85 American History Trivia Questions and Answers

Welcome to an exciting journey through our American history trivia! In this trivia post, we’ll explore pivotal events, influential figures, and defining moments that have shaped the course of the United States. Test your knowledge and discover fascinating facts about the nation’s past with these 85 carefully curated questions and concise answers. From the founding of the nation to modern-day developments, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of American history. Let’s dive in!

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1. Who was the first President of the United States?

2. In which year did Christopher Columbus first land in the Americas?

3. What was the name of the ship that transported the Pilgrims to the New World?

4. What event led to the start of the American Revolutionary War?

5. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

6. Which document outlined the framework for the government of the United States prior to the Constitution?

7. Who was the principal author of the United States Constitution?

8. What was the significance of the Louisiana Purchase?

9. What was the primary cause of the Civil War?

10. Who was the President of the Confederate States during the Civil War?

11. What was the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg?

12. Who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln?

13. What was the name of the first successful English colony in North America?

14. Who was the first African American to serve on the United States Supreme Court?

15. Which amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery?

16. Who was the President of the United States during World War I?

17. What event prompted the United States to enter World War II?

18. Who was the Supreme Commander of Allied forces in Europe during World War II?

19. What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan?

20. What was the outcome of the Korean War?

21. Who was the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court?

22. What was the major cause of the Vietnam War?

23. Who was the first President to resign from office?

24. What was the significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

25. Who was the first American to orbit the Earth?

26. What was the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

27. Who was the leader of the Civil Rights Movement?

28. What was the name of the mission that landed the first humans on the Moon?

29. Who was the first man to set foot on the Moon?

30. What was the significance of the Watergate scandal?

31. Who was the first woman to run for Vice President on a major party ticket?

32. What was the outcome of the Persian Gulf War?

33. Who was the first African American President of the United States?

34. What was the purpose of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?

35. Who was the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court?

36. What was the outcome of the Spanish-American War?

37. Who was the President of the United States during the Great Depression and World War II?

38. What was the name of the treaty that ended World War I?

39. What was the purpose of the Homestead Act?

40. Who was the first European explorer to reach the mainland of North America?

41. What was the name of the ship that brought the first permanent English settlers to America?

42. Who was the President of the United States during the War of 1812?

43. What was the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation?

44. Who was the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States?

45. What was the purpose of the Lewis and Clark expedition?

46. Who was the leader of the American forces during the Revolutionary War?

47. What was the outcome of the Battle of Saratoga?

48. Who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean?

49. What was the outcome of the Mexican-American War?

50. Who was the first Secretary of State of the United States?

51. What was the purpose of the Manhattan Project?

52. Who was the President of the United States during the Civil Rights Movement?

53. What was the outcome of the Battle of Bunker Hill?

54. Who was the first European to explore the Mississippi River?

55. What was the outcome of the Seneca Falls Convention?

56. Who was the first woman to be nominated for President by a major political party?

57. What was the purpose of the GI Bill of Rights?

58. Who was the President of the United States during the Louisiana Purchase?

59. What was the outcome of the Battle of Yorktown?

60. Who was the first African American to serve as Secretary of State?

61. What was the purpose of the Indian Removal Act?

62. Who was the President of the United States during the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

63. What was the outcome of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

64. Who was the first Chief Justice of the United States?

65. What was the purpose of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)?

66. Who was the first American to win the Nobel Peace Prize?

67. What was the outcome of the Battle of Antietam?

68. Who was the first woman to serve in the United States Cabinet?

69. What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?

70. Who was the first European to explore the St. Lawrence River?

71. What was the outcome of the 1898 Spanish-American War for the United States?

72. Who was the President of the United States during the Spanish-American War?

73. What was the purpose of the Oregon Trail?

74. Who was the first European to explore Florida?

75. What was the outcome of the Battle of Fort Sumter?

76. Who was the first President of the United States to be impeached?

77. What was the purpose of the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)?

78. Who was the President of the United States during the purchase of Alaska from Russia?

79. What was the outcome of the Battle of Appomattox Court House?

80. Who was the first European to explore the Mississippi River?

81. What was the purpose of the Dawes Act?

82. Who was the President of the United States during the Great Depression?

83. What was the outcome of the Battle of Trenton?

84. Who was the first President of the United States under the Articles of Confederation?

85. What was the purpose of the National Recovery Administration (NRA)?