1.
Which President was once James Polk's Secretary of State?
Correct Answer
D. James Buchanan
Explanation
James Buchanan was once James Polk's Secretary of State.
2.
Which U.S. President died of cancer?
Correct Answer
D. Ulysses S. Grant
Explanation
Ulysses S. Grant is the correct answer because he is the only president from the given options who died of cancer. Millard Fillmore, James Polk, and Andrew Johnson did not die of cancer.
3.
Where was President James Garfield shot at?
Correct Answer
D. A Railroad Station
Explanation
President James Garfield was shot at a railroad station. This refers to the historical event known as the assassination of President Garfield. On July 2, 1881, while at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C., Garfield was shot twice by Charles J. Guiteau. The shooting ultimately led to Garfield's death on September 19, 1881.
4.
What was President Benjamin Harrison's highest rank while in the 70th Volunteer Infantry?
Correct Answer
D. Colonel
Explanation
During his time in the 70th Volunteer Infantry, President Benjamin Harrison held the rank of Colonel.
5.
Which U.S. President's first wife and mother died on the exact same day?
Correct Answer
B. Theodore Roosevelt's
Explanation
The correct answer is Theodore Roosevelt's. Both his first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee, and his mother, Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, died on the same day, February 14, 1884. This was a tragic event in Roosevelt's life, as he was devastated by the loss of both important women in his life.
6.
What President was once a newspaper publisher?
Correct Answer
B. Warren Harding
Explanation
Warren Harding was once a newspaper publisher before becoming President. He owned and operated the Marion Daily Star newspaper in Ohio. Harding's experience in the newspaper industry helped him gain political connections and support, eventually leading to his successful presidential campaign in 1920. As President, Harding faced numerous challenges, including scandals within his administration, but his background in publishing played a significant role in shaping his political career.
7.
What military unit led Allied troops up the cliffs of Point du Hoc on D-Day?
Correct Answer
B. U.S. Army Rangers
Explanation
The U.S. Army Rangers led the Allied troops up the cliffs of Point du Hoc on D-Day. The Rangers were specially trained and equipped for difficult and high-risk missions, making them the ideal unit for this task. They successfully scaled the cliffs under heavy enemy fire and neutralized German artillery positions, securing an important strategic point for the Allied invasion of Normandy.
8.
What state did Senator Everett Dirkson represent?
Correct Answer
B. Illinois
Explanation
Senator Everett Dirkson represented the state of Illinois.
9.
What magazine obtained exclusive rights to the Zapruder film of J.F.K.'s assassination?
Correct Answer
B. Life
Explanation
Life magazine obtained exclusive rights to the Zapruder film of J.F.K.'s assassination.
10.
Which astronaut was aboard Apollo 11 but did not walk on the moon?
Correct Answer
A. Michael Collins
Explanation
Michael Collins was aboard Apollo 11 but did not walk on the moon because he was in charge of piloting the Command Module while Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong descended to the lunar surface in the Lunar Module. Collins remained in orbit around the moon and played a crucial role in the mission by ensuring the safe return of the astronauts to Earth.
11.
What date did the Oklahoma City bombing occur?
Correct Answer
B. April 19, 1995
Explanation
The correct answer is April 19, 1995. This was the date when the Oklahoma City bombing occurred.
12.
Where was gold first found in California during the period referred to as the Gold Rush?
Correct Answer
D. Sutters Mill
Explanation
During the Gold Rush period in California, gold was first discovered at Sutter's Mill. This location, owned by John Sutter, was situated in Coloma, California. In 1848, James W. Marshall found gold flakes in the tailrace of the mill, leading to the famous Gold Rush that attracted thousands of people to California in search of fortune. Sutter's Mill became an iconic symbol of the Gold Rush and played a significant role in the history of California's gold mining industry.
13.
Who was the Vice President during President Lincoln's first term?
Correct Answer
D. Hannibal Hamlin
Explanation
Hannibal Hamlin was the Vice President during President Lincoln's first term.
14.
Who did the House of Representatives choose to be U.S. President in the election of 1824?
Correct Answer
D. John Quincy Adams
Explanation
The House of Representatives chose John Quincy Adams to be U.S. President in the election of 1824. This decision was made because no candidate received a majority of the electoral votes. Adams, Clay, and Jackson were the top three candidates, but Jackson had the most electoral votes. However, since no candidate had a majority, the decision was passed to the House of Representatives, where Adams was able to secure the necessary support from state delegations to become president.
15.
When did the Reconstruction period end?
Correct Answer
C. 1877
Explanation
The Reconstruction period ended in 1877. This was the year when the last federal troops were withdrawn from the South, marking the end of the federal government's efforts to enforce civil rights and protect the rights of newly freed slaves. The Compromise of 1877, which resulted in the withdrawal of federal troops, also effectively ended Reconstruction and allowed Southern states to revert to discriminatory practices and policies against African Americans.