Famous Taverns in U.S. History Quiz

Answer: George Washington bade farewell to his officers following the Revolutionary War.

Following his meeting with his officers, Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief and returned to Mount Vernon, intending to enjoy a much-deserved retirement. Fraunces Tavern is still open and houses a restaurant and a museum.

Answer: Jack London

Located on the Oakland waterfront, the bar was built in 1880 from the timbers of an old whaling ship. Sailors used to make this the last stop before going out to sea, and the first upon their return, hence the bar's name. London used many of the stories he heard here in his books. For example, the saloon is mentioned 17 times in London's novel "John Barleycorn".

Answer: Shays Rebellion

Daniel Shays, a decorated Revolutionary War veteran, organized about 800 Massachusetts farmers in rebellion against various farm policies which were bankrupting farmers. The rebellion was squelched the next year, but most of the men involved were ultimately pardoned.

Answer: Dorr Rebellion

The Dorr Rebellion of 1841-1842 is an important event in Rhode Island history. Dorr was rebelling against Rhode Island laws limiting the vote to landowners, which disenfranchised many urban laborers. Both Dorr and the incumbent governor claimed to have won the gubernatorial election of 1842, resulting in Dorr convening the Rhode Island general assembly at Sprague's Tavern.

Although Dorr was found guilty of treason, his revolt was successful in that voting requirements were soon liberalized. The tavern, now known as Tavern on Main, is still open for business.

Answer: The Billy Goat Tavern

The tavern owner was ejected from a key World Series game with his pet goat during one of the 1945 World Series games, and is said to have put a hex on the Cubs as he left. The legend of course has grown over the years, and "The Curse of the Billy Goat" has supposedly kept the Cubs out of the World Series for the following 63 years.

The same tavern is also trivially famous as the source of John Belushi's famous Saturday Night Live sketches in which he always yelled out "cheeseburger, cheeseburger; no fries, chips; no Coke, Pepsi."

Answer: Seattle

Opening in 1934 soon after prohibition had ended, this tavern quickly became popular with University of Washington students. It has survived, escaping demolition due to fervent protests by its many supporters.

Answer: Andrew Jackson

Jackson reportedly snuck out through a window of the White House and walked the six miles to the tavern to avoid the rowdy inaugural party which his supporters were having at the White House.

Answer: White Horse Tavern

It was here that Thomas uttered his famous last words, "I've had eighteen straight whiskeys, I think that's the record."

Answer: Wyatt Earp

It was while working as a card dealer at the Long Branch in the 1870's that Earp forged his reputation as a lawman and gambler. After that he moved around a lot, and ended up dying in Los Angeles at the age of 80.

Answer: Wild Bill Hickok

It was here that Hickok was shot dead on August 2, 1876, holding the now-famous "dead man's hand", Aces and eights.