Presidents’ Day Trivia Quiz

It’s that time of the year when we honor two of America’s great presidents, celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12, and George Washington’s birthday on February 16. You and the kids can test your knowledge of our first and 16th presidents with this fun quiz!

Click the arrows beneath each picture to advance through the quiz.

In what year was Abraham Lincoln born?
A. 1809 B. 1795 C. 1815 D. 1800
Answer: A, 1809
Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 (in a one-room log cabin!)
Which state was Abraham Lincoln born in?
A. Virginia B. Maryland C. Kentucky D. Connecticut
Answer: C, Kentucky
Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky.
Which of the following did Lincoln establish as a national holiday?
A. Veteran’s Day B. Thanksgiving C. Labor Day D. New Year’s Eve
Answer: B, Thanksgiving
Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday.
True or False:
Lincoln was the first president elected with a beard.
Answer: True
Lincoln was the first bearded US president. (Illustration via aquientmoment.org)
What was Lincoln’s favorite animal?
A. Birds B. Fish C. Rabbits D. Cats
Answer: D, cats
Cats were Lincoln's favorite animal.
At what age did Lincoln win the election for U.S. Congress?
A. 37 B. 29 C. 42 D. 30
Answer: A, 37
Lincoln was 37 when he won the election for US Congress.
Abraham and Marry Todd Lincoln had four sons together, but only one survived to adulthood. Which son was this?
A. Edward Baker Lincoln B. William Wallace Lincoln C. Thomas Tadd Lincoln D. Robert Todd Lincoln
Answer: D, Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln was the Lincolns' only son to survive into adulthood.
At what New York City college did Lincoln give one of his most important speeches before he became president?
A. Columbia University B. Cooper Union C. New York University D. The College of the City of New York
Answer: B, Cooper Union
In his famous address at Cooper Union, which he gave in February 1860, Lincoln elaborated in his views on slavery, saying that he did not want it to expand into the Western territories.
The Lincoln Memorial was carved from what materials?
A. Alabaster and copper B. Jade and copper C. Marble and limestone D. Bronze and limestone
Answer: C, marble and limestone
The Lincoln Memorial was carved from marble and limestone.
How long did it take Lincoln to deliver the Gettysburg address?
A. 2 minutes B. 6 minutes C. 15 minutes D. 60 minutes
Answer: A, 2 minutes
It took Lincoln 2 minutes to deliver the Gettysburg address.
True or false:
Washington was the only president to be elected unanimously.
Answer: True
Washington was the only US President to be elected unanimously by the electoral college.
How old was Washington when he was inaugurated into presidential office?
A. 31 B. 39 C. 45 D. 57
Answer: D, 57
Washington was 57 when he was inaugurated as president.
The 1st United States Congress offered to pay Washington an annual salary while in office, but he declined the offer. How much was the salary?
A. $5,000 B. $15,000 C. $25,000 D. $75,000
Answer: C, $25,000
They offered Washington a $25,000 salary. (And the first Congress met at NYC's Federal Hall until December 1790).
How tall was Washington in feet and inches?
A. 5’3” B. 5’7” C. 6’2” D. 6’5”
Answer: C, 6'2"
Washington was 6'2".
As a farmer, Washington is credited with introducing which animal to the United States?
A. Horse B. Goat C. Pig D. Mule
Answer: D, the mule
Washington is credited with introducing the mule to the US.
On April 30, 1789, Washington was inaugurated at Federal Hall in New York City. Who was the governor at the time?
A. Paul Revere B. John Langdon C. George Clinton D. John Adams
Answer: C
George Clinton was the New York state governor at the time of Washington's inauguration.
The Washingtons lived in New York while the city served as our nation's capitol (1789-90). What modern-day neighborhood did they call home?
A) Upper East Side B) Financial District C) Tribeca D) Chinatown / Two Bridges
Answer: D, Chinatown/ Two Bridges
The Washingtons lived in a four-story mansion at 3 Cherry Street, now in between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges.
In which year was Washington born?
A. 1712 B. 1732 C. 1740 D. 1725
Answer: B, 1732
Washington was born in 1732. Above is a rendering of his childhood home near Fredericksburg, Virginia. (Rendering by L. H. Barker via kenmore.org)
At which famous NYC tavern did George Washington bid farewell to his military officers in 1783?
A. McSorley's Ale House B. Pete's Tavern C. White Horse Tavern D. Fraunces Tavern
Answer: D, Fraunces Tavern
Washington summoned his officers to Fraunces Tavern to resign from his post as commanding general of the Continental Army.
True or False:
Washington's teeth were made of wood.
Answer: False
Contrary to popular belief, Washington's used dentures made of materials including bone, hippopotamus ivory, human teeth, brass screws, lead, and gold metal wire! It's very possible that they resembled wood, especially after becoming stained, but wood was not used.
How questions did you get right?
15-20: Congrats! You're a regular presidential scholar. 10-15: Nice--someone's been doing their history homework. 5-10: A little rusty, but you know the basics! 0-5: Maybe it's time to hit the history books...

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