Help Your Kids Learn About American History by Playing Presidential Trivia
If you are traveling or always on the go, print the questions and answers before you leave or use a smartphone, tablet computer, or laptop to read them on the spot. You can quickly find all our previously posted questions by typing Presidential Trivia in the search box at the top of this blog.
This Week's Trivia Questions
A go-to resource for discovering more about America's presidents is the NCBLA's interdisciplinary anthology Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out, and it's coordinating educational website OurWhiteHouse.org! An incomparable collection of essays, personal accounts, historical fiction, poetry, and a stunning array of original art, Our White House offers a multifaceted look at America’s history through the prism of the White House. - Who is the only vice president to have assumed the presidency for a reason other than the president's death?
- Who was the first and only president to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? (Hint: He served from 1921 through 1930).
- Before she became first lady, this American minister's wife accompanied him to France at the height of the French Revolution. While there, she visited Marie-Adrienne Lafayette (wife of the Marquis de Lafayette) in prison. Lafayette, her family, and others of noble birth had been imprisoned and were awaiting death by the guillotine. As a result of this visit, the French leaders released Madame Lafayette. Who was this brave American woman who later became first lady?
Answers and Information for Learning MORE!
- Gerald R. Ford. Following the resignation of President Nixon, Gerald Ford took the oath of office on August 9, 1974, and declared, “I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances . . . This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.” Ford was also the first vice president to have been chosen under the terms of the 25th Amendment. Learn more about Gerald Ford and his legacy in the Presidential Fact Files on OurWhiteHouse.org.
- William Howard Taft. Not only was Taft the first and only president to serve as Chief Justice, he was also a president of many other "firsts:" the first president to own a car, the first president to throw the first ball on opening day of baseball season, the first president to play golf, and the first president whose funeral was broadcast on radio. Learn more about Taft and the other American presidents in the Presidential Fact Files on OurWhiteHouse.org.
- Elizabeth Monroe. Elizabeth served as first lady throughout her husband James Monroe’s presidency in 1817-1825, yet one of her most noteworthy acts occurred before she became first lady. When Monroe was serving as minister to France, Elizabeth accompanied him to Paris at the height of the French Revolution. Elizabeth made a daring visit to Marie-Adrienne Lafayette, the wife of the Marquis de Lafayette, a French military officer and aristocrat who had been inspired by America’s revolt against the British and subsequently came to America to serve under General Washington. The Marquis and his family were imprisoned, along with others of noble birth, and were awaiting death by the guillotine. Elizabeth went to the prison to visit Madame Lafayette, and as a result of America’s perceived interest in her, the French revolutionary leaders released her. Learn more about Monroe and the other first ladies in the First Lady Fact Files on OurWhiteHouse.org.
Our White House is available
in both hardcover and paperback from Candlewick Press.
Ask for it at a library or bookstore near you!
in both hardcover and paperback from Candlewick Press.
Ask for it at a library or bookstore near you!
And be sure to check out the companion educational website, OurWhiteHouse.org, which provides expanded book content that includes additional articles, resources, activities, and discussion questions related to book topics as well exclusive resources and articles regarding the presidency, presidential campaigns, and presidential elections.
