QUIZ: How Well Do You Know The 20th Century?
The 20th century is arguably one of the most impactful and action-packed 100 years of human history. It saw the rise of the modern world and, with it, some of its most significant conflicts and achievements to date. It was a rollercoaster from start to finish and the world as we know it was shaped by each major event that occurred. Do you think you know your stuff about the 20th century? Take this quiz to test your knowledge!
Which United States president was assassinated in 1901?
A. James A. Garfield
B. William McKinley
C. Grover Cleveland
D. William Taft
Answer: William McKinley
In 1901, William McKinley was shot by the anarchist Leon Czolgosz on September 6, 19061, at the Temple of Music in Buffalo, New York. McKinley died a week later.
What hit San Francisco in 1906?
A. A tsunami
B. An earthquake
C. A bomb
D. A plague
Answer: An earthquake
In the early morning of April 18, 1906, San Francisco was struck by an earthquake that is estimated to be a 7.9 magnitude. Devastating fires then broke out which lasted a series of days.
The 1920s are often referred to as the “(Blank) Twenties”
A. Roaring
B. Drunken
C. Marvelous
D. Frivolous
Answer: Roaring
The Roaring Twenties refers to the 1920s in Western society that was a period of prosperity and saw the emergence of a new type of culture revolved around entertainment and socializing.
In 1903, France first held this, which grew to become the world’s most popular bicycle race
A. The Tour de France
B. The Olympics
C. United Cycliste Internationale
D. Amstel Gold Race
Answer: The Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual men’s multiple stage bicycle race held in France. It consists of 21 day-long stages over the course of 23 days. It is described as the most prestigious and challenging bicycle race in the world.
What year did Rosa Parks refuse to give up her seat on the bus?
A. 1960
B. 1955
C. 1962
D. 1957
Answer: 1955
On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks declined bus driver James F. Blake’s order to give up her seat and go to the “colored section.” Her act became one of the major events of the Civil Rights Movement.
What occurred in the 1930s?
A. The Great Golden Years
B. The Great Depression
C. The Great Conflict
D. The Great Sadness
Answer: The Great Depression
The Great Depression was a worldwide economic depression that began in the United States and lasted throughout the majority of the 1930s. It began after a major fall in stock prices around September 4, 1929.
What ended in 1991?
A. The Cold War
B. The Great Depression
C. Communism
D. The Vietnam War
Answer: The Cold War
Although the Cold War had its beginnings after World War II between the Soviet Union, the United States, and their respective allies, it went on for decades. It only ended in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Which year did Amelia Earhart disappear?
A. 1937
B. 1925
C. 1932
D. 1940
Answer: 1937
Amelia Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, as well as set numerous other records. In an attempt to circumnavigate the world in 1937, she disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean.
Who was assassinated in 1963?
A. John Lennon
B. John F. Kennedy
C. Martin Luther King Jr.
D. Malcom X
Answer: John F. Kennedy
On November 22, 1963, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, by Marxist and former U.S. Marine Lee Harvey Oswald. Then, Oswald was shot and killed by Jack Ruby just two days later.
Which volcano erupted in the 1980s?
A. Mt. St. Helens
B. Krakatoa
C. Mount Pinatubo
D. Mount Tambora
Answer: Mt. St. Helens
Mount St. Helens is a stratovolcano located in Skamania County, Washington. The volcano is most notable for its eruption on May 18, 1980, the deadliest and most expensive volcanic explosion in US history.
Which event occurred in 1912?
A. The start of the Boer War
B. The start of World War I
C. The sinking of the Titanic
D. Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union
Answer: The sinking of the Titanic
In the early hours of April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic sank four days into the ship’s maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. After striking an iceberg, the ship sank approximately two hours and forty minutes later.
In 1979, humankind eliminated which disease?
A. Smallpox
B. Polio
C. Parkinsons
D. Diabetes
Answer: Smallpox
Smallpox was one of the deadliest diseases that humans faced throughout history. So far, it is the only disease to have been eradicated by vaccination, with the first being produced by Edward Jenner in 1796.
The Treaty of Versailles ended which war?
A. World War I
B. World War II
C. Korean War
D. Vietnam War
Answer: World War I
Regarded as one of the most important peace treaties in human history, the Treaty of Versailles effectively ended the conflict of World War I. It was signed on June 28, 1919, in Versailles.
In 1957, which country was the first to put a manmade object into space?
A. The United States
B. The Soviet Union
C. Germany
D. China
Answer: The Soviet Union
Sputnik I was the first artificial Earth satellite. It was launched into an elliptical low Earth orbit on October 4, 1957, by the Soviet Union. It orbited for three weeks until its batteries died.
In 1920, this product was named illegal in the United States
A. Ford Model T vehicles
B. Alcohol
C. Guns
D. Ammunition
Answer: Alcohol
From 1920 to 1933, the United States banned the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. Of course, it wasn’t entirely successful, and people still found a way to make and consume alcohol.
Who was elected President of the United States in 1932?
A. Theodore Roosevelt
B. Lyndon Johnson
C. Franklin Roosevelt
D. Gerald Ford
Answer: Franklin Roosevelt
Often referred to by his initials FDR, he was the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. He’s known for navigating the country through the Great Depression and being in office during World War II.
In 1993, the Maastricht Treaty created what?
A. Labor Unions
B. The European Union
C. The United Nations
D. The World Wide Web
Answer: The European Union
The Maastricht Treaty, otherwise known as the Treaty on European Union was signed on February 7, 1992, by European Communities in Maastricht, Netherlands. This treaty established the European Union.
What major space event took place in 1969?
A. The first man went to space
B. We landed on the moon
C. A robot was sent to Mars
D. A monkey orbited the Earth
Answer: We landed on the moon
When John F. Kennedy vowed that we would make it to the Moon by 1969, NASA kicked things into gear. In 1969, Apollo 11 made it to the moon, and Neil Armstrong became the first to set foot on it.
Which war ended in 1939?
A. World War II
B. Spanish Civil War
C. Korean War
D. World War I
Answer: Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War was a civil war fought in Spain from 1936 to 1939. The Republicans, loyal to the Second Spanish Republic, along with the anarchists, fought against a revolt led by the Nationalists. It has been referred to as the “dress rehearsal” for WWII.
Which American automobile company was formed in 1903?
A. Ford Motor Company
B. General Motors
C. Chevrolet
D. Dodge
Answer: Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company was founded on June 16, 1903, by Henry Ford. With Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford implemented the large-scale manufacturing of cars, such as the invention of the assembly line.
Which event signified the end of the Vietnam War?
A. The founding of the Indochinese Communist Party
B. The Fall of Saigon
C. The Gulf of Tonkin incident
D. The Tet Offensive
Answer: The Fall of Saigon
The Fall of Saigon, also referred to as the Liberation of Saigon, was the capture of Saigon, the capital city of South Vietnam. The event marked the end of the Vietnam War.
Which human feat was accomplished in 1953?
A. Ascent of Mount Everest
B. Walking across the United States
C. Reaching the bottom of the Pacific Ocean
D. Fastest mile run
Answer: Ascent of Mount Everest
On May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first people confirmed to have reached the top of Mount Everest. It was the ninth attempt to ascend the mountain.
Which disease first broke out in 1976?
A. Ebola
B. Hepatitis
C. HIV
D. Parkinson’s
Answer: Ebola
In 1976 a deadly virus named Ebola emerged out of Africa for the first time. Ebola is terrifying to have due to its horrifying symptoms and high mortality rate. It’s still one of the most feared viruses.
Which country bombed the United States in 1941?
A. Germany
B. Japan
C. The Soviet Union
D. Italy
Answer: Japan
Just before 8:00 AM on December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service made a surprise attack against the naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack resulted in the United State’s official entry into World War II.
What did women in the US achieve in 1920?
A. Equal pay
B. The right to vote
C. The right to work
D. The right to serve in the military
Answer: The right to vote
In the 1920s, the women of the United States finally received the right to vote after years of struggle. It became official after the 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920.
