Trivia games are fun for testing your knowledge and learning new facts about world history. However, coming up with interesting questions can be time-consuming and difficult.
This article provides a comprehensive collection of over 257 world history trivia questions and answers covering various periods and regions.
Whether you’re organizing a quiz night or want to challenge yourself, this list has something for everyone.
From ancient civilizations to modern-day events, these carefully crafted questions will help you explore the rich tapestry of human history.
Get ready to expand your knowledge and impress your friends with your world history expertise.
World History Trivia Questions & Answers
1. Who was the first Emperor of Rome? – Augustus (27 BCE – 14 CE)
2. Which ancient civilization built the Machu Picchu complex? – The Inca civilization
3. Who was the leader of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia? – Vladimir Lenin
4. In which year did Christopher Columbus first reach the Americas? – 1492
5. Which Chinese dynasty built the Great Wall of China? – The Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
6. Who was the first president of the United States? – George Washington
7. Which ancient civilization built the Pyramids of Giza? – The Ancient Egyptians
8. In which year did World War II end? – 1945
9. Who painted the Mona Lisa? – Leonardo da Vinci
10. Which Roman Emperor legalized Christianity? – Constantine the Great
11. Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize? – Marie Curie (1903)
12. Which city was divided by the Berlin Wall during the Cold War? – Berlin, Germany
13. Who was the first explorer to circumnavigate the globe? – Ferdinand Magellan
14. Which ancient Greek philosopher wrote “The Republic”? – Plato
15. Who was the first King of England? – Athelstan (924-939)
16. In which year did the French Revolution begin? – 1789
17. Which ancient civilization built the city of Babylon? – The Babylonians
18. Who was the first European explorer to reach India by sea? – Vasco da Gama
19. Which Roman Emperor was known for his cruelty and extravagance? – Nero
20. In which year did the United States declare independence? – 1776
21. Who was the first Emperor of China? – Qin Shi Huang (221-206 BCE)
22. Which ancient Greek city-state was known for its powerful navy? – Athens
23. Who was the leader of the Cuban Revolution? – Fidel Castro
24. In which year did the Berlin Wall fall? – 1989
25. Which ancient civilization built the city of Teotihuacan? – The ancient Mesoamericans
26. Who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean? – Amelia Earhart (1932)
27. Which Roman Emperor was the last of the Julio-Claudian dynasty? – Nero
28. In which year did World War I begin? – 1914
29. Who was the first European explorer to reach the New World? – Leif Erikson
30. Which ancient Greek mathematician is known as the “Father of Geometry”? – Euclid
31. Who was the first Emperor of the Mongol Empire? – Genghis Khan
32. Which city served as the capital of the Byzantine Empire? – Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul)
33. Who was the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule? – Mahatma Gandhi
34. In which year did the Russian Revolution occur? – 1917
35. Which ancient civilization built the city of Angkor Wat? – The Khmer Empire
36. Who was the first person to walk on the moon? – Neil Armstrong (1969)
37. Which Roman Emperor built the Colosseum? – Vespasian
38. In which year did the American Civil War end? – 1865
39. Who was the first Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire? – Charlemagne
40. Which ancient Greek philosopher is known for his paradoxes? – Zeno of Elea
41. Who was the first Emperor of the Qing dynasty in China? – Nurhaci
42. Which city was the center of the Italian Renaissance? – Florence
43. Who was the leader of the Haitian Revolution? – Toussaint Louverture
44. In which year did the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occur? – 1986
45. Which ancient civilization built the city of Chichen Itza? – The Maya civilization
46. Who was the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of a country? – Sirimavo Bandaranaike (Sri Lanka,
1960)
47. Which Roman Emperor was known for his military conquests? – Trajan
48. In which year did the Vietnam War end? – 1975
49. Who was the first Emperor of the Mughal Empire in India? – Babur
50. Which ancient Greek mathematician calculated the circumference of the Earth? – Eratosthenes
51. Who was the first Emperor of the Byzantine Empire? – Constantine the Great
52. Which city was the center of the Harlem Renaissance? – New York City
53. Who was the leader of the Zulu Kingdom in the early 19th century? – Shaka Zulu
54. In which year did the Rwandan Genocide occur? – 1994
55. Which ancient civilization built the city of Persepolis? – The Persian Empire
56. Who was the first African American to win a Nobel Prize? – Ralph Bunche (Peace, 1950)
57. Which Roman Emperor was known for his philosophical writings? – Marcus Aurelius
58. In which year did the Korean War begin? – 1950
59. Who was the first Emperor of the Sui dynasty in China? – Yang Jian
60. Which ancient Greek scientist is known as the ‘Father of Medicine’? – Hippocrates
61. Who was the first Emperor of the Aztec Empire? – Acamapichtli
62. Which city was the center of the Scientific Revolution? – London
63. Who was the leader of the Haitian Revolution after Toussaint Louverture? – Jean-Jacques Dessalines
64. In which year did the Tiananmen Square protests occur? – 1989
65. Which ancient civilization built the city of Ur? – The Sumerians
66. Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in Literature? – Selma Lagerlöf (1909)
67. Which Roman Emperor was the first to be assassinated? – Caligula
68. In which year did the Gulf War begin? – 1990
69. Who was the first Emperor of the Tang dynasty in China? – Li Yuan
70. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the Stoic school of philosophy? – Zeno of Citium
71. Who was the first Emperor of the Inca Empire? – Manco Cápac
72. Which city was the birthplace of the Baroque art movement? – Rome
73. Who was the leader of the Boer Republics during the Second Boer War? – Paul Kruger
74. In which year did the Srebrenica massacre occur during the Bosnian War? – 1995
75. Which ancient civilization built the city of Mohenjo-daro? – The Indus Valley Civilization
76. Who was the first African American to be elected to the United States Senate? – Hiram Rhodes Revels (1870)
77. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Pantheon? – Hadrian
78. In which year did the Falklands War take place? – 1982
79. Who was the first Emperor of the Song dynasty in China? – Zhao Kuangyin
80. Which ancient Greek mathematician is known for his work on the lever and pulleys? – Archimedes
81. Who was the first Emperor of the Mali Empire? – Sundiata Keita
82. Which city was the center of the Enlightenment? – Paris
83. Who was the leader of the Indian Rebellion of 1857? – Bahadur Shah II
84. In which year did the Collapse of the Soviet Union occur? – 1991
85. Which ancient civilization built the city of Thebes? – The Ancient Egyptians
86. Who was the first Hispanic American to be elected to the United States Congress? – Joseph Marion Hernández (1822)
87. Which Roman Emperor was the last of the Five Good Emperors? – Marcus Aurelius
88. In which year did the Iranian Revolution take place? – 1979
89. Who was the first Emperor of the Yuan dynasty in China? – Kublai Khan
90. Which ancient Greek philosopher is known as the ‘Father of Western Philosophy’? – Socrates
91. Who was the first Emperor of the Songhai Empire? – Sunni Ali
92. Which city was the birthplace of the Impressionist art movement? – Paris
93. Who was the leader of the Nez Perce tribe during the Nez Perce War? – Chief Joseph
94. In which year did the Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin occur? – 1995
95. Which ancient civilization built the city of Petra? – The Nabataeans
96. Who was the first woman to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court? – Sandra Day O’Connor (1981)
97. Which Roman Emperor was known for his persecution of Christians? – Diocletian
98. In which year did the Suez Crisis occur? – 1956
99. Who was the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty in China? – Qin Shi Huang
100. Which ancient Greek physician wrote the Hippocratic Oath? – Hippocrates
101. Who was the first Emperor of the Aztec Triple Alliance? – Itzcoatl
102. Which city was the birthplace of the Dadaist art movement? – Zurich
103. Who was the leader of the Sioux during the Battle of Little Bighorn? – Sitting Bull
104. In which year did the Invasion of Kuwait by Iraq occur? – 1990
105. Which ancient civilization built the city of Samarkand? – The Sogdians
106. Who was the first Indigenous Australian to be elected to the Australian Parliament? – Neville Bonner (1971)
107. Which Roman Emperor was known for his military reforms? – Diocletian
108. In which year did the Six-Day War take place? – 1967
109. Who was the first Emperor of the Ming dynasty in China? – Zhu Yuanzhang
110. Which ancient Greek mathematician discovered the Pythagorean theorem? – Pythagoras
111. Who was the first Emperor of the Qing dynasty in China? – Nurhaci
112. Which city was the birthplace of the Surrealist art movement? – Paris
113. Who was the leader of the Seminole during the Second Seminole War? – Osceola
114. In which year did the Dissolution of Czechoslovakia occur? – 1993
115. Which ancient civilization built the city of Sanchi? – The Mauryan Empire
116. Who was the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize? – Gwendolyn Brooks (1950)
117. Which Roman Emperor was the last of the Severan dynasty? – Alexander Severus
118. In which year did the Yom Kippur War take place? – 1973
119. Who was the first Emperor of the Tang dynasty in China? – Li Yuan
120. Which ancient Greek astronomer proposed a heliocentric model of the solar system? – Aristarchus of Samos
121. Who was the first Emperor of the Achaemenid Empire? – Cyrus the Great
122. Which city was the center of the Bauhaus art movement? – Dessau
123. Who was the leader of the Apache during the Apache Wars? – Geronimo
124. In which year did the Breakup of Yugoslavia begin? – 1991
125. Which ancient civilization built the city of Hattusa? – The Hittites
126. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom? – Roberto Clemente (1973)
127. Which Roman Emperor was the last of the Constantinian dynasty? – Julian
128. In which year did the Algerian War of Independence end? – 1962
129. Who was the first Emperor of the Northern Song dynasty in China? – Zhao Kuangyin
130. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the Epicurean school of philosophy? – Epicurus
131. Who was the first Emperor of the Safavid Empire? – Ismail I
132. Which city was the birthplace of the Art Nouveau movement? – Brussels
133. Who was the leader of the Mapuche during the Arauco War? – Lautaro
134. In which year did the Velvet Revolution occur in Czechoslovakia? – 1989
135. Which ancient civilization built the city of Ayutthaya? – The Ayutthaya Kingdom
136. Who was the first Native American to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom? – Vine Deloria Jr. (1996)
137. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Baths of Caracalla? – Caracalla
138. In which year did the Sino-Indian War take place? – 1962
139. Who was the first Emperor of the Southern Song dynasty in China? – Gaozong
140. Which ancient Greek philosopher is known for his paradoxes, including Achilles and the tortoise? – Zeno of Elea
141. Who was the first Emperor of the Afsharid Empire? – Nader Shah
142. Which city was the birthplace of the De Stijl art movement? – Leiden
143. Who was the leader of the Pueblo Revolt in 1680? – Popé
144. In which year did the Reunification of Germany occur? – 1990
145. Which ancient civilization built the city of Tiwanaku? – The Tiwanaku civilization
146. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal? – Roberto Clemente (1973)
147. Which Roman Emperor was the last of the Flavian dynasty? – Domitian
148. In which year did the Troubles in Northern Ireland begin? – 1968
149. Who was the first Emperor of the Jin dynasty in China? – Sima Yan
150. Which ancient Greek mathematician is known for his work on conic sections? – Apollonius of Perga
151. Who was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom? – Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990)
152. Which ancient civilization built the city of Carthage? – The Phoenicians
153. Who was the leader of the Viet Minh during the First Indochina War? – Ho Chi Minh
154. In which year did the Partition of India occur? – 1947
155. Which ancient civilization built the city of Caral? – The Norte Chico civilization
156. Who was the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor? – Sidney Poitier (1963)
157. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Arch of Constantine? – Constantine the Great
158. In which year did the Cuban Missile Crisis occur? – 1962
159. Who was the first Emperor of the Liao dynasty in China? – Abaoji
160. Which ancient Greek mathematician is known for his work on the Golden Ratio? – Euclid
161. Who was the first Emperor of the Gupta Empire? – Sri Gupta
162. Which city was the birthplace of the Futurist art movement? – Milan
163. Who was the leader of the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya? – Dedan Kimathi
164. In which year did the Dissolution of the Soviet Union occur? – 1991
165. Which ancient civilization built the city of Calakmul? – The Maya civilization
166. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor? – Rodolfo Hernández (1952)
167. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Baths of Diocletian? – Diocletian
168. In which year did the Prague Spring occur in Czechoslovakia? – 1968
169. Who was the first Emperor of the Western Xia dynasty in China? – Li Yuanhao
170. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the Cynic school of philosophy? – Diogenes of Sinope
171. Who was the first Emperor of the Kushan Empire? – Kujula Kadphises
172. Which city was the birthplace of the Suprematist art movement? – Moscow
173. Who was the leader of the Herero and Namaqua Genocide resistance? – Samuel Maharero
174. In which year did the Revolutions of 1848 begin? – 1848
175. Which ancient civilization built the city of Great Zimbabwe? – The Kingdom of Zimbabwe
176. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature? – Gabriel García Márquez (1982)
177. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Aurelian Walls? – Aurelian
178. In which year did the Tet Offensive occur during the Vietnam War? – 1968
179. Who was the first Emperor of the Jin dynasty in China? – Sima Yan
180. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the Peripatetic school? – Aristotle
181. Who was the first Emperor of the Maurya Empire? – Chandragupta Maurya
182. Which city was the birthplace of the Constructivist art movement? – Moscow
183. Who was the leader of the Easter Rising in Ireland? – Pádraig Pearse
184. In which year did the Iranian Hostage Crisis begin? – 1979
185. Which ancient civilization built the city of Tikal? – The Maya civilization
186. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? – Rigoberta Menchú (1992)
187. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Temple of Venus and Roma? – Hadrian
188. In which year did the Suez Canal open? – 1869
189. Who was the first Emperor of the Sui dynasty in China? – Yang Jian
190. Which ancient Greek mathematician is known for his work on the Sieve of Eratosthenes? – Eratosthenes
191. Who was the first Emperor of the Satavahana Empire? – Simuka
192. Which city was the birthplace of the Expressionist art movement? – Berlin
193. Who was the leader of the Jacobite rising of 1745? – Charles Edward Stuart
194. In which year did the Boxer Rebellion occur in China? – 1899-1901
195. Which ancient civilization built the city of Copán? – The Maya civilization
196. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom? – Luis Walter Alvarez (1963)
197. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Arch of Septimius Severus? – Septimius Severus
198. In which year did the Dreyfus Affair begin in France? – 1894
199. Who was the first Emperor of the Northern Wei dynasty in China? – Tuoba Gui
200. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the Eleatic school? – Parmenides
201. Who was the first Emperor of the Pallava Empire? – Simhavarman I
202. Which city was the birthplace of the Cubist art movement? – Paris
203. Who was the leader of the Indian National Army during World War II? – Subhas Chandra Bose
204. In which year did the Easter Rising occur in Ireland? – 1916
205. Which ancient civilization built the city of Chan Chan? – The Chimor civilization
206. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the National Medal of Science? – Alejandro Zaffaroni (1995)
207. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Baths of Trajan? – Trajan
208. In which year did the Opium Wars begin in China? – 1839
209. Who was the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty in China? – Qin Shi Huang
210. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the school of Skepticism? – Pyrrho
211. Who was the first Emperor of the Chola Empire? – Raja Raja Chola I
212. Which city was the birthplace of the Fauvism art movement? – Paris
213. Who was the leader of the Whiskey Rebellion in the United States? – John Neville
214. In which year did the Crimean War begin? – 1853
215. Which ancient civilization built the city of Palenque? – The Maya civilization
216. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the National Medal of Arts? – José Ferrer (1985)
217. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Mausoleum of Hadrian? – Hadrian
218. In which year did the Taiping Rebellion begin in China? – 1850
219. Who was the first Emperor of the Northern Zhou dynasty in China? – Yuwen Tai
220. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the school of Cynicism? – Antisthenes
221. Who was the first Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire? – Harihara I
222. Which city was the birthplace of the Pointillism art movement? – Paris
223. Who was the leader of Pontiac’s War? – Pontiac
224. In which year did the Sepoy Mutiny occur in India? – 1857
225. Which ancient civilization built the city of Tulum? – The Maya civilization
226. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the National Medal of Technology and
Innovation? – George Castro (1995)
227. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Column of Trajan? – Trajan
228. In which year did the Russo-Japanese War begin? – 1904
229. Who was the first Emperor of the Chen dynasty in China? – Chen Baxian
230. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the school of Cyrenaicism? – Aristippus
231. Who was the first Emperor of the Maratha Empire? – Shivaji
232. Which city was the birthplace of the Art Brut movement? – Paris
233. Who was the leader of Shays’ Rebellion in the United States? – Daniel Shays
234. In which year did the Boer Wars begin in South Africa? – 1880
235. Which ancient civilization built the city of Nalanda? – The Gupta Empire
236. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the National Humanities Medal? – Miguel León-Portilla (1981)
237. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Antonine Wall? – Antoninus Pius
238. In which year did the Boxer Rebellion end in China? – 1901
239. Who was the first Emperor of the Liang dynasty in China? – Xiao Yan
240. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the school of Megarians? – Euclid of Megara
241. Who was the first Emperor of the Shunga Empire? – Pushyamitra Shunga
242. Which city was the birthplace of the Neoclassical art movement? – Rome
243. Who was the leader of Tecumseh’s War? – Tecumseh
244. In which year did the Fashoda Incident occur between Britain and France? – 1898
245. Which ancient civilization built the city of Taxila? – The Indo-Greek Kingdom
246. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the National Medal of Science? – Alejandro Zaffaroni (1995)
247. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Arch of Titus? – Domitian
248. In which year did the Meiji Restoration begin in Japan? – 1868
249. Who was the first Emperor of the Xin dynasty in China? – Wang Mang
250. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the school of Sophists? – Protagoras
251. Who was the first Emperor of the Kanva dynasty? – Vasudeva Kanva
252. Which city was the birthplace of the Rococo art movement? – Paris
253. Who was the leader of Gabriel’s Rebellion? – Gabriel Prosser
254. In which year did the First Balkan War begin? – 1912
255. Which ancient civilization built the city of Knossos? – The Minoan civilization
256. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation? – George Castro (1995)
257. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Flavian Amphitheater (Colosseum)? – Vespasian
Conclusion
World history is a vast and fascinating subject, filled with incredible stories, remarkable people, and pivotal events that have shaped our world.
By exploring these 257+ trivia questions and answers, you’ve journeyed through time, uncovering the rich tapestry of human civilization.
This trivia collection has something for everyone, from ancient empires to modern-day marvels. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about the world around you, these questions and answers will expand your knowledge and inspire you to learn more.
So, what’s next? Challenge your friends and family to a trivia night, or use these questions to spark engaging conversations.
The more we understand our shared history, the better we can create a brighter future.
