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USA History Trivia: 20 Questions on US Presidents
Test your knowledge of American presidential history with these fascinating trivia questions about U.S. Presidents. From George Washington to modern times, these questions cover interesting facts, historical milestones, and unique details about America’s commanders-in-chief.
1. Who was the shortest-serving U.S. President?
William Henry Harrison served just 31 days in office before dying of pneumonia in 1841. He delivered the longest inaugural address in history (8,445 words) during cold, wet weather, which likely contributed to his illness.
2. Which President was never elected as President or Vice President?
Gerald Ford became Vice President through appointment after Spiro Agnew’s resignation and then President after Richard Nixon’s resignation, making him the only person to serve in both roles without being elected.
3. Who was the youngest President to take office?
Theodore Roosevelt became President at age 42 following William McKinley’s assassination. John F. Kennedy was the youngest elected President at 43.
4. Which President served two non-consecutive terms?
Grover Cleveland served as both the 22nd and 24th President, making him unique in American history for serving two non-consecutive terms (1885-1889 and 1893-1897).
5. Who was the first President to be born as a U.S. citizen?
Martin Van Buren was the first President born after the American Revolution, making him the first natural-born U.S. citizen to become President.
6. Which President was a licensed bartender?
Abraham Lincoln was the only U.S. President who was a licensed bartender. He co-owned Berry and Lincoln, a tavern in New Salem, Illinois, before his political career.
7. Who was the heaviest President?
William Howard Taft weighed over 330 pounds and allegedly got stuck in the White House bathtub, prompting the installation of a larger one.
8. Which President spoke English as a second language?
Martin Van Buren grew up speaking Dutch as his first language and learned English at school, making him the only President to speak English as a second language.
9. Who was the first President to appear on television?
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first President to appear on television, speaking at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York.
10. Which President had the most children?
John Tyler had 15 children (from two marriages), the most of any U.S. President. Remarkably, two of his grandsons were still living as of 2020.
11. Who was the first President to win a Nobel Peace Prize?
Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for mediating the Russo-Japanese War, becoming the first President to receive this honor.
12. Which President never married?
James Buchanan remains the only bachelor President in U.S. history. His niece, Harriet Lane, served as White House hostess during his presidency.
13. Who was the first President to be photographed?
John Quincy Adams was the first President to be photographed, though the photo was taken after he left office. The first sitting President photographed was James K. Polk.
14. Which President served the shortest term in the 20th century?
John F. Kennedy served 1,036 days before his assassination in 1963, the shortest presidency of the 20th century.
15. Who was the first President to ride in an automobile?
William McKinley was the first President to ride in an automobile, taking a brief tour in a Stanley Steamer in 1899.
16. Which President worked as a fashion model?
Gerald Ford worked as a model during his college years, appearing on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine and modeling for Look magazine.
17. Who was the first left-handed President?
James Garfield was ambidextrous and could write in Latin with one hand and Greek with the other simultaneously.
18. Which President installed the first telephone in the White House?
Rutherford B. Hayes had the first telephone installed in the White House in 1877. The phone number was simply “1.”
19. Who was the only President to file a patent?
Abraham Lincoln is the only President to hold a patent, which he received for a device to lift boats over shoals and obstructions in rivers.
20. Which President survived the most assassination attempts?
Andrew Jackson survived multiple assassination attempts, including one where he beat his would-be assassin with a cane after both of the attacker’s pistols misfired.
These presidential trivia questions highlight the diverse backgrounds, achievements, and interesting facts about America’s leaders. From their personal lives to historical firsts, these details provide insight into the unique individuals who have held the nation’s highest office. Understanding these facts helps paint a more complete picture of American presidential history and the evolution of the role over time.