Presidents Day, which originated in the 1880s, will be observed on February 21 this year. The quiz below, from the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, provides an opportunity for you to test your knowledge of America’s presidents and the American presidency. It was written by Sarah M. Burns, a member of the Ashbrook Center faculty and an associate professor of political science at Rochester Institute of Technology.
1. Presidents Day originally was established to honor which president?
A. George Washington
B. Abraham Lincoln
C. Thomas Jefferson
D. All of the above
2. Only two presidents were among the signers of the Constitution. Which two were they?
A. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
B. George Washington and John Adams
C. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
D. James Madison and George Washington
3. Which of the following is not specified in the Constitution’s list of crimes that warrant a president’s removal from office on impeachment?
A. Treason
B. Abuse of power
C. Bribery
D. High crimes and misdemeanors
4. Of all the presidents, only one had a formal education in political science. Who was that?
A. Jimmy Carter
B. Harry Truman
C. John F. Kennedy
D. Woodrow Wilson
5. Which president named the president’s residence and workplace the White House?
A. John Adams
B. Andrew Johnson
C. Theodore Roosevelt
D. Zachary Taylor
6. Four U.S. presidents were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Who were they?
A. Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama
B. Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Woodrow Wilson. and Barack Obama
C. Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama
D. John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama
7. Which president served as a Supreme Court justice after his presidential term in office?
A. Grover Cleveland
B. Calvin Coolidge
C. Benjamin Harrison
D. William Taft
8. Which document is most responsible for laying out the process by which we nominate presidential candidates today?
A. Article II of the U.S. Constitution
B. The 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
C. The McGovern-Fraser Commission Report of 1971
D. The Brownlow Committee Report of 1937
9. Two U.S. presidents began life as indentured servants. Who were they?
A. Zachary Taylor and James Polk
B. Millard Filmore and Andrew Johnson
C. Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant
D. John Tyler and James Buchanan
10. Which famous historical document is read on the U.S. Senate floor every Presidents Day?
A. Declaration of Independence
B. George Washington’s farewell address
C. Gettysburg Address
D. John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address
Answers: 1-A, 2-D, 3-B, 4-D, 5-C, 6-A, 7-D, 8-C, 9-B, 10-B
