Black History Month (BHM) is a time to celebrate and remember the incredible achievements of African Americans throughout history. It’s a month dedicated to honoring those who have made a difference in our world. There are many fascinating facts and stories that often go unnoticed. Learning about these events and the people behind them can help us understand the struggles and triumphs that have shaped our society.
Today, we will share some interesting BHM trivia that highlights important figures, events, and milestones in Black history. From influential leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. to groundbreaking artists and inventors, each piece of trivia adds to the rich tapestry of African American culture. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about the past, these fun facts will open your eyes to the significant impact that Black individuals have had on our world. Get ready to challenge your knowledge and maybe even learn something new!
Bhm Trivia
Voices That Shaped Black History
1. Who delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech? (Answer: Martin Luther King Jr.)
2. What year did Martin Luther King Jr. win the Nobel Peace Prize? (Answer: 1964)
3. Who was the first African American woman to win an Oscar? (Answer: Hattie McDaniel)
4. Who is known as the “Mother of Civil Rights”? (Answer: Rosa Parks)
5. Who was the first African American to graduate from Harvard University? (Answer: Richard Theodore Greener)
6. What organization did Martin Luther King Jr. help found in 1957? (Answer: Southern Christian Leadership Conference)
7. Who was the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice? (Answer: Thurgood Marshall)
8. Which activist is famous for their “Feet on the Ground” slogan? (Answer: Angela Davis)
9. Who was the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress? (Answer: Shirley Chisholm)
10. Who was the first African American to serve as a Cabinet member? (Answer: Robert C. Weaver)
Trailblazers in Arts and Culture
1. Who wrote the famous poem “Still I Rise”? (Answer: Maya Angelou)
2. Which artist created the iconic painting “The Problem We All Live With”? (Answer: Norman Rockwell)
3. Who is considered the “Father of Black History”? (Answer: Carter G. Woodson)
4. What music genre originated from African American communities in the early 20th century? (Answer: Jazz)
5. Who is known for the song “A Change is Gonna Come”? (Answer: Sam Cooke)
6. Which influential playwright wrote “A Raisin in the Sun”? (Answer: Lorraine Hansberry)
7. What is the name of the African American cultural movement in the 1920s centered in Harlem? (Answer: Harlem Renaissance)
8. Who was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama? (Answer: Charles Fuller)
9. Which artist is known for the classic song “I Say a Little Prayer”? (Answer: Aretha Franklin)
10. Who was known as the “Queen of Jazz”? (Answer: Ella Fitzgerald)
Inventions and Innovations by Black Minds
1. Who invented the first traffic light? (Answer: Garrett Morgan)
2. Who is credited with developing a more effective way to make peanut butter? (Answer: George Washington Carver)
3. Who invented the home security system? (Answer: Marie Van Brittan Brown)
4. Which inventor developed an improved iron plow? (Answer: Henry Blair)
5. Who created the first black-owned newspaper? (Answer: Freedom’s Journal)
6. Who invented the modern day version of the elevator? (Answer: Alexander Miles)
7. Which inventor is known for the “Automatic Transmission” in cars? (Answer: Richard Spikes)
8. Who developed a process for making food preserves for long-distance trade? (Answer: George Washington Carver)
9. Who invented the first successful blood bank? (Answer: Dr. Charles Drew)
10. Who created the folding bed? (Answer: Sarah E. Goode)
Milestone Moments in BHM
1. When was the Emancipation Proclamation issued? (Answer: 1863)
2. What year did the Civil Rights Act become law? (Answer: 1964)
3. What was the landmark Supreme Court case that ruled “separate but equal” was unconstitutional? (Answer: Brown v. Board of Education)
4. When did President Obama take office as the first African American president? (Answer: 2009)
5. What year did the Voting Rights Act pass? (Answer: 1965)
6. What event is known as the first organized movement for civil rights? (Answer: Montgomery Bus Boycott)
7. When did the first Black History Month celebration occur? (Answer: 1976)
8. What major event took place in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963? (Answer: March on Washington)
9. What was celebrated with the Bloods of Africa festival in 1969? (Answer: African heritage and culture)
10. In what year did the NAACP become founded? (Answer: 1909)
Empowering Words and Movements
1. What is the full meaning of the acronym BLM in social justice? (Answer: Black Lives Matter)
2. Who popularized the phrase “Black is Beautiful”? (Answer: James Brown)
3. What movement arose to challenge racism and advocate for civil rights in the 1960s? (Answer: Civil Rights Movement)
4. Which phrase became a rallying cry during the Black Power Movement? (Answer: “Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud!”)
5. Which book by Malcolm X highlighted the fight for racial justice? (Answer: The Autobiography of Malcolm X)
6. What was the title of the first African American magazine for Black women? (Answer: Ebony)
7. Who used the slogan “We are a nation” in the fight for equality? (Answer: Stokely Carmichael)
8. What does the term “double consciousness” refer to according to W.E.B. Du Bois? (Answer: The internal conflict experienced by subordinated groups in an oppressive society)
9. What were the Freedom Rides? (Answer: Integrated bus rides through the South to challenge segregation)
10. Who was a key figure in the Anti-Apartheid Movement? (Answer: Nelson Mandela)
Cultural Contributions in Sports and Entertainment
1. Who was the first African American to win a Grand Slam title? (Answer: Althea Gibson)
2. Who is known as the greatest boxer of all time? (Answer: Muhammad Ali)
3. Who was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball? (Answer: Jackie Robinson)
4. Who is the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal? (Answer: Johnnie Mae Chappell)
5. Who was the first Black woman to star in her own television show? (Answer: Diahann Carroll)
6. Who is the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor? (Answer: Sidney Poitier)
7. Who wrote the book “The Color of Law”? (Answer: Richard Rothstein)
8. Who was known for the groundbreaking film “12 Years a Slave”? (Answer: Steve McQueen)
9. Who is the first African American woman to direct a feature film? (Answer: Julie Dash)
10. Who is famous for their role as the first African American superhero? (Answer: Black Panther)
Final Thoughts
Black History Month is an important occasion that celebrates the achievements of African Americans who have contributed significantly to culture, science, and civil rights. Through this trivia journey, we have recognized key figures and moments that shaped history and inspired change. We hope that these facts encourage you to explore more about the impact of African Americans in history, whether by diving into the brilliant speeches of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. or the pioneering contributions of inventors and artists.
As you reflect on the valuable lessons from this trivia, consider exploring more topics on history and influential figures by checking out MLK trivia and Black trivia. Each story adds to the larger narrative of perseverance and creativity that deserves to be celebrated and remembered.
Together, let us continue honoring and supporting the causes championed by these remarkable individuals, enriching our understanding of Black history and its ongoing relevance in today’s world.