History Trivia Questions & Answers

1. Who was unanimously elected as the first President of the United States in 1789?

Answer: George Washington easy

George Washington is the only U.S. president unanimously elected by the Electoral College.

2. In which year did World War II end?

Answer: 1945 easy

The war in Europe ended in May 1945 and in the Pacific in September 1945.

3. Which ancient civilization built the pyramids of Giza?

Answer: Ancient Egyptians easy

The Great Pyramid was the tallest human-made structure for nearly 4,000 years.

4. Who was the British Prime Minister for most of World War II?

Answer: Winston Churchill medium

Churchill was also a Nobel laureate in Literature.

5. Who was the first human to walk on the Moon?

Answer: Neil Armstrong easy

Armstrong stepped onto the Moon on 20 July 1969.

6. In which year did the Berlin Wall fall?

Answer: 1989 medium

Its fall symbolised the coming end of the Cold War.

7. The French Revolution began in which year?

Answer: 1789 medium

The storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789 is a key early event.

8. Which Egyptian queen was famous for her alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony?

Answer: Cleopatra medium

Cleopatra was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt.

9. Which war was fought between the Northern and Southern states of the USA from 1861 to 1865?

Answer: American Civil War easy

It remains the deadliest war in American history.

10. In which country did the ancient Olympic Games originate?

Answer: Greece easy

The ancient Games were held at Olympia from around 776 BC.

11. Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during most of World War II?

Answer: Joseph Stalin medium

Stalin led the USSR from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953.

12. The Magna Carta was sealed by which English king in 1215?

Answer: King John hard

It limited the power of the monarchy and influenced later constitutions.