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The 1950s: Sports in America Trivia Quiz

A look back at the 1950s in U.S. sports. One question for each year in all multiple choice. I hope you have fun with it. :)

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

Author
Nightmare

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
333,637

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
312

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 142 (0/10), Guest 73 (9/10), Guest 72 (1/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In September 1950, who defeated the great Joe Louis for the heavyweight boxing championship? Hint

Sugar Ray Leonard

John L. Sullivan

Ezzard Charles

Leon Spinks

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Question 2 of 10

2. Did fans across the world in 1951 really hear anything? There was a 'shot heard round the world' in Major League Baseball that season. The player who provided the shot was Bobby Thomson. Which team did he play for? Hint

New York Giants

San Diego Padres

St. Louis Browns

Texas Rangers

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Question 3 of 10

3. Texas football fans saw their first NFL team to arrive in the state in 1952. Which team was it? Hint

Austin Steers

San Antonio Longhorns

Dallas Texans

Lubbock Longhorns

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Question 4 of 10

4. Baseball fans watched this team finish a consecutive streak of five World Series titles, ending in 1953. Which powerhouse team was this? Hint

Boston Red Sox

New York Yankees

Brooklyn Dodgers

Toronto Blue Jays

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Question 5 of 10

5. From Olympic medal winner to professional golfer, who won the 1954 LPGA Championship? Hint

Nancy Lopez

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Billie Jean King

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Question 6 of 10

6. In 1955, which boxer won the final fight of his career, going 49-0 after a knockout given to the great Archie Moore? Hint

Cassius Clay

Sugar Ray Robinson

Tex Cobb

Rocky Marciano

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. In 1956, Juan Manuel Fangio of Argentina won his third consecutive Formula One Grand Prix championship. Which driver from the United States finished fifth in the standings in that season? Hint

Jim Clark

John Force

Earl Anthony

Pat Flaherty

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. In 1957, this NBA team appeared in their first NBA finals, but lost to the Boston Celtics. Who was this team that rostered Cliff Hagan, Alex Hannum, Ed Macauley, and Bob Pettit? Hint

Topeka Titans

St. Louis Hawks

San Francisco 76ers

Detroit Pistons

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. In 1958, horse racing fans still had not seen a Triple Crown winner in the decade. After this horse won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, they were holding their breath during the final leg of the crown at the Belmont Stakes. Which horse finished second at the Belmont, losing the Triple Crown? Hint

Tim Tam

Planet Pluto

Omaha King

Already There

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which National Hockey League team won its fourth of five consecutive Stanley Cups in the 1958-59 season? Hint

New York Rangers

Montreal Canadiens

Dallas Stars

Denver Flames

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 05 2024 : Guest 142: 0/10
Mar 31 2024 : Guest 73: 9/10
Mar 16 2024 : Guest 72: 1/10
Mar 09 2024 : Guest 172: 7/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In September 1950, who defeated the great Joe Louis for the heavyweight boxing championship?

Answer: Ezzard Charles

Nicknamed the "Brown Bomber", Louis first gained the heavyweight championship in 1937, and kept it throughout the 1940s. Joe retired, but due to IRS audits, he had to come back to the ring. On September 27, Charles and Louis went at it for the title at Yankee Stadium. Charles won the 15-round bout in a unanimous decision.

Answer: New York Giants

Thomson's shot came in the bottom of the ninth inning in a playoff game between the Dodgers and Giants to decide the National League pennant. The Giants went on to lose in the World Series against the Yankees.

3. Texas football fans saw their first NFL team to arrive in the state in 1952. Which team was it?

Answer: Dallas Texans

The Texans were a rebirth of the New York Yankees who lasted from 1946-1949. The Texans were led by quarterback Frank Tripucka who threw for 769 yards. Coached by Jimmy Phelan, the Texans were never shutout in a game in 1952, but finished the season in last place at 1-11. The team folded after its first season in Texas.

4. Baseball fans watched this team finish a consecutive streak of five World Series titles, ending in 1953. Which powerhouse team was this?

Answer: New York Yankees

With Hall of Fame greats galore in the names of Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and a host of others, the Yankees ran their streak from 1949-1953. They defeated the Phillies, Giants, and Dodgers three times.

5. From Olympic medal winner to professional golfer, who won the 1954 LPGA Championship?

Answer: Babe Didrikson Zaharias

After her Olympic endeavors, Babe Didrikson married professional wrestler George Zaharias, then took up golf. After being diagnosed with cancer, and after surgery in 1953, Babe returned to golf to win her third U.S. Women's Open and a Vare Trophy in 1954.

She was also the first recipient of the Ben Hogan Award. After serving as LPGA President from 1952-1955, she lost her battle with cancer and died in 1956.

6. In 1955, which boxer won the final fight of his career, going 49-0 after a knockout given to the great Archie Moore?

Answer: Rocky Marciano

Marciano and Moore went at it in September. Moore had won 20 consecutive fights which led to this heavyweight championship bout. Marciano beat up Moore rather bad in the eighth round, then knocked him out in the ninth. Rocky retired after the fight with his perfect professional boxing record of 49-0.

7. In 1956, Juan Manuel Fangio of Argentina won his third consecutive Formula One Grand Prix championship. Which driver from the United States finished fifth in the standings in that season?

Answer: Pat Flaherty

Juan Manuel Fangio won a total of five F1 championships. His first was in 1951, then four from 1954-1957. Pat Flaherty won the 1956 Indianapolis 500 over runner-up Sam Hanks. Flaherty raced in five Indy 500s in his career. The 1956 race was the first which was governed by the United States Automobile Club (USAC).

8. In 1957, this NBA team appeared in their first NBA finals, but lost to the Boston Celtics. Who was this team that rostered Cliff Hagan, Alex Hannum, Ed Macauley, and Bob Pettit?

Answer: St. Louis Hawks

The Celtics defeated the Hawks four games to three. The Boston club would go on to lose to the Hawks in the 1958 NBA Finals, then run off eight consecutive NBA titles for their Celtic fans.

Answer: Tim Tam

After winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, heavy odds were down on Tim Tam, but finished in a close second to Cavan. The fans had not seen a Triple Crown winner since Citation in 1948, and would have to wait until 1973 when Secretariat completed the journey.

10. Which National Hockey League team won its fourth of five consecutive Stanley Cups in the 1958-59 season?

Answer: Montreal Canadiens

After taking care of the Black Hawks in the semi-finals, the Canadiens disposed of the Maple Leafs four games to one. Left winger Dickie Moore led the team with 96 points along with center Jean Beliveau's 91.

Source: Author Nightmare

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