History Trivia Quiz

History — multiple choice, with the answer and a fun fact a tap away.

In the first known assassination attempt on a sitting U.S. president, an attacker aimed two pistols that both misfired. Who was the target?

Answer
In the first known assassination attempt on a sitting U.S. president, an attacker aimed two pistols that both misfired. Who was the target?

Correct answer: Andrew Jackson.

In 1835, Richard Lawrence pointed two pistols at Jackson near the U.S. Capitol; both misfired, and the president was unhurt.

Which English king was the husband of Eleanor of Aquitaine?

Answer
Which English king was the husband of Eleanor of Aquitaine?

Correct answer: Henry II.

Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry II in 1152, two years before he became king of England; their sons Richard the Lionheart and John would both later wear the crown.

Nostradamus is best known for astrology and prophecy, but his 1555 treatise also gave recipes for what?

Answer
Nostradamus is best known for astrology and prophecy, but his 1555 treatise also gave recipes for what?

Correct answer: fruit preserves.

His "Traite des fardements et confitures" covered cosmetics and preserves, including sweetened fruit preparations like jams and jellies.

For ordering his favorite drinks on demand, LBJ had White House buttons labeled "coffee," "tea," "Coke," and what?

Answer
For ordering his favorite drinks on demand, LBJ had White House buttons labeled "coffee," "tea," "Coke," and what?

Correct answer: Fresca.

Lyndon B. Johnson was so fond of the diet citrus soda Fresca that he had call buttons installed to summon it in the White House.

Before Great Britain and its American colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, on what date did the legal new year begin?

Answer
Before Great Britain and its American colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, on what date did the legal new year begin?

Correct answer: March 25.

In England and its colonies the legal year began on March 25, "Lady Day," until the 1752 change moved New Year's Day to January 1.

Khrushchev's widely reported 1960 shoe-banging outburst at the United Nations followed criticism from a delegate of which country?

Answer
Khrushchev's widely reported 1960 shoe-banging outburst at the United Nations followed criticism from a delegate of which country?

Correct answer: the Philippines.

Accounts differ on the details, but the episode is usually tied to Philippine delegate Lorenzo Sumulong's remarks about Soviet control of Eastern Europe.

Which U.S. president appeared on the TV show "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" to deliver its catchphrase, "Sock it to me?"

Answer
Which U.S. president appeared on the TV show "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" to deliver its catchphrase, "Sock it to me?"

Correct answer: Richard Nixon.

Nixon made the cameo during his 1968 presidential campaign, delivering the line as a single deadpan question.

After electric lighting was installed in the White House in 1891, which president left the switches for the staff because he and his wife feared a shock?

Answer
After electric lighting was installed in the White House in 1891, which president left the switches for the staff because he and his wife feared a shock?

Correct answer: Benjamin Harrison.

The Harrisons had the lights installed but were so wary of being shocked that they often left the switches for White House staff to operate.

Which ship was NOT one of the three boarded by colonists during the Boston Tea Party?

Answer
Which ship was NOT one of the three boarded by colonists during the Boston Tea Party?

Correct answer: William.

Colonists dumped tea from the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver in 1773; a fourth tea ship, the William, had run aground before reaching Boston.

Which U.S. president was never elected president or vice president?

Answer
Which U.S. president was never elected president or vice president?

Correct answer: Gerald Ford.

Ford was appointed vice president in 1973 after Spiro Agnew resigned, then became president in 1974 when Nixon resigned -- the only person to reach both offices without being elected to either.

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