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Quizzes > History > Regional History

Ultimate Black History Trivia Quiz - Prove Your Knowledge!

Think you can ace our African American history quiz? Start now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art cutouts of African American figures and historical icons for black history trivia quiz on coral background

Think you know the trailblazers, pivotal moments, and groundbreaking accomplishments of the Black experience? Dive into our free black history trivia quiz and put your expertise to the test! You'll explore captivating black history facts - discover civil rights trivia that shaped the modern era and tackle thought-provoking black history questions spanning art, politics, science, and more. Perfect for students, educators, and history enthusiasts, this African American history quiz is designed to educate and entertain. Ready to get started? Click here for the Black History Trivia Quiz , then challenge yourself further with our African American history trivia session. Let's honor the past and celebrate these stories - start now!

Who was the first African American to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice?
Thurgood Marshall
Clarence Thomas
Sonia Sotomayor
John Marshall Harlan II
Thurgood Marshall was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and took his seat on October 2, 1967, making history as the first African American on the Supreme Court. He previously argued landmark civil rights cases, including Brown v. Board of Education. His appointment marked a significant milestone in American civil rights history. Britannica: Thurgood Marshall
Which event marked the beginning of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on a bus
Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his first sermon
The Freedom Riders entering Alabama
The Brown v. Board of Education decision
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to surrender her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama, and was arrested. Her act of civil disobedience sparked a citywide bus boycott organized by local leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr. The boycott lasted over a year and led to a Supreme Court ruling outlawing segregation on public buses. History.com: Montgomery Bus Boycott
Who delivered the influential speech "I Have a Dream" during the March on Washington?
Martin Luther King Jr.
Frederick Douglass
Malcolm X
W. E. B. Du Bois
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the iconic "I Have a Dream" speech on August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. His address called for an end to racism and civil and economic rights for African Americans. The speech became a defining moment of the civil rights movement. History.com: Martin Luther King Jr.
What landmark 1954 Supreme Court case declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional?
Brown v. Board of Education
Plessy v. Ferguson
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
In Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. This decision overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). It was a major victory for the civil rights movement and paved the way for integration. Britannica: Brown v. Board of Education
Who is often called the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement" for her behind-the-scenes leadership and activism?
Ella Baker
Rosa Parks
Coretta Scott King
Fannie Lou Hamer
Ella Baker was a key organizer and strategist for the NAACP, SCLC, and SNCC during the civil rights movement. She emphasized grassroots organizing and empowering local communities rather than top-down leadership. Her work laid the foundation for direct-action campaigns and student activism. Britannica: Ella Baker
In what year did African American men gain the right to vote with the ratification of the 15th Amendment?
1870
1865
1920
1965
The 15th Amendment was ratified on February 3, 1870, granting African American men the right to vote by prohibiting voter discrimination based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Despite the amendment, various Jim Crow laws and poll taxes effectively disenfranchised many Black voters until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The 15th Amendment was a pivotal step in Reconstruction-era reforms. National Archives: 15th Amendment
Who became the first African American to win a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending apartheid in South Africa?
Nelson Mandela
Martin Luther King Jr.
Ralph Bunche
Desmond Tutu
Nelson Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 with F. W. de Klerk for their efforts to dismantle apartheid and establish multiracial elections in South Africa. Mandela’s leadership of the African National Congress and his long imprisonment made him a global symbol for justice. His presidency (1994–1999) ushered in democratic governance. NobelPrize.org: Nelson Mandela
Who was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball's modern era?
Jackie Robinson
Satchel Paige
Moses Fleetwood Walker
Larry Doby
Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. His entry into Major League Baseball ended segregation in professional baseball. He later became an MVP and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. Britannica: Jackie Robinson
Who authored the 1903 collection of essays titled "The Souls of Black Folk"?
W. E. B. Du Bois
Booker T. Washington
Marcus Garvey
Langston Hughes
W. E. B. Du Bois published The Souls of Black Folk in 1903, blending history, sociology, and personal narrative to analyze African American life post-Reconstruction. He introduced concepts like "double consciousness" to describe Black identity in America. The work became foundational in African American studies. Britannica: The Souls of Black Folk
Which constitutional amendment formally abolished slavery in the United States?
13th Amendment
14th Amendment
15th Amendment
19th Amendment
The 13th Amendment, ratified in December 1865, officially abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States except as punishment for a crime. It was the first of the three Reconstruction Amendments. It legally ended chattel slavery throughout the country. National Archives: 13th Amendment
Who was the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress?
Shirley Chisholm
Barbara Jordan
Carol Moseley Braun
Ella Grasso
Shirley Chisholm won her House seat in 1968, representing New York’s 12th District. She became the first Black woman in Congress and later ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972. She championed minority rights, women’s rights, and social justice throughout her tenure. Britannica: Shirley Chisholm
In which city did the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom take place?
Washington, D.C.
New York City, NY
Montgomery, AL
Atlanta, GA
On August 28, 1963, over 200,000 civil rights supporters gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., to demand equal rights and economic justice. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech there. The event helped galvanize support for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. History.com: March on Washington
Who founded the Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Alabama?
Booker T. Washington
W. E. B. Du Bois
George Washington Carver
Marcus Garvey
Booker T. Washington founded the Tuskegee Institute in 1881 to provide vocational and teacher training for African Americans in the post-Reconstruction South. He emphasized self-help, industrial education, and economic advancement. Under his leadership, Tuskegee became a model for Black education nationwide. Britannica: Booker T. Washington
What was the primary aim of the Black Panther Party when it was founded in 1966?
To monitor police brutality and provide community social programs
To promote Black-only schools
To negotiate segregation laws
To support the Vietnam War effort
The Black Panther Party was founded by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland to patrol police and protect Black communities from brutality. They also established free breakfast programs, health clinics, and educational initiatives. Their Ten-Point Program outlined demands for freedom, employment, and housing equity. Britannica: Black Panther Party
Who was the first African American to serve as U.S. Secretary of State?
Colin Powell
Condoleezza Rice
Madeline Albright
Ralph Bunche
Colin L. Powell served as the 65th U.S. Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005 under President George W. Bush, becoming the first African American in the role. He had previously been Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His tenure included U.S. responses to 9/11 and the Iraq War. Britannica: Colin Powell
Which Supreme Court decision in 1896 upheld the doctrine of "separate but equal"?
Plessy v. Ferguson
Brown v. Board of Education
Lochner v. New York
Griswold v. Connecticut
In Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), the Supreme Court ruled that state laws requiring racial segregation were constitutional under the doctrine of "separate but equal." This decision legitimized Jim Crow laws and remained in effect until Brown v. Board of Education (1954) overturned it. Britannica: Plessy v. Ferguson
Which Harlem Renaissance artist painted the mural series "Aspects of Negro Life"?
Aaron Douglas
Jacob Lawrence
Augusta Savage
Romare Bearden
Aaron Douglas created the mural series "Aspects of Negro Life" for the Public Works of Art Project in 1934. His modernist style and incorporation of African motifs helped define the visual identity of the Harlem Renaissance. The murals depicted African roots, contemporary struggles, and hopes for the future. Britannica: Aaron Douglas
Who became the first African American billionaire, founding the Black Entertainment Television network?
Robert L. Johnson
Oprah Winfrey
Sean "Diddy" Combs
Michael Jordan
Robert L. Johnson co-founded BET in 1980 and sold it to Viacom in 2001 for $3 billion, making him the first African American billionaire. BET was the first television network aimed at African American audiences. Johnson has since invested in various business ventures and philanthropy. Britannica: Robert L. Johnson
Which civil rights activist from SNCC was murdered during the Freedom Summer of 1964?
James Chaney
John Lewis
Stokely Carmichael
Bayard Rustin
James Chaney, along with Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, was murdered by Ku Klux Klan members in Neshoba County, Mississippi, during the 1964 Freedom Summer campaign to register Black voters. Chaney was a Black civil rights worker with SNCC. Their deaths drew national outrage and helped spur the Voting Rights Act of 1965. History.com: Freedom Summer
Who was the first African American Poet Laureate of the United States?
Rita Dove
Maya Angelou
Gwendolyn Brooks
Elizabeth Alexander
Rita Dove was named the 19th U.S. Poet Laureate in 1993, becoming the first African American to hold the position. She served a two-year term and was known for her lyrical narratives exploring American history and culture. Dove won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1987. Library of Congress: Poet Laureate
What 1967 Supreme Court case struck down laws prohibiting interracial marriage?
Loving v. Virginia
Miranda v. Arizona
Gideon v. Wainwright
Griswold v. Connecticut
In Loving v. Virginia (1967), the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that state bans on interracial marriage violated the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the 14th Amendment. The case involved Richard and Mildred Loving, who were married in Virginia and then convicted under anti-miscegenation laws. This landmark decision invalidated such laws across the U.S. Britannica: Loving v. Virginia
Which jazz musician composed the suite "Black, Brown and Beige" for a 1943 Carnegie Hall concert?
Duke Ellington
Count Basie
Louis Armstrong
Thelonious Monk
"Black, Brown and Beige" premiered at Carnegie Hall on January 23, 1943, as Duke Ellington’s extended orchestral work celebrating African American history. It was one of the first long-form jazz compositions performed in such a prestigious venue. The suite blends blues, gospel, and classical elements to portray the Black experience. Britannica: Duke Ellington
In 2012, who became the first African American woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in gymnastics?
Gabby Douglas
Simone Biles
Dominique Dawes
Nastia Liukin
Gabby Douglas won the individual all-around gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics, making her the first African American woman to achieve this honor in gymnastics. She also was part of the gold-medal Winning U.S. Team. Her victories broke barriers in a sport with a history of limited diversity. Britannica: Gabby Douglas
Who was the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize for Music?
Wynton Marsalis
Scott Joplin
Duke Ellington
George Walker
Wynton Marsalis won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1997 for his oratorio Blood on the Fields, becoming the first African American composer to receive this honor. The work explores slavery and emancipation in America. Marsalis’s achievement elevated recognition of African American contributions to classical music. Pulitzer.org: Wynton Marsalis
In 1951, who became the first African American to win a Grand Slam tennis title?
Althea Gibson
Arthur Ashe
Serena Williams
Nadia Com?neci
Althea Gibson won the French Open singles championship in 1956 and Wimbledon singles in 1957 and 1958. While her career Grand Slam titles spanned multiple years, her French Open win made her the first African American to capture a Grand Slam tournament in 1956. She broke racial barriers in international tennis and paved the way for future generations. Britannica: Althea Gibson
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Pivotal Moments in African American History -

    Recognize and list key events featured in the black history trivia quiz, such as Civil Rights Movement milestones and landmark legislation.

  2. Recall Influential Black History Figures -

    Remember the contributions and legacies of notable individuals through thought-provoking black history questions included in our quiz.

  3. Analyze the Impact of Landmark Events -

    Examine how pivotal occurrences shaped African American history and influenced broader societal change, drawing on scenarios from our civil rights trivia quiz.

  4. Connect Historical Facts to Contemporary Issues -

    Draw parallels between past events highlighted in the African American history quiz and modern civil rights discussions, deepening your understanding of ongoing social justice efforts.

  5. Assess Personal Knowledge and Growth Areas -

    Identify topics you excelled in and gaps uncovered by the African American history quiz to guide further self-directed learning.

  6. Apply Quiz Insights in Discussion and Learning -

    Use your newfound knowledge from this black history facts quiz to engage confidently in educational settings and friendly trivia competitions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Transatlantic Slave Trade -

    A must-know for the black history trivia quiz, the Transatlantic Slave Trade forcibly relocated over 12 million Africans between the 16th and 19th centuries (Britannica). Use the mnemonic "S.A.M." (Ships, Auctions, Middle Passage) to recall key stages.

  2. Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment -

    The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Lincoln on January 1, 1863, began the legal process of ending slavery (National Archives). The 13th Amendment, ratified December 6, 1865, formally abolished slavery; remember "1-1-6-3 → 12-6-65" as a date-pair mnemonic.

  3. Brown v. Board of Education (1954) -

    This landmark Supreme Court decision declared "separate but equal" unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson (Library of Congress). Use the acronym "BVB" (Brown Visits Board) to cement both case name and outcome for your African American history quiz.

  4. March on Washington & "I Have a Dream" -

    On August 28, 1963, over 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. King delivered his iconic speech (Smithsonian). RSV make it easy: "Rev. Speech at 250K" to recall speaker, event, and audience size for civil rights trivia quiz questions.

  5. Harlem Renaissance and Cultural Impact -

    The 1920s - 30s Harlem Renaissance was a cultural explosion led by figures like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, reshaping American arts (Schomburg Center, NYPL). Remember "Poetry, Music, Art: H-R" as a three-part formula for black history facts quiz entries.

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