American democracy.
Question 36
Which of the following is NOT a cabinet position?
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ASecretary of Education
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BSecretary of Agriculture
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CGovernor of Law
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DSecretary of State
Governor of Law
The Cabinet of the United States is an array of about 15 top advisors to the president. While the positions are nominated by the president, the Senate holds a confirmation hearing to appoint the individuals to their positions officially.
Question 37
Which United States president famously said, “Mr. Gorbachev - tear down this wall!”?
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ABill Clinton
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BRonald Reagan
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CBarack Obama
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DGeorge H.W. Bush
Ronald Reagan
The Berlin Wall was the infamous barrier between East and West Berlin erected in 1961. Even though Ronald Reagan said the famous line “tear down this wall!” in June 1987, the speech did not really become popular until the wall actually fell in 1989.
Question 38
Who was the 44th president of the United States?
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ABarack Obama
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BGeorge W. Bush
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CAl Gore
-
DBill Clinton
Barack Obama
Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States and the first African-American individual to hold the office. He served the American people from 2009 to 2017.
Question 39
Who was President during World War I?
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AGerald Ford
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BAbraham Lincoln
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CJohn F. Kennedy
-
DWoodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson served as American President from 1913 to 1921. He helped lead the Allies to victory with his leadership of the U.S. at home.
Question 40
What US government agency, established by President Woodrow Wilson, is responsible for promoting and regulating national parks, monuments, and reservations?
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ANational Park Service
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BNational Travel Service
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CNational Wildlife Service
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DNational Outdoor Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is an important government agency established to protect the incredible geography of the United States. Now, the United States has more than 60 national parks dedicated to preserving local history and creating nature-centered recreational opportunities.
Question 41
What are the three branches of the United States federal government?
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ALegislative, State, Judicial
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BExecutive, Judicial, Press
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CJudicial, State, Press
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DExecutive, Legislative, Judicial
Executive, Legislative, Judicial
The United States government is made up of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. There are checks and balances in place to keep one branch of government from monopolizing power.
Question 42
Which two states are not located in the contiguous United States?
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AAlaska, Guam
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BAlaska, Hawaii
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CGuam, Puerto Rico
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DHawaii, Puerto Rico
Alaska, Hawaii
Alaska and Hawaii are the only two of the 50 United States that do not share a border with any of the lower 48 states. Guam and Puerto Rico are US territories and do not have official statehood status.
Question 43
Which countries did the United States fight in World War II?
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AItaly, China, Japan
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BEngland, Japan, China
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CGermany, Italy, Japan
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DGermany, England, Italy
Germany, Italy, Japan
During World War II, Germany, Italy, and Japan comprised the Axis powers that fought against the Allies. While they agreed on their opposition, the Axis powers did not fully coordinate their activities.
Question 44
What 2,320-mile-long river starts in Lake Itasca in Minnesota and ends in the Gulf of Mexico on the coast of Louisiana?
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AColumbia River
-
BMissouri River
-
CRock River
-
DMississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in the United States and is an important geographical landmark. It passes through or along 10 states and was a vital trade and transportation route throughout US history.
Question 45
What date did terrorists attack the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in the United States?
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AOctober 11, 2011
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BNovember 11, 2001
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CSeptember 1, 2000
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DSeptember 11, 2001
September 11, 2001
On September 11, 2001, four commercial aircrafts were hijacked by the terrorist group Al-Qaeda. The terrorist attack is a national tragedy that continues to shape and influence U.S. domestic and foreign policy.
Question 46
Which one of these is a U.S. territory?
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ACuba
-
BPuerto Rico
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CPrince Edward Island
-
DHaiti
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory. So are Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa!
Question 47
Which U.S. President was a five-star general during World War II?
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AFranklin D. Roosevelt
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BJohn F. Kennedy
-
CHarry Truman
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DDwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States as well as a successful commander and five-star general in the United States Army. He is well-known for his successful operations including Operation Torch and the invasion of France and Germany in 1944-45.
Question 48
What document is the supreme law of the land in the United States?
-
AThe Federalist Papers
-
BU.S. Constitution
-
CBill of Rights
-
DDeclaration of Independence
U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution was signed by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. Currently, the U.S. Constitution is the oldest active federal constitution.
Question 49
Which of these is the name of a mountain range in the eastern United States?
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ACascade Mountains
-
BAppalachian Mountains
-
CSierra Nevada Mountains
-
DRocky Mountains
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains are an important geological feature in the eastern United States. Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in this range with an elevation of 6,684 feet.
Question 50
What was the Underground Railroad?
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AA freedom route North for Southern slaves
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BA way to transport slaves from the North to the South
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CThe first railroad built in the United States
-
DA railroad built underground
A freedom route North for Southern slaves
The Underground Railroad was a series of safe houses along secret routes that slaves used to escape to free states in the North or Canada. During the network’s 20-year peak period, more than 30,000 people used it to find freedom.
Question 51
Which former U.S. President was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
-
AAaron Burr
-
BGeorge Washington
-
CAlexander Hamilton
-
DThomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson began drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1775, shortly after the American Revolution began. After multiple revisions, the final declaration was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
Question 52
Which state was the 50th and most recent to have joined the United States?
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AAlaska
-
BOregon
-
CHawaii
-
DNevada
Hawaii
Hawaii received its official statehood on August 21, 1959, and is the only US state made of all islands. Since it is located on Oceania, it is also the only state not in North America.
Question 53
This Massachusetts senator narrowly defeated Richard Nixon to become the 35th president of the United States.
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ABill Clinton
-
BDwight D. Eisenhower
-
CJohn F. Kennedy
-
DJimmy Carter
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon were a part of the very first televised presidential debates. Following this election, the use of television began to play a dynamic role in politics.
Question 54
What is the longest mountain range in the western United States?
-
ACascade Mountains
-
BRocky Mountains
-
CSierra Nevada Mountains
-
DAppalachian Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a 3,000-mile-long mountain range that extend through the western United States and into Canada. The Cascade and Sierra Nevada Mountains all lie further west and are considerably shorter in length.
Question 55
The Grand Canyon is located in which state?
-
AArizona
-
BNevada
-
CWyoming
-
DColorado
Arizona
The Grand Canyon is a famous natural geographic feature in the United States located in Arizona, and it attracts about 5 million visitors per year. The 277-mile-long canyon was carved by the Colorado River over millions of years.
Question 56
What is the oldest commissioned vessel in the United States Navy still afloat?
-
AUSS Constitution
-
BUSS Washington
-
CUSS Lincoln
-
DUSS Independence
USS Constitution
The USS Constitution sailed its maiden voyage on July 22, 1798, and is one of the six original frigates built for the U.S. Navy. Long since retired from official battle duty, the USS Constitution now serves to educate citizens on the role of the Navy in the military. Visitors can see the vessel at the Charleston Navy Yard.
Question 57
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
-
AVietnam War
-
BFrench and Indian War
-
CSpanish-American War
-
DThe War of 1812
Vietnam War
America was involved in conflicts in Vietnam beginning in 1950 and ending in 1973, when American troops stopped actively fighting the Vietnam War.
Question 58
This United States president enacted The New Deal during The Great Depression.
-
ATheodore Roosevelt
-
BFranklin Roosevelt
-
CCalvin Coolidge
-
DHerbert Hoover
Franklin Roosevelt
President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted unprecedented legislation designed to create a variety of relief, reform, and recovery programs to help pull the United States out of The Great Depression. He served as the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 to 1945.
Question 59
Where is the United States Military Academy located?
-
AAnnapolis, Maryland
-
BNew London, Connecticut
-
CWest Point, New York
-
DKings Point, New York
West Point, New York
The United States Military Academy is located in West Point, New York and was established in 1802. The beautiful historic campus also features the oldest museum in the United States Army.
Question 60
What is the most distinguished medal an Army soldier can earn?
-
ADistinguished Service Medal
-
BPurple Heart
-
CMedal of Honor
-
DSoldier’s Medal
Medal of Honor
A Medal of Honor is the most prestigious medal awarded in the United States armed forces and recognizes acts of valor. The first Medals of Honor were awarded on March 25, 1863, to six Union Army volunteers in the Civil War.
Question 61
Which military branch originated in the U.S. Army?
-
AUnited States Marines
-
BUnited States Coast Guard
-
CUnited States Air Force
-
DUnited States Navy
United States Air Force
The Army Air Forces were a part of the U.S. Army until two years after World War II ended. Then, the National Security Act of 1947 officially made the United States Air Force a separate branch on September 18, 1947.
Comments (711)
We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.
I fancied it.
That was really fun but I am a little older and was a little nervous about remembering some of the history but I did pretty darn good
Like it ! Great !!!
Great!!!
Great quiz!! Should make it tougher by having 5 choices or, no multiple choice at all.
Like it. Got 100%
Loved it even learned a bit
Did accidentally hit wrong button because it move to advertised. Still can handle it an A Thank you
I enjoyed it. It really woke up my brain and passed with an A - 98% but only because I pressed the wrong answer by accident.
It should mandatory for every adult American citizen. Young folks know absolutely nothing about their history even Government officials don’t know much. It is shameful. I loved the quiz.
Like taking this one hot am A
I really enjoyed it. I passed with an A. I got 6 incorrect when I should have gotten all of them correct.
I enjoyed this quiz very much even though I made three stupid mistakes
It was fun and learned from my mistakes, so a learning experience
I really like it because it makes me think
Easy quiz but my screen jumps and I clicked on the wrong answer. Oh well I am not in school ......
@user2790814Mine did also
Great fun.
It was challenging but fun.
It was fun. Learn something. See how much I know about the USA history