1.
True or False: "Lady Bird" Johnson's real name was Cecile.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
Lady Bird Johnson's real name was not Cecile. Her real name was Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson. She acquired the nickname "Lady Bird" during childhood and it eventually became her preferred name.
2.
Who was the first first lady to wear pants in public?
Correct Answer
C. Pat Nixon
Explanation
Pat Nixon was the first first lady to wear pants in public. She broke the traditional fashion norms by choosing to wear pantsuits during her public appearances. This was a significant departure from the typically conservative and feminine attire expected of first ladies at the time. Pat Nixon's choice to wear pants in public paved the way for future first ladies to have more freedom in their fashion choices and helped to challenge gender norms in the political sphere.
3.
Who is the only first lady to have been elected to public office?
Correct Answer
A. Hillary Clinton
Explanation
Hillary Clinton is the correct answer because she is the only first lady to have been elected to public office. After serving as the first lady during her husband's presidency, Clinton went on to become a U.S. Senator from New York and later served as the Secretary of State under President Barack Obama. This distinguishes her from the other options, as none of the other first ladies listed in the question have held elected public office.
4.
Caroline Harrison was the first first lady to have what in the White House?
Correct Answer
D. Both A and B
Explanation
Caroline Harrison was the first first lady to have both a Christmas tree and electricity in the White House. This means that she was the first to introduce the tradition of having a Christmas tree in the White House during the holiday season, as well as being responsible for installing electricity in the presidential residence.
5.
Which of these first ladies was actually alive when her husband was elected President?
Correct Answer
C. Sarah Polk
Explanation
Sarah Polk was the only first lady in the given options who was alive when her husband, James K. Polk, was elected President. Martha Jefferson, the wife of Thomas Jefferson, died years before he became President. Hannah Van Buren, the wife of Martin Van Buren, also passed away before her husband's presidency. Alice Roosevelt, the wife of Theodore Roosevelt, married him after he had already served as President. Therefore, Sarah Polk is the correct answer as she was alive during her husband's presidency.
6.
True or False: Mary Lincoln held seances in the White House.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Mary Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln, did indeed hold seances in the White House. She was interested in spiritualism and believed she could communicate with her deceased sons through these seances. Mary Lincoln's interest in spiritualism was well-known, and she even invited mediums to the White House to conduct these seances. While some people criticized her for these beliefs and practices, it is a documented fact that she did hold seances in the White House during her time as First Lady.
7.
____ Bush was the only first lady to write a memoir from the perpective of her dog.
Correct Answer
Barbara
Explanation
Barbara Bush was the only first lady to write a memoir from the perspective of her dog. This implies that none of the other first ladies have written such a memoir.
8.
Which first lady was accused of poisoning her husband, who died midway through his Presidency?
Correct Answer
A. Florence Harding
Explanation
Florence Harding is the correct answer because she was indeed accused of poisoning her husband, President Warren G. Harding. After his sudden death in 1923, rumors circulated that she may have been involved in his poisoning. However, these accusations were never proven, and it remains a controversial topic in history.
9.
Which first lady never lived in the White House because her husband died one month into his Presidency?
Correct Answer
B. Anna Harrison
Explanation
Anna Harrison is the correct answer because her husband, William Henry Harrison, died one month into his presidency. Therefore, she never had the opportunity to live in the White House as the first lady.
10.
Which first lady was the first to live in the White House?
Correct Answer
A. Abigail Adams
Explanation
Abigail Adams was the first lady to live in the White House because her husband, John Adams, was the second President of the United States and the White House was completed during his presidency. Abigail Adams moved into the White House in November 1800, making her the first first lady to reside in the newly constructed presidential residence. Martha Washington, the wife of George Washington, was the first first lady, but she did not live in the White House as it was not built yet during her husband's presidency.
11.
Which first lady worked as a journalist for the Washington Times Herald and interviewed her future husband several years before they married?
Correct Answer
B. Jacqueline Kennedy
Explanation
Jacqueline Kennedy, the wife of President John F. Kennedy, worked as a journalist for the Washington Times Herald. She interviewed her future husband several years before they got married. This experience in journalism allowed her to develop her skills as a writer and communicator, which later became valuable during her time as first lady.
12.
True or False: Louisa Adams was the first and only first lady to be born outside of the U.S. (or what would eventually become the U.S.)
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Louisa Adams, the wife of John Quincy Adams, was indeed the first and only first lady to be born outside of the U.S. She was born in London, England, in 1775, before the United States gained independence.
13.
Who was the youngest first lady at the time of her husband's election (only 21 years old)?
Correct Answer
A. Frances Cleveland
Explanation
Frances Cleveland was the youngest first lady at the time of her husband's election because she was only 21 years old when her husband, Grover Cleveland, became the President of the United States. She was known for her youthful charm and beauty, which made her a popular figure during her time in the White House. Her age and vibrant personality brought a fresh and energetic atmosphere to the presidential administration.
14.
Which first lady was famous both for her career as an actress and her "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign?
Correct Answer
C. Nancy Reagan
Explanation
Nancy Reagan is the correct answer because she was not only the first lady but also had a successful career as an actress before marrying Ronald Reagan. She is famous for her "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign, which aimed to educate and prevent drug use among American youth during the 1980s. This campaign became widely recognized and had a significant impact on public awareness and drug prevention efforts.
15.
Current first lady Michelle Obama was born Michelle LaVaughn __________.
Correct Answer
Robinson
Explanation
Michelle Obama's maiden name is Robinson.
16.
This widely respected first lady served longer than any other first lady, and is considered by many to have been lesbian or bisexual following the release of letters between her and Lorena Hickok.
Correct Answer
B. Eleanor Roosevelt
Explanation
Eleanor Roosevelt is the correct answer because she served as the first lady for the longest duration compared to any other first lady. Additionally, her sexuality has been a topic of discussion due to the release of letters exchanged between her and Lorena Hickok, suggesting a romantic relationship.
17.
Harriet Lane was never married to an existing or future President - she was instead the neice of the only confirmed bachelor President, ______ ________.
Correct Answer
C. James Buchanan
Explanation
Harriet Lane was never married to an existing or future President, but she was the niece of James Buchanan, who was the only confirmed bachelor President.
18.
This first lady was placed in a mental hospital in Illinois by her son Robert for several months following her husband's assassination.
Correct Answer
A. Mary Lincoln
Explanation
Mary Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln, was indeed placed in a mental hospital in Illinois by her son Robert after her husband's assassination. This was due to her erratic behavior and emotional instability following the tragic event. Mary Lincoln's mental health struggles were well-documented, and her son believed that she needed professional care and treatment during that difficult time.
19.
Who is the first first lady to have been wife to one President and mother to another?
Correct Answer
B. Abigail Adams
Explanation
Abigail Adams is the correct answer because she was the wife of the second President of the United States, John Adams, and the mother of the sixth President, John Quincy Adams. She holds the distinction of being the first first lady to have been both the wife and mother of a President.
20.
Which first lady died after her husband was elected but before he was inaugerated?
Correct Answer
B. Rachel Jackson
Explanation
Rachel Jackson is the correct answer because she died after her husband, Andrew Jackson, was elected as the President of the United States but before he was inaugurated. Rachel Jackson passed away on December 22, 1828, due to a heart attack. Her death was a significant loss for Andrew Jackson, and it deeply affected him as he entered his presidency.