Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Entertainment

Thanksgiving Trivia Quiz Challenge

Explore Thanksgiving Facts and Cultural Traditions

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting elements of Thanksgiving for a trivia quiz.

Put your Thanksgiving trivia to the test with this engaging holiday quiz designed for students and trivia buffs alike. From Pilgrim history to modern feast traditions, this quiz draws on lessons similar to the US History Trivia Quiz and the popular General Trivia Quiz formats. Perfect for classroom warm-ups or family gatherings, it helps identify strengths and uncover fun facts about the season. Ready to dive into more challenges? Explore all our quizzes and remember - you can freely edit every question in our editor to suit your needs!

In what year did the Pilgrims hold the feast commonly known as the first Thanksgiving?
1621
1620
1623
1607
The feast took place in the autumn of 1621 after the Pilgrims' first successful harvest. They had landed in 1620 and the 1623 gathering was a later celebration. The year 1607 refers to the founding of Jamestown, not the Pilgrims' feast.
Which Native American tribe celebrated alongside the Pilgrims at the 1621 feast?
Cherokee
Wampanoag
Sioux
Iroquois
The Wampanoag people, led by Chief Massasoit, joined the Pilgrims for the harvest celebration. Other tribes such as the Cherokee and Sioux were not involved in the 1621 event. The Iroquois confederacy was located further west and not present at Plymouth.
Which bird has become the most iconic symbol of Thanksgiving in the United States?
Goose
Duck
Turkey
Chicken
Turkey became the iconic Thanksgiving bird due to its abundance in North America and its size, which suits a large feast. Geese and ducks were less central to later traditions. Chicken is common for daily meals but not the signature Thanksgiving dish.
In which month do Americans traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving?
October
November
December
September
Since President Lincoln's 1863 proclamation, Thanksgiving is celebrated on a Thursday in November. Earlier colonial observances varied, but modern national observance is always in November. It is not recognized as a December or September holiday.
Which U.S. president issued the proclamation making Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863?
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Abraham Lincoln
Franklin D. Roosevelt
President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863 to be observed on the final Thursday of November. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson issued earlier days of prayer but did not formalize the holiday. Roosevelt later shifted the date but was not the original proclaimer.
The cornucopia, often seen at Thanksgiving, has its roots in which mythology?
Roman mythology
Egyptian mythology
Greek mythology
Norse mythology
The cornucopia, or "horn of plenty," originates from Greek mythology, where it is associated with the goat Amalthea. Romans later adopted the symbol from the Greeks. Norse and Egyptian mythologies do not feature this symbol prominently.
In what year did the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade first take place?
1917
1924
1932
1940
The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in 1924 in New York City. It began as a promotion to attract shoppers. Subsequent years added the famous balloons and floats.
Which of the following dishes was almost certainly not served at the 1621 Plymouth feast?
Venison
Corncakes
Pumpkin pie
Wildfowl stew
Pumpkin pie requires sugar and ovens, which the Pilgrims lacked in 1621. They likely ate venison provided by the Wampanoag, wildfowl, and simple corncakes. Sweet pies became common later with colonial sugar and baking technology.
Which statement accurately describes the tryptophan content of turkey?
Turkey contains more tryptophan than all other meats
Turkey contains no more tryptophan than chicken
Turkey contains no tryptophan
Turkey contains ten times as much tryptophan as beef
Turkey has approximately the same level of tryptophan as chicken and beef. The belief that turkey alone causes post-meal drowsiness is a myth. Other factors like large meal size contribute more to sleepiness.
When is Canadian Thanksgiving traditionally celebrated?
Second Monday in October
Last Thursday in November
Fourth Thursday in November
First Monday in October
Canadian Thanksgiving occurs on the second Monday in October, reflecting the earlier harvest season. The U.S. celebrates on the fourth Thursday of November. It is not on the last Thursday or first Monday in October.
Which region of the U.S. is most closely associated with oyster stuffing as a Thanksgiving side?
New England
Southwest
Midwest
Pacific Northwest
Oyster stuffing is a traditional side in coastal New England due to local oyster availability. Other regions typically use bread, corn, or rice-based stuffings. The Pacific Northwest and Southwest have different seafood traditions.
The term "Black Friday" to describe the post-Thanksgiving shopping surge originated in which city and era?
New York City in the 1950s
Philadelphia in the 1960s
Chicago in the 1970s
Boston in the 1940s
Retailers and police in Philadelphia in the 1960s first used "Black Friday" to describe heavy shopping and traffic the day after Thanksgiving. The term spread nationally in subsequent decades. New York and Boston did not coin the phrase.
Which NFL team first established the annual tradition of playing on Thanksgiving Day?
Chicago Bears
Dallas Cowboys
Detroit Lions
New York Giants
The Detroit Lions began playing on Thanksgiving Day in 1934 and have maintained the annual game since. The Dallas Cowboys started their tradition later in 1966. Other teams do not have a continuous Thanksgiving history.
Which colonial settlement in North America held a Thanksgiving observance in 1619, preceding the Plymouth event?
Plymouth Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
Virginia colony at Berkeley Hundred
Maryland colony
Settlers at Berkeley Hundred in the Virginia colony held a religious thanksgiving in December 1619. This predates the more famous 1621 Plymouth celebration. Massachusetts Bay and Maryland celebrations occurred later.
In what year did the U.S. Congress officially fix Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November?
1863
1914
1941
1955
In 1941, Congress passed a resolution making the fourth Thursday in November the official date for Thanksgiving. Lincoln's 1863 proclamation set the precedent for late-November observance, but the exact date was not fixed until 1941.
According to Edward Winslow's 1621 account, how many days did the original Plymouth Thanksgiving feast last?
One day
Two days
Three days
Four days
Edward Winslow recorded that the 1621 feast lasted for three days, involving both the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag guests. It was a multi-day harvest celebration rather than a single-day event. Four-day celebrations were not noted in primary sources.
Which statement accurately reflects Benjamin Franklin's view of the turkey as a national symbol?
He officially proposed the turkey as the U.S. national bird in Congress
He wrote that the turkey was a more respectable bird than the eagle
He never mentioned turkeys in any of his writings
He wanted to outlaw the hunting of wild turkeys
In a private letter, Franklin praised the turkey as a more respectable bird than the bald eagle. He did not formally submit any proposal to Congress. This personal view is often cited to contrast with the myth that he chose the turkey as the national bird.
Which side dish reflects a traditional Louisiana Cajun variation on Thanksgiving?
Jambalaya
Dirty rice
Macaroni and cheese
Apple cobbler
Dirty rice, seasoned with spices, offal, and peppers, reflects Cajun influences in Louisiana Thanksgiving meals. Jambalaya is more commonly a standalone rice-and-meat dish, not a turkey side. Apple cobbler and macaroni and cheese are found in many regions rather than uniquely Cajun.
The modern tradition of "Friendsgiving," where friends gather to celebrate, became popular in which period?
1950s
1980s
1920s
Early 2000s
The term "Friendsgiving" and its associated gatherings among friends rose to prominence in the early 2000s, aided by social media. Earlier decades did not widely record the practice under this name. It reflects evolving holiday customs focused on chosen family.
Botanically speaking, a pumpkin is classified as which type of fruit?
Berry
Vegetable
Grain
Nut
In botanical terms, a pumpkin is a pepo, which is a type of berry with a hard rind and fleshy center. Although treated as a vegetable in cooking, fruits are defined by seed-bearing structures. It is not a grain or a nut.
0
{"name":"In what year did the Pilgrims hold the feast commonly known as the first Thanksgiving?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"In what year did the Pilgrims hold the feast commonly known as the first Thanksgiving?, Which Native American tribe celebrated alongside the Pilgrims at the 1621 feast?, Which bird has become the most iconic symbol of Thanksgiving in the United States?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key historical events of early Thanksgiving celebrations
  2. Analyze traditional Thanksgiving symbols and their origins
  3. Evaluate the evolution of modern holiday customs
  4. Apply knowledge to distinguish turkey facts from folklore
  5. Demonstrate understanding of regional Thanksgiving variations

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins of the First Thanksgiving - Although the 1621 Plymouth feast is widely dubbed the first Thanksgiving, Spanish settlers in St. Augustine, Florida, celebrated a similar harvest feast back in 1565 - showing that gratitude traditions predate the Pilgrims by decades. These early gatherings remind us how thanksgiving celebrations evolved over time, blending cultures and crop successes into festive occasions. Read more on History.com
  2. Turkey and Pumpkin Pie Takeoff - Turkey and pumpkin pie weren't Thanksgiving staples until the 19th century when writer Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned tirelessly through letters and magazine articles to solidify these dishes - and the holiday itself - into national custom. Her pen-to-pie crusade showcases how powerful storytelling can shape our daily plates. Explore Time.com for the origins
  3. Parades and Pigskins - No Thanksgiving is complete without colorful floats or a football game on screen. The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade marched down the streets of New York in 1924, while organized football matchups began delighting crowds in the late 1800s. Together, they wove spectacle and sport into our November traditions. Discover on Wikipedia
  4. Why the Turkey? - Turkeys roamed free in North America long before 1621, but the original feast likely featured various wild fowl and venison rather than a centerpiece turkey. Over time, the turkey's size and symbolism made it the unofficial mascot of the holiday feast we know today. Read more on History.com
  5. Regional Flavors on the Table - From cornbread dressing in the South to oyster stew in New England, local ingredients transformed Thanksgiving into a regional patchwork of flavors. These culinary twists reveal how communities personalize the holiday, turning it into both a family reunion and a taste adventure. Learn from BU.edu
  6. The Three-Day Plymouth Celebration - In 1621, the Plymouth settlers celebrated their first successful harvest with a three-day festival attended by about 50 colonists and 90 Wampanoag guests. They feasted on seafood, fowl, vegetables, and native corn, forging a bond of camaraderie that still resonates in today's Thanksgiving gatherings. Explore History.com
  7. Cranberries: From Dye to Dessert - Native Americans used cranberries for both food and medicinal dyes long before cranberry sauce appeared on Thanksgiving tables. The sweetened cranberry relish we adore became a staple after the first canned version hit grocer shelves in 1912, adding a bright pop of color and tang to every feast. Dive into History.com
  8. Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation - Amid the Civil War's turmoil, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day in 1863 to foster unity and gratitude, setting the holiday on the fourth Thursday of November. This presidential endorsement elevated local traditions into a shared national ritual. Read more on History.com
  9. Balloons Over Broadway - When Macy's debuted its parade in 1924, it featured live animals from the zoo. By 1927, giant helium balloons - first including Felix the Cat - floated above the streets, creating the whimsical, larger-than-life spectacle millions tune in to watch today. Discover on Wikipedia
  10. Thanksgiving and Reflection - While many Americans celebrate with feasts and football, some Native American communities observe Thanksgiving as a National Day of Mourning. This solemn day honors ancestors, reflects on historical injustices, and encourages thoughtful dialogue about Indigenous experiences. Learn more on Time.com
Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Entertainment Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker