HISTORY TRIVIA GAMES

"American Life" Trivia

Read-and-Reveal Trivia!

Click to expand a question...

…when you want to view the answer!

To men and women who followed the manners and required communications of the early years of our nation, flowers sent to another would indicate certain feelings. To send pansies signaled friendship; a bouquet of irises said "My compliments." Daffodils sent a bolder message: "Will you return my affection?" If you sent a bouquet of ivy, blue convolvulus, and straw stems, you were asking, "Will you unite with me in the bonds of marriage?" But what did a snapdragon sent in reply signify? A) Yes B) No C) Maybe

The correct answer – believe it or not – is B) No.

Valentines are taken for granted today by schoolchildren the world over. But the cards that were originally sent were lacy confections meant to let a certain person you admired know of your deeper feelings and intentions, or just convey a warm acknowledgement of your friendship and esteem. A lady named Esther Howland took up her scissors, glue, and paper and began making dainty valentines, using lace, satin ribbon, cut work doilies, colored lithographs of cupids or beautiful flowers, and some sort of loving, hand lettered sentiment. Her brother was the salesman for her cottage industry. Their first sales orders totaled what in their first year of the business? Remember, this was the mid 1850s. A) $5,000 B) $125 C) $585

The correct answer is A) $5,000!

In the days before photographs and selfies, one had a hard time remembering the details of a loved one when distance could interfere. Perhaps you might want an image close to hand, even if you did get to see them on a daily or weekly basis. The solution around this dilemma was often to have a miniature portrait painted of the loved one. These could be worn in a locket around the neck, or in a brooch, bracelet, or set upon a small table in one's drawing room. These were much less expensive than a full-sized portrait and could be transported much more easily. Also popular to place within jewelry or frames was another form of reminder, often seen in Victorian parlors. What was that? A) popsicle sticks with drawn messages upon them, B) hair of a loved one, twisted into feathery flowers or other designs, or C)full size cast iron statues of loved ones

The correct answer is B) hair of a loved one, twisted into feathery flowers or other designs

When a young couple married in the early years of our nation, their friends often gave them a noisy, rambunctious party after the ceremony, which went on most of the night. When newlyweds wanted to be alone by themselves the most, this party was designed to keep them separate and in the midst of a huge gathering! What was the name given to these early day wedding parties? A) a Shivaree, B) a Reception, or C) a Caterwaul

The correct answer is A) a Shivaree

When a young girl became old enough to learn to crochet, knit, or sew, she was encouraged to begin making doilies for tabletops, crochet afghans or blankets, sew bed sheets and fancy pillowcases, and make nicely embroidered tablecloths and matching napkins, and the like. These would be put away for the day she would need them. What were they commonly designated as being? A) her emergency supplies in case she married a poor man B) her bridal hope chest to begin housekeeping with C) what she would have to use in case her husband died young

The correct answer is B) her bridal hope chest to begin housekeeping

After a couple married, they usually had a baby very soon after. Today, we all know and remember singing a tune to little ones when trying to put them to sleep at naptime. It starts off with "Rock a bye baby, in the treetop, when the wind blows, the cradle will rock." It was written by a 15 year old girl, Effie Crockett. What year was it written in? A) 1829, B) 1852, or C) 1872

The correct answer is C) 1872

Once you were a proud parent, you wanted to show off your little baby to admiring friends and neighbors and take the baby out for a breath of fresh air and sunshine when the weather was cooperative. Mrs. Charles Burton pushed a never seen conveyance in New York City's Battery Park, made especially for her baby by her husband. It was called a "baby carriage" by the Burtons. What year was it invented? A) 1803, B) 1825, or C) 1848

The correct answer is C) 1848

When the children grew up, one wanted to make sure that the proposed marriage of the offspring would be happy and long lasting. Engagements normally would last 6 months or better, but in wartime, war weddings might take place in a more impromptu manner and at a quicker pace. Who had more war weddings in 1942? A) England, B) Russia, or C) United States

The correct answer is C) the United States

As elders got older, they were usually cared for at home by other members of the family, a mark of respect and love because of all that they had seen and gone through for the family's sake during their lifetime. One family unit might have great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and children living under one roof on a large farm, or even a city dwelling. What came into common use, without stigma attached, in the 1950s? A) home health consultants, B) hospice care, or C) nursing homes for the aged

The correct answer is C) nursing homes

Funeral homes became popular in the early 1900s. Before that, the services were usually held at home or at the local church, or even graveside. What was the occasion called (in rural America when the dead were laid out at home, a meal served, and family sat up with the dead? A) a wake, B) sitting with the dead, or C) a memorial service

The correct answer is B) sitting with the dead

Privacy Policy

Website Accessibility

Visit Us

Contact Us

© 2026 The William Clark Market House Museum. All Rights Reserved.