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Presidents of the United States Quiz

How much do you know about U.S. presidents?

Welcome to the Ultimate Presidents of the United States Quiz! Test your knowledge on the leaders who have shaped the history of the United States.

From George Washington to the current president, this quiz covers trivia about their policies, key events during their administrations, and unique facts that set each president apart.

Are you ready to challenge yourself and see how much you know about the commanders-in-chief of the past and present? Let's get started!

Start the Presidents of the United States quiz

Questions and answers about Presidents of the United States

• Who was the first President of the United States?

  George Washington was the first President of the United States. Serving from 1789 to 1797, he set many precedents for the role and function of the presidency. Washington's leadership and character played a significant role in the early formation of the United States and its government.

  • George Washington
  • John Adams
  • Thomas Jefferson
  • James Madison

• Which President authored the Declaration of Independence?

  Thomas Jefferson authored the Declaration of Independence. He was the third President of the United States, serving from 1801 to 1809, but before his presidency, he was known for drafting this seminal document in 1776, which proclaimed the colonies' independence from British rule.

  • Thomas Jefferson
  • John Adams
  • Benjamin Franklin
  • James Madison

• Who was the only President to serve more than two terms?

  Franklin D. Roosevelt was the only President to serve more than two terms. He was elected to four terms and served from 1933 until his death in 1945. Roosevelt's presidency saw significant events such as the Great Depression and most of World War II.

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • Woodrow Wilson
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • George Washington

• Who was President during the Civil War?

  Abraham Lincoln was President during the Civil War. Serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865, Lincoln led the United States through its most severe constitutional, military, and moral crisis. He is remembered for his leadership during the war and his efforts to abolish slavery.

  • Abraham Lincoln
  • Andrew Johnson
  • James Buchanan
  • Ulysses S. Grant

• Which President was assassinated in 1865?

  Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. He was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., on April 14, 1865, and died the following day. Lincoln's assassination came just days after the Confederate surrender, marking a tragic end to his leadership during the Civil War.

  • Abraham Lincoln
  • James A. Garfield
  • William McKinley
  • John F. Kennedy

• Who was the youngest person to become President?

  Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest person to become President. He assumed the presidency at the age of 42 after the assassination of William McKinley in 1901. Roosevelt is known for his energetic personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement.

  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • John F. Kennedy
  • Bill Clinton
  • Barack Obama

• Who was President during World War I?

  Woodrow Wilson was President during World War I. Serving from 1913 to 1921, Wilson led the United States during the war from 1917 to 1918. He is known for his Fourteen Points speech, advocating for the League of Nations, and his efforts to establish a lasting peace after the war.

  • Woodrow Wilson
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • William Howard Taft
  • Warren G. Harding

• Which President initiated the New Deal?

  Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated the New Deal. His series of programs, public work projects, and regulatory reforms were designed to help the United States recover from the Great Depression. The New Deal included measures to increase employment, encourage economic recovery, and reform the financial system.

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • Herbert Hoover
  • Harry S. Truman
  • Woodrow Wilson

• Who was President at the end of World War II?

  Harry S. Truman was President at the end of World War II. He became President in April 1945 after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Truman is known for making the decision to use atomic bombs on Japan, which led to the end of the war in the Pacific.

  • Harry S. Truman
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • John F. Kennedy

• Who succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt after his death in office?

  Harry S. Truman succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt after his death in office in 1945. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, and Truman, then Vice President, assumed the presidency. He led the country through the final stages of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War.

  • Harry S. Truman
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • Lyndon B. Johnson

• Which President was in office during the Korean War?

  Harry S. Truman was President during the Korean War, which began in 1950 and ended in 1953. Truman's decision to enter the war was a significant moment in U.S. foreign policy, marking the first time the country engaged in a major military conflict in the context of the Cold War.

  • Harry S. Truman
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • Lyndon B. Johnson

• Who was the first President to resign from office?

  Richard Nixon was the first and so far only President to resign from office. He resigned in 1974 amid the Watergate scandal, a major political scandal that arose from the Nixon administration's attempts to cover up its involvement in the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.

  • Richard Nixon
  • Andrew Johnson
  • Bill Clinton
  • Herbert Hoover

• Which President signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

  Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and was a major step forward in the civil rights movement. Johnson's administration worked to overcome significant opposition to pass this act.

  • Lyndon B. Johnson
  • John F. Kennedy
  • Harry S. Truman
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower

• Who was President during the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976?

  Gerald Ford was President during the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976. This year marked the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and celebrations were held throughout the United States. Ford's presidency coincided with this significant milestone in American history.

  • Gerald Ford
  • Jimmy Carter
  • Richard Nixon
  • Ronald Reagan

• Which President was a former actor?

  Ronald Reagan was a former actor before becoming President. He had a career in Hollywood as an actor and union leader before entering politics. Reagan served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989, after a career in film and television during the 1940s and 1950s.

  • Ronald Reagan
  • Richard Nixon
  • Jimmy Carter
  • Bill Clinton

• Who was President during the Iran-Contra affair?

  Ronald Reagan was President during the Iran-Contra affair. This political scandal, which occurred in the mid-1980s, involved senior administration officials secretly facilitating the sale of arms to Iran, which was then embroiled in the Iran-Iraq War, and using the proceeds to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

  • Ronald Reagan
  • George H.W. Bush
  • Jimmy Carter
  • Bill Clinton

• Which President signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?

  NAFTA was signed by U.S. President George H.W. Bush in 1992, along with Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Mexican President Carlos Salinas. The agreement was later ratified and its implementation was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993. NAFTA created a trilateral trade bloc in North America, aiming to reduce trading costs, increase business investment, and help the region be more competitive globally.

  • Bill Clinton
  • George H.W. Bush
  • Barack Obama
  • George W. Bush

• Who was President during the September 11, 2001, attacks?

  George W. Bush was President during the September 11, 2001, attacks. These terrorist attacks were a major event in American history and significantly impacted U.S. domestic and foreign policy. In response, Bush initiated the War on Terror, including the invasion of Afghanistan and later Iraq.

  • George W. Bush
  • Bill Clinton
  • Barack Obama
  • George H.W. Bush

• Which President won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the Camp David Accords?

  Jimmy Carter won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts in the Camp David Accords, among other achievements. The Camp David Accords were signed in 1978 during Carter's presidency and led to a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, the first such agreement between Israel and an Arab country.

  • Jimmy Carter
  • Bill Clinton
  • Barack Obama
  • Woodrow Wilson

• Who was the President during the Louisiana Purchase?

  Thomas Jefferson was President during the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. This land deal between the United States and France effectively doubled the size of the United States, adding territory that would become 15 new states. Jefferson's administration negotiated this acquisition, which is considered one of the most important achievements of his presidency.

  • Thomas Jefferson
  • James Madison
  • John Adams
  • Andrew Jackson

• Which U.S. President introduced the foreign policy principle opposing European colonialism in the Americas, later known as a famous 'Doctrine'?

  This foreign policy principle, established during the presidency of James Monroe in 1823, strongly opposed any European colonialism in the Americas. It was a significant stance in U.S. foreign policy, asserting that any intervention by external powers in the politics of the Americas would be viewed as an act of aggression, warranting U.S. intervention. This principle later became known as the Monroe Doctrine, named after the President under whose administration it was declared.

  • James Monroe
  • John Quincy Adams
  • Andrew Jackson
  • Thomas Jefferson

• Who was the first President to be impeached?

  Andrew Johnson was the first President to be impeached. He was impeached in 1868 primarily due to his lenient policies towards the Confederate states and his violation of the Tenure of Office Act. The Senate tried Johnson, but he was acquitted by one vote and thus remained in office.

  • Andrew Johnson
  • Bill Clinton
  • Richard Nixon
  • Donald Trump

• Which President led the country during the Mexican-American War?

  James K. Polk was President during the Mexican-American War, which occurred from 1846 to 1848. Polk's expansionist policies and desire to acquire new territories for the United States, including what is now the American Southwest, were key factors leading to the war.

  • James K. Polk
  • Andrew Jackson
  • Zachary Taylor
  • Franklin Pierce

• Who was President during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

  John F. Kennedy was President during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. This 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet ballistic missiles in Cuba was one of the most tense moments of the Cold War, bringing the two superpowers close to nuclear conflict.

  • John F. Kennedy
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower
  • Lyndon B. Johnson
  • Richard Nixon

• Which President established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?

  Richard Nixon established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970. The EPA was created to consolidate federal research, monitoring, standard-setting, and enforcement activities into a single agency, with the goal of protecting human health and the environment.

  • Richard Nixon
  • Jimmy Carter
  • Gerald Ford
  • Ronald Reagan

• Who was the only bachelor President?

  James Buchanan was the only bachelor President. He served as the 15th President of the United States from 1857 to 1861 and remains the only President to have never married. His presidency is often criticized for his handling of the issues that eventually led to the Civil War.

  • James Buchanan
  • Grover Cleveland
  • Woodrow Wilson
  • Warren G. Harding

• Which President is associated with the Square Deal?

  Theodore Roosevelt is associated with the Square Deal. His domestic program, which he termed the Square Deal, focused on conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection. These three C’s aimed to make sure that average citizens would get a "square deal."

  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • William Howard Taft
  • Woodrow Wilson
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt

• Which President started the "War on Drugs"?

  Richard Nixon started the "War on Drugs." In 1971, Nixon declared drug abuse as "public enemy number one" and significantly increased federal funding for drug-control agencies and drug-treatment efforts. The "War on Drugs" led to policies that heavily focused on criminalization and law enforcement.

  • Richard Nixon
  • Ronald Reagan
  • George H.W. Bush
  • Bill Clinton

• Who was President during the construction of the Panama Canal?

  Theodore Roosevelt was President during the construction of the Panama Canal. He was instrumental in initiating the construction of the canal in 1904, seeing it as a strategic advantage for military and trade purposes. The canal was completed in 1914, after he left office.

  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • William Howard Taft
  • Woodrow Wilson
  • Calvin Coolidge

• Which President had a background as a haberdasher before entering politics?

  Harry S. Truman had a background as a haberdasher before entering politics. Prior to his political career, he co-owned a men's haberdashery in Kansas City, Missouri. Though the business was ultimately unsuccessful, Truman went on to have a successful political career, culminating in his presidency.

  • Harry S. Truman
  • Herbert Hoover
  • Lyndon B. Johnson
  • Richard Nixon

• Who was the first President to appear on television?

  Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first President to appear on television. He appeared on TV on April 30, 1939, during the opening ceremonies of the New York World's Fair. This appearance marked the first time a U.S. President was televised, showcasing the growing influence of this new medium.

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • Harry S. Truman
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower
  • John F. Kennedy

• Which President initiated the Marshall Plan?

  Harry S. Truman initiated the Marshall Plan. Officially known as the European Recovery Program, it was an American initiative passed in 1948 to aid Western Europe in economic recovery after World War II. The plan was named after Secretary of State George Marshall and is considered a key element of early Cold War policy.

  • Harry S. Truman
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • John F. Kennedy

• Who was the only President to serve in both World War I and World War II?

  Dwight D. Eisenhower was the only President to serve in both World War I and World War II. Though he did not see active combat in World War I, he was a significant military leader during World War II, serving as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe.

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower
  • Harry S. Truman
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • Lyndon B. Johnson

• Which President signed the Medicare and Medicaid programs into law?

  Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid programs into law. These programs were established in 1965 as part of Johnson's "Great Society" initiative, which aimed to eliminate poverty and racial injustice. Medicare and Medicaid provided health insurance to the elderly and low-income individuals, respectively.

  • Lyndon B. Johnson
  • John F. Kennedy
  • Richard Nixon
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt

• Who was the first President born in the 20th century?

  John F. Kennedy was the first President born in the 20th century. Born on May 29, 1917, Kennedy served as the 35th President of the United States from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. His presidency is remembered for events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the space race, and the early stages of the Vietnam War.

  • John F. Kennedy
  • Lyndon B. Johnson
  • Richard Nixon
  • Jimmy Carter

• Which President was known for his policy of détente with the Soviet Union?

  Richard Nixon was known for his policy of détente with the Soviet Union. His administration, serving from 1969 to 1974, pursued a policy of easing tensions with the Soviet Union, marked by the signing of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I) and increased diplomatic engagement.

  • Richard Nixon
  • Ronald Reagan
  • Jimmy Carter
  • Gerald Ford

• Who was the first President to travel to China while in office?

  Richard Nixon was the first President to travel to China while in office. His historic visit in 1972 marked the beginning of a new era in Sino-American relations, opening diplomatic dialogue and leading to significant policy shifts between the two nations.

  • Richard Nixon
  • Gerald Ford
  • Jimmy Carter
  • George H.W. Bush

• Who was President during the Persian Gulf War?

  George H.W. Bush was President during the Persian Gulf War, which occurred in 1990-1991. His administration's response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait marked a significant moment in U.S. foreign policy, leading to Operation Desert Storm, a massive coalition effort to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

  • George H.W. Bush
  • Ronald Reagan
  • Bill Clinton
  • Jimmy Carter

• Which President negotiated the Dayton Accords, ending the Bosnian War?

  Bill Clinton was President when the Dayton Accords were negotiated, ending the Bosnian War. The peace agreement was reached at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, in 1995 and brought an end to the three-and-a-half-year-long conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

  • Bill Clinton
  • George H.W. Bush
  • Barack Obama
  • George W. Bush

• Who was the President when the United States acquired Alaska?

  Andrew Johnson was President when the United States acquired Alaska. Known as "Seward's Folly" after Secretary of State William H. Seward, who negotiated the deal, the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, significantly expanding the country's territory.

  • Andrew Johnson
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • Ulysses S. Grant
  • James Buchanan

• Which President's administration was known for the "Era of Good Feelings"?

  James Monroe's administration was known for the "Era of Good Feelings." This period, which occurred during Monroe's presidency from 1817 to 1825, was marked by a sense of national purpose and a desire for unity among Americans in the aftermath of the War of 1812 and the Napoleonic Wars.

  • James Monroe
  • John Quincy Adams
  • Thomas Jefferson
  • Andrew Jackson

• Who was President during the Panic of 1837?

  Martin Van Buren was President during the Panic of 1837. This financial crisis, which occurred early in Van Buren's presidency, was one of the most severe economic downturns in U.S. history. It was characterized by widespread bank failures, high unemployment, and a slump in agriculture and manufacturing.

  • Martin Van Buren
  • Andrew Jackson
  • William Henry Harrison
  • John Tyler

• Which President was a former Union general?

  Ulysses S. Grant was a former Union general before becoming President. He served as the 18th President of the United States from 1869 to 1877. Grant was a prominent military leader during the Civil War, leading the Union Army to victory over the Confederacy.

  • Ulysses S. Grant
  • Andrew Johnson
  • Rutherford B. Hayes
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower

• Who was the first President to be born in a hospital?

  Jimmy Carter was the first President to be born in a hospital. Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Carter served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. His presidency is remembered for various domestic and foreign policy initiatives, including the Camp David Accords.

  • Jimmy Carter
  • Bill Clinton
  • George W. Bush
  • Barack Obama

• Which President initiated the Great Society program?

  Lyndon B. Johnson initiated the Great Society program. Serving as the 36th President from 1963 to 1969, Johnson's Great Society was a set of domestic programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice. Major elements included the War on Poverty, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

  • Lyndon B. Johnson
  • John F. Kennedy
  • Richard Nixon
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt

• Who was the youngest elected President?

  John F. Kennedy was the youngest elected President. He was inaugurated at the age of 43, making him the youngest person ever elected to the presidency. Kennedy served as the 35th President of the United States from 1961 until his assassination in 1963.

  • John F. Kennedy
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • Bill Clinton
  • Barack Obama

• Which President signed the Indian Removal Act?

  Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830. This act authorized the President to grant unsettled lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands within existing state borders. It led to the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans in what is known as the Trail of Tears.

  • Andrew Jackson
  • James Monroe
  • Martin Van Buren
  • Thomas Jefferson

• Who was the first President to live in the White House?

  John Adams was the first President to live in the White House. He moved into the then-unfinished residence in 1800, during the last year of his presidency. The White House has since been the official residence and workplace of every U.S. President.

  • John Adams
  • George Washington
  • Thomas Jefferson
  • James Madison

• Which President was known for his "Silent Cal" nickname?

  Calvin Coolidge was known for his "Silent Cal" nickname. The 30th President of the United States, serving from 1923 to 1929, Coolidge was known for being a man of few words and his reserved and taciturn demeanor, which earned him this nickname.

  • Calvin Coolidge
  • Herbert Hoover
  • Warren G. Harding
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt

• Who was President during the Spanish-American War?

  William McKinley was President during the Spanish-American War, which took place in 1898. McKinley's presidency is marked by this conflict, which resulted in the U.S. emerging as a world power with overseas territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

  • William McKinley
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • Woodrow Wilson
  • Grover Cleveland

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About Presidents of the United States

The Presidents of the United States are a significant part of American history and governance. Each president has influenced the country in various ways, through their policies, decisions, and leadership styles. Here are a few key aspects:

George Washington (1789-1797): The first President of the United States, known for setting many precedents in the new government.

Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865): Presided over the nation during the Civil War and is renowned for his role in abolishing slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945): The only president to serve more than two terms, he led the nation through the Great Depression and most of World War II.

John F. Kennedy (1961-1963): Known for his charismatic leadership and the Cuban Missile Crisis. His assassination in 1963 was a pivotal moment in U.S. history.

Ronald Reagan (1981-1989): Played a key role in ending the Cold War and is remembered for his economic policies known as "Reaganomics."

Barack Obama (2009-2017): The first African American president, known for the Affordable Care Act and his global diplomacy.

Each president has left a unique mark on the history and culture of the United States, shaping not just domestic policies but also international relations. The role of the President is complex, often requiring a balance between different branches of government, the needs of the American people, and international pressures.