Famous Speeches Trivia
Famous Speeches trivia explores the memorable lines and defining moments behind some of history’s most quoted addresses, from wartime calls to action to speeches that advanced civil rights and political change. It offers a lively way to revisit the people, occasions, and ideas that made these speeches endure across generations.
Easy Famous Speeches Trivia
13 questions
These easy Famous Speeches trivia questions are great for beginners and kids around age 12 and under.
Question 1
Who delivered the Gettysburg Address in 1863?
Answer: Abraham Lincoln
The Gettysburg Address was delivered by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
Question 2
In what Pennsylvania location was the Gettysburg Address given?
Answer: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The Gettysburg Address was given at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Question 3
Which U.S. president gave the "Day of Infamy" address in 1941?
Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the "Day of Infamy" address in 1941.
Question 4
What is the title of Winston Churchill's 1940 speech named in this set?
Answer: Their Finest Hour
Winston Churchill delivered "Their Finest Hour" in 1940.
Question 5
Who gave the inaugural address in 1961?
Answer: John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural address in 1961.
Question 6
Who delivered the famous "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963?
Answer: Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963.
Question 7
The "I Have a Dream" speech was delivered during what major event?
Answer: The March on Washington
The speech was delivered during the March on Washington.
Question 8
Which president announced his resignation from office in a 1974 speech?
Answer: Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon announced his resignation from the presidency in a 1974 speech.
Question 9
Who famously told Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" in 1987?
- A.John F. Kennedy
- B.Ronald Reagan
- C.George H. W. Bush
- D.Richard Nixon
Answer: Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan made the "tear down this wall" remark in 1987.
Question 10
Barack Obama gave his 2008 election night victory speech in what Chicago park?
Answer: Grant Park
Barack Obama delivered his election night victory speech in Chicago's Grant Park in 2008.
Question 11
Who gave the "Tryst with Destiny" speech in 1947?
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru gave the "Tryst with Destiny" speech in 1947.
Question 12
Who gave the inauguration speech as South Africa's president in 1994?
Answer: Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela gave his inauguration speech is South Africa's president in 1994.
Question 13
Which young activist addressed the United Nations Youth Assembly in 2013?
Answer: Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai addressed the United Nations Youth Assembly in 2013.
Famous Speeches Family Trivia
12 questions
These family Famous Speeches trivia questions are built for mixed-age game nights, classrooms, and groups.
Question 1
Which famous speech begins with the words "Four score and seven years ago"?
Answer: The Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address opens with the famous phrase "Four score and seven years ago.".
Question 2
Finish this famous line from John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech: "Ask not what your country can do for you..."?
- A.I will fight no more forever
- B.Blood, toil, tears and sweat
- C.Ask not what your country can
- D.Four score and seven years ago
Answer: "Ask not what your country can do for you"
John F. Kennedy's inaugural address includes the line beginning "Ask not what your country can do for you.".
Question 3
Who delivered the speech remembered for the phrase "Blood, toil, tears and sweat" in 1940?
Answer: Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill gave "Blood, toil, tears and sweat" is prime minister in 1940.
Question 4
Which president said, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" in a first inaugural address?
Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt declared this line in his first inaugural address.
Question 5
At what landmark was Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech delivered?
Answer: The Lincoln Memorial
Martin Luther King Jr. delivered "I Have a Dream" at the Lincoln Memorial.
Question 6
Ronald Reagan gave a famous speech in West Berlin at which gate?
Answer: The Brandenburg Gate
Ronald Reagan delivered the speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin.
Question 7
In 1964, Mario Savio gave his well-known Free Speech Movement speech on the steps of what building at UC Berkeley?
Answer: Sproul Hall
Mario Savio's famous Free Speech Movement speech was delivered on the steps of Sproul Hall at UC Berkeley in 1964.
Question 8
Who is known for the surrender speech ending with "I will fight no more forever"?
Answer: Chief Joseph
Chief Joseph is known for the surrender speech with the ending "I will fight no more forever.".
Question 9
The famous "Man in the Arena" passage comes from which 1910 speech by Theodore Roosevelt?
Answer: Citizenship in a Republic
Theodore Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" passage comes from his 1910 speech "Citizenship in a Republic.".
Question 10
What is the nickname of William Jennings Bryan's speech at the 1896 Democratic National Convention?
Answer: The Cross of Gold speech
William Jennings Bryan gave the famous "Cross of Gold" speech at the 1896 Democratic National Convention.
Question 11
Who is linked to the line "Give me liberty, or give me death!"?
Answer: Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry is associated with the famous line "Give me liberty, or give me death!".
Question 12
George Washington's Farewell Address was published in what year?
Answer: 1796
George Washington's Farewell Address was published in 1796.
Fun Famous Speeches Trivia
13 questions
These fun Famous Speeches trivia questions highlight surprising moments and playful facts for game-night groups.
Question 1
JFK’s famous challenge, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country,” is a textbook example of what rhetorical device built on contrast?
- A.Alliteration
- B.Tricolon
- C.Antithesis
- D.Anaphora
Answer: Antithesis
The line contrasts two parallel ideas, making it a classic example of antithesis.
Question 2
When Martin Luther King Jr. repeats “I have a dream” at the start of successive lines, what rhetorical device is he using?
- A.Monologue
- B.Logos
- C.Anaphora
- D.Ethos
Answer: Anaphora
Repeating the same opening phrase across clauses or sentences is called anaphora.
Question 3
Lincoln’s phrase “of the people, by the people, for the people” comes in a neat trio. What is that three-part rhetorical structure called?
- A.Pathos
- B.Tricolon
- C.Antithesis
- D.Alliteration
Answer: Tricolon
A tricolon is a grouping of three parallel words, phrases, or clauses.
Question 4
“Day of Infamy” sounds punchy partly because both words begin with the same sound. What device is that?
- A.Ethos
- B.Alliteration
- C.Anaphora
- D.Tricolon
Answer: Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.
Question 5
Which persuasive appeal tries to win you over with logic and reason rather than emotion or credibility?
- A.Logos
- B.Pathos
- C.Ethos
- D.Monologue
Answer: Logos
Logos refers to reasoning, evidence, and logical argument.
Question 6
If a speaker is trying to tug at the audience’s heartstrings, which classic appeal are they leaning on?
- A.Logos
- B.Ethos
- C.Rhetor
- D.Pathos
Answer: Pathos
Pathos is the appeal to emotion.
Question 7
When a speaker banks on their own credibility or character to persuade an audience, which appeal is at work?
- A.Ethos
- B.Pathos
- C.Logos
- D.Tricolon
Answer: Ethos
Ethos is persuasion based on the speaker’s credibility or perceived character.
Question 8
What Greek word is the root of the English word “rhetoric”?
Answer: Rhetor
The English word “rhetoric” comes from the Greek word “rhetor.”.
Question 9
A person is suddenly handed a microphone with zero prep time. What kind of speech are they giving?
Answer: An impromptu speech
A speech given without preparation is called an impromptu speech.
Question 10
In a play, what do you call a speech delivered by one speaker to another character?
- A.A maiden speech
- B.Anaphora
- C.Monologue
- D.An impromptu speech
Answer: A monologue
A monologue is a speech delivered by one speaker to another in a play.
Question 11
What special term is used for a legislator’s very first speech in a deliberative assembly?
Answer: Maiden speech
A legislator’s first speech in such a setting is called a maiden speech.
Question 12
In what kind of political system does a prime minister often give policy speeches from the dispatch box?
- A.Federal systems
- B.Confederal systems
- C.Parliamentary systems
- D.Presidential systems
Answer: Parliamentary systems
The dispatch box is associated with policy speeches in parliamentary systems.
Question 13
Where did Winston Churchill deliver the speech known as “Their Finest Hour”?
Answer: The House of Commons
Churchill delivered “Their Finest Hour” in the House of Commons.
Funny Famous Speeches Trivia
13 questions
These funny Famous Speeches trivia questions highlight playful moments, odd facts, and inside jokes.
Question 1
In Lou Gehrig’s farewell, what phrase made optimism sound like it had won the pennant?
Answer: "I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."
Lou Gehrig’s farewell is especially remembered for the line about being the "luckiest man on the face of the earth.".
Question 2
Which Richard Nixon speech became famous under a nickname that sounds more like a pet story than a political defense?
- A.The Beagle address
- B.The Spaniel statement
- C.The Biscuit speech
- D.Checkers speech
Answer: The "Checkers speech."
Nixon’s 1952 televised defense became famous is the "Checkers speech.".
Question 3
In the famous Nixon speech, what was the name of the dog that stole a little of the political spotlight?
Answer: Checkers
The dog mentioned in Nixon’s "Checkers speech" was a cocker spaniel named Checkers.
Question 4
Spiro Agnew’s tongue-twister "nattering nabobs of negativism" came from which speechwriter’s pen?
Answer: William Safire
The phrase was written by speechwriter William Safire.
Question 5
Harvey Milk’s "Hope Speech" keeps coming back to what repeated line—basically the verbal version of a neon sign?
Answer: "You gotta give 'em hope."
Harvey Milk’s "Hope Speech" includes the repeated line "You gotta give 'em hope.".
Question 6
Barbara Jordan made convention history by becoming the what at a Democratic National Convention keynote?
Answer: The first Black woman to deliver the keynote
Barbara Jordan was the first Black woman to deliver the keynote at a Democratic National Convention.
Question 7
Mario Savio did not recommend a gentle tap on the brakes. He said people must put their what upon the gears?
Answer: Their bodies
Savio compared the university machine to something people must put their "bodies upon the gears" to stop.
Question 8
At Tilbury, Queen Elizabeth I claimed she had the heart and stomach of what?
Answer: A king
Her Tilbury Speech includes the line about having "the heart and stomach of a king.".
Question 9
Which famous Sojourner Truth speech title is itself a pointed question?
Answer: "Ain't I a Woman?"
Sojourner Truth’s famous question in speech form is "Ain’t I a Woman?".
Question 10
Frederick Douglass asked a question in 1852 that still lands like a cymbal crash. What was it?
Answer: "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"
Douglass asked, "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" in an 1852 oration.
Question 11
Chief Joseph’s surrender speech ends with a line so final it practically closes the book itself. What is it?
Answer: "I will fight no more forever."
Chief Joseph’s surrender speech is often quoted for its final line, "I will fight no more forever.".
Question 12
Patrick Henry did not leave much room for negotiation: his famous challenge ends with what words?
Answer: "Or give me death!"
Patrick Henry’s famous challenge ends with "or give me death!".
Question 13
In Theodore Roosevelt’s famous passage, who gets the praise: the critic in the cheap seats or the person actually covered in metaphorical dust?
Answer: The man who is actually in the arena
Roosevelt’s "Man in the Arena" passage praises "the man who is actually in the arena.".
Hard Famous Speeches Trivia
14 questions
These hard Famous Speeches trivia questions are for expert fans who want a real challenge.
Question 1
Before Lincoln rose to deliver the Gettysburg Address, which orator had already spoken for about two hours?
- A.Charles Sumner
- B.Edward Everett
- C.William H. Seward
- D.Salmon P. Chase
Answer: Edward Everett
The lengthy speech before Lincoln's remarks was delivered by Edward Everett.
Question 2
Pin down the exact date: on what day was the Gettysburg Address delivered?
- A.November 18, 1863
- B.July 4, 1863
- C.November 19, 1864
- D.November 19, 1863
Answer: November 19, 1863
The Gettysburg Address was delivered on November 19, 1863.
Question 3
Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" address came the day after Pearl Harbor; what was the speech's date?
- A.December 8, 1941
- B.December 7, 1941
- C.December 9, 1941
- D.January 8, 1942
Answer: December 8, 1941
Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered the "Day of Infamy" speech on December 8, 1941.
Question 4
Churchill's wartime speech "Their Finest Hour" was delivered on which June date in 1940?
- A.June 12, 1940
- B.June 22, 1940
- C.June 18, 1940
- D.June 4, 1940
Answer: June 18, 1940
"Their Finest Hour" was delivered by Winston Churchill on June 18, 1940.
Question 5
For Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech, name the institution where it was given in Fulton, Missouri.?
- A.Truman State University
- B.Westminster College
- C.Westminster Abbey
- D.University of Missouri
Answer: Westminster College
Churchill gave the "Iron Curtain" speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri.
Question 6
JFK's inaugural address belongs to a very precise calendar moment. What was its date?
- A.January 21, 1961
- B.January 20, 1960
- C.February 20, 1961
- D.January 20, 1961
Answer: January 20, 1961
John F. Kennedy delivered his inaugural address on January 20, 1961.
Question 7
The March on Washington featured MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech on what exact date?
- A.August 28, 1964
- B.July 28, 1963
- C.August 28, 1963
- D.August 27, 1963
Answer: August 28, 1963
Martin Luther King Jr. delivered "I Have a Dream" on August 28, 1963.
Question 8
Who prompted King to pivot into the improvised "I have a dream" sequence by urging, "Tell them about the dream"?
- A.Rosa Parks
- B.Maya Angelou
- C.Mahalia Jackson
- D.Coretta Scott King
Answer: Mahalia Jackson
King improvised that famous sequence after gospel singer Mahalia Jackson called out, "Tell them about the dream.".
Question 9
Reagan's challenge at the Brandenburg Gate—"tear down this wall"—was delivered on what date?
- A.June 12, 1987
- B.June 10, 1987
- C.June 12, 1986
- D.November 9, 1989
Answer: June 12, 1987
Ronald Reagan delivered the Brandenburg Gate speech on June 12, 1987.
Question 10
Elie Wiesel's speech "The Perils of Indifference" was delivered on which date in 1999?
- A.April 12, 2000
- B.April 12, 1999
- C.April 11, 1999
- D.May 12, 1999
Answer: April 12, 1999
Elie Wiesel delivered "The Perils of Indifference" on April 12, 1999.
Question 11
Obama delivered "A More Perfect Union" at which Philadelphia venue?
- A.Independence Hall
- B.Liberty Bell Center
- C.Kimmel Center
- D.National Constitution Center
Answer: National Constitution Center
Barack Obama's "A More Perfect Union" speech was delivered at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Question 12
What was the date of Barack Obama's election-night speech in Chicago's Grant Park?
- A.January 20, 2009
- B.November 4, 2008
- C.November 5, 2008
- D.November 4, 2007
Answer: November 4, 2008
Obama's election night speech in Grant Park was delivered on November 4, 2008.
Question 13
Harvey Milk delivered the "Hope Speech" at what event in San Francisco in 1978?
- A.San Francisco Pride Gala
- B.Castro Street Fair
- C.Human Rights March
- D.Gay Freedom Day Parade
Answer: Gay Freedom Day Parade
The "Hope Speech" was delivered at the Gay Freedom Day Parade in San Francisco in 1978.
Question 14
Lou Gehrig's farewell speech is forever tied to a holiday. Which exact date was it given?
- A.July 3, 1939
- B.July 4, 1938
- C.June 4, 1939
- D.July 4, 1939
Answer: July 4, 1939
Lou Gehrig's farewell speech took place on July 4, 1939.
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