40 Black History Month Trivia Questions and Answers

1. Which historian launched Negro History Week in 1926, the celebration that grew into Black History Month?

2. Carter G. Woodson picked February for his history week because it held the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and which abolitionist?

3. During the US bicentennial, President Gerald Ford issued a message honoring Black History Month. In which year?

4. In the United Kingdom, Black History Month is celebrated in which month?

5. Which Canadian politician, the first Black woman elected to the House of Commons, introduced the 1995 motion recognizing Black History Month in Canada?

6. Garrett Morgan received a 1923 patent for an improved version of which everyday street safety device?

7. Madam C.J. Walker built one of the most successful businesses of the early 1900s selling what kind of products?

8. Inventor and draftsman Lewis Latimer patented an improved way of making which part of early electric light bulbs?

9. Nurse Marie Van Brittan Brown co-invented one of the first home security systems. What did it use to show who was at the door?

10. In 1919, Alice H. Parker patented a home heating furnace designed to run on which fuel?

11. Granville T. Woods patented a telegraph system that let what communicate with each other and with stations?

12. Elijah McCoy's best-known invention automatically delivered oil to keep which machines running smoothly?

13. Frederick McKinley Jones invented a successful system for keeping what cold while traveling?

14. Benjamin Banneker, a self-taught mathematician and astronomer, helped survey the boundaries of which new federal city in 1791?

15. In 1992, who became the first African American woman to travel to space?

16. Who became the first African American astronaut to fly in space, in 1983?

17. NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson checked the orbital calculations for which astronaut's 1962 flight around Earth?

18. Dorothy Vaughan became the first African American supervisor at which agency that came before NASA?

19. NASA's headquarters building in Washington, D.C., is named after which engineer, the agency's first African American female engineer?

20. Chemist Percy Julian found ways to make medicines and other useful products from which plant?

21. Physician Charles Drew is known for pioneering methods to store and ship what?

22. Ophthalmologist Patricia Bath invented a laser device for treating which eye condition?

23. Pilot Bessie Coleman traveled to which country to earn her international pilot's license in 1921?

24. Who became the first Black person to earn a PhD from Harvard, in 1895?

25. In 1773, who became the first African American to publish a book of poetry?

26. In 1950, poet Gwendolyn Brooks became the first African American to win which famous prize?

27. In 1993, Toni Morrison became the first Black woman to win the Nobel Prize in which field?

28. Poet Langston Hughes was a leading voice of which 1920s cultural movement centered in a New York City neighborhood?

29. In 1876, Edward Bouchet became the first African American to earn a PhD from a U.S. university. In which subject?

30. Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. Which jersey number did he wear, now retired across the whole league?

31. How many gold medals did Jesse Owens win at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin?

32. At the 1948 London Olympics, Alice Coachman became the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal. In which event?

33. In 1957, Althea Gibson became the first Black player to win the singles title at which grass-court tennis tournament?

34. In 2002, Vonetta Flowers became the first Black athlete to win a Winter Olympic gold medal. In which sport?

35. In 1899, Marshall 'Major' Taylor became a world champion in which sport?

36. In which Alabama city did Rosa Parks refuse to give up her bus seat in 1955?

37. Which lawyer argued Brown v. Board of Education and later became the first African American justice on the U.S. Supreme Court?

38. The 1963 March on Washington gathered huge crowds in front of which memorial?

39. In 1870, Hiram Revels became the first African American member of the U.S. Senate. Which state did he represent?

40. In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to which body?