Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > General Knowledge & Mixed

1974 quiz: How much do you remember?

Quick, free quiz to test your knowledge of 1974 trivia. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ivana GluhacicUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for 1974 trivia quiz on teal background

This 1974 quiz helps you test what you remember from the year, from hit songs and movies to major news and everyday firsts. When you're done, keep the throwback going with 1970s trivia questions and answers, brush up on 70s tv trivia, or challenge yourself with 70s movie trivia.

Which iconic crime film sequel was released in 1974?
Rocky
The Godfather Part II
Jaws
The Godfather
The Godfather Part II, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, premiered in December 1974 as the sequel to the 1972 hit. It was acclaimed for its storytelling and won multiple Academy Awards including Best Picture. Coppola's continuation of the Corleone saga cemented its place in cinematic history.
Which major sporting event did West Germany host and win in 1974?
FIFA World Cup
Summer Olympics
UEFA European Championship
Rugby World Cup
West Germany hosted the 1974 FIFA World Cup and won the tournament, defeating the Netherlands in the final. The event was notable for its 'Total Football' style showcased by the Dutch team. The West Germans triumphed 2 - 1 in Munich.
Which landmark resignation occurred in the United States in August 1974?
Jimmy Carter's resignation
John F. Kennedy's resignation
Richard Nixon's resignation
Lyndon B. Johnson's resignation
President Richard Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, amid the Watergate scandal. He is the only U.S. president to have resigned from office. Vice President Gerald Ford assumed the presidency immediately afterward.
What was the winning song at Eurovision 1974 that launched ABBA to international fame?
SOS
Fernando
Waterloo
Dancing Queen
ABBA represented Sweden in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with "Waterloo" and won the competition. The song's catchy melody and stage presence propelled them into the global music scene. It remains one of Eurovision's most successful entries.
Which pioneering puzzle was invented by Ern? Rubik in 1974?
Tangram
Rubik's Cube
Sudoku
Magic 8-Ball
Ern? Rubik invented the Rubik's Cube in 1974 as a teaching tool for geometry. It originally bore the name "Magic Cube" and was later licensed internationally as the Rubik's Cube. It became one of the best-selling puzzles worldwide.
Which heavyweight boxing match was dubbed the "Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974?
George Foreman vs. Ken Norton
Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier
Larry Holmes vs. Ken Norton
The "Rumble in the Jungle" took place on October 30, 1974, in Kinshasa, Zaire, where Muhammad Ali regained the heavyweight title by knocking out George Foreman. The fight is legendary for Ali's "rope-a-dope" tactic. It is one of boxing's most famous matches.
Which rock band released the album "Band on the Run" in 1974?
Queen
Led Zeppelin
Wings
Pink Floyd
"Band on the Run" was released by Paul McCartney and Wings in December 1973 in the UK and early 1974 in the U.S., becoming one of the group's most successful albums. It features hits like the title track and "Jet." The album topped charts worldwide.
Which sitcom featuring the Evans family premiered on CBS in February 1974?
All in the Family
Sanford and Son
The Jeffersons
Good Times
Good Times debuted on February 8, 1974, on CBS, centering on an African-American family living in a Chicago housing project. It was a spin-off of Maude, itself a spin-off of All in the Family. The show is celebrated for its blend of humor and social commentary.
In 1974, which country underwent the Carnation Revolution, overthrowing its dictatorship?
Spain
Chile
Portugal
Greece
The Carnation Revolution took place on April 25, 1974, in Portugal, resulting in the peaceful overthrow of the Estado Novo regime. It led to democratic reforms and decolonization of Portuguese territories. The term comes from soldiers placing carnations in rifles.
What was the target planet of NASA's Mariner 10 mission, which had its first flyby in 1974?
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Mercury
Mariner 10, launched in 1973, made its first flyby of Mercury on March 29, 1974, sending back the first close-up images of the planet. It also used a Venus flyby for a gravitational assist. The mission significantly advanced planetary science.
Which debut novel by a famous horror author was published in 1974?
Carrie
Pet Sematary
The Shining
Salem's Lot
Stephen King's first published novel, "Carrie," was released in April 1974. The story of a telekinetic teenager became a bestseller and was later adapted into a classic horror film in 1976. It launched King's prolific career.
Which singer recorded the hit song "The Way We Were" in 1974?
Barbra Streisand
Helen Reddy
Olivia Newton-John
Carole King
Barbra Streisand sang "The Way We Were," the theme song for the 1973 film of the same name. Released as a single in 1974, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Its nostalgic lyrics remain iconic.
Which film starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1974?
Chinatown
The Passenger
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Five Easy Pieces
Roman Polanski's neo-noir film "Chinatown," starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, premiered at Cannes in May 1974. The movie was acclaimed for its screenplay and cinematography and won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Which technological item was scanned for the first time in a store in 1974?
QR code
Credit card
Magnetic stripe card
UPC barcode
On June 26, 1974, the first UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode was scanned at Marsh's Supermarket in Troy, Ohio, on a pack of Wrigley's gum. This event revolutionized retail checkout systems worldwide.
Which Western TV series premiered on NBC in September 1974?
Bonanza
Little House on the Prairie
High Chaparral
Gunsmoke
"Little House on the Prairie" debuted on September 11, 1974, on NBC, adapting Laura Ingalls Wilder's autobiographical books. The series followed the Ingalls family's pioneer life and became a staple of family television.
Which actor, born in 1974, played Jack Dawson in the 1997 film Titanic?
Matthew McConaughey
Johnny Depp
Brad Pitt
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio, born November 11, 1974, portrayed Jack Dawson in James Cameron's 1997 epic "Titanic." His performance cemented his status as a leading Hollywood actor. DiCaprio went on to star in numerous acclaimed films.
Which Conservative Prime Minister was defeated in the UK general election of February 1974?
Edward Heath
Winston Churchill
James Callaghan
Margaret Thatcher
Edward Heath led the Conservative Party into the February 1974 UK general election but failed to secure a majority, resulting in a hung parliament. He was subsequently replaced as Prime Minister by Labour's Harold Wilson. It was a pivotal moment in British politics.
Who was one of the winners of the 1974 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for research on cell biology?
James Watson
Francis Crick
Christian de Duve
Linus Pauling
Christian de Duve shared the 1974 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Albert Claude and George Emil Palade for their discoveries concerning the structural and functional organization of the cell. Their work laid the foundation for modern cell biology.
What was the name of the power-sharing agreement that collapsed in Northern Ireland in 1974?
Sunningdale Agreement
Anglo-Irish Agreement
St Andrews Agreement
Good Friday Agreement
The Sunningdale Agreement, signed in December 1973 to establish a power-sharing executive and cross-border council in Northern Ireland, collapsed in May 1974 due to unionist opposition. Its failure influenced later peace efforts.
Which band released the influential album "Sheer Heart Attack" in 1974?
Queen
Yes
Led Zeppelin
Pink Floyd
"Sheer Heart Attack," released in November 1974, was Queen's third studio album and included hits like "Killer Queen." The record helped propel Queen into mainstream success in the UK and abroad.
Which British rock band performed at the California Jam festival in 1974?
Queen
Deep Purple
Led Zeppelin
The Rolling Stones
Deep Purple headlined and performed at the California Jam festival on April 6, 1974, at the Ontario Motor Speedway in California. Their appearance drew a massive crowd and is remembered as one of the era's landmark rock performances.
Which city hosted the 1974 British Commonwealth Games?
Hamilton
Auckland
Christchurch
Wellington
Christchurch, New Zealand, hosted the 1974 British Commonwealth Games from January 24 to February 2. It was the tenth edition of the Games and featured athletes from across the Commonwealth.
Who won the 1974 Tour de France?
Bernard Hinault
Eddy Merckx
Miguel Indurain
Luis Ocaña
Legendary Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx won his fifth Tour de France in 1974, matching the record for most wins at that time. His dominance in the sport during the 1970s is unparalleled.
Which magazine is credited with first using the term "punk rock" in print in 1974?
Creem
Rolling Stone
NME
Melody Maker
The American magazine Creem is often credited with first using the term "punk rock" in a review of the New York Dolls in March 1974. This early usage helped define a new musical movement that emerged mid-decade.
Which 1974 U.S. Supreme Court case held that students facing suspension are entitled to due process rights?
Goss v. Lopez
Tinker v. Des Moines
Brown v. Board of Education
In re Gault
In Goss v. Lopez (1975 decision on 1974 issues), the Supreme Court ruled that students must be given due process (notice and a hearing) before being suspended from public school. This case set important precedents for student rights.
0
{"name":"Which iconic crime film sequel was released in 1974?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Which iconic crime film sequel was released in 1974?, Which major sporting event did West Germany host and win in 1974?, Which landmark resignation occurred in the United States in August 1974?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Understand key milestones of 1974 -

    Gain insight into the most impactful political, social, and cultural events that defined 1974, from Watergate to groundbreaking innovations.

  2. Recall iconic pop culture highlights -

    Refresh your memory on chart-topping hits, blockbuster films, and legendary performances that shaped the entertainment landscape of 1974.

  3. Identify surprising historical details -

    Discover lesser-known fun facts of 1974 - like unexpected scientific breakthroughs and unique world records - to deepen your trivia knowledge.

  4. Analyze the cultural impact of 1974 events -

    Explore how key moments from 1974 influenced society and the arts, helping you understand their lasting significance.

  5. Apply your knowledge in a trivia format -

    Use what you've learned about 1974 facts to tackle our 1974 trivia quiz and challenge yourself in this engaging format.

  6. Evaluate your mastery of 1974 fun facts -

    Assess your performance to see how well you know the fun facts of 1974 and identify areas for further exploration.

Cheat Sheet

  1. ABBA's Eurovision Triumph with "Waterloo" -

    In 1974 fun facts, Eurovision became a global launchpad when ABBA won with "Waterloo," instantly catapulting Swedish pop to worldwide fame. Picture the four band members dancing onstage with a giant "1974" backdrop - a simple visual mnemonic to lock in the year. Official Eurovision archives (eurovision.tv) confirm this watershed moment in pop culture history.

  2. The "Rumble in the Jungle" Upset -

    On October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali used his famous "rope-a-dope" tactic to dethrone George Foreman in Kinshasa, in what's heralded as one of boxing's greatest upsets. Imagine Ali leaning on the ropes under a jungle canopy stamped "'74" to anchor the date in your mind. Detailed fight statistics from BoxRec and sports history journals chronicle this legendary bout.

  3. Ernő Rubik's "Magic Cube" Debut -

    Hungarian inventor Ernő Rubik created the original 3×3 "Magic Cube" prototype in 1974 to teach spatial geometry, unknowingly birthing one of the world's best-selling puzzles. A handy mnemonic: visualize the cube perched on a calendar turned to 1974 to fuse puzzle and year. Academic sources like the Journal of Geometry Education spotlight this innovation's educational impact.

  4. India's "Smiling Buddha" Nuclear Test -

    India's first nuclear detonation - codenamed "Smiling Buddha" - took place at Pokhran on May 18, 1974, marking its entry as a nuclear power. To remember, link "Buddha's smile" with the peaceful date of '74, blending the operation name and year in one phrase. Declassified government documents and the Journal of Peace Research analyze the scientific and geopolitical significance of this test.

  5. Portugal's Carnation Revolution -

    The peaceful Carnation Revolution on April 25, 1974, peacefully toppled Portugal's Estado Novo regime, symbolized by soldiers placing carnations into rifle barrels. The date "25/4/74" is itself a memorable code - simply recite "twenty-five, four, seventy-four" to etch the event in your trivia repertoire. Esteemed sources like Britannica and the Portuguese National Archives detail this transformative uprising.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

General Knowledge Trivia Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker