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Michigan History Trivia

Michigan History Trivia Quizzes

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9 Michigan History quizzes and 95 Michigan History trivia questions.
1.
  A Quick History of Michigan   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Michigan, as anyone who was born here can tell you, is a state that one can show (at least in the lower peninsula) a location by holding up a hand and pointing to a part of it. How much do you know about the history of the state?
Average, 15 Qns, Reamar42, Dec 05 23
Average
Reamar42 gold member
Dec 05 23
141 plays
2.
  Michigan Cities   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Great Lakes State is filled with some great cities, as well. How much do you know about my favorite state?
Easier, 10 Qns, pough, Feb 20 11
Easier
pough
839 plays
3.
  Michigan History II   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is my second quiz about the history of my home state. I hope you enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, brnwshd85, Sep 17 13
Average
brnwshd85
1820 plays
4.
  Michigan History I    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is my first quiz about my wonderful home state. They may be easy for all you Michiganders out there! I hope you enjoy.
Difficult, 10 Qns, brnwshd85, Sep 17 13
Difficult
brnwshd85
2253 plays
5.
  Detroit Knowledge    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Interesting facts about Detroit, Michigan.
Average, 10 Qns, rwbidin, Jun 20 10
Average
rwbidin
1115 plays
6.
  Detroit Knowledge 2    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
My second stab at Detroit Historical quiz.
Average, 10 Qns, rwbidin, Mar 06 10
Average
rwbidin
665 plays
7.
  Detroit Knowledge 4    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is my fourth and last installment of obscure Detroit History.
Difficult, 10 Qns, rwbidin, Sep 07 08
Difficult
rwbidin
535 plays
8.
  Detroit Knowledge 3    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is my third installment on Detroit History. This quiz is much harder than the previous two.
Difficult, 10 Qns, rwbidin, Mar 03 10
Difficult
rwbidin
554 plays
9.
  The Great Fire of Michigan    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Great Fire of Michigan in 1881 took place in Huron County. How much do you know about the facts concerning this fire? Have fun!
Difficult, 10 Qns, johnandjodi, Aug 18 08
Difficult
johnandjodi
361 plays
trivia question Quick Question
The entire Indian settlement in Buena Vista Township was swept away by the fire. How many families lived at the settlement.

From Quiz "The Great Fire of Michigan"




Related Topics
  Michigan Famous People [People] (5 quizzes)

  Michigan Wolverines [Sports] (15 quizzes)

  Michigan Sports [Sports] (11 quizzes)

  Mixed Michigan [General] (2 quizzes)

  Michigan [Geography] (16 quizzes)


Michigan History Trivia Questions
1. Lansing is the capital of Michigan, but it hasn't always been. What was the original capital?

From Quiz Michigan Cities

Answer: Detroit

This original capital is one of only two places in the United States that is geographically north of Canada.

2. Which Detroiter was the only U.S. serviceman to be executed for desertion in World War II?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge 4

Answer: Pvt Eddie Slovik

He was executed on January 31, 1945, tied to a stake in a French courtyard. Hit by 11 bullets, he died three minutes later.

3. Who has been the most "reburied" Detroiter?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge 3

Answer: John Francis Hamtramck

Also known as Jean Francois Hamtramck. He was buried first in 1803 at St. Anne's Church graveyard, but moved in 1805 after the church burned down. In 1866 he was moved to Mt. Elliott Cemetery, again because the church burned down, and lastly in 1967 to his final resting place within the city limits of Hamtramck, which is named for him. (There have been 8 different locations for St. Anne's Churches).

4. In the late 1800's, Detroit was referred to as what?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge 2

Answer: Paris of the West

It was referred as such for its architecture.

5. Detroit is derived a French word. What does it mean?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge

Answer: Strait

Detroit is the largest city in the state of Michigan. It is also the seat for Wayne County. It looks south to Canada - the only major US city to do so.

6. The Great Fire of Michigan took place in Huron County in 1881. This fire was started by what?

From Quiz The Great Fire of Michigan

Answer: Woodsmen were clearing the property

The fire was actually started by woodsmen who were clearing the property. A high wind came up and and blew the fire out of control.

7. Michigan's state motto is: "Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, circumspice". What is the English translation of this?

From Quiz Michigan History II

Answer: If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you

I suppose both Florida and Alaska could also lay claim to this motto. Maybe in order to clear things up a bit the motto should say "peninsulas" instead.

8. In what year did Michigan become a state?

From Quiz Michigan History I

Answer: 1837

Michigan became the 26th State during Andrew Jackson's Presidency.

9. Who were the first Europeans to explore the area now known as Michigan?

From Quiz A Quick History of Michigan

Answer: French

Frenchman Etienne Brule is believed to have been the first European to visit the region now known as Michigan. Brule lived among the Huron nation in western Ontario from about 1610 until 1611, learning their language and customs. Because he made no notes of his expeditions, there is no definitive proof of exactly where he went in the region, but he did report to Samuel de Champlain that he had seen the Sault Ste. Marie area in a 1615 meeting.

10. Michigan State University is in this city:

From Quiz Michigan Cities

Answer: East Lansing

MSU is the main attraction and source of revenue in this city.

11. Who was the first female member of the Detroit City Council?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge 4

Answer: Mary V. Beck

Mary Beck became a member on December, 30, 1949.

12. When was the first edition of the "Detroit Free Press" published?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge 3

Answer: May 5, 1831

Originally it was called "The Michigan Intelligencer and Democratic Free Press".

13. The Ford Motor Company was founded in what year?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge 2

Answer: 1903

Detroit would become known as the "Automotive Capital of the World".

14. What road is the "Demarcation Line" between Detroit and its northern suburbs?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge

Answer: 8 Mile Road

8 Mile Road is the border between Detroit and its suburbs of Warren and Eastpointe (formerly East Detroit) to name but two of them.

15. When did the fire take place?

From Quiz The Great Fire of Michigan

Answer: September, 1881

The fire started in September, 1881. It burned through portions of the 'thumb' in Michigan.

16. What was the first permanent European settlement in what is now Michigan?

From Quiz A Quick History of Michigan

Answer: Sault Ste. Marie

The city of Sault Ste. Marie, in what is now Michigan's Upper Peninsula, was founded in 1668 by French Jesuit missionaries and explorers Jacques Marquette and Claude Dablon. The site became a fur trading post in the 18th century.

17. This city is named after the wife of one of first settlers and the plethora of trees that surrounded the area.

From Quiz Michigan Cities

Answer: Ann Arbor

Originally, the name of the city was Ann's Arbor.

18. Which Detroiter knocked out Max Schmeling in the first round of a boxing title match?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge 4

Answer: Joe Louis

Joe Louis won the bout on June 22, 1938 with the punch "heard around the world".

19. What is the oldest continuous business operating in Detroit?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge 3

Answer: Detroit Free Press

It has been operating from 1831 until the present day.

20. Who is considered the founder of the city of Detroit (Fort Ponchartrain)?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge

Answer: Antoine de la Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac

Founded in the early 1700s. He is also my great-great-great-great-great grandfather on my father's side of the family.

21. How many lives were lost in the Great Michigan Fire of 1881?

From Quiz The Great Fire of Michigan

Answer: About 280 people

Municipal buildings were rebuilt using brick to hold up disaster. Over 1 million acres of land were devastated in this fire. Along with the approximate number of 280 people who were burned alive, thousands more were left destitute. The fire caused more than $2,250,000 worth of damage.

22. In what year did the Mackinac Bridge, which connects the upper and lower peninsulas, open to traffic?

From Quiz Michigan History II

Answer: 1957

The project began in 1954 and the bridge is 26,444 feet long.

23. In what city was the University of Michigan located when it was founded?

From Quiz Michigan History I

Answer: Detroit

The University of Michigan moved to Ann Arbor in 1841.

24. Where was the first known European settlement in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan?

From Quiz A Quick History of Michigan

Answer: St. Joseph

French explorer Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, founded Fort Miami on the St. Joseph river in the southwest part of Michigan in 1679. The fort was destroyed by the French in 1680, but was quickly rebuilt in 1681. A second fort was built on the site in 1700, and the British took possession in 1763 after the French and Indian War.

25. This northern lower Michigan city is named after the state stone.

From Quiz Michigan Cities

Answer: Petoskey

The state stone is actually fossilized coral. The band comes up through Lake Michigan, and then dips back down, coming up again in Canada.

26. Detroit has many skyscrapers, but which was its first?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge 4

Answer: Hammond Building

Completed February 3, 1889, it was 10 stories tall. The building was demolished in 1956.

27. Who was named the first Catholic Bishop of the Detroit diocese?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge 3

Answer: Frederick Rese

He was named bishop in 1833.

28. Motown Records was founded in Detroit by whom?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge 2

Answer: Berry Gordy Jr.

It was founded on 12 January 1959 as Tamla Records and was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in 1960.

29. When was Detroit the capital of Michigan?

From Quiz Detroit Knowledge

Answer: 1805-1847

The capital was then moved to Lansing.

30. Mrs. Richard Elliot of Five Lakes was burned to death in the woods while trying to do what?

From Quiz The Great Fire of Michigan

Answer: Escape the fire

The "Detroit Evening News" Sept. 6, 1881 reported: Mrs. Richard ELLIOT of Five Lakes was burned to death in the woods last night, while fleeing from her house to that of a neighbor, she having been driven out by the forest fires which raged around her home.

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