History Trivia Questions

History trivia questions with answers

A sample from the history bank — tap any question to reveal the answer. Good for quiz nights, classrooms, or settling arguments.

1. At what battle of the American Civil War did Generals U.S. Grant, William T. Sherman, George H. Thomas, and Joseph Hooker all fight at once?

   Chattanooga

2. During WWII, besides money, what else did you need in order to buy a scarce product such as gasoline in the US?

   A ration coupon for the product

3. What 1945 conference considered the final plans for the defeat of Germany and postwar Europe?

   Yalta Conference

4. Which of the following city states was not on the territory of present-day Greece?

   Troy

5. Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who in 1961 became the first human to enter outer space, died in 1968. What was the cause of his death?

   He was killed in a plane crash.

6. In 1990, this 5000 year old body was found in the Alps. Scientists discovered some tattoos on his leg which indicated that acupuncture was used as far back as the Copper-stone Age.

   Oetzi

7. During World War II, resistance was formed in every occupied country. What was the name of the resistance movement that the British were preparing, in case the country was occupied?

   Auxiliary Units

8. What famous department chain closed it last stores on July 17, 1997?

   Woolworths

9. This Renaissance typographer established the Aldine Press, famous for the introduction of the Italics?

   Aldus Manutius

10. Adolf Hitlers father, Alois, changed his last name to Hitler. What was his original last name?

    Schicklgruber

11. What term did hippies use to refer to the institutions and structures they rejected?

    The Establishment

12. What does the German word Blitzkrieg mean?

    lightning war

13. Ritter is a title similar to that of a Knight, used in this country.

    Germany

14. In the Battle of Gaugamela, 331 B.C. , Alexander the Great of Macedonia defeated which king?

    Darius III

15. The kamikaze, Japanese suicide planes that crashed into Allied ships, first made a systematic appearance in 1944 during the fighting near this location.

    the Philippines

16. He was responsible for the invention of the caterpillar tractor, which was the basis of the tank.

    James B. Hill

17. These trinkets were often sold in a pack of 10-15. They were made of lightweight metal and came in gold, silver or color hues.

    Bangle bracelets

18. Who was the first official casualty of the American Civil War?

    Pvt. Daniel Hough

19. Charlie Chaplins movie The Gold Rush, which took in more than $4,250,000 at the box office in 1925, was set in his city.

    Klondike

20. The Punic Wars were a series of three wars fought between these two powers.

    Rome and Carthage

21. This really really big variety show host died on October 13th in 1974.

    Ed Sullivan

22. The Byzantine period began in this century which also saw the Valerians massacre of Christians.

    3rd century AD

23. Who was Empress of Russia from 1741 to 1762?

    Elizabeth

24. This ancient Greek wrote The Histories, a document considered the first work of history in Western literature.

    Herodotus

25. When James, brother of king Charles II, married Mary of Modena, who was Catholic, the English Parliament wanted James to do what?

    Abstain from having sex with his wife

26. Which event did not occur in the 1950s?

    Bobby Fisher becomes the World Champion in chess.

27. This engineer, architect and industrialist invented the rotary lathe, used in plywood manufacturing.

    Immanuel Nobel

28. What was the original meaning of the term samurai in Japanese language?

    Those who serve in close attendance to nobility

29. How did General Santa Anna escape during the battle with Sam Houston (only to be caught the next day)?

    He was dressed as a peasant.

30. General Lees three corps commanders at Gettysburg were Longstreet, A.P. Hill and who else?

    Richard Ewell

31. This man became the leader of his country at the age of 20.

    Alexander the Great

32. Stonewall Jackson was wounded by his own men at which battle?

    Chancellorsville

33. The style that became popular after the mid 80s includes ragged T-shirts, acid washed and torn jeans, cheap shirts, rubber bracelets, lots of hairspray and neon earrings.

    Grunge

34. This English Renaissance musician was one of the first composers to write anthems set to English words?

    Thomas Tallis

35. What year did Franklin D. Roosevelt and Adolph Hitler come to power?

    1933

36. In the 4th century, the Mayas were among the first civilizations to use what in their counting system?

    The number zero

37. What U.S. President gave a speech beginning with the phrase Four score and seven years ago?

    Abraham Lincoln

38. Which of these European nations did not come under Soviet domination in the five years following the end of World War Two?

    Yugoslavia

39. In this year sprinter Jesse Owens was born, the Philadelphia Athletics won the World Series, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde came out as a silent film.

    1913

40. On August 12 of this year, the Major League Baseball players went on strike which resulted in the cancellation of the World Series.

    1994