FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Pennsylvania Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Pennsylvania Quizzes, Trivia

Pennsylvania History Trivia

Pennsylvania History Trivia Quizzes

  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. History Trivia
  6. »
  7. U.S. States & Cities

Fun Trivia
12 Pennsylvania History quizzes and 140 Pennsylvania History trivia questions.
1.
  Basic Pennsylvania History   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a simple quiz on Pennsylvania history that everyone should know.
Easier, 10 Qns, vivalateresa, Nov 14 22
Easier
vivalateresa
Nov 14 22
4385 plays
2.
  Philadelphia History   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
Philadelphia has a rich and storied history, and there are many historical curiosities to be found there. See how much you know about the City of Brotherly Love!
Tough, 20 Qns, uroborus, May 03 13
Tough
uroborus
1849 plays
3.
  William Penn   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
William Penn founded Pennsylvania and brought to the Colonies a new spirit of Tolerance.
Average, 10 Qns, star_gazer, Apr 07 17
Average
star_gazer
770 plays
4.
  It Happened in Pittsburgh    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here are some fun facts about Pittsburgh that most people don't know ... even some of the locals!
Tough, 10 Qns, girlapollo, Jan 10 06
Tough
girlapollo
1525 plays
5.
  Allentown   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz all about my hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Average, 10 Qns, wweaddict, Mar 13 09
Average
wweaddict
432 plays
6.
  The Historic Keystone State   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
A few historical questions about my home state, Pennsylvania. Let's see what you know about the Keystone State!
Tough, 20 Qns, markr_1, Oct 17 12
Tough
markr_1
1602 plays
7.
  Philadelphia Quiz 101    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Hi! My name is Stephanie. I created this quiz about Philadelphia because I am from there. I just wanted to know how much you know about my hometown. Have fun!
Average, 10 Qns, stephanie_03, Dec 27 13
Average
stephanie_03
1830 plays
8.
  Pennsylvania, The Keystone State    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
More interesting facts and trivia on the Keystone State.
Tough, 10 Qns, markr_1, Oct 06 05
Tough
markr_1
1330 plays
9.
  Pennsylvania History    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz about Pennsylvania's history from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. Also a modern question on Pennsylvania.
Tough, 10 Qns, bldudas, Oct 06 13
Tough
bldudas
1383 plays
10.
  State History: Pennsylvania    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is all about Pennsylvania, America.
Tough, 10 Qns, password1989, Jan 13 13
Tough
password1989
1818 plays
trivia question Quick Question
This Pennsylvanian helped to negotiate the alliance between the Continental Congress and France. Who was it?

From Quiz "The Historic Keystone State"




11.
  Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz about a small town in PA. It was once a very important place.
Tough, 10 Qns, detgolf, Mar 28 07
Tough
detgolf
449 plays
12.
  Vintondale    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is about my home town of Vintondale, Pennsylvania.
Difficult, 10 Qns, detgolf, Mar 13 14
Difficult
detgolf
331 plays
Related Topics
  Pennsylvania Famous People [People] (5 quizzes)

  Pittsburgh Steelers [Sports] (37 quizzes)

  Mixed Pennsylvania [General] (6 quizzes)

  Pennsylvania Sports [Sports] (13 quizzes)

  Pennsylvania [Geography] (29 quizzes)


Pennsylvania History Trivia Questions
1. What year was Allentown founded?

From Quiz Allentown

Answer: 1762

Allentown was founded in 1762 by William Allen. Allentown lies in mid-eastern Pennsylvania, north of Philadelphia.

2. What religion was William Penn?

From Quiz William Penn

Answer: Quaker

In 1647 George Fox started the Quaker religion in England answering a need for the many people who were tired of the "showmanship" of traditional churches, Fox taught that Christ was to be experienced directly and not through an intermediate ritual and/or minister ('reverend'). Fox's people called themselves "Friends" but adopted the sobriquet "Quakers" which was at first meant to ridicule the way many of them shook as they prayed to God.

3. Who is Pennsylvania named after?

From Quiz Basic Pennsylvania History

Answer: Admiral Sir William Penn

Admiral Sir William Penn was the father of William Penn (junior) who founded the state and named it in honor of his father. Hence "Penn"-sylvania. William Penn's (junior) was the first leader of the Quakers in America. He also was one of the first people to treat the Native Americans with respect.

4. Who is Vintondale named after?

From Quiz Vintondale

Answer: Augustine Vinton Barker

Augustine Vinton Barker was the Ebensburg industrial developer.

5. What does Nanty Glo (Nant-y-Glo) mean?

From Quiz Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania

Answer: stream of coal

It is a Welsh name and is appropriate because Nanty Glo was once a coal mining town.

6. What ice cream novelty treat was introduced in 1929 by Pittsburgh company Isaly's?

From Quiz It Happened in Pittsburgh

Answer: Klondike Bars

Isaly's first introduced the Klondike bar in 1929, followed by their famous "chipped ham" which was introduced in 1933.

7. The oldest operational theater in the English speaking world is in Philadelphia. Do you know what it is called?

From Quiz Philadelphia History

Answer: Walnut Street Theater

The theater opened in 1809 as "The New Circus", and was used for equestrian displays. A dome was soon added, making the structure the highest in Philadelphia at the time. In 1811 a stage was added for theatrical productions, and the theater was renamed "The Olympic". In 1812 the first theatrical production was held there, entitled "The Rivals". President Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis De Lafyette were in attendance. In 1820, the theater was renamed "The Walnut Street Theater", and went back to "The Olympic" in 1822. In 1828 it was again renamed the "Walnut Street Theater", putting the schizophrenia at last to rest.

8. Who was Pennsylvania named after?

From Quiz Philadelphia Quiz 101

Answer: William Penn

The reason for the grant of land to William Penn was that King James II owed him a substantial sum of money and he was given land in lieu of cash. He said that he named the state after his father, not after himself.

9. What group of people did William Penn lead to Pennsylvania?

From Quiz State History: Pennsylvania

Answer: Quakers & Quaker

Willam Penn was a very hard worker in putting the 13 colonies together.

10. Who was the only Pennsylvanian to be elected President?

From Quiz The Historic Keystone State

Answer: James Buchanan

Both Garfield and McKinley were from Ohio. Eisenhower, was born in Texas, but kept a home in Gettysburg.

11. During the Revolutionary War the Liberty Bell was hidden in what church in Allentown?

From Quiz Allentown

Answer: Zion's Reformed Church

After the Battle of Brandywine in 1777, it was ordered by the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennslyvania, that in fear of the British melting them down to make weapons, eleven bells were to be hidden to prevent this from occuring. After numerous stops, the Liberty Bell was hidden in Zion's Reformed Church in Allentown while the British invaded the city of Philadelphia. The Bell was returned to Philadelphia in June of 1778, after the British left Philadelphia.

12. Where was William Penn born?

From Quiz William Penn

Answer: London, England

His father was the highly respected Admiral Sir William Penn.

13. What is Philly also known as?

From Quiz Basic Pennsylvania History

Answer: the city of brotherly love

Philly is known as the city of brotherly love. It was given that name by the Quakers who lived in the area. Also it is said to be called Philly because of the good relationship between the Native Americans and the Quakers.

14. What was the orginal name of Vintondale?

From Quiz Vintondale

Answer: Vintonvale

It was changed to Vintondale because it was too easily confused with nearby Vinco.

15. This Pennsylvanian commanded the Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Gettysburg. What was his name?

From Quiz Pennsylvania, The Keystone State

Answer: George Meade

General Meade was appointed to take over command from General Joseph Hooker shortly before the battle. The battle took place on July 1-3, 1863.

16. There is a museum in Philadelphia dedicated to the works of a single great French artist. The collection of this artist's work in Philadelphia is the largest outside Paris. Who is the artist?

From Quiz Philadelphia History

Answer: Auguste Rodin

The Rodin Museum opened to the public in 1929 and showcases 124 sculptures. The Rodin Museum in Philadelphia has the odd distinction of being the only museum in the world in which a firearm was discharged during a robbery. In 1988 a thief attempted to make off with the famous bronze bust "Man with a Broken Nose". A security guard at the museum shot the man once in the hindquarters, but the perpetrator still managed to hail a taxi and escape. Police issued a reward notice, the thief was promptly "busted", and the bust was recovered intact.

17. Which Pennsylvanian city was the host to the First and Second Continental Congresses?

From Quiz Pennsylvania History

Answer: Philadelphia

The First and Second Continental Congresses met from 1774 and 1775-81. These meetings were held and the old Pennsylvania State House, now called Independence Hall. This is also where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

18. Where in Philly was the Declaration of Independence signed?

From Quiz Philadelphia Quiz 101

Answer: Independence Hall

Independence Hall still stands.

19. William Penn named his state 'Sylvania'. Who put the 'Penn' on it?

From Quiz State History: Pennsylvania

Answer: King Charles II

The king gave William Penn the land because the he owed a substantial sum of money to William Penn's father, who had died.

20. Jim Thorpe, voted the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century, attended what college?

From Quiz The Historic Keystone State

Answer: Carlisle Indian School

At Carlisle, Thorpe starred in football, baseball and track and field.

21. Former Chairman of Chrysler Corporation, Lee Iacocca, attended what high school in Allentown?

From Quiz Allentown

Answer: William Allen High School

Lee Iacocca attended William Allen High School which serves the students from the western and southern parts of Allentown. Here are some other notable people to attend William Allen High School... Amanda Seyfried- Star of "Mama Mia!" Joe Wolf- NFl Arizona Cardinals Lara Jill Miller- Voice Actress: "The Life and Times of Juniper Lee"

22. In 1677 a group of important men all from Penn's religion received a land area in the Colonies for them to settle. Penn himself remained in England but wrote a government for this new community. In what part of the US was this land area located?

From Quiz William Penn

Answer: Western New Jersey

About 200 setlers from England founded the town of Burlington. Today Burlington, New Jersey is an active township.

23. What huge battle of the Civil War took place in Pennsylvania?

From Quiz Basic Pennsylvania History

Answer: Gettysburg

Gettysburg was the turning-point in the war which helped the north win. Gettysburg is very close to the Maryland border.

24. What or who were the orginal houses built in Vintondale for?

From Quiz Vintondale

Answer: Vinton Lumber Company

These houses are still standing. The wood gathered by this company were used to make the railroads. This was the big business before the coal mines opened up.

25. When did electricity first come to Nant-y-Glo?

From Quiz Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania

Answer: 1908

John and Henry Conrad owned the Jackson Light and Power company. The company later became known as Penn Central and is now owned by Pennsylvania Electric Company/GPU. This company works out of Cambria County.

26. The Pennsylvania State University was chartered as a land grant institution in what year?

From Quiz Pennsylvania, The Keystone State

Answer: 1855

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania chartered the school at the request of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society. The goal of its founders was to apply scientific principles to farming. It was originally named the Farmer's High School of Pennsylvania.

27. What did Penn call the plan for Philadelphia?

From Quiz Philadelphia Quiz 101

Answer: The Holy-Experiment

The Holy-Experiment was which men of all races and creeds govern themselves in complete religious, political and intellectual freedom.

28. What was the occupation of William Penn's father?

From Quiz State History: Pennsylvania

Answer: Naval officer

29. At the Battle of Gettysburg, this Union officer noticed that Little Round Top was not defended and took it upon himself to deploy troops there, just in the nick of time. Who was it?

From Quiz The Historic Keystone State

Answer: Colonel Strong Vincent

He placed Chamberlin's 20th Maine at the end of the Union line. Vincent died from wounds received in the defense of Little Round Top.

30. Who was the artist who had a hit with the song "Allentown"?

From Quiz Allentown

Answer: Billy Joel

Billy Joel wrote the song "Allentown" with the emphasis on the rust belt: "Well we're living here in Allentown And they're closing all the factories down".

This is category 5527
Last Updated Apr 13 2024 5:45 AM
play trivia = Top 5% Rated Quiz, take trivia quiz Top 10% Rated Quiz, test trivia quiz Top 20% Rated Quiz, popular trivia A Well Rated Quiz
new quizzes = added recently, editor pick = Editor's Pick editor = FunTrivia Editor gold = Gold Member

Teachers / educators: FunTrivia welcomes the use of our website and quizzes in the classroom as a teaching aid or for preparing and testing students. See our education section. Our quizzes are printable and may be used as question sheets by k-12 teachers, parents, and home schoolers.

 ·  All questions, answers, and quiz content on this website is copyright FunTrivia, Inc and may not be reproduced without permission. Any images from TV shows and movies are copyright their studios, and are being used under "fair use" for commentary and education.