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 > History > Modern History

True or False: How Well Do You Know Black History?

Ready for a Black history trivia challenge? Dive into true or false questions!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Black History quiz on teal background

Calling all history enthusiasts, students, and learners! Ready to dive into true or false black history questions that challenge what you think you know? Test your skills with our interactive Black History Quiz or dive into our quick black history trivia quiz. You'll uncover inspiring stories, tackle engaging black history trivia questions, and put your recall to the test in a fun black history facts quiz crafted to inform and entertain. Covering civil rights milestones to unsung heroes, this quiz on Black history facts builds your confidence and deepens your knowledge. Click now to start learning and share your high score!

Harriet Tubman guided enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad.
False
True
Harriet Tubman escaped slavery in 1849 and returned repeatedly to the South, guiding over 70 enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad. She became known as the "Moses of her people" for her courage and leadership. Tubman later served as a scout and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War. More info
Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat in 1965.
False
True
Rosa Parks famously refused to surrender her seat on a Montgomery bus on December 1, 1955, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The year 1965 is incorrect; the incident occurred in 1955. Parks's act of civil disobedience became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. More info
Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington D.C. in 1963.
True
False
Dr. King delivered the iconic "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. The speech became one of the defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement, articulated at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. More info
Barack Obama became the first Black U.S. President in 2008.
True
False
Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States in November 2008 and inaugurated on January 20, 2009. He was the first African American to hold the office. His presidency spanned two terms from 2009 to 2017. More info
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863.
True
False
President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory were free. It strategically aimed to weaken the Confederacy during the Civil War. While it did not immediately free all enslaved Americans, it was a critical step toward abolition. More info
Juneteenth marks the date when all enslaved people in the United States were freed on June 19, 1865.
False
True
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger announced the end of slavery in Texas, the last Confederate state with institutional slavery. This announcement occurred over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth has since become a national holiday celebrating freedom and African American culture. More info
Sojourner Truth was a prominent white suffragist.
True
False
Sojourner Truth was born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree and became a leading African American abolitionist and women's rights activist. She delivered the famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech in 1851 in Ohio. Truth's powerful advocacy spanned abolition, suffrage, and social justice for all. More info
The NAACP was founded in 1909.
True
False
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was established on February 12, 1909, by W. E. B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, Mary White Ovington, and others. The organization aimed to secure civil rights and eliminate race-based discrimination. It remains one of the oldest civil rights organizations in the United States. More info
Maya Angelou wrote 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.'
True
False
'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' is the first of seven autobiographical works by Maya Angelou, published in 1969. It details her childhood and early experiences with racism and trauma. The book was critically acclaimed and is considered a classic of American literature. More info
The Voting Rights Act was signed into law in 1965.
True
False
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965, outlawing discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states. It prohibited literacy tests and provided federal oversight and enforcement of voter registration. The act dramatically increased Black voter participation. More info
Booker T. Washington delivered the Atlanta Compromise speech in 1895.
False
True
Booker T. Washington delivered his Atlanta Compromise speech at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta on September 18, 1895. He urged Black Americans to focus on vocational education and economic self-reliance while temporarily accepting segregation. The address sparked debate over strategies for racial uplift. More info
George Washington Carver developed hundreds of products using peanuts.
True
False
George Washington Carver, born into slavery, became a prominent agricultural scientist at Tuskegee Institute. He researched crop rotation and developed over 300 derivative products from peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other plants. His innovations helped revitalize Southern agriculture. More info
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black female pilots in World War II.
False
True
The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American military pilots who fought in World War II. They were all male; the first Black female military pilots, known as the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), flew other missions. The Tuskegee Airmen proved crucial in challenging racial stereotypes in the U.S. military. More info
Langston Hughes was a leading figure in the Harlem Renaissance.
False
True
Langston Hughes was a central poet, novelist, and playwright of the Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s and 1930s. His works celebrated Black culture and addressed social injustices. Hughes's poetry collections like 'The Weary Blues' helped define a new literary era. More info
The Dred Scott decision of 1857 declared that African Americans could not be American citizens.
False
True
In Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be American citizens and therefore had no standing to sue in federal court. The decision inflamed sectional tensions and was later partially overturned by the 14th Amendment. More info
Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress.
False
True
Shirley Chisholm was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1968, representing New York's 12th congressional district. She became the first African American woman in Congress and served seven terms until 1983. Chisholm also ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972. More info
Toni Morrison was the first African American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993.
True
False
Toni Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993, becoming the first African American and the second woman to receive the honor. Her novels, including 'Beloved' and 'Song of Solomon,' explore the Black experience in America. Morrison's work is celebrated for its depth, style, and cultural impact. More info
Marcus Garvey advocated for the 'Back to Africa' movement through the Universal Negro Improvement Association.
False
True
Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914 and promoted Black nationalism and economic self-reliance. He advocated for a mass migration of African Americans back to Africa as part of his 'Back to Africa' movement. Garvey's ideas influenced later civil rights and Pan-African movements. More info
The Black Panther Party was founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale.
True
False
Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panther Party in Oakland, California, in October 1966. The organization advocated for armed self-defense, community social programs, and racial justice. The Panthers became a symbol of Black empowerment and resistance. More info
The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, abolished school segregation in the United States.
False
True
The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, prohibited poll taxes in federal elections, removing a barrier to voting. School segregation was addressed by Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and subsequent civil rights legislation. The 24th Amendment did not relate to segregation in schools. More info
Elijah McCoy invented the hydraulic press.
False
True
Elijah McCoy was an inventor best known for his automatic lubricator for steam engines, among over 50 patents. He did not invent the hydraulic press, which predates his work. His innovations improved efficiency and reduced maintenance in many industries. More info
Madam C.J. Walker was known for her line of cooking appliances.
True
False
Madam C.J. Walker built a hair-care empire in the early 1900s, becoming one of America's first female self-made millionaires. She developed and sold specialty shampoos, conditioners, and treatments for Black women. She did not manufacture cooking appliances. More info
The Supreme Court case Shelley v. Kraemer (1948) ruled that racially restrictive housing covenants were unconstitutional.
True
False
In Shelley v. Kraemer (334 U.S. 1, 1948), the Supreme Court held that courts could not enforce racially restrictive covenants in property deeds against Black homeowners. While private parties could enter such covenants, judicial enforcement violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. This decision significantly advanced fair housing efforts. More info
Bayard Rustin organized the 1963 March on Washington alongside A. Philip Randolph.
False
True
Bayard Rustin was the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, working closely with civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph. Rustin's strategic planning and nonviolent principles were instrumental to the march's success. His contributions were long unrecognized due to his sexuality and political views. More info
0
{"name":"Harriet Tubman guided enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad.", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Harriet Tubman guided enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad., Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat in 1965., Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his \"I Have a Dream\" speech in Washington D.C. in 1963.","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze Quiz Statements -

    Critically examine statements posed in the true or false black history questions to discern accurate historical facts from misconceptions.

  2. Identify Pivotal Events -

    Recognize and articulate the significance of landmark occurrences in Black history, reinforcing understanding of their impact and chronology.

  3. Recall Influential Figures -

    Remember key individuals who shaped Black history and summarize their contributions based on the black history quiz prompts.

  4. Differentiate Myths from Facts -

    Distinguish between widely held misconceptions and verified truths, enhancing critical thinking regarding black history trivia questions.

  5. Evaluate Historical Context -

    Assess the broader social and political environments surrounding quiz topics to deepen comprehension of each fact and its relevance.

  6. Apply Knowledge Confidently -

    Use insights gained from the black history facts quiz to engage in informed discussions and further exploration of civil rights history.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Distinguish Emancipation Proclamation vs. 13th Amendment -

    The Emancipation Proclamation (1863) legally freed enslaved people in Confederate states but didn't apply to border states or guarantee permanent freedom. The 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery across the entire United States. Mnemonic trick: "Proclaim in '63, Amend in '65 to Stay Free."

  2. Chronology of the Reconstruction Amendments -

    The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments (1865 - 1870) abolished slavery, granted citizenship and equal protection, and protected voting rights respectively. Remember "One, Four, Five: Freedoms Arrive" to recall their order. Check National Archives for full amendment texts and ratification dates.

  3. Key Civil Rights Milestones and Dates -

    Landmark events like Brown v. Board of Education (1954) ended school segregation, and the Civil Rights Act (1964) outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. A simple timeline chart from the Smithsonian Archives can help visualize these breakthroughs. Use the "B-B-C" mnemonic - Brown, Bus Boycott (1955-56), Civil Rights Act.

  4. Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad Facts -

    Contrary to popular myth, Tubman rarely carried a gun; she relied on stealth and deep knowledge of safe houses to guide over 70 people to freedom. The Library of Congress documents her six reconnaissance missions into the South. Recall "Tubman's Trails" as a phrase to evoke her network of secret routes.

  5. Tulsa Race Massacre: Black Wall Street -

    In 1921, Tulsa's Greenwood District, known as "Black Wall Street," was destroyed during one of the worst racial massacres in U.S. history, displacing over 10,000 residents. Scholarly studies from the Oklahoma Historical Society provide survivor testimonies and economic analyses. An easy way to remember is "Greenwood 1921, Riches Burned in the Sun."

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Modern History Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker