Questions from every age
Was Napoleon really short? Was the Great Wall built all at once? Who walked on the Moon first? Our history quiz goes from the pyramids and ancient Rome to the explorers, the inventors and the great events of the 20th century.
The Yes or No questions take on the history myths that everyone has heard at least once. After every answer you see the correct one and the story behind it, in a couple of lines.
History quiz questions with answers
Who was the first person to walk on the Moon?
Neil Armstrong, on July 20, 1969, during the Apollo 11 mission. Buzz Aldrin followed him about 20 minutes later.
In which year did the Berlin Wall fall?
1989, on the night of November 9. The wall had stood since 1961, and Germany was reunified less than a year later, on October 3, 1990.
Who was the first president of the United States?
George Washington, in office from 1789 to 1797. John Adams, his vice president, was the second.
Which ship sank on its first voyage, in 1912?
Titanic. the Titanic, which hit an iceberg and sank on April 15, 1912. The Lusitania was sunk by a German submarine in 1915.
Was the Great Wall of China built all at once?
No. It was built and rebuilt over many centuries by different dynasties. Most of the parts visitors see today date from the Ming dynasty.
Was Napoleon much shorter than other men of his time?
No. He was about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches (1.68–1.70 m), roughly average for a Frenchman of his day. The myth comes partly from confusion between French and English inches, and partly from British cartoons that drew him as tiny.
More history questions
Who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic?
Amelia Earhart, in 1932, from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland.
Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776.
Which Wonder of the Ancient World stood in Alexandria, Egypt?
The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also called the Pharos, one of the tallest buildings of the ancient world.
In which year did World War II end?
1945: in Europe in May, and in the Pacific in September, when Japan formally surrendered.
Who was the first emperor of Rome?
Augustus, Julius Caesar's adopted heir. The Senate gave him the name Augustus in 27 BC.
Ways to play
- Classic: one question, four answers, and every second counts toward your grade.
- Yes or No: true or false, including the history myths that fool almost everyone.
- Clues, Fill-in and Guess: work out a name, a place or an event from clues or letter by letter.
Frequently asked questions
What periods does the history quiz cover?
From ancient Egypt and Rome to the explorers, the American Revolution and the 20th century, in several game modes. We add new questions over time.
Is the history quiz free?
Yes. You can play it without signing up; a free account saves your score.
Is it suitable for kids?
Yes. The questions are about well-known people and events, and every answer comes with a short explanation.
Where to go next
Explore the world with the geography quiz, try the movie quiz, or test yourself on everything with the General Knowledge Quiz. Scoring, timers and hints are explained in the quiz guide.