Do You Know U.S. History?

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| By Thames

Thames

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Quizzes Created: 2572 | Total Attempts: 9,352,619

Questions: 15 | Attempts: 150 | Updated: Aug 21, 2024

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A non-complicated quiz based on U. S. History

Questions and Answers

1.

Which President was once James Polk's Secretary of State?
- A.
  
  Andrew Johnson
- B.
  
  Millard Fillmore
- C.
  
  Ulysses Grant
- D.
  
  James Buchanan
Correct Answer
D. James Buchanan

Explanation
James Buchanan was once James Polk's Secretary of State.

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2.

Which U.S. President died of cancer?
- A.
  
  Millard Fillmore
- B.
  
  James Polk
- C.
  
  Andrew Johnson
- D.
  
  Ulysses S. Grant
Correct Answer
D. Ulysses S. Grant

Explanation
Ulysses S. Grant is the correct answer because he is the only president from the given options who died of cancer. Millard Fillmore, James Polk, and Andrew Johnson did not die of cancer.

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3.

Where was President James Garfield shot at?
- A.
  
  A Ballgame
- B.
  
  The White House
- C.
  
  On A Train
- D.
  
  A Railroad Station
Correct Answer
D. A Railroad Station

Explanation
President James Garfield was shot at a railroad station. This refers to the historical event known as the assassination of President Garfield. On July 2, 1881, while at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C., Garfield was shot twice by Charles J. Guiteau. The shooting ultimately led to Garfield's death on September 19, 1881.

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4.

What was President Benjamin Harrison's highest rank while in the 70th Volunteer Infantry?
- A.
  
  General
- B.
  
  Captain
- C.
  
  Major
- D.
  
  Colonel
Correct Answer
D. Colonel

Explanation
During his time in the 70th Volunteer Infantry, President Benjamin Harrison held the rank of Colonel.

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5.

Which U.S. President's first wife and mother died on the exact same day?
- A.
  
  Woodrow Wilson's
- B.
  
  Theodore Roosevelt's
- C.
  
  Herbert Hoover's
- D.
  
  Warren Harding's
Correct Answer
B. Theodore Roosevelt's

Explanation
The correct answer is Theodore Roosevelt's. Both his first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee, and his mother, Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, died on the same day, February 14, 1884. This was a tragic event in Roosevelt's life, as he was devastated by the loss of both important women in his life.

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6.

What President was once a newspaper publisher?
- A.
  
  Herbert Hoover
- B.
  
  Warren Harding
- C.
  
  Calvin Coolidge
- D.
  
  William Taft
Correct Answer
B. Warren Harding

Explanation
Warren Harding was once a newspaper publisher before becoming President. He owned and operated the Marion Daily Star newspaper in Ohio. Harding's experience in the newspaper industry helped him gain political connections and support, eventually leading to his successful presidential campaign in 1920. As President, Harding faced numerous challenges, including scandals within his administration, but his background in publishing played a significant role in shaping his political career.

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7.

What military unit led Allied troops up the cliffs of Point du Hoc on D-Day?
- A.
  
  U.S. Navy Seals
- B.
  
  U.S. Army Rangers
- C.
  
  U.S. Marine Corps Force Recon
- D.
  
  British S.A.S. Commandos
Correct Answer
B. U.S. Army Rangers

Explanation
The U.S. Army Rangers led the Allied troops up the cliffs of Point du Hoc on D-Day. The Rangers were specially trained and equipped for difficult and high-risk missions, making them the ideal unit for this task. They successfully scaled the cliffs under heavy enemy fire and neutralized German artillery positions, securing an important strategic point for the Allied invasion of Normandy.

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8.

What state did Senator Everett Dirkson represent?
- A.
  
  Ohio
- B.
  
  Illinois
- C.
  
  Maine
- D.
  
  Indiana
Correct Answer
B. Illinois

Explanation
Senator Everett Dirkson represented the state of Illinois.

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9.

What magazine obtained exclusive rights to the Zapruder film of J.F.K.'s assassination?
- A.
  
  Look
- B.
  
  Life
- C.
  
  Time
- D.
  
  Newsweek
Correct Answer
B. Life

Explanation
Life magazine obtained exclusive rights to the Zapruder film of J.F.K.'s assassination.

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10.

Which astronaut was aboard Apollo 11 but did not walk on the moon?
- A.
  
  Michael Collins
- B.
  
  Buzz Aldrin
- C.
  
  Jim McDivitt
- D.
  
  Gene Cernan
Correct Answer
A. Michael Collins

Explanation
Michael Collins was aboard Apollo 11 but did not walk on the moon because he was in charge of piloting the Command Module while Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong descended to the lunar surface in the Lunar Module. Collins remained in orbit around the moon and played a crucial role in the mission by ensuring the safe return of the astronauts to Earth.

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11.

What date did the Oklahoma City bombing occur?
- A.
  
  April 19, 1980
- B.
  
  April 19, 1995
- C.
  
  April 19, 2000
- D.
  
  April 19, 1999
Correct Answer
B. April 19, 1995

Explanation
The correct answer is April 19, 1995. This was the date when the Oklahoma City bombing occurred.

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12.

Where was gold first found in California during the period referred to as the Gold Rush?
- A.
  
  Sacramento
- B.
  
  The Colorado River
- C.
  
  Sammson Mill
- D.
  
  Sutters Mill
Correct Answer
D. Sutters Mill

Explanation
During the Gold Rush period in California, gold was first discovered at Sutter's Mill. This location, owned by John Sutter, was situated in Coloma, California. In 1848, James W. Marshall found gold flakes in the tailrace of the mill, leading to the famous Gold Rush that attracted thousands of people to California in search of fortune. Sutter's Mill became an iconic symbol of the Gold Rush and played a significant role in the history of California's gold mining industry.

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13.

Who was the Vice President during President Lincoln's first term?
- A.
  
  John Bell
- B.
  
  George McClellan
- C.
  
  Andrew Johnson
- D.
  
  Hannibal Hamlin
Correct Answer
D. Hannibal Hamlin

Explanation
Hannibal Hamlin was the Vice President during President Lincoln's first term.

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14.

Who did the House of Representatives choose to be U.S. President in the election of 1824?
- A.
  
  Andrew Jackson
- B.
  
  Henry Clay
- C.
  
  James Monroe
- D.
  
  John Quincy Adams
Correct Answer
D. John Quincy Adams

Explanation
The House of Representatives chose John Quincy Adams to be U.S. President in the election of 1824. This decision was made because no candidate received a majority of the electoral votes. Adams, Clay, and Jackson were the top three candidates, but Jackson had the most electoral votes. However, since no candidate had a majority, the decision was passed to the House of Representatives, where Adams was able to secure the necessary support from state delegations to become president.

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15.

When did the Reconstruction period end?
- A.
  
  1880
- B.
  
  1867
- C.
  
  1877
- D.
  
  1903
Correct Answer
C. 1877

Explanation
The Reconstruction period ended in 1877. This was the year when the last federal troops were withdrawn from the South, marking the end of the federal government's efforts to enforce civil rights and protect the rights of newly freed slaves. The Compromise of 1877, which resulted in the withdrawal of federal troops, also effectively ended Reconstruction and allowed Southern states to revert to discriminatory practices and policies against African Americans.

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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

Current Version
Aug 21, 2024

Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team
Apr 03, 2015

Quiz Created by
Thames

Do You Know U.S. History?

Which President was once James Polk's Secretary of State?

Which U.S. President died of cancer?

Where was President James Garfield shot at?

What was President Benjamin Harrison's highest rank while in the 70th Volunteer Infantry?

Which U.S. President's first wife and mother died on the exact same day?

What President was once a newspaper publisher?

What military unit led Allied troops up the cliffs of Point du Hoc on D-Day?

What state did Senator Everett Dirkson represent?

What magazine obtained exclusive rights to the Zapruder film of J.F.K.'s assassination?

Which astronaut was aboard Apollo 11 but did not walk on the moon?

What date did the Oklahoma City bombing occur?

Where was gold first found in California during the period referred to as the Gold Rush?

Who was the Vice President during President Lincoln's first term?

Who did the House of Representatives choose to be U.S. President in the election of 1824?

When did the Reconstruction period end?