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1900s History Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
1900s History Quizzes, Trivia

1900s History Trivia

1900s History Trivia Quizzes

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17 1900s History quizzes and 170 1900s History trivia questions.
1.
  1906: Events of the Year   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz covers some of the notable and historically significant events of the year 1906.
Average, 10 Qns, Fifiona81, Jan 31 23
Average
Fifiona81 editor
Jan 31 23
470 plays
2.
  The Perils of 1901    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Click on this quiz to answer ten questions about perilous things that happened in the twelve months of 1901.
Average, 10 Qns, pennie1478, Mar 31 23
Average
pennie1478 gold member
Mar 31 23
431 plays
3.
  It Happened in 1900   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Here are some interesting events that marked the start of the new century.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, zorba_scank, Jan 10 23
Very Easy
zorba_scank gold member
Jan 10 23
478 plays
4.
  What Happened in ... ?   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I'll go through the decade from 1900 to 1909 with things that happened in each year--you name the event!
Average, 10 Qns, john_sunseri, Dec 19 09
Average
john_sunseri
5015 plays
5.
  Where Did It Happen? 1900s Edition   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Ten quizzes by ten different authors will highlight various events of the Twentieth Century. Here is my instalment on the years 1900-1909.
Average, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Apr 06 19
Average
JanIQ gold member
Apr 06 19
751 plays
6.
  In the Year 1900   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Welcome to a tour of the year 1900, one which deals with various events that made world news from that year, either then or later. As always, have fun!
Average, 10 Qns, Creedy, Dec 27 18
Average
Creedy gold member
Dec 27 18
2051 plays
7.
  20th-Century History in the 1900s    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz covers major historical events at the turn of the century in the 1900s.
Average, 10 Qns, sw11, Mar 17 21
Average
sw11 gold member
Mar 17 21
709 plays
8.
  1904    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A short quiz on the happenings of 1904 around the world.
Average, 10 Qns, spaceowl, Aug 16 22
Average
spaceowl gold member
Aug 16 22
273 plays
9.
  People, Places and Events-- 1900-1909    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is quiz on people, places and events that made the headlines in the years 1900-1909. Good Luck!
Tough, 10 Qns, Ballykissangel, Nov 19 10
Tough
Ballykissangel
2643 plays
10.
  Welcome to a Homemaker's Life in the 1900s    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Welcome to my grandmother's life in America in the 1900s. I enjoyed her stories and I hope you do too.
Average, 10 Qns, Jinxgirl, Aug 23 23
Average
Jinxgirl
Aug 23 23
509 plays
trivia question Quick Question
On July 15 1904, the author of "The Seagull" died. Which Russian author and playwright wrote "The Seagull"?

From Quiz "20th Century Mixed Bag, 1904-1905"




11.
  History 1900 To 1909    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All these events happened in the the first decade of the 1900s.
Tough, 10 Qns, maggielouise, Sep 15 20
Tough
maggielouise
Sep 15 20
3588 plays
12.
  20th Century Mixed Bag, 1900-1901    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The first of what may be a series of quizzes. One for every two years of the last century. The questions and additional information are primarily but not exclusively based on the book "Chronicle of the 20th Century" by Derrick Mercer.
Difficult, 10 Qns, gerry01, Nov 09 06
Difficult
gerry01
2521 plays
13.
  20th Century Mixed Bag, 1904-1905    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The third in a series of quizzes, one for every two years of the last century. The questions and additional information are primarily but not exclusively based on the book "Chronicle of the 20th Century" by Derrick Mercer.
Tough, 10 Qns, gerry01, Apr 11 05
Tough
gerry01
1574 plays
14.
  20th Century Mixed Bag, 1902-1903    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The second in a series of quizzes, one for every two years of the last century. The questions and additional information are primarily but not exclusively based on the book "Chronicle of the 20th Century" by Derrick Mercer.
Difficult, 10 Qns, gerry01, Oct 21 09
Difficult
gerry01
1219 plays
15.
  1905    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz on events that occurred in 1905.
Tough, 10 Qns, doupse, Jun 21 14
Tough
doupse
1593 plays
16.
  The 20th Century - 1901-1910    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz covers some interesting facts during the first decade of the 20th Century. One question per year.
Difficult, 10 Qns, sportcon, Nov 21 14
Difficult
sportcon
2473 plays
17.
  1907    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here are some fascinating facts from the year 1907. Good luck.
Average, 10 Qns, doupse, Sep 08 19
Average
doupse
Sep 08 19
2131 plays

1900s History Trivia Questions

1. On September 7, 1901, the Boxer Rebellion in China was ended by an alliance formed by how many nations? The rebellion started on November 2, 1899, against the foreigners.

From Quiz
20th-Century History in the 1900s

Answer: 8

The rebellion that started on November 2, 1899, was against imperialism, foreigners, and Christianity, and was supported by Qing Empire. The boxers who were trained in Chinese martial arts believed they were invincible against the foreign weapons went around to harass Christian missionaries and foreigners. On September 7, 1901, the rebellion was put down by alliance of eight nations that consisted of the British Empire, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, United States, Austria-Hungary, and Japan.

2. June 1900. A group known as "The Righteous and Harmonious Fists" attacked a multinational expedition lead by General Seymour. Where did the rebels almost wipe out the foreign expedition?

From Quiz Where Did It Happen? 1900s Edition

Answer: China

"The Righteous and Harmonious Fists" was the almost official name of the nationalist group Yihequan, better known in western history as the "Boxers". Countries such as Great Britain, Russia and the USA tried to establish colonies in China, which provoked the rise of a prominent nationalist group. The Boxers approached Beijing and threatened to drive all foreign legations out of the city and country by force. The British General Seymour decided to take some 2,000 troops from the UK, the German Empire, Russia, France, the USA, Japan, Italy and Austria-Hungary to Beijing in support of the legations. But a force of about 2,000 Boxers and about 3,000 Chinese Muslim troops (known as the Kansu Braves) fought them off, and meanwhile the legations endured a fifty-five days siege.

3. Mrs. Johnson hosted several neighbor ladies for a fancy afternoon social event. She served scones and a piping hot Earl Grey. What is the name of the covering that helped this beverage retain its heat?

From Quiz Welcome to a Homemaker's Life in the 1900s

Answer: Cozy

A tea cozy is a lovely covering for a tea pot that helps it stay at serving temperature. An Afghan can help retain heat in several ways - snuggle up with a wonderful long-haired dog, wrap up in a blanket or shawl of the same name, or (ideally) both!

4. This way, folks, just follow me. We'll begin with some musical history. Which exquisite opera by Puccini premiered in Rome on 14 January, 1900?

From Quiz In the Year 1900

Answer: Tosca

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) was an Italian composer with the ability to compose some of the most beautiful and haunting melodies ever created in the history of opera. His opera "Tosca" is a particular favour, leading me to name my car in its honour. The work features, as with many operas, a pair of star crossed lovers who, of course, both die at the end. However, it's for the glorious arias in this opera that it is most well known, especially those sung by the hero Mario Cavaradossi. In particular his "Recondita armonia" sung at the opening of the opera is stupendous - as is his exquisite "E lucevan le stelle" at its close, an aria of such sheer beauty that it can bring tears to the eyes. While music critics continue to pooh-pooh this opera, its popularity has continue undaunted in the eyes of the general public ever since it first premiered.

5. January 18 1904, saw the birth of which British-born Hollywood star?

From Quiz 20th Century Mixed Bag, 1904-1905

Answer: Cary Grant

Cary Grant was born in Bristol, England. His real name was Archibald Leach. Cary had his first credited screen appearance in the 1932 movie "This Is the Night". In 1933 he had his first major role with Mae West in "She Done Him Wrong". He was nominated twice for Best Actor Oscar losing out both times, but he was awarded an honorary Oscar in 1970. Cary Grant died of a massive stroke on November 29 1986. Douglas Fairbanks was born Douglas Elton Thomas Ulman in Denver, Colorado, on May 23 1883. Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope in Eltham, England, on May 29 1903. Charlie Chaplin was born Charles Spencer Chaplin in Walworth, London, on April 16 1889.

6. On January 31 1902, doctors in London, England, warned of the need for a vaccination programme to bring an epidemic to an end. About which disease was the warning issued?

From Quiz 20th Century Mixed Bag, 1902-1903

Answer: Smallpox

By the end of January 1902 the smallpox epidemic was in its eighth month, and had claimed 2,273 victims, 878 of whom were being cared for in remote treatment centres and on quarantine ships moored on the River Thames. At the time the smallpox outbreak was said to be one of the worse in medical history.

7. At the start of the 20th century, Britain was at war with a group of people known as "Boere" (Boers). In which country did the Boer War take place?

From Quiz 20th Century Mixed Bag, 1900-1901

Answer: South Africa

The Boer War (1899-1902) was the second of two wars fought between Britain and Dutch settlers known as the "Boere" or "Voortrekkers". The first Boer war was fought twenty years earlier in 1880-81. Nigeria became a British protectorate on January 1, 1900.

8. Robert Baden-Powell set up what organization for boys?

From Quiz 1907

Answer: Boy Scouts & Boy Scout & The boy scouts & Scout movement & scouts & The Scouts

9. The reign of King Frederick VIII of which European nation began on January 29, 1906?

From Quiz 1906: Events of the Year

Answer: Denmark

On January 29, 1906, King Christian IX of Denmark died at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen at the age of 87. He was popularly known by his nickname the "father-in-law of Europe" as his six children all married into the royal families of other European nations, making him a direct ancestor of the monarchs of not just Denmark, but also others such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, Norway and Spain. He was succeeded by his eldest son King Frederick VIII (who had married Princess Louise of Sweden in 1869), which continued a tradition of Danish monarchs alternating between the names Christian and Frederick that dated back to the 15th century. Thanks to his father's longevity, Frederick VIII was 62 years old when he came to the throne. His reign was therefore short, but notable for his support of liberal policies, including democratic parliamentary reform. He died in 1912 and was succeeded by his eldest son, King Christian X. His second son, Prince Carl, had previously been elected as King Haakon VII of Norway in 1905.

10. On January 22 thousands of strikers marched through St. Petersburg to ask Nicholas II for better working conditions. They were shot at by Russian troops. What was this tragedy called?

From Quiz 1905

Answer: Bloody Sunday

They were led by Father George Gapon, he escaped, but other leaders were seized.

11. The New York Subway opened on October 27, 1904. How many years did it take to build?

From Quiz 1904

Answer: 4

After the Great Blizzard of 1888 brought the city to a literal standstill, the idea of an underground railway began to gain (ahem) traction; however it took until 1900 for the first ground to be broken on the subway with construction beginning at State Street. By the official opening on March 24 the service covered the length of Manhattan, from Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn to 242nd St (East Branch) and Bronx Park on the Western one.

12. Which British Queen, who reigned for 63 years, died on January 22, 1901?

From Quiz The Perils of 1901

Answer: Victoria

Queen Victoria died at Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight. She was eighty-one years old at the time of her death. Her state funeral was held on February 2, 1901, in the United Kingdom at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. Archduke Ferdinand and Kaiser Wilhelm were guests at her funeral. Queen Victoria planned her own funeral in 1897 and wanted people to wear white clothing instead of funeral black. She was interred with her husband Albert at the Royal Museum on the grounds at Frogmore.

13. The first decade of the 1900s saw the emergence of the world's first billionaire. Who was it?

From Quiz History 1900 To 1909

Answer: John D. Rockefeller

He made his bucks in the oil industry with Standard Oil which enjoyed a near monopoly in the U.S. at the time.

14. In 1901, the first mass produced gasoline driven car appeared. What make was it?

From Quiz The 20th Century - 1901-1910

Answer: Oldsmobile

433 Oldsmobiles were made in Detroit and sold for $650.00 each.

15. At which city was American President William McKinley assassinated on September 6, 1901? He had just served six months of his second term.

From Quiz 20th-Century History in the 1900s

Answer: Buffalo

William McKinley (1843-1901), the 25th U.S. president, was assassinated at Buffalo, New York, by anarchist Leon Czolgosz, who shot him twice in the abdomen. McKinley was attending the Pan-American exposition at the Temple of Music in Buffalo, New York. He was succeeded by his vice president, Theodore Roosevelt.

16. 1901, January 1. Edmund Barton assumed the position of Prime Minister in which newly formed country?

From Quiz Where Did It Happen? 1900s Edition

Answer: Australia

Australia was formerly a set of colonies to the UK. Gradually the different colonies took over governmental duties in the second half of the nineteenth century, and since 1890 plans were made to achieve independence - although the British sovereign would remain the head of state, as was the case with several Commonwealth states (such as Canada). January 1, 1901 saw the founding of the Federation of Australia, consisting of the mainland states Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, as well as the island state of Tasmania. (Various smaller islands or island groups were included, but not as states). Melbourne was chosen as the capital city, but a few years later the development of a brand new capital city (Canberra) started. Edmund Barton (1849-1920) was Prime Minister of Australia until 1903, when he left the executive and took up a seat in the High Court of Australia. His appointment as one of the supreme judges may cause surprise to some quiz takers: after all Barton never studied law at university, his major was classical literature. 

17. Mrs. Renfrew was known as a strange duck in the neighborhood. Before she hung her laundry on her line, she used a certain machine with a scary name. What was it called?

From Quiz Welcome to a Homemaker's Life in the 1900s

Answer: Mangle

A mangle is a mechanical device using rollers to help wring water out of wet laundry. Thought to originate in London in the 1850s, it moved into home use in the 1900s. Its primary use today is to help press linens, napkins, uniforms, etc. for large institutions such as restaurants and hotels. (I hate doing laundry, so a Ghost Washer sounds good to me!)

18. What happened in 1901? Queen Victoria died, Walt Disney was born, boxing became a legal sport in England, and this island, 90 miles off the coast of Florida, became an American protectorate. What is this island?

From Quiz What Happened in ... ?

Answer: Cuba

In 1902, Cuba became an independent Republic, though in 1903 America acquired the right to lease Guantánamo Bay in perpetuity, and has maintained a military (and correctional) presence there ever since.

19. Formal US occupation of which Caribbean island ended on February 5 1904?

From Quiz 20th Century Mixed Bag, 1904-1905

Answer: Cuba

The US occupation of Cuba dated from 1898, when they had helped the Cubans gain independence from Spain, then occupied the island themselves. In 1904 Thomas Palma became the first President of the Republic of Cuba.

20. February 15 1902, saw the inauguration of an underground railway. In which city was it?

From Quiz 20th Century Mixed Bag, 1902-1903

Answer: Berlin

The Berlin underground railway is known as the U-Bahn, it was built by the Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft (German Imperial Railways Company) predecessor of today's Deutsche Bahn AG (German Railways Inc). The lines opened in 1902 correspond to the central sections of what are now called lines U1 and U2. (In fact, most of the central section of U1 is an elevated railway). New York's first subway opened in Manhattan in 1904; Moscow's Metro opened in 1935; Dublin does not have an underground system (February 2005).

21. On March 14, 1900, a bill was signed which brought the U.S. dollar onto the gold standard. Which President signed the bill?

From Quiz 20th Century Mixed Bag, 1900-1901

Answer: William McKinley

In 1900 President McKinley declared that the gold dollar would "be the standard unit of value". The U.S. was to remain on the gold standard until 1971, the last gold coins minted as legal tender, were minted in 1933. President McKinley had been elected in 1896, defeating William Jennings Bryan. Bryan had championed a monetary policy based on the unlimited mining of silver.

22. In September of 1901, American President William McKinley was shot and killed. Who was then sworn in as the 26th President of the United States?

From Quiz People, Places and Events-- 1900-1909

Answer: Theodore Roosevelt

McKinley was shot in Buffalo, NY, by 28 year old anarchist, Leon Czolgosz. He died 8 days later--the third president to be assassinated in the nation's history.

23. On November 29 the 'Lady of the Lamp', became the first woman ever to receive the (British) Order of Merit. She was a nurse in the Crimean War. Who was she?

From Quiz 1907

Answer: Nightingale & Florence Nightingale

She cleaned up the hospital at Scutari, insisted on good food and strict hygiene and improved the lives of British soldiers. After the war she set up the first modern school for nursing in Britain.

24. In February 1906, the United Kingdom's Royal Navy launched the first of a new design of battleship that rendered older vessels obsolete and sparked an international naval arms race. What was its name?

From Quiz 1906: Events of the Year

Answer: HMS Dreadnought

HMS Dreadnought was the first large, fast, heavily armoured battleship to be completely equipped with powerful 12 inch guns and its name quickly became synonymous with this type of vessel. The ideas behind the specification of the ship are credited to Admiral Sir John Fisher who held the position of First Sea Lord (the military head of the Royal Navy) from 1904 to 1910. HMS Dreadnought was built in record time at the naval dockyard in Portsmouth, having been launched just over four months after it was initially laid down in October 1905. The combination of its size, power, and the speed at which it was built resulted in an arms race as other countries sought to quickly equip their own navies with ships that could match or outpower this new military threat. Increasingly larger and more powerful battleships (eventually known as super-dreadnoughts) continued to be built in the lead-up to and throughout the First World War, until the Washington Naval Treaty limiting naval construction was signed in 1922.

25. This everyday item was made to last longer by changing the filament from vegetable fibre to a fibre made from carbonized cellulose.

From Quiz 1905

Answer: light bulb & light-bulb & lightbulb & bulb & globe & light globe

26. This Russian scientist won a Nobel Prize for his work on the digestive system. I wonder if his dog got anything?

From Quiz 1904

Answer: Pavlov & Dr. Pavlov

He cut the dog's food pipe and found that even though the food did not reach the dog's stomach, it still produced digestive juices. And when key nerves were cut, even though the food reached the stomach, it did not produce juices. He also found that if he rang a bell every time he fed the dog, eventually, the dog salivated every time the bell was rung.

27. What was the cost of the first Model T Ford in 1908?

From Quiz History 1900 To 1909

Answer: $850.00

It was developed by Henry Ford and was considered expensive by 1908 standards. Henry Ford soon reduced the price and the Model T then began to 'sell like hot cakes'.

28. In 1902, the first post-season college football game was played. What did it become known as?

From Quiz The 20th Century - 1901-1910

Answer: Rose Bowl

Actually, it was called the Tournament of Roses. Michigan beat Stanford 49-0.

29. Which major water work project did the U.S. Army take over on 4 May 1904?

From Quiz 20th-Century History in the 1900s

Answer: Panama Canal

The United States Army continued the construction of the Panama Canal, which was initially started by the French from 1881 to 1894. The French abandoned the project after losing a lot of money, and an estimated 22,000 men lost their lives. It took the U.S. Army 10 years to complete the canal.

30. Mrs. Sanders is known for her light and fluffy mashed potatoes. What is the kitchen tool that she would use to ensure her dish is of a consistently smooth texture for a fancy dinner?

From Quiz Welcome to a Homemaker's Life in the 1900s

Answer: Ricer

Mrs. Sanders peels, cooks and runs her potatoes through a rotary ricer over her mixing bowl. A bit of butter, cream or milk, salt and pepper and "Bob's your uncle!" Sadly, some folks (like me) use the ole potato masher instead. The taters might not be silky smooth but they get on the table quickly. :-)

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Last Updated Mar 23 2024 5:44 AM
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