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Quizzes > Society & Culture > Politics & Civics

Take the First Lady Trivia Challenge and Prove Your Knowledge

Think you can ace this first ladies quiz? Dive in and test your U.S. first lady trivia skills!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art of US first ladies silhouettes with quiz title banner on sky blue background

This First Lady trivia quiz helps you see how well you know U.S. first ladies, from early trailblazers to modern icons. Answer quick questions on roles, customs, and standout moments; you'll have fun and learn a fact or two. When you're done, try the presidential quiz or the White House quiz .

Who was the first U.S. First Lady?
Martha Washington
Dolley Madison
Mary Todd Lincoln
Abigail Adams
Martha Washington, wife of President George Washington, served as the inaugural First Lady, though the title was not yet official. She set many of the social protocols that future First Ladies would follow. Her role was largely ceremonial, hosting guests and planning events in the new nation's capital. .
Which First Lady served the longest tenure in that role?
Hillary Clinton
Barbara Bush
Bess Truman
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt served as First Lady for twelve years (1933 - 1945), the longest of any First Lady. She was a prominent political figure, activist, and diplomat during and after her husband's presidency. Her tenure transformed the role, as she spoke out on civil rights, women's issues, and humanitarian causes. .
Who was the first African American First Lady?
Oprah Winfrey
Michelle Obama
Condoleezza Rice
Loretta Scott
Michelle Obama, wife of President Barack Obama, became the first African American First Lady when her husband took office in 2009. She used her platform to advocate for healthy eating, military families, and higher education. Her background and achievements brought new perspectives to the White House. .
Who was the first First Lady to reside in the White House?
Martha Washington
Abigail Adams
Dolley Madison
Mary Todd Lincoln
Abigail Adams moved into the White House in 1800, shortly after President John Adams's term began. Although the building was unfinished, she was the first presidential wife to call it home. Martha Washington never lived there as president since the capital was in Philadelphia and New York during her husband's terms. .
Which First Lady was famously known as a fashion icon in the 1960s?
Jacqueline Kennedy
Rosalynn Carter
Mamie Eisenhower
Nancy Reagan
Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of President John F. Kennedy, became renowned for her elegant style, influencing fashion trends worldwide. She often wore designs by Parisian couturiers and American designers, and her wardrobe was featured in countless magazines. Her look defined 1960s sophistication. .
Who was the first First Lady born in the 20th century?
Barbara Bush
Pat Nixon
Betty Ford
Lady Bird Johnson
Pat Nixon, born Thelma Catherine Ryan in 1912, was the first First Lady born after 1900. She served from 1969 to 1974 alongside President Richard Nixon. Many of her predecessors were born in the 19th century. .
Who was the first First Lady to have her own press secretary?
Michelle Obama
Eleanor Roosevelt
Pat Nixon
Laura Bush
Pat Nixon became the first First Lady to hire an official press secretary, Liz Carpenter, in 1972. This move recognized the growing public interest in the First Lady's activities and initiatives. It set a new precedent for managing media relations in the East Wing. .
Which First Lady wrote the newspaper column "My Day"?
Jacqueline Kennedy
Laura Bush
Hillary Clinton
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt authored the daily newspaper column "My Day" from 1935 until shortly before her death in 1962. Her writings covered politics, civil rights, and personal reflections, reaching millions of readers. It was unprecedented for a First Lady to have such a public voice in journalism. .
Which First Lady was a former librarian and reading advocate?
Laura Bush
Rosalynn Carter
Michelle Obama
Nancy Reagan
Before becoming First Lady, Laura Bush worked as a librarian and English teacher. She championed literacy programs and school libraries throughout her tenure, promoting reading initiatives for children nationwide. Her professional background influenced her advocacy. .
Which First Lady formally established the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn in its modern form?
Abigail Fillmore
Grace Coolidge
Lucy Webb Hayes
Ellen Wilson
Lucy Webb Hayes hosted the first official White House Easter Egg Roll in 1878, welcoming children to participate on the grounds. The tradition had appeared sporadically before, but her organization turned it into an annual event. It continues today as a major White House celebration. .
Which First Lady was the first to earn a postgraduate degree?
Hillary Clinton
Michelle Obama
Laura Bush
Betty Ford
Hillary Rodham Clinton earned her Juris Doctor (JD) from Yale Law School in 1973, making her the first First Lady to hold a postgraduate degree. Michelle Obama later earned her JD from Harvard Law School, but Hillary's degree predates it. .
Which First Lady launched the "Let's Move!" initiative to combat childhood obesity?
Michelle Obama
Laura Bush
Nancy Reagan
Rosalynn Carter
Michelle Obama launched "Let's Move!" in 2010 to address childhood obesity by promoting healthy eating and physical activity. The campaign brought together government, businesses, and communities to make nutritious food more accessible. It became one of her signature initiatives. .
Who was the first First Lady to hold a public office after her tenure at the White House?
Nancy Reagan
Hillary Clinton
Michelle Obama
Barbara Bush
Hillary Clinton became a U.S. Senator from New York in 2001, the first former First Lady to be elected to public office after her time in the White House. She later served as U.S. Secretary of State. Her political career is unique among presidential spouses. .
Which First Lady led the "Just Say No" campaign against drug use?
Rosalynn Carter
Pat Nixon
Nancy Reagan
Barbara Bush
Nancy Reagan championed the "Just Say No" campaign in the 1980s to educate children about the dangers of drug use. She traveled extensively to promote prevention programs and partnered with schools and community groups. The slogan became a major cultural reference of that era. .
What was Lady Bird Johnson's birth name?
Mary Claudia Johnson
Martha Claudia Taylor
Claudia Alta Taylor
Elizabeth Bird Taylor
First Lady Lady Bird Johnson was born Claudia Alta Taylor in 1912. She adopted the nickname "Lady Bird" as a child, which stuck throughout her life. She later used it professionally and in public service. .
What was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's maiden name?
Jacqueline Lee Smith
Jacqueline Lee Kennedy
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier
Jacqueline Lee Onassis
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier in 1929. She became Jacqueline Kennedy upon her marriage to John F. Kennedy, later remarrying Aristotle Onassis. Her Bouvier lineage is often referenced in her biographies. .
Which First Lady was the first to continue her professional career while serving in the White House?
Laura Bush
Jill Biden
Michelle Obama
Hillary Clinton
Jill Biden is the first First Lady to hold a paying job while serving in the White House; she continues teaching as a community college professor. Previous First Ladies paused their careers due to protocol or public expectations. .
Which First Lady commissioned the redesign of the White House Rose Garden in 1962?
Eleanor Roosevelt
Lady Bird Johnson
Jacqueline Kennedy
Pat Nixon
Jacqueline Kennedy, along with landscape architect Rachel Lambert Mellon, led the 1962 redesign of the White House Rose Garden. She aimed to create a more unified outdoor space for ceremonies and receptions. The garden's layout remains largely unchanged today. .
Which First Lady hosted the weekly radio show "The Eleanor Roosevelt Program"?
Laura Bush
Michelle Obama
Rosalynn Carter
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt hosted "The Eleanor Roosevelt Program" weekly on ABC Radio from 1941 to 1945, discussing war efforts, social issues, and human rights. This platform allowed her to communicate directly with the American public. It was unique for a First Lady to have her own broadcast. .
Which First Lady testified before Congress in support of the Equal Rights Amendment?
Lady Bird Johnson
Rosalynn Carter
Betty Ford
Nancy Reagan
Betty Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1975 in support of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), advocating for constitutional gender equality. Her testimony was notable for a First Lady to publicly address pending legislation. She was a strong advocate for women's rights. .
Which First Lady established the White House Kitchen Garden in 2009?
Barbara Bush
Lady Bird Johnson
Hillary Clinton
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama planted the White House Kitchen Garden in 2009 to promote healthy eating and nutrition education. The garden supplied fresh produce for meals and inspired local and school gardens nationwide. It became a signature project of her Let's Move! campaign. .
Which First Lady is the only one to have been born outside the United States?
Mary Todd Lincoln
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Louisa Catherine Adams
Louisa Catherine Adams, wife of President John Quincy Adams, was born in London in 1775 while her father served as the U.S. minister to Great Britain. She remains the only First Lady born outside the United States. .
Which First Lady chaired the United Nations Commission that drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Eleanor Roosevelt
Jacqueline Kennedy
Michelle Obama
Betty Ford
After her tenure as First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt served as the U.S. representative to the United Nations and chaired the committee that drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Her leadership was pivotal in establishing international human rights standards. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Key Historical Facts -

    Identify important dates, family details, and notable events associated with U.S. first ladies.

  2. Recognize Notable Achievements -

    Associate each first lady with her signature initiatives, causes, or cultural contributions.

  3. Differentiate Between Personalities -

    Distinguish first ladies by their unique styles, public roles, and historical contexts.

  4. Analyze Historical Impact -

    Assess how various first ladies shaped social, political, and cultural landscapes in their eras.

  5. Evaluate Your Knowledge -

    Gauge your understanding of U.S. first lady trivia through a series of challenging quiz questions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Evolution of the First Lady Role -

    The role of U.S. first ladies has shifted from private hostess to influential public figure, offering rich material for first lady trivia. Early occupants managed social duties, while modern first ladies lead outreach and policy campaigns, as highlighted on WhiteHouse.gov. Recognizing this shift helps you master any historical first ladies quiz question on their evolving duties.

  2. Signature Policy Initiatives -

    Eleanor Roosevelt's UN Human Rights efforts and Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign are iconic first lady trivia highlights from reputable archives. Roosevelt set a precedent for advocacy, while Obama tackled childhood obesity, illustrating how first ladies shape national policy. Remember each leader's project to nail famous first ladies questions on policy impact.

  3. Historical Milestones -

    Key milestones include Louisa Adams as the first foreign-born first lady and Frances Cleveland as the youngest to serve, essential facts in U.S. first lady trivia. Michelle Obama broke ground as the first African American in the role, underscoring a major cultural shift. Spotting these "firsts" will boost your score on any historical first ladies quiz.

  4. Fashion and Cultural Diplomacy -

    Jackie Kennedy's chic wardrobe became a global symbol of American style, turning fashion into diplomatic soft power - a fun angle in first lady trivia quizzes. Her restoration of the White House also blends interior design with national heritage, as documented by the National Archives. Linking these cultural moves to broader history makes famous first ladies questions more memorable.

  5. Mnemonic for Early First Ladies -

    Use "Many Able Mothers Do Exhibit Loyalty'' to recall Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Martha Jefferson, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Monroe, and Louisa Adams - an easy trick for historical first ladies quiz prep. This mnemonic covers the first six occupants and turns them into a catchy phrase you can quote under pressure. Employing memory aids like this will make U.S. first lady trivia stick.

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