Are You Smarter Than the Average American?

By: Julia | Published: May 03, 2024

The United States of America has an ample amount of history. Though many of us may think we know an awful lot about our country, there are many historical facts that may stump us when faced with a quiz.

Take this test to see if you’re smarter than the average American citizen!

Who was the first president of the United States?

  • A) John Adams
  • B) George Washington
  • C) Thomas Jefferson
  • D) Benjamin Franklin
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A 1913 black and white painting of John Adams and George Washington.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Answer:

George Washington was the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797.

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An 1803 painting of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

When was the United States of America first founded?

  • A) 1497
  • B) 1679
  • C) 1776
  • D) 1800
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A 1900s painting by Howard Chandler Christy of the signing of the Constitution.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Answer:

The United States of America was officially founded on July 4, 1776, upon the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

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Red, white, and blue fireworks seen during Fourth of July celebrations.

Source: Jim Strasma/Unsplash

In what city was the Declaration of Independence Signed?

  • A) Washington D.C.
  • B) New York City
  • C) Boston
  • D) Philadelphia
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An 1819 painting by John Trumbull of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

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Answer:

The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia in 1776.

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Independence National Historic Park seen in Philadelphia in the daytime.

Source: Phillip Goldsberry/Unsplash

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What is the capital of California?

  • A) Los Angeles
  • B) Sacramento
  • C) San Francisco
  • D) San Diego
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Many palm trees seen in the daytime in California.

Source: Julian Myles/Unsplash

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Answer:

The capital of California is Sacramento.

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A government building seen in Sacramento, California in the daytime.

Source: W K/Unsplash

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Which American city is also commonly called “The Big Easy”?

  • A) New Orleans
  • B) Chicago
  • C) Los Angeles
  • D) New York City
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Many people walking down a street in New Orleans.

Source: mana5280/Unsplash

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Answer:

New Orleans is commonly called “The Big Easy” thanks to a newspaper writer in the 1970s who described the city’s relaxed, easy-going way of life.

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Terraces and Louisiana architecture seen in New Orleans.

Source: Aya Salman/Unsplash

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In which state is the Grand Canyon located?

  • A) California
  • B) Colorado
  • C) Alaska
  • D) Arizona
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An aerial view of Grand Canyon seen in the daytime.

ource: Omer Nezih Gerek/Unsplash

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Answer:

The Grand Canyon is located in Arizona.

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The Grand Canyon National Park seen in Arizona in the daytime.

Source: Anthony Melone/Unsplash

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What is Abraham Lincoln best known for today?

  • A) Being athletic
  • B) Being talkative
  • C) Being the president of the states that seceded
  • D) Freeing slaves throughout the country
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A white statue of Abraham Lincoln at a national monument.

Source: Ed Fr/Unsplash

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Answer:

Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation while he was president, which freed more than 3.5 million slaves across the country.

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An 1860s engraving of Abraham Lincoln with the Emancipation Proclamation.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

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Who was the first American to ever set foot on the moon and walk on it?

  • A) Buzz Aldrin
  • B) Neil Armstrong
  • C) Michael Collins
  • D) John Glenn
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A close-up view of the Moon.

Source: Pedro Lastra/Unsplash

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Answer:

Neil Armstrong became the first person — and first American — to walk on the moon in 1969.

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Neil Armstrong on the moon planting an American flag.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

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How many states does the United States have?

  • A) 42
  • B) 49
  • C) 50
  • D) 52
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Many American flags on poles waving in the wind.

Source: Kevin Lanceplaine/Unsplash

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Answer:

The United States has 50 states.

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An aerial satellite view of the United States in the evening.

Source: NASA/Unsplash

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How many years is one presidential term?

  • A) Two years
  • B) Four years
  • C) Six years
  • D) Eight years
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The White House seen at night with its lights on.

Source: Tabrez Syed/Unsplash

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Answer:

One presidential term is four years

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A black and white photo of Mount Rushmore with carvings of presidents’ heads.

Source: Brandon Mowinkel/Unsplash

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In what year did the U.S. officially enter into World War II?

  • A) 1939
  • B) 1941
  • C) 1943
  • D) 1944
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Senior military leaders during World War II seen in 1945.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

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Answer:

After the Pearl Harbor attacks, the U.S. officially joined World War II on December 7, 1941.

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The Pearl Harbor attack by Japan in 1941.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

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Which city in the United States is commonly called “Sin City”?

  • A) Miami
  • B) Atlantic City
  • C) Las Vegas
  • D) New York City
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A view of the Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada seen in the evening.

Source: Kvnga/Unsplash

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Answer:

A place full of gambling and late-night entertainment, Las Vegas has long been called “Sin City.”

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A casino with gambling machines seen in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Source: Kvnga/Unsplash

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What is the national anthem of the United States?

  • A) The Star-Spangled Banner
  • B) Proud to Be an American
  • C) God Bless America
  • D) This Land Is Your Land
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An American flag hanging on a pole in front of water.

Source: Sophia Simoes/Unsplash

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Answer:

Though it was first written by Francis Scott Key in 1814, “The Star-Spangled Banner” didn’t become the official national anthem of the U.S. until 1931.

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A music score sheet of The Star-Spangled Banner.

Source: Ministries Coordinator/Unsplash

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What is the national mammal in the United States?

  • A) Bear
  • B) Elk
  • C) Eagle
  • D) Bison
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A deer seen in a national park in the United States.

Source: Katie Moum/Unsplash

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Answer:

In 2016, President Barack Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act, which made bison the national mammal of the United States.

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A bison seen grazing on grass in the daytime.

Source: Bryce olsen/Unsplash

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What is the longest river in the United States?

  • A) Mississippi River
  • B) Rio Grande
  • C) Missouri River
  • D) Ohio River
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A river seen next to a highway in the United States.

Source: Daniel Jerez/Unsplash

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Answer:

The Mississippi River is the longest river in the United States at about 2,347 miles

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A steamboat seen on the Mississippi River in the daytime.

Source: Tomas Martinez/Unsplash

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