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California - History Trivia Quiz

A basic quiz on the history of the 31st State - written by a Limey!

A multiple-choice quiz by Baloo55th. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Baloo55th

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
123,135

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
2516

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 97 (7/10), Guest 47 (6/10), Guest 136 (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

1. What was discovered at Sutter's Mill in 1848? Hint

silver

gold

oil

aardvarks

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2. Who settled at Fort Ross in 1812? Hint

Russians

Austrians

French

Portuguese

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3. The origin of the name California is: Hint

Fictional island inhabited by Amazons

It felt like a cold oven

It felt like a hot oven

The name of a Spanish nobleman

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4. In whose name did Sir Francis Drake claim the area around Point Reyes? Hint

His own name

Queen Elizabeth I

King Charles V

Queen Victoria

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5. California was originally thought to be an island when first visited by the Spanish in the mid 1530s.

True

False

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6. How long did the California Republic last? Hint

one year

one month

six months

six years

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7. Going back in time (but not as far as the birthplace of man!), what was the origin of the first discoverers of California? Hint

Australian

African

Asian

European

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8. What was the original name of San Francisco? Hint

Los Angeles

Yerba Buena

Ashbury

California City

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9. When did California cease to be ruled by Spain? Hint

1850

1812

1846

1821

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10. What city is now where Sutter's Fort was? Hint

Peoria

San Francisco

Sacramento

Altavista

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Most Recent Scores

May 26 2025 : Guest 97: 7/10
May 21 2025 : Guest 47: 6/10
May 15 2025 : Guest 136: 9/10
May 14 2025 : Guest 98: 10/10
May 12 2025 : Guest 24: 4/10
May 10 2025 : Guest 38: 4/10
May 06 2025 : Guest 72: 5/10
May 05 2025 : Guest 73: 3/10
May 02 2025 : Guest 72: 6/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was discovered at Sutter's Mill in 1848?

Answer: gold

John (Johann) Sutter was Swiss.

2. Who settled at Fort Ross in 1812?

Answer: Russians

The Russians came further south than Alaska. (Russian claims to sovereignty were, however, rejected by Spain, Britain and the US).

3. The origin of the name California is:

Answer: Fictional island inhabited by Amazons

A cold oven? You didn't really say that, did you? The island occurred in 'The Exploits of Esplandian' (1510), a follow-up to 'Amadis of Gaul' by Garcia Ordonez de Montalvo, and it is possible that Cortez named the 'island' his explorers found California as a joke! Could be appropriate that California's name comes from a fantasy novel...

4. In whose name did Sir Francis Drake claim the area around Point Reyes?

Answer: Queen Elizabeth I

Didn't get anywhere, though.

5. California was originally thought to be an island when first visited by the Spanish in the mid 1530s.

Answer: True

In 1542 the Baja was added when they found there was more of it - Alta California - and it wasn't an island after all!

6. How long did the California Republic last?

Answer: one month

On June 10th, 1846, the California Republic was declared by American settlers. John Charles Fremont 'happened' to be on hand with a party from the US Army. Then war was declared between the USA and Mexico on July 9th, and the Republic ended as they joined with the USA. The flag with the grizzly bear has lasted so much longer than the republic! Not very common, that.

7. Going back in time (but not as far as the birthplace of man!), what was the origin of the first discoverers of California?

Answer: Asian

Of course it was the Asians! That's where the Native Americans came from. Yes, they DID discover it. Not only Europeans discovered things.

8. What was the original name of San Francisco?

Answer: Yerba Buena

Los Angeles - know your Geography. It's a different city.
Ashbury - think flower power?
California City - is there such a place?

9. When did California cease to be ruled by Spain?

Answer: 1821

As part of Mexico, California became independent from Spain. There were only about 14,000 European and Mexican settlers (mostly in the south), and 150,000 Native Americans in California then.

10. What city is now where Sutter's Fort was?

Answer: Sacramento

Well, there had to be ONE really easy one! (Apart from Q 1, that is!) Sacramento grew up about two miles from the Fort, which Sutter always called New Helvetia anyway!

Source: Author Baloo55th

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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