History buffs, trivia junkies, and curious minds - this is your moment! The ultimate black history month quiz invites you to celebrate heroic figures, pivotal moments, and cultural milestones with a mix of fun, free questions. You'll tackle black history quiz questions, explore engaging black history month trivia with answers, and even laugh along with funny black trivia questions and answers that highlight lighter moments in the past. Whether you're mastering well-known events or testing your recall with black history month quiz questions, you'll learn new facts and honor legacies. Start the quiz now, then dive into the trivia challenge and track your score. Ready, set, uncover history - and shine!
What action by Rosa Parks made her a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement?
She registered thousands of Black voters
She led a mass march on Washington
She wrote an influential open letter to the president
She refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus
Rosa Parks became famous on December 1, 1955, when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement. This act of peaceful resistance highlighted segregation laws and galvanized activists nationwide. Read more about this moment at History.com.
Where did Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech?
In front of the U.S. Capitol Building
At the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington
At the National Mall during the Selma to Montgomery march
On the steps of the Supreme Court
Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech on August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The speech became a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement. It emphasized equality and justice for all and was broadcast nationwide. More details are available at National Archives.
Harriet Tubman is best known for her work as a conductor on which network?
The Civil Rights Trail
The Underground Railroad
The Transcontinental Railroad
The Freedom Train
Harriet Tubman escaped slavery and then returned to the South many times to guide enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. She earned the nickname 'Moses' for leading dozens of slaves to safety. Tubman's work saved approximately 70 people and inspired many in the abolitionist movement. Learn more at History.com.
Juneteenth commemorates which historical event?
The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863
The first public celebration of Black History Month
The announcement of emancipation in Texas on June 19, 1865
The nationwide abolition of slavery by the 13th Amendment
Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that slavery had ended, enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation. It became a celebration of freedom and African American culture. The holiday gained federal recognition in 2021. More information is available at Juneteenth.com.
Who was the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate?
Frederick Douglass
Marcus Garvey
W.E.B. Du Bois
Hiram Rhodes Revels
Hiram Rhodes Revels was sworn into the U.S. Senate on February 25, 1870, representing Mississippi during Reconstruction. He filled the seat previously held by a Confederate and was the first Black American to serve in Congress. Revels focused on education and racial reconciliation. Read about his legacy at U.S. Senate Historical Office.
Who founded Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History Month?
Malcolm X
Carter G. Woodson
Frederick Douglass
Martin Luther King Jr.
Historian Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week in 1926 to highlight African American contributions to history. He chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Over time, the week grew into Black History Month in 1976. Learn more at National Park Service.
Which Supreme Court decision declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional?
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Brown v. Board of Education
Plessy v. Ferguson
Marbury v. Madison
In Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that 'separate but equal' schools are inherently unequal and violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The decision overturned Plessy v. Ferguson as it applied to public education. It became a cornerstone for the Civil Rights Movement. Further reading is available at Oyez.
What was Malcolm X's birth name?
Malcolm Little
Marcus Garvey Jr.
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz
Ossie Davis
Born Malcolm Little in 1925, he later adopted the name Malcolm X to signify the loss of his African ancestral surname. After his pilgrimage to Mecca, he also took the name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. He was a prominent advocate for Black empowerment and human rights. Read more at Britannica.
Who was the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature?
Maya Angelou
Toni Morrison
Alice Walker
Zora Neale Hurston
Toni Morrison became the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. The Swedish Academy honored her for her visionary novels, which explore the Black experience in America. Morrison's works include 'Beloved' and 'Song of Solomon.' More information is available at The Nobel Prize.
The Tuskegee Airmen were famous for being the first African American what?
Astronaut corps members
Civil rights lawyers
Naval officers
Military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, they flew combat missions in Europe and earned high praise for their skill. Their success helped pave the way for desegregation of the U.S. military. Details can be found at Tuskegee University.
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery?
14th Amendment
19th Amendment
15th Amendment
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment, ratified in December 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, except as punishment for a crime. It legally freed all enslaved people and marked a turning point in American history. The amendment laid the groundwork for future civil rights legislation. More details are at National Archives.
Who authored the book 'The Souls of Black Folk' in 1903?
W.E.B. Du Bois
Marcus Garvey
Booker T. Washington
Frederick Douglass
'The Souls of Black Folk,' published in 1903 by W.E.B. Du Bois, is a seminal work in African American literature and sociology. Du Bois explores themes of race, identity, and the struggle for equality, introducing the concept of 'double consciousness.' The book influenced generations of civil rights activists. Further reading at Britannica.
The Harlem Renaissance, a flourishing of Black art and culture, was centered in which neighborhood?
Beale Street
South Side Chicago
Harlem
Bronzeville
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural, social, and artistic explosion in the 1920s centered in Harlem, New York. Black writers, musicians, and artists, such as Langston Hughes and Duke Ellington, broke new ground in literature, music, and visual arts. The movement celebrated Black identity and creativity. Learn more at National Park Service.
Which event is often cited as the starting point of the modern Civil Rights Movement in 1955?
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Selma to Montgomery march
March on Washington
Brown v. Board of Education ruling
The Montgomery Bus Boycott began on December 5, 1955, following Rosa Parks's arrest, lasting over a year and significantly advancing the Civil Rights Movement. The boycott led to a Supreme Court ruling that bus segregation was unconstitutional. It also brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to national prominence. More details at History.com.
What did the Supreme Court rule in Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)?
That slavery was constitutional only in some states
That Congress could regulate slavery in the territories
That African Americans could not be U.S. citizens
That Dred Scott was free
In Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857), the Supreme Court ruled that people of African descent, whether free or enslaved, were not American citizens and had no standing to sue in federal court. The decision also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. It intensified tensions leading to the Civil War. See details at Oyez.
What was the main organization founded by Marcus Garvey?
Black Panther Party
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Congress of Racial Equality
Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)
Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914 to promote Black pride, economic independence, and a return to Africa. The movement gained millions of followers globally by the early 1920s. Garvey's ideas influenced later civil rights leaders despite his eventual legal troubles. Learn more at Britannica.
In which year did the Tulsa Race Massacre occur, devastating the prosperous Greenwood District?
1901
1941
1921
1961
The Tulsa Race Massacre took place from May 31 to June 1, 1921, when a white mob attacked residents, homes, and businesses in the Black Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Greenwood was known as 'Black Wall Street' for its prosperity. The violence destroyed over 35 square blocks and killed hundreds. Detailed historical accounts can be found at History.com.
Who was the first African American to travel into space?
Ronald McNair
Guion S. Bluford
Mae Jemison
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Guion S. Bluford became the first African American in space on August 30, 1983, as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-8. His flight broke barriers and opened opportunities for future astronauts of color. Bluford flew on three additional shuttle missions. NASA provides details at NASA.gov.
What was the primary purpose of the Negro Leagues in baseball?
To provide a professional league for Black players barred from MLB
To integrate Major League Baseball
To manage minor league teams in the South
To train Black coaches for college teams
The Negro Leagues were established in the early 20th century to offer African American baseball players a high level of competition when segregation barred them from Major League Baseball. Stars like Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson showcased their talents there. The leagues operated until integration began in 1947. Further insights are at Baseball Hall of Fame.
At which convention did Sojourner Truth deliver her famous 'Ain't I a Woman?' speech?
Ohio Women's Rights Convention in Akron
Seneca Falls Convention
National Women's Rights Convention in Washington, D.C.
New York State Women's Convention
Sojourner Truth delivered her impassioned 'Ain't I a Woman?' speech on May 29, 1851, at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio. She challenged prevailing notions of racial and gender inferiority and became a leading voice for both abolition and women's rights. Her words continue to resonate in social justice movements. Read more at National Women's History Museum.
Who co-founded the Black Panther Party alongside Huey P. Newton in 1966?
Angela Davis
Stokely Carmichael
Bobby Seale
Eldridge Cleaver
Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale co-founded the Black Panther Party in Oakland, California, in October 1966. The organization aimed to monitor police activities and provide social services to African American communities. Their Ten-Point Program outlined goals for racial justice and economic equality. More history is available at Britannica.
Who was the first African American appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court?
Thurgood Marshall
Barack Obama
Clarence Thomas
Charles Hamilton Houston
Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Lyndon B. Johnson and sworn in on October 2, 1967. Prior to his appointment, he won the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case as NAACP Legal Defense Fund chief counsel. Marshall served until 1991 and left a lasting legacy on civil rights jurisprudence. Learn more at Supreme Court.
What did Carter G. Woodson establish in 1926 to celebrate Black achievements?
Black History Month
Negro History Week
NAACP
Juneteenth
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson launched Negro History Week to promote the study of Black history and contributions to American society. He chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The week was expanded to a month in 1976, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month. For more, see History.com.
Which Executive Order desegregated the U.S. armed forces in 1948?
Executive Order 8802
Executive Order 9981
Executive Order 9066
Executive Order 10914
President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948, to end segregation in the U.S. military. The order established the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services. It paved the way for full integration, which was largely complete by the early 1950s. Details are available at Truman Library.
Who was the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress?
Condoleezza Rice
Kamala Harris
Barbara Jordan
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress in 1968, representing New York's 12th District. She served seven terms and was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. In 1972, she also became the first Black candidate for a major party's presidential nomination. Read more at U.S. House of Representatives.
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Study Outcomes
Identify Key Figures -
Recognize influential individuals from Black history and summarize their major contributions and achievements.
Describe Historical Milestones -
Outline significant events and cultural moments that shaped the course of Black history during pivotal eras.
Recall Engaging Trivia -
Remember fun and lesser-known facts through entertaining black trivia questions and answers to deepen your knowledge.
Analyze Cultural Significance -
Evaluate the impact of historic achievements and understand how they influenced broader social and political change.
Apply Quiz Insights -
Use your newfound knowledge in trivia nights, classroom challenges, or personal exploration to confidently share what you've learned.
Reflect and Appreciate -
Foster a deeper appreciation for the resilience, creativity, and legacy of Black communities through thoughtful engagement with the quiz content.
Cheat Sheet
Origins of Black History Month -
Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week in 1926 to celebrate African American contributions, based on research from the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1976 Congress extended the week to a month, with support from the Library of Congress and Smithsonian Institution. Remember "26 to 76" as the key years for Woodson's week to national month.
13th, 14th & 15th Amendments -
Known as the "Reconstruction Amendments," the 13th abolished slavery (1865), the 14th guaranteed citizenship (1868), and the 15th protected voting rights regardless of race (1870). A simple mnemonic "A-C-V" stands for Abolition, Citizenship, Vote. These amendments are extensively documented in the National Archives.
Landmark Civil Rights Milestones -
Key events include Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-56), and the March on Washington (1963), each upheld by court records and archives at the Library of Congress. Use "BMM" to recall Brown, Montgomery, March. These milestones are core topics in university-level history curricula.
The Harlem Renaissance -
This 1920s cultural movement in New York City featured literary giants like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, plus jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong, with extensive collections at the Schomburg Center. Use the acronym "HJL" (Hurston, Hughes, Louis) to track the top figures. Academic articles in JSTOR highlight its lasting influence on American arts.
Modern Civil Rights & Leadership -
Key modern milestones include the Civil Rights Act (1964), Voting Rights Act (1965), and Barack Obama's election (2008). To remember, think "64-65-08." Institutions like the Smithsonian and the National Museum of African American History and Culture provide primary sources on these events.
