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First Monday in October Trivia Quiz

What happens every year on the first Monday in October in the USA? All rise and answer this question.

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

Author
FatherSteve

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
371,635

Updated
Apr 23 26

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
292

Last 3 plays: goodreporter (6/10), shvdotr (9/10), DeepHistory (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. On what was the 1981 movie "First Monday in October" based?
Hint

actual historical events

a play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee

a song by George M. Cohan

a poem by Carl Sandburg

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Question 2 of 10

2. In the Broadway production of "First Monday in October," who played the leading roles of Associate Justice Daniel Snow and Associate Justice Ruth Loomis? Hint

Henry Fonda and Jane Alexander

Robert Alda and Vivian Blaine

Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne

Robert Preston and Barbara Cook

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Question 3 of 10

3. In the 1981 movie version of "First Monday in October," who played the leading roles of Associate Justice Daniel Snow and Associate Justice Ruth Loomis? Hint

Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan

Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck

Harrison Ford and Karen Allen

Walter Matthau and Jill Clayburgh

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Question 4 of 10

4. 1981 movie "First Monday in October" - To what does the title "First Monday in October" refer?
Hint

the commencement of the U.S. Supreme Court's term

the swearing-in of the President of the United States

the birthday of Chief Justice John Marshall (1755-1835)

the day on which Congress begins its session

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Question 5 of 10

5. Why does the Supreme Court of the USA convene on the first Monday in October?
Hint

the Constitution of the United States

an Executive Order

the tradition of the court

a federal statute adopted by Congress

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Question 6 of 10

6. 1981 movie "First Monday in October" - The original planned release date of the movie was February of 1982. Why did Paramount rush the film into theatres in late August of 1981?
Hint

The death of Walter Matthau

Sandra Day O'Connor's nomination to the Court

The attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II

The air traffic controllers' strike

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Which U.S. president nominated Sandra Day O'Connor in August 1981, to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court? Hint

Gerald Ford

Ronald Reagan

James Carter

William Clinton

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Question 8 of 10

8. The U.S. Supreme Court convenes on the first Monday in October. The first Monday in October may occur as early and as late as which dates? Hint

1 October, 7 October

1 October, 6 October

1 October, 8 October

7 October, 13 October

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Question 9 of 10

9. Without reference to the term of the U.S. Supreme Court, Congress created a national day of observance on the first Monday in October. What does it observe? Hint

Kalawao County, Hawaii

Russet Burbank potato

M1903 Springfield rifle

Child health

10. Without reference to the term of the U.S. Supreme Court, the General Assembly of the United Nations designated the first Monday in October as an international observance of what value or concern?
Hint

Eradication of Dengue fever

Old World monkeys

World habitat

Denominations of (food) origin

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 29 2026 : goodreporter: 6/10
Apr 21 2026 : shvdotr: 9/10
Mar 21 2026 : DeepHistory: 7/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. On what was the 1981 movie "First Monday in October" based?

Answer: a play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee

The writing team of Lawrence and Lee collaborated on many memorable plays including "Inherit the Wind" (1955), "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail" (1970), and "Mame" (1958). In their long career together, they co-wrote over thirty plays. They often drew on history to build a platform on which to build a play examining a contemporary social issue.

In "First Monday in October" (1978) they anticipated the historic appointment of the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.

2. In the Broadway production of "First Monday in October," who played the leading roles of Associate Justice Daniel Snow and Associate Justice Ruth Loomis?

Answer: Henry Fonda and Jane Alexander

When the play "pre-opened" in Cleveland, the leads were played by Melvyn Douglas and Jean Arthur. Jane Alexander's performance of the role of Ruth Loomis earned her a Tony-award nomination for best lead actress.

3. In the 1981 movie version of "First Monday in October," who played the leading roles of Associate Justice Daniel Snow and Associate Justice Ruth Loomis?

Answer: Walter Matthau and Jill Clayburgh

The character of Associate Justice Daniel Snow was patterned, in part, by Associate Justice William O. Douglas (1898-1980), one of the court's most outspoken liberals.

4. 1981 movie "First Monday in October" - To what does the title "First Monday in October" refer?

Answer: the commencement of the U.S. Supreme Court's term

The title is an intentional reference to the day on which the Supreme Court of the USA returns from its summer recess to a schedule of active hearings, deliberations and decisions.

5. Why does the Supreme Court of the USA convene on the first Monday in October?

Answer: a federal statute adopted by Congress

28 U.S. Code � 2 requires the court to begin its term "at the seat of government" on the first Monday in October each year. This statute was adopted by Congress in 1916, changing the day from the second Monday in October, which had been the rule since 1873.

6. 1981 movie "First Monday in October" - The original planned release date of the movie was February of 1982. Why did Paramount rush the film into theatres in late August of 1981?

Answer: Sandra Day O'Connor's nomination to the Court

Sandra Day O'Connor was nominated to become the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court in August of 1981. The producers hoped to capitalize on the free publicity of her nomination, confirmation and seating on the court, as the first female justice.

7. Which U.S. president nominated Sandra Day O'Connor in August 1981, to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court?

Answer: Ronald Reagan

At the time of her nomination, Judge O'Connor was a judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals. She had previously served as a trial judge in the Maricopa County Superior Court. The U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination 99-0.

8. The U.S. Supreme Court convenes on the first Monday in October. The first Monday in October may occur as early and as late as which dates?

Answer: 1 October, 7 October

There has been criticism of the whole notion of the U.S. Supreme Court having a term at all. It is unlikely, however, that the court would willingly abandon the present system which affords three months "off" in July, August and September.

9. Without reference to the term of the U.S. Supreme Court, Congress created a national day of observance on the first Monday in October. What does it observe?

Answer: Child health

Child Health Day, according to 36 U.S.Code � 105, is the day on which all those concerned with child welfare in the United States join to raise public awareness of the importance of year-round health protection and health promotion efforts. It was first established in 1928.

Answer: World habitat

Adopted in 1985 and first celebrated in 1986, World Habitat Day calls upon the world to consider the adequacy of the physical shelter afforded to all persons. One way of creating this awareness is through the granting of World Habitat Awards to those nations and projects which demonstrate high regard for the "right" to shelter for all people.

Source: Author FatherSteve

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