Virginia History: Trivia Facts Quiz!

1. What city in Virginia was the Capital of the Confederate States during the Civil War?

Jamestown

Williamsburg

Charlottesville

Richmond

Once Virginia seceded, the Confederate government moved the capital to Richmond, the South's second largest city. The move served to solidify the state of Virginia's new Confederate identity and to sanctify the rebellion by associating it with the American Revolution.

Explanation

Once Virginia seceded, the Confederate government moved the capital to Richmond, the South's second largest city. The move served to solidify the state of Virginia's new Confederate identity and to sanctify the rebellion by associating it with the American Revolution.

2. What Virginia University is home to the oldest college building in the US?

University of Virginia

William & Mary

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Mary Washington

The Wren Building is the signature building of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. Along with the Brafferton and President's House, these buildings form the College's Ancient Campus. With a construction history dating to 1695, it is the oldest academic building in continuous use in the United States.

Explanation

The Wren Building is the signature building of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. Along with the Brafferton and President's House, these buildings form the College's Ancient Campus. With a construction history dating to 1695, it is the oldest academic building in continuous use in the United States.

3. The Pentagon is the largest office building in the world and has TWICE the office space of what other famous US office building?

Bank of America Tower, NY

SunTrust Plaza, Atlanta

Aon Center, Chicago

Empire State Building, NY

The Pentagon is the world’s largest low-rise office building. Located in Arlington, it houses the U.S. Department of Defense and offers more than twice the office space of the Empire State Building.

Explanation

The Pentagon is the world’s largest low-rise office building. Located in Arlington, it houses the U.S. Department of Defense and offers more than twice the office space of the Empire State Building.

4. America's first ________ were produced in Baltimore back in the early 19^th century.

Umbrellas

Ponchos

Rain boots

Hair dryers

Umbrellas were America's first produced in Baltimore in the early 19th century.

Explanation

Umbrellas were America's first produced in Baltimore in the early 19th century.

5. Below are some of the names of the greatest baseball players of all time. Which one is originally from Baltimore, MD?

Barry Bonds

Babe Ruth

Joe DiMaggio

Jackie Robinson

Baseball icon Babe Ruth was born on February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland. Over the course of his career, Ruth went on to break baseball's most important slugging records, including most years leading a league in home runs, most total bases in a season, and highest slugging percentage for a season. He was among the first five players inducted into the sport's Hall of Fame.

Explanation

Baseball icon Babe Ruth was born on February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland. Over the course of his career, Ruth went on to break baseball's most important slugging records, including most years leading a league in home runs, most total bases in a season, and highest slugging percentage for a season. He was among the first five players inducted into the sport's Hall of Fame.

6. What classic 80's film was shot in a Mountain Lodge in Virginia?

Friday the 13th

The Parent Trap

Dirty Dancing

National Lampoon's Vacation

Mountain Lake Lodge in VA was the site for much of the on-location filming of the 1987 hit movie Dirty Dancing which starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. The Stone Lodge stood in for "Kellerman's Resort", a fictional mountain retreat in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.

Explanation

Mountain Lake Lodge in VA was the site for much of the on-location filming of the 1987 hit movie Dirty Dancing which starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. The Stone Lodge stood in for "Kellerman's Resort", a fictional mountain retreat in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.

7. What famous poet attended The University of Virginia, but only for one semester because he couldn't afford it?

Langston Hughes

Robert Frost

Edgar Allen Poe

Walt Whitman

Poe attended the University of Virginia for one semester but left due to lack of money. Poe fought with his father over the funds for his education and enlisted in the Army in 1827 under an assumed name. It was at this time that his publishing career began.

Explanation

Poe attended the University of Virginia for one semester but left due to lack of money. Poe fought with his father over the funds for his education and enlisted in the Army in 1827 under an assumed name. It was at this time that his publishing career began.

8. Virginia has been dubbed the _____ Capital of the world.

Internet

Peanut

Apple

Gun

In 2014, The Washington Post reported that Ashburn, in Loudoun County, has more than 5 million square feet of data space. As a result, 70% of the world’s internet traffic passes through Ashburn. Those are still some pretty impressive numbers (we're looking at you, Silicon Valley).

Explanation

In 2014, The Washington Post reported that Ashburn, in Loudoun County, has more than 5 million square feet of data space. As a result, 70% of the world’s internet traffic passes through Ashburn. Those are still some pretty impressive numbers (we're looking at you, Silicon Valley).

9. Virginia is home to the first college fraternity in the United States. What was the name of the fraternity?

Phi Beta Kappa

Sigma Ki

Pi Kappa Alpha

Pi Kappa Psi

Phi Beta Kappa, which was founded on December 5, 1776, at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, the second oldest institution of higher learning in America (Harvard is the oldest).

Explanation

Phi Beta Kappa, which was founded on December 5, 1776, at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, the second oldest institution of higher learning in America (Harvard is the oldest).

10. Virginia's academic calendar is largely based off of:

The government

Religious holidays

Hunting season

Amusement Parks

Virginia’s theme parks have ruled over the state’s academic calendar since 1986, when lobbyists for the state tourism industry helped usher through a bill prohibiting public schools in the state from opening before Labor Day, ensuring that kids would never have to choose between homework and roller coasters before the first Monday of September.

Explanation

Virginia’s theme parks have ruled over the state’s academic calendar since 1986, when lobbyists for the state tourism industry helped usher through a bill prohibiting public schools in the state from opening before Labor Day, ensuring that kids would never have to choose between homework and roller coasters before the first Monday of September.