Who was the second President of the United States?
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John Adams (not to be confused with John Quincy Adams) was a founding father of the United States. He was also elected as the second U.S. President in 1797.
Finish this quote, famously said by Ronald Reagan in 1987: "Mr. Gorbachev _________________________"
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"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" Ronald Reagan used this line to passionately demand that Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, remove the Berlin Wall, which separated East and West Germany after World War 2. It is now an iconic moment in the history of the Cold War.
What was the name of the document issued by Abraham Lincoln that freed the slaves in the rebellious states?
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President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation during the third year of the Civil War, on January 1, 1863.
Which of the following countries was NOT an ally of the United States' during World War II?
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Britain, France, and the Soviet Union all fought alongside the United States against Germany. Italy was one of the nations that fought together with Germany. Allies of Germany were known as the Axis Powers.
What is the name of this President?
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Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th President of the United States. He was initially elected as Vice President under John F. Kennedy... but became President after Kennedy's assassination in 1963.
The United States purchased Alaska from which one of these countries?
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Alaska was purchased from Russia on March 30, 1867, for 7.2 million U.S. dollars. That's a pretty good deal.
The opening shots of the American Revolution were fired in which state?
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The American Revolution against British colonial rule started with two battles in Massachusetts: one in the town of Lincoln, another in a town called Concord. Together, they ignited the nation-wide fight for America's independence.
During the U.S. Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant led the Union forces. Who was the primary general for the Confederate (Southern) States?
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Robert E. Lee was general-in-chief of the Confederate forces when they surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant and the Union army on April 9, 1865.
"_____________________" is a term used to describe the philosophy that drove U.S. territorial expansion Westward across the continent.
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Manifest Destiny. The term was first coined in 1845, as a way of explaining the American drive to colonize the Western portion of North America during the 19th Century. The phrase refers to a belief that the United States was destined to spread democracy, freedom, and capitalism as far as possible.
The Prohibition Era refers to a time when the American Government had made it illegal to do what?
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During Prohibition, alcohol sales were made illegal throughout the United States. In response, infamous mobsters like Al Capone made outrageous fortunes, by smuggling booze across the border and selling it to thirsty Americans from coast to coast.
When was the attack on Pearl Harbor?
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The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor happened on December 7, 1941. It has been cited as the primary motivation for America joining the fighting during World War 2.
Who was the only president to serve more than two terms?
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Franklin D. Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, was elected President four times. He was able to do because he served in an era before the U.S. instituted term limits, which are the laws that prevent a President from serving more than 2 terms. FDR is generally regarded by historians as one of the 3 greatest American Presidents of all time, along with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
What were the names of the two Japanese cities where U.S. Armed Forces dropped nuclear bombs in 1945, effectively ending World War 2?
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The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing at least 145,000 people and forcing Japanese surrender from World War 2. It remains one of the most controversial actions ever committed by the United States: some say it was justified, by ending the war and saving countless lives. Others claim it was an unneccessary and brutal war crime.
Which state is known as "The Bluegrass State"?
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Kentucky's nickname is easy to understand: it's called "The Bluegrass State" because of the vast fields of Bluegrass which dominate the landscape of the state.
Which heavyweight boxing champion was also known for his opposition to the Vietnam War?
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Muhammad Ali refused to be drafted into the American Army during the Vietnam War, claiming that his Islamic faith forbade him from joining an (in his opinion) unjustified war. He was arrested and found guilty of draft invasion, touching off a divisive debate about the moral justification for the war. Today, Ali is remembered as an activist who stood bravely for his beliefs.
Which space shuttle completed nine missions before exploding in 1986?
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The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds into flight, resulting in nation-wide mourning, and an overall of the National Space Program. It's been estimated that 17% of the American population was watching the disaster live.
When was Independence Day (4th of July) declared a national holiday?
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Independence Day was first adopted as an official federal holiday in 1870, by the U.S. congress of the time.
Who was the oldest man ever elected President of the United States?
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When Donald J. Trump became President, on January 20, 2017, he was 70 years old. That's one year older than Ronald Reagan, who was 69 when he became President.
Which of these buildings was famously burned down by the British, during the War of 1812?
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In 1814, British forces invaded and occupied Washington. They burned the White House, along with other buildings throughout the capital.
Who was the first President to appear on TV?
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Iin 1939, Franklin Delano Roosevelt became the first American President to appear on TV. It was part of the opening ceremony for the 1939 World's Fair.
Where was this iconic photo taken?
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Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima is one of the most iconic war photographs in American history. It was taken by photographer Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945, as six United States Marines raised on Mount Suribachi, during the battle of the island of Iwo-Jima.
Which of these famous American novels is focused mostly on a soldier's experiences during World War 2?
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Slaughterhouse-Five is recognized as one of the most influential anti-war novels ever written. The plot follows Billy Pilgrim, a United States Infantryman who time travels through moments both during and after the Second World War. The author, Kurt Vonnegut, based the book on his own experience as a prisoner of war in Germany.
What was the name of the first car produced by the Ford Motor Company?
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The Ford Model A was the first car ever to be mass-produced.

Your Results

Uncle Sam Himself

You a certifiable American History expert. Do you work for the Library of Congress. If not, we’re sure they’ll be on the phone pretty soon. Or you could be President one day... Well done.

A Pretty Great Student

You must have been the person everyone was borrowing notes from in school. And when test time came around, we’re sure there was a mad scramble to sit close enough to your desk to able to cheat off you. Well done. Your American History knowledge is well above average.

Not a History Fan

Hey, just because this quiz proved to be a little difficult, doesn’t mean you’re not a patriot. Loving your country is about more than trivia. Besides, we made this one pretty tough.

Happy With Your Test Score? This video can help you do better on any quiz... even if you know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about the topic.

Quiz

For more than 300 years, the United States has been one of the most powerful forces on the world stage. All that time spent on the cutting edge of world affairs means there's a whole lot of history to learn about this great nation. So: how's your American History knowledge? Do you have blood that runs more red, white, and blue than Uncle Sam himself? Or would you struggle to tell a Bald Eagle from a Canada Goose? Only one way to tell if you're a real American History buff... take this test and prove your mettle. Good luck.

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