Michigan History Quiz: Trivia!

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  • 1/20 Questions

    Which one and only former US president is from Michigan?

    • Gerald Ford
    • John F Kennedy
    • Woodrow Wilson
    • William McKinley
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About This Quiz

Explore Michigan's rich history with this engaging quiz! Test your knowledge on historical figures, foundational events, and unique facts about Michigan. Ideal for learners interested in American history and Michigan's pivotal role in it.

Michigan History Quiz: Trivia! - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What is the name of Michigan's state stone, which is a 350 million-year-old fossilized limestone?

    • Petoskey stone

    • Rose rock

    • Cumberlandite rock

    • Bauxite stone

    Correct Answer
    A. Petoskey stone
    Explanation
    Petoskey stone is the correct answer because it is a 350 million-year-old fossilized limestone that is considered to be Michigan's state stone. The Petoskey stone is named after the city of Petoskey in Michigan and is known for its distinctive pattern of hexagonal shapes on its surface, which are remnants of ancient coral fossils. It is a popular stone for jewelry and is also used for decorative purposes.

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  • 3. 

    What is Michigan's state bird?

    • Cardinal

    • Blue Jay

    • Nuthatch

    • Robin

    Correct Answer
    A. Robin
    Explanation
    The state bird of Michigan is the Robin. This bird is commonly found in Michigan and is known for its distinctive reddish-orange breast and melodious song. The Robin is a migratory bird, often seen in the state during the spring and summer months. It is chosen as the state bird for its prevalence and significance in Michigan's natural environment.

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  • 4. 

    The National Cherry Festival is hosted every July in which Michigan city?

    • Charlotte

    • Kalamazoo

    • Saugatuck

    • Traverse City

    Correct Answer
    A. Traverse City
    Explanation
    The National Cherry Festival is hosted every July in Traverse City, Michigan. Traverse City is known as the "Cherry Capital of the World" due to its abundant cherry orchards and production of cherries. The festival celebrates the cherry industry and includes various events such as parades, cherry pie eating contests, and live music.

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  • 5. 

    Michigan is based on the Cherokee word "meicigama" which translates to:

    • White Pines

    • Great Water

    • Sleeping Bear

    • Talk to the hand

    Correct Answer
    A. Great Water
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "Great Water." This is because "meicigama" in Cherokee translates to "Great Water." Michigan is known for its abundant water resources, including the Great Lakes, making "Great Water" an appropriate translation for the state's name.

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  • 6. 

    Michigan ranks #1 in what category?

    • Asparagus production

    • Miles of biking trails

    • Televisions per household

    • Boat registrations

    Correct Answer
    A. Boat registrations
    Explanation
    Michigan ranks #1 in boat registrations. This means that Michigan has the highest number of registered boats compared to any other state. This could be due to various factors such as Michigan's vast number of lakes and waterways, its strong boating culture, or its popularity as a tourist destination for water-based activities.

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  • 7. 

    Michigan became the 26th state to enter the United States of America on January 26 of what year?

    • 1820

    • 1799

    • 1856

    • 1837

    Correct Answer
    A. 1837
    Explanation
    Michigan became the 26th state to enter the United States of America in 1837. This is the correct answer because it aligns with historical records and the chronological order in which states were admitted to the Union.

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  • 8. 

    Michigan has more lighthouses than any other US state. How many lighthouses are in Michigan?

    • 50

    • 100

    • 150

    • 200

    Correct Answer
    A. 150
    Explanation
    Michigan has more lighthouses than any other US state, with a total of 150 lighthouses.

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  • 9. 

    If Michigan were to become an independent country, it would have a GDP similar to:

    • Belgium

    • Israel

    • Turkey

    • South Africa

    Correct Answer
    A. Belgium
    Explanation
    Michigan's GDP for 2016 was estimated at $468,029 million US$. Belgium $465,248 million USD.

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  • 10. 

    Kalamazoo became famous with the 1942 hit "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo" by...

    • Buddy Rich

    • Glenn Miller

    • Frank Sinatra

    • Louis Armstrong

    Correct Answer
    A. Glenn Miller
    Explanation
    Glenn Miller is the correct answer because he was the one who recorded and released the song "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo" in 1942. The song became a hit and helped to popularize the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Glenn Miller was a famous bandleader and musician during the swing era, known for his big band sound.

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  • 11. 

    The great fire of Michigan took place in 1871 in what region of Michigan?

    • Port Huron

    • Holland

    • Manistee

    • All of the Above

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the Above
    Explanation
    Uninterrupted droughts and strong winds led to devastating fires in Port Huron, Holland and Manistee - All on the same day, October 8, 1871.

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  • 12. 

    The Republican Party was founded in the state of Michigan. Which city was it founded in?

    • Detroit

    • Lansing

    • Jackson

    • Ann Arbor

    Correct Answer
    A. Jackson
    Explanation
    The Republican Party was founded in Jackson, Michigan. Jackson was the birthplace of the party, where a group of anti-slavery activists met in 1854 to form the Republican Party. This meeting was held in Jackson's historic Phoenix House, making it the founding city of the party.

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  • 13. 

    What Michigan city was formerly known as Frenchtown?

    • Monroe

    • Detroit

    • Traverse City

    • Port Huron

    Correct Answer
    A. Monroe
    Explanation
    Monroe was formerly known as Frenchtown.

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  • 14. 

    Michigan is home to the first European settlement in the Midwest. 

    • Sault Ste. Marie

    • Detroit

    • Port Huron

    • Marquette

    Correct Answer
    A. Sault Ste. Marie
    Explanation
    Sault Ste. Marie was founded in 1668

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  • 15. 

    Bell's Brewery makes an ale and Ernest Hemingway wrote a short story commemorating this natural Michigan wonder.

    • Quinannan Falls

    • Two Hearted River

    • Sleeping Bear Dunes

    • Mount Arvon

    Correct Answer
    A. Two Hearted River
    Explanation
    Ernest Hemingway wrote a short story commemorating the Two Hearted River, a natural wonder in Michigan. Bell's Brewery, on the other hand, is known for making ale. The question is asking for a natural Michigan wonder that is associated with both Bell's Brewery and Ernest Hemingway's short story, and the only option that fits this description is the Two Hearted River.

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  • 16. 

    As of 2010 what is the population of Michigan?

    • 6.2 million

    • 9.9 million

    • 11.7 million

    • 16.0 million

    Correct Answer
    A. 9.9 million
    Explanation
    In 2010, the population of Michigan was 9.9 million. This information is likely based on the official census data from that year.

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  • 17. 

    In 1847 the state capital of Michigan was moved from Detroit to Lansing. Which of the following was not a reason why Lansing was picked as the location for the Michigan state capital city?

    • Lansing residents agreed to fund the development of a new state capitol building

    • The need to develop western portions of the state

    • Easier defense from British troops stationed in Windsor

    Correct Answer
    A. Lansing residents agreed to fund the development of a new state capitol building
    Explanation
    Lansing residents agreeing to fund the development of a new state capitol building was not a reason why Lansing was picked as the location for the Michigan state capital city. The question is asking for the option that was not a reason, and this option suggests that Lansing residents were willing to financially support the construction of the state capitol building, which is not a reason for choosing Lansing as the capital.

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  • 18. 

    What was the original name of the University of Michigan?

    • Catholepistemiad

    • Michigan Tech

    • Woodward College

    • The Michigan State University

    Correct Answer
    A. Catholepistemiad
    Explanation
    The original name of the University of Michigan was Catholepistemiad.

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  • 19. 

    We know Michigan State University's mascot today is the Spartans. What was their former mascot?

    • Wildcats

    • Warriors

    • Wolverines

    • Aggies

    Correct Answer
    A. Wildcats
    Explanation
    MSU was formerly known as the Michigan Agricultural College - hence the nickname Aggies.

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  • 20. 

    Today we recognize Cadillac as both a Michigan city and a car. Where did this Michigan name originate?

    • David Dunbar Cadillac - Scottish born inventor, founder of the Cadillac company

    • Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac - French explorer and army officer

    • Louis Phélypeaux Cadillac - French Canadian fur trader

    • Henry Leland Cadillac - Inventor and nephew of GM Co-Founder Charles Stewart Mott

    Correct Answer
    A. David Dunbar Cadillac - Scottish born inventor, founder of the Cadillac company
    Explanation
    Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac was an adventurer in New France, an area of North America that stretched from present-day Eastern Canada in the north to Louisiana on the Gulf of Mexico in the south and is credited as a founder of Detroit.

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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 04, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Jul 28, 2016
    Quiz Created by
    Michaelhall5463

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