Dive into the past with this ultimate history quiz! Covering everything from ancient civilizations to 20th-century milestones, these 100 history quiz questions are designed to challenge your knowledge of humanity’s most pivotal moments.
Perfect for trivia nights or simply testing your memory, this quiz spans five engaging rounds, including ancient history, medieval times, early modern events, and key developments from the 19th and 20th centuries. So, gather your friends, brush up on your history, and see who emerges as the ultimate history buff!
Round 1: Ancient History (1-20)
- Who was the first emperor of Rome?
- Which ancient civilization built the pyramids?
- What was the name of the Greek god of war?
- In which year was Julius Caesar assassinated?
- What was the name of the ancient trade route connecting China to the Mediterranean?
- Which empire was ruled by Genghis Khan?
- What city is considered the birthplace of democracy?
- What was the name of the pharaoh who built the Great Pyramid of Giza?
- Who is known as the “Father of History”?
- Which ancient civilization used cuneiform as its writing system?
- What was the primary material used in building the Colosseum in Rome?
- What is the name of the legendary Greek poet who wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey?
- Which ancient empire was famous for its Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
- Who was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt?
- What is the name of the battle in which 300 Spartans fought against the Persian army?
- Which ancient Roman city was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius?
- What is the term for the ancient Egyptian writing system?
- Who was the first ruler of the Persian Empire?
- What structure did the ancient Romans use to transport water into their cities?
- Which ancient civilization worshipped gods like Zeus and Hera?
Round 2: Medieval History (21-40)
- Who was crowned the first Holy Roman Emperor in 800 AD?
- What was the name of the document signed by King John of England in 1215?
- Which city was the center of the Byzantine Empire?
- Who led the Norman Conquest of England in 1066?
- What was the name of the series of religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims in the Middle Ages?
- What is the name of the pandemic that killed millions in Europe during the 14th century?
- Who was the first female ruler of England?
- What year did the Hundred Years’ War begin?
- Which famous Scottish knight fought for Scotland’s independence from England?
- What was the name of the Viking who became the first European to land in North America?
- What was the main language spoken by medieval scholars?
- Which English king was known as “Lionheart”?
- What is the name of the military order founded in Jerusalem during the First Crusade?
- Who was burned at the stake in 1431 for heresy during the Hundred Years’ War?
- What is the name of the famous tapestry depicting the Norman Conquest?
- Which empire is known for its samurai warriors and shoguns?
- What is the term for the system of government based on land ownership and vassalage during the Middle Ages?
- What city is home to the Notre Dame Cathedral?
- What was the name of the last Muslim kingdom in Spain, which fell in 1492?
- Which explorer is credited with discovering Greenland?
Round 3: Early Modern History (41-60)
- Who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel?
- Which Portuguese explorer was the first to reach India by sea?
- What year did Christopher Columbus first sail to the Americas?
- What is the name of the treaty that ended the Thirty Years’ War in 1648?
- Who became Queen of England in 1558 and was known as the “Virgin Queen”?
- Which European city was the epicenter of the Renaissance?
- What was the name of the first permanent English settlement in America, founded in 1607?
- Who was the first Tsar of Russia?
- Which scientist is credited with formulating the laws of motion and gravity?
- What war was fought between the Cavaliers and the Roundheads in England?
- What was the name of the Spanish fleet that attempted to invade England in 1588?
- Who was the first monarch of the House of Stuart in England?
- What year did the Mayflower arrive in America?
- What was the name of the palace built by Louis XIV of France?
- Who led the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century?
- What was the name of the treaty that divided the New World between Spain and Portugal in 1494?
- What major event began in 1775 and led to the independence of the United States?
- Who was the French military leader who became Emperor of France in 1804?
- What invention by Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized communication in the 15th century?
- Which explorer was the first to circumnavigate the globe?
Round 4: 19th Century History (61-80)
- Who was the British monarch during the majority of the 19th century?
- Which country abolished slavery in 1865 with the 13th Amendment?
- Who was the first President of the United States?
- What year did the French Revolution begin?
- Who wrote The Communist Manifesto in 1848?
- What war was fought between the Northern and Southern states of the US from 1861 to 1865?
- What year was the Eiffel Tower completed?
- Who led the charge for Italian unification in the 19th century?
- What is the name of the conflict between Britain and China over the opium trade?
- Who was the US President during the American Civil War?
- What movement sought to abolish slavery in the United States?
- What year did the British Empire officially end the transatlantic slave trade?
- Who invented the telephone in 1876?
- Which African country remained independent during European colonization?
- What was the name of the first steam-powered locomotive?
- What war resulted in the unification of Germany in 1871?
- Which British Prime Minister introduced the Factory Acts to regulate working conditions?
- Who was the ruler of France during the Battle of Waterloo?
- What was the name of the ship Charles Darwin sailed on during his research expedition?
- What year was the Suez Canal officially opened?
Round 5: 20th Century History (81-100)
- In which year did World War I begin?
- Who was the British Prime Minister during most of World War II?
- What was the name of the treaty that ended World War I?
- In which year did the Berlin Wall fall?
- Who was the first President of the Soviet Union?
- What year did women gain the right to vote in the United States?
- Which country was led by Adolf Hitler during World War II?
- What is the name of the ship that famously sank in 1912?
- Who was assassinated in 1963 while serving as the President of the United States?
- Which African leader became the first president of independent Kenya in 1964?
- What year was the United Nations founded?
- What is the name of the infamous Cold War conflict in which the US and Soviet Union competed in space exploration?
- Who was the first man to step on the moon, in 1969?
- What year did World War II end?
- What was the name of the US program that aimed to rebuild Europe after World War II?
- Which country was partitioned into North and South in 1948?
- Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize?
- What event is known as “The Day the Music Died” in 1959?
- What is the name of the US Civil Rights leader who delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech?
- In which year did the Soviet Union officially dissolve?
Conclusion
This comprehensive history quiz spans five fascinating rounds, from ancient civilizations to modern-day milestones. Whether you’re brushing up on your historical knowledge or hosting a trivia night, these 100 history questions are sure to challenge and entertain.