Governors
16 U.S. presidents served as state governors. How many can you name? (Bonus points if you can name the president & the state they governed)
James Monroe-VA, Martin Van Buren-NY, John Tyler-VA, James K. Polk-TN, Andrew Johnson-TN, Rutherford B. Hayes-OH, Grover Cleveland-NY, William McKinley-OH, Theodore Roosevelt-NY Woodrow Wilson-NJ, Calvin Coolidge-MA, FDR-NY, Jimmy Carter-GA, Ronald Reagan-CA, Bill Clinton-AR, George W. Bush-TX
The process of redrawing congressional districts every decade after the census is called...
Redistricting
Elected in 2006, this senator became the longest serving Independent in Senate history.
Bernie Sanders, I-VT
This president was the only one to never be elected to the office, nor elected Vice President.
Gerald Ford. (1974-1977)
This 1803 Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review.
Answer
Marbury v. Madison
The governor of Virginia is traditionally referred to and introduced as...
His/her Excellency.
This representative became the first woman elected Speaker of the House in 2007
Nancy Pelosi, D-CA
This procedure requires a 60-vote threshold to advance legislation through the Senate.
The Filibuster
From 1856-1960, this state voted strictly for the Republican party for president until flipping to Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, which state was this?
Vermont
This 1966 Supreme Court case required police to inform suspects of their rights when arrested.
Miranda v. Arizona
In 1924 this woman became the first female governor in the United States after a special election following the death of her husband who had been the governor.
Nellie Tayloe Ross, D-WY
On October 3rd, 2023, the House voted to remove the Speaker for the first time in history. Who was it?
Kevin McCarthy, R-CA
In 2013 this Senate majority leader triggered the “nuclear option” to end the filibuster for most presidential nominations.
Harry Reid, D-NV
This alleged curse stipulated that every president elected in a year ending in zero would die in office.
The Curse of Tippecanoe
This nominee for the Supreme Court was refused a hearing by the senate until the next presidential election, at which point the new president rescinded the nomination.
Merrick Garland.
In many states, this special type of veto allows governors to remove specific spending items from a budget bill.
Line-Item veto.
This law permanently capped the size of the House of Representatives at 435.
Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929
Following the 1992 elections, California became the first state to have two female senators serving simultaneously, who were they?
Diane Feinstein & Barbara Boxer
This President what the only one to speak English as a second language, who was it? (Bonus points if you can guess his first language)
Martin Van Buren. Dutch
This Arizona state judge became the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Sandra Day O'Connor
This governor served the longest tenure in U.S. history. Winning 4 consecutive terms and 2 non-consecutive for a total of 24 years.
Terry Branstad, R-IA (1983-1999) (2011-2017)
In February 2024, the House impeached a cabinet secretary for the first time since 1876 on charges of willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and breach of public trust. The senate held no trial and dismissed the charges as unconstitutional. Who was this secretary? (Bonus points if you can name their department)
Alejandro Mayorkas, Sec. of Homeland Security. 2021-2025
In 1974, this state held an election that was so close, the senate decided to seat neither candidate and voted to declare the seat vacant. The governor of the state then called for a new election to find a clear winner. Which state was this?
New Hampshire
This woman was the first female to run for president in 1872, who was she?
Victoria Woodhull
The phrase, "shouting fire in a crowded theater" originates from this 1919 Supreme Court case which established limits on free speech under the First Amendment.
Schenck v. United States