U.S History
20th Century
20th Century
Bible
Classic Country
Music Songs
Music Songs
General Knowledge
Geography
100
In what U.S. state was the first atomic bomb detonated?
Hawaii
Texas
Wyoming
New Mexico
Answer: New Mexico
Scientists had been hard at work developing the bomb at nearby Los Alamos, New Mexico. The test blast was detonated on July 16, 1945 and code-named "Trinity." This date is considered the beginning of the atomic age.
100
According to Luke, which of these men climbed a tree to see Jesus?
Zacharias
Zaccheaus
Levi
Matthias
Answer: Zaccheaus
100
Me and Bobby McGee were "busted flat in"?
New Orleans
Baton Rouge
Los Angeles
San Antonio
Answer: Baton Rouge
100
1. From the novel of the same name, what was the name of Don Quixote's old, worn out horse?
Rocinante
Sancho
Dapple
Panza
Answer: Rocinante
Don Quixote picks a name meaning 'ranked before all other horses' which reflects his own over-the-top notions of knighthood, a recurring theme of the novel.
100
Where is the highest point in the United States?
Mt. Whitney, California
Mt. Washington, New Hampshire
Denali, Alaska
Mt. Elbert, Colorado
Answer: Denali, Alaska
Denali (aka Mt. McKinley) is the highest point in the U.S. at 6,194 meters (20,237 feet) above sea level. Its huge peak towers 17,000 feet above the surrounding plain, making it generally accepted as the largest base-to-summit mountain on Earth entirely above sea level.
200
The U.S. was attacked by the Japanese air forces at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In what U.S. state is Pearl Harbor?
California
Hawaii
Florida
Alaska
Answer: Hawaii
This event was the first time during the 20th century that U.S. land was attacked by a foreign power. Hawaii was a U.S. territory at the time. It achieved statehood on August 21, 1959. President Barack Obama was born there on August 4, 1961, less than two years after it became a state.
200
As described in Exodus, who was asked by God to get two tablets of stone?
Aaron
Moses
Jethro
Joseph
Answer: Moses
200
Johnny Cash sang a song about a Native American who joined the Marines during World War II, and was one of the soldiers who raised the flag at Iwo Jima. What was that Marine's name?
Ezra Pound
Geronimo
John Eagle
Ira Hayes
Answer: Ira Hayes
200
2. Founder of the famous brand which bears his name, Albert Goodwill Spalding wrote the first rule book for which iconic sport?
Boxing
Basketball
Baseball
Rugby League
Answer: Baseball
Spalding was a successful player with the Boston Red Stockings (later to become the Atlanta Braves) before switching to the Chicago White Stockings (now the Chicago Cubs) in the 1870s. Along with the owner of the Chicago White Stockings, William Hulbert, Spalding helped to organise the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs.
200
Where is the lowest point in the United States?
Aloha Trench, Hawaii
New Orleans, Louisiana
Death Valley, California
Key West, Florida
Answer: Death Valley, California
Badwater Basin, in California's Death Valley, is the lowest point in the U.S. at 86 meters (282 feet) below sea level. Located near the Nevada border, Death Valley is also the driest place in North America, and claimed the highest temperature recorded at 134 degrees Fahrenheit, in 1913.
300
Neil Armstrong is famous for being the first human to walk upon the moon. In what U.S. state did he last set foot before he walked on the lunar surface?
Florida
Ohio
Texas
New York
Answer: Florida
Armstong walked on the moon on July 20, 1969. His Apollo 11 flightmate Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin followed. In all, only twelve men walked on the surface of the moon in the 20th century. The last did so in 1972. All of the Apollo flights were launched from Cape Canaveral (at times known as Cape Kennedy), Florida.
300
Which of these was NOT a written phrase Jesus quoted to Satan during his temptation in the desert, as described in the gospels? (HINT: He did not say "it is written" before he said it.)
"Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God"
"Thou shalt not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God"
"Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve"
"Get thee hence"
Answer: "Get thee hence"
300
Which Country superstar is missing from the following? Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and __________?
George Jones
Waylon Jennings
Kenny Rogers
Merle Haggard
Answer: Waylon Jennings
300
3. Which children's game was the inspiration for TV's very popular 'Wheel of Fortune'?
Scrabble
Hangman
Crossword puzzle
Monopoly
Answer: Hangman
Similar to the game of hangman, contestants on the show take it in turns to spin the wheel and to guess one of the letters. Each spin of the wheel earns either a certain amount of money, or the dreaded 'bankrupt' or 'lose a turn' wedge. The player who correctly guesses the phrase can win the cash amount if they have accumulated the highest total by the end of play.
300
Which US state, despite being the most densely populated state in the 2010 census, is officially named "the garden state"?
New Jersey
Kansas
Wisconsin
California
Answer: New Jersey
Although many associate farming in the US with the Midwest or California, New Jersey is designated "the garden state". It has over 10,000 farms, and is a leading producer of berries, peaches, tomatoes, corn, lettuce and other produce. All this despite being the only state, along with Rhode Island, to have more than 1,000 people per square mile according to the 2010 US Census. Have yourself a luscious Jersey tomato and relax at the shore (if you can find a spot).
400
Rosa Parks is known for refusing in 1955 to give up her seat on a public bus to a white person, thus sparking a bus boycott by African Americans. In the capital city of what U.S. state did Parks refuse to move?
Alabama
Georgia
Louisiana
Mississippi
Answer: Alabama
Parks is often depicted as being just an ordinary woman who was tired and fed up that day. She was, but she was also already an activist who knew perfectly well what she was doing. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was chosen to lead the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott, thus beginning his great career as a civil rights leader.
400
Which Old Testament figure grew his hair back while in prison grinding grain?
Saul
Cain
Samson
Elijah
Answer: Samson
400
Billy Ray Cyrus sang "Where am I going to live when I get _________?
Paid
Home
Drunk
Married
Answer: Home
400
4. Which country, formerly administered by Australia, boasts the islands of New Britain and New Ireland?
England
Wales
Scotland
Papua New Guinea
Answer: Papua New Guinea
The island of New Guinea is the second largest island in the world. The island comprises of two independent countries, Western New Guinea, part of Indonesia; and the eastern half, Papua New Guinea, an independent nation.
400
Which state was named after a Frenchman, not an Englishman?
Maryland
Pennsylvania
Louisiana
Virginia
Answer: Louisiana
The explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier named Louisiana to honor King Louis XIV of France in the mid 1600s. President Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana territory from France in 1803, an area comprising 13 modern states, for the absurdly low price of $15,000,000.
500
The Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire of 1911 was one of the worst industrial accidents in U.S. history. 146 workers, mostly young immigrant women aged sixteen to twenty-three, were killed. Many of them died by jumping out of windows because the stairwells and exit doors had been locked. In a major U.S. city in what state did this fire take place?
Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
New York
New Jersey
Answer: New York
The fire was the worst mass loss of life in New York City until September 11, 2001. It led to some of the first workplace safety regulations and the rise of the International Ladies Garment Workers' Union, which attempted to regulate and reform conditions in sweatshops.
500
Which ear do the Gospels record Simon Peter cut off of the High Priest's servant?
his left ear
his right ear
Answer: his right ear
500
Where did Marty Robbins find his true love Felina?
Las Vegas
Austin
San Antonio
El Paso
Answer: El Paso
500
5. How many metres of fabric are in a 100 yard bolt of cloth?
100
200
50
91
Answer: 91
A bolt is a commercial unit of measurement, normally for the measurements of fabrics. While most fabrics are either 40 or 100 yards, a bolt of canvas is traditionally 39 yards.
500
Which state, other than Alaska, has the longest coastline (not counting tidal bays and basins)?
Florida
Hawaii
California
Maine
Answer: Florida
Although there has been ongoing debate on how to figure coastline distance (the two basic methods differ on whether to count tidal areas), there is consensus that the peninsular state of Florida is number two after Alaska (which has over 6,000 miles of coast) at approximately 1,350 miles. California and Hawaii come next, and Maine is 8th, but can move up to 4th when using the tidal area method. Now you know where to go swimming in the ocean.
600
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 while riding in a motorcade with his wife, the governor of the state, and the governor's wife. In what U.S. state did the assassination take place?
Louisiana
Mississippi
Texas
California
Answer: Texas
Kennedy was killed instantly; governor John Connolly of Texas was wounded. Oddly enough, the assassination took place in the home state of the vice-president who succeeded him - Lyndon Baines Johnson.
600
What does the name "Emmanuel" mean?
God with us
The Son of God
There is one God
God the Almighty
Answer: God with us
600
In the Johnny Cash song, what did Bill's mother tell him not to take to town?
His horse
His girl friend
His pay
His guns
Answer: His guns
600
6. Which Western holiday traditionally falls on a Sunday?
Easter
Thanksgiving
Halloween
Christmas
Answer: Easter
Easter marks the day that Christian religions commemorate the resurrection of Jesus, after his crucifixion three days earlier on Good Friday. As the third day is Sunday, Easter always falls on this day.
600
Three of these state groupings are correctly ranked in area, largest to smallest. Which grouping is NOT correctly ranked in this fashion?
Alaska, Texas, California
Montana, New York, Hawaii
Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island
Vermont, West Virginia, Ohio
Answer: Vermont, West Virginia, Ohio
Alaska, Texas and California are the three biggest states by area. Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island are the three smallest. Montana, New York and Hawaii represent a big, a medium and a small state. The three in the correct answer are ranked in reverse order, Ohio being bigger than West Virginia and Vermont combined. FYI: Alaska- 663,267 sq. miles; Rhode Island- 1,545 sq. miles. What a varied country it is.
700
Charles Lindbergh was the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. He became a media hero in 1927 upon landing in Paris. From what U.S. state did he take off on his world-famous flight?
Virginia
New York
Rhode Island
New Jersey
Answer: New York
Others had crossed the Atlantic before him, but Lindbergh was the first to do so alone.
700
Out of these Old Testament figures, who is best known for witnessing a hand writing on the wall?
Peter
Uzziah
Boaz
Belshazzar
Answer: Belshazzar
700
What did Johnny Paycheck want to tell his boss when he said "Take this job and ________"?
Keep it
Shove it
Advertise it
Stuff it
Answer: Shove it
700
7. Which rock star, known for the song 'White Wedding', was born William Broad?
Billy Idol
Iggy Pop
Boy George
Adam Ant
Answer: Billy Idol
The name 'Idol' was taken from a comment made by his chemistry teacher on his report card. The spelling 'Idol' was chosen to help distinguish it from Eric Idle, a member of 'Monty Python'.
700
One of America's best-known roads is Route 66. Which state does Route 66 NOT pass through?
California
Florida
Illinois
Texas
Answer: Florida
Historic US Route 66, completed in 1926, traverses 2448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, passing through eight states, but not Florida. It was immortalized in song by jazzman Bobby Troup, who drove from Pennsylvania to California in the 1940s, and was enchanted by the little towns and grassroots American communities he passed.
800
In 1972, the break-in to the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in the Watergate Hotel led to the first (and so far only) resignation of an American president. In what U.S. territory was the Watergate Hotel located?
St. Thomas
Guam
Washington, D.C.
New York City
Answer: Washington, D.C.
The cover-up of the Watergate break-in led to several jail sentences for high government officials and to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.
800
How many days did Noah wait until he sent out the dove a second time to see if the waters receded?
10
7
2
8
Answer: 7
800
C. W. Mcall had a huge hit with "Convoy" which was made into a successful film starring Kris Kristofferson. What was Kristofferson's CB name?
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Rubber Duck
Mucky Swan
Answer: Rubber Duck
800
8. Who was the first American president to hold an airplane pilot's license?
George Bush
Herbert Hoover
John Kennedy
Dwight Eisenhower
Answer: Dwight Eisenhower
Eisenhower had a long military career prior to becoming President. He joined during the First World War, however, his requests to be posted to Europe to fight were denied. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1941, and after the United States joined World War II, he oversaw the invasions of North Africa (1942), Sicily (1943), France (1944) and Germany (1945). Post World War II he served as the Army Chief of Staff (1945-1948) and the first Supreme Commander of NATO (1951-1952). He was the 34th President of the United States from 1953-1961.
800
Alabama, Ohio, Alaska, and Arizona: what do these four states have in common?
They are the only states whose names begin and end with the same letter
All are located in "tornado alley"
They each elected a female governor in the 20th century
In 2001, they all established state anti-terrorism units, run by paramilitary forces
Answer: They are the only states whose names begin and end with the same letter
The correct answer is in the names. None of these states is in tornado alley, which colloquially refers to the area in the mid-western US most prone to tornadoes--South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas--although Ohio and Alabama have experienced tornadoes.
900
The droughts and bank failures of the Great Depression in the 1930s led to a mass exodus of farmers and their families from the states of the "Dust Bowl." Although many states were affected, these displaced people were disparagingly known by a nickname related to one supposed state of origin. What state?
Oklahoma
California
Texas
Indiana
Answer: Oklahoma
They were called "Okies" as if they all came from the state of Oklahoma. In fact they came from many states, though Oklahoma was one of the hardest hit. Their plight is moving depicted in the book and movie "The Grapes of Wrath."
900
Hezekiah was king over what country?
Medo-Persia
Israel (Northern Kingdom)
Judah (Southern Kingdom)
Babylon
Answer: Judah (Southern Kingdom)
900
Fill in the blank "What made ________ famous has made a loser out of me"
Salt Lake City
Milwaukee
Birmingham
Las Vegas
Answer: Milwaukee
900
9. In which of these films, co-starring with Rock Hudson, did Doris Day NOT sing 'Que Sera Sera'?
The Man Who Knew Too Much
The Glass Bottom Boat
Please Don't Eat The Daises
Pillow Talk
Answer: Pillow Talk
The song 'Que Sera, Sera' was first featured in 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' where it served as a plot point. It also won the 1956 Academy Award for 'Best Original Song' reaching number two on the 'Billboard Top 100' and number one on the UK Singles Chart.
900
How are Montana and Minnesota similar?
Both border North Dakota and South Dakota
Both have man-made straight lines as their northern borders
Neither state borders on one of the Great Lakes
Distance between easternmost and westernmost points exceeds north/south distance in both states
Answer: Both border North Dakota and South Dakota
Minnesota does border on Lake Superior, is taller than it is wide, and has a crooked northern border with Ontario, drawn through the middle of scores of desolate lakes. Both Minnesota and Montana border North Dakota and South Dakota.
1000
One of the worst incidents of environmental pollution happened in 1989, when the Exxon Valdez oil tanker leaked up to 32 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound. In what U.S. state is Prince William Sound located?
Alaska
Washington
Maine
Louisiana
Answer: Alaska
A large number of sea mammals, fish, birds, and plants were killed and their environments destroyed as a result of this disaster. 20 years later much oil remains and some habitats remain uninhabitable. Some reforms in the transportation of oil, such as double-hulled tankers, have been instituted as a result of this accident.
1000
During creation week, on what day did dry land appear?
3rd Day
2nd Day
1st Day
4th Day
Answer: 3rd Day
1000
Which famous Superstar started his singing career with The New Christy Minstrels and then went on to form The First Edition?
Kenny Rogers
Hank Williams
George Jones
Roy Rogers
Answer: Kenny Rogers
1000
10. Which deadpan-faced comedian was known as 'The Human Mop' when he joined his family's comic acrobatic team at age three?
Rudolph Valentino
Carrot Top
Buster Keaton
Moe Fine
Answer: Buster Keaton
Buster Keaton was born into a vaudeville family, and in one of the early acts in which he performed was 'used' as a mop by his father. Other parts of their routine included Buster being routinely thrown around the stage, leading to investigations to ensure he was not being abused. Buster was able to demonstrate a lack of bruises, and commented at a later age that he had learnt appropriate falling techniques at a young age.
1000
The greatest little-known state in the union has desert, ocean coast, giant evergreen trees, and a mighty river on its northern border. It also boasts the deepest lake in the country, which is noted for its deep blue water of exceptional purity and clarity. What state is this?
California
Oregon
Montana
New Jersey
Answer: Oregon
Visit the spectacular Pacific Ocean coastline in Oregon. Check out the fish ladders and waterfalls along the Columbia River. And don't forget to get to Crater Lake, somewhat remote in the interior, but well worth a trip to gaze into the giant crater and also be able to see Mount Shasta in California, over 100 miles away, from high on the crater's rim.