25 American History Trivia Questions and Answers
Plan the perfect trivia night with setup tips, sign up ideas, and 50 American history questions to spark fun and friendly competition.
Quick Summary
- Trivia nights are an easy, low-cost way to bring your community together
- Teams who participate in activities like trivia bounce back faster under pressure—23% faster, according to the Journal of Applied Psychology¹.
- American history questions are often regarded as one of the most engaging categories for any trivia event.
- A sign up keeps teams organized, rotating hosts scheduled, and snacks covered
👉 Organize your next trivia night with a free sign up
25 American History Trivia Questions (With Answers)
A curated, event-ready set across five eras.
1600s (and Earlier)
Q: How long ago did the first settlers arrive in North America?
A: More than 12,000 years ago.
Q: How did Indigenous tribes reach the continent?
A: By crossing a land bridge between Asia and Alaska.
Q: What is the oldest European-founded U.S. city?
A: St. Augustine, Florida.
Q: What was the name of the Pilgrims’ ship?
A: The Mayflower.
Q: When were the first enslaved Africans brought to the colonies?
A: 1619.
1700s
Q: What were colonists protesting during the Boston Tea Party?
A: The Stamp Act.
Q: How many original colonies were there?
A: 13.
Q: Who invented bifocals?
A: Benjamin Franklin.
Q: What was the first capital of the United States?
A: New York City.
Q: When was the Declaration of Independence signed?
A: August 2, 1776.
1800s
Q: Who led the first expedition to the Pacific Coast?
A: Lewis and Clark.
Q: Which president signed the Indian Removal Act?
A: Andrew Jackson.
Q: What was the bloodiest single-day battle in U.S. history?
A: The Battle of Antietam.
Q: Who was the first president to be impeached?
A: Andrew Johnson.
Q: What country gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States?
A: France.
1900s
Q: What was the first U.S. national monument?
A: Devil’s Tower.
Q: When did American women gain the right to vote?
A: 1920.
Q: Which four presidents were assassinated while in office?
A: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy.
Q: Who was the first man to walk on the moon?
A: Neil Armstrong.
Q: What law ended the “separate but equal” doctrine?
A: The Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Late 1900s – 2000s
Q: Which state was the first to legalize medical marijuana?
A: California (1996).
Q: Who was the first Black U.S. president?
A: Barack Obama.
Q: What year legalized same-sex marriage nationwide?
A: 2015.
Q: Which hurricane devastated New Orleans in 2005?
A: Hurricane Katrina.
Q: What is the call sign of the president’s helicopter?
A: Marine One.
Tips to Make Trivia Night Even Better
- Rotate themes: Mix in science, pop culture, sports, holidays — or let participants vote.
- Make it social: Upload photos, share scores, and celebrate winners through your group page or email.
- Keep the sign up updated: Add new dates, switch topics, adjust team sizes, track attendance.
- Celebrate regulars: Create a “Trivia Hall of Fame” or monthly leaderboard.
🧠 Genius Tip: Create a “Trivia Night Season” sign up with tabs for each month or theme for easier navigation.
Organize Trivia Nights with Sign Ups
Planning a great trivia night is easier when everything’s organized up front. Start by choosing how often you want to host (weekly drop-ins, monthly themes, or a seasonal event) and create a recurring sign up so people can RSVP to the nights that work for them. Pick a format that fits your crowd, whether that’s teams, individual play, family matchups, or fun themed rounds.
You can use your sign up to handle team spots, hosting duties, snacks, and supplies so nothing falls through the cracks. Add a small prize or a running leaderboard to keep things exciting. Most importantly, set a welcoming tone: greet new folks, explain the rules quickly, and keep the night moving. With a simple plan and a smart sign up, trivia night becomes a fun weekly event to look forward to.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trivia Night
Q: How long should a trivia night last?
A: Most events run 60–90 minutes. That’s enough time for multiple rounds without losing the crowd’s energy.
Q: How many questions do I need for a full event?
A: Plan for 20–40 questions, depending on how fast your host reads and how much discussion you want between rounds.
Q: What equipment do I need?
A: At minimum, just questions and score sheets. For a more polished setup, add a projector, speakers, or a shared screen for virtual play.
Q: How big should each team be?
A: Teams of 3–5 people work best — large enough for collaboration but small enough that everyone contributes.
Ready to Bring People Together?
Start planning your first (or next!) trivia night with a quick and easy sign up — then use these questions to keep your crowd guessing, learning, and laughing all night long.
CTA Button: Create a Free Sign Up
Recent Blog Articles
Using SignUpGenius we can also keep a tab of how many volunteers we had participate in TEACH modules every year, and we can even organize the data by medical center (location) or date. Also, since we have many events at each location every year, we can duplicate an old sign up and simply adjust the date instead of creating another sign up from scratch!
Michael Shavolian, Albert Einstein College of Medicine