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Quizzes > Geography > Countries & Cities

How Well Do You Know the History of New York City?

Challenge yourself with our NYC trivia quiz and history questions!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art cutouts of New York landmarks including Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building on golden yellow background

This New York City trivia quiz helps you see how much you know about the five boroughs, landmarks, food, and history. Play now to practice for your next pub quiz or trip, have fun, and pick up a few neat facts along the way. When you finish, keep going with more questions about New York or explore urban trivia .

What iconic copper statue stands on Liberty Island and was dedicated in 1886 as a gift from France?
Grand Central Terminal
Empire State Building
Statue of Liberty
Brooklyn Bridge
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States in 1886 and stands on Liberty Island as a symbol of freedom and democracy. Designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, it is one of the most recognized landmarks in the world. It was designated as a National Monument in 1924. .
Which river separates Manhattan from New Jersey?
Hudson River
East River
Delaware River
Harlem River
The Hudson River flows southward along the western side of Manhattan, separating it from New Jersey. It is one of the major rivers of the eastern United States. The East River runs on the opposite side of Manhattan, between Manhattan and Brooklyn/Queens. .
How many boroughs make up New York City?
5
6
4
3
New York City is composed of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Each borough is also a county of New York State. This structure was established when the City of Greater New York was consolidated in 1898. .
Which nickname is commonly used to refer to New York City?
The Windy City
The Emerald City
City of Angels
The Big Apple
New York City is often called "The Big Apple," a nickname popularized in the 1920s by John J. Fitz Gerald when he wrote about big-money horse races in The Morning Telegraph. The term has become a symbol of the city's grandeur and opportunity. .
Which large public park covers about 843 acres in the center of Manhattan?
Prospect Park
Central Park
Battery Park
The High Line
Central Park spans 843 acres in the heart of Manhattan and was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, opening in 1858. It provides recreational areas, lakes, a zoo, and the Central Park Conservancy. It is one of the most visited urban parks in the United States. .
In what year was the Statue of Liberty officially dedicated?
1776
1886
1901
1916
The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, by President Grover Cleveland. It had been shipped in pieces from France and assembled on Liberty Island. The dedication marked a celebration of the Franco-American alliance. .
What was the original name of the area now known as Times Square?
Herald Square
Union Square
Madison Square
Longacre Square
Before becoming Times Square in 1904, the area was called Longacre Square, named after the carriage-making district in London. It was renamed when The New York Times moved its headquarters to the Times Building. The name change coincided with the opening of the city's first underground subway line. .
As of 2021, which building is the tallest in New York City?
One World Trade Center
Chrysler Building
Bank of America Tower
Empire State Building
One World Trade Center, also known as Freedom Tower, reaches 1,776 feet in height and became the tallest building in New York City when it was completed in 2013. Its height symbolically references the year of U.S. independence. The Empire State Building held the title until 1970. .
Which New York City borough is the largest by land area?
Queens
The Bronx
Manhattan
Brooklyn
Queens covers about 109 square miles, making it the largest of New York City's five boroughs by land area. Brooklyn is the next largest, followed by Staten Island, the Bronx, and Manhattan. Queens is also the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world. .
Which station is the busiest in the New York City subway system?
Times Sq - 42nd Street
34th Street - Herald Square
Union Square - 14th Street
Grand Central - 42nd Street
Times Sq - 42nd Street is the busiest station in the NYC subway network, serving over 64 million passengers annually before the pandemic. It is a major transfer point for multiple lines and connects to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Its high usage reflects its location in Midtown Manhattan. .
In which year did the original World Trade Center towers open?
1970
1973
1980
1968
The original World Trade Center's North Tower opened in December 1970, but the full complex, including both towers, officially opened in 1973. Designed by Minoru Yamasaki, the towers were the tallest buildings in the world at their completion. They stood until the attacks of September 11, 2001. .
When did the New York City subway system first begin operation?
1915
1890
1924
1904
The first NYC subway line opened on October 27, 1904, running from City Hall to 145th Street on the West Side. It was operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT). This marked the start of the modern rapid transit network beneath the city. .
Which is the oldest extant building in Manhattan, completed around 1765?
Trinity Church
Morris-Jumel Mansion
St. Paul's Chapel
Fraunces Tavern
The Morris-Jumel Mansion in Washington Heights was built in 1765 and is the oldest house in Manhattan. It served as George Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War. Today it operates as a historic house museum. .
Who sculpted the Charging Bull statue in Lower Manhattan's Financial District?
Keith Haring
Jeff Koons
Arturo Di Modica
Alexander Calder
Arturo Di Modica sculpted and installed the Charging Bull as a guerrilla art piece in 1989. The bronze sculpture has become an iconic symbol of Wall Street and financial optimism. It was later moved to its current location near Bowling Green. .
What is the name of the 1811 plan that established Manhattan's numbered street grid above Houston Street?
Commissioners' Plan of 1811
Grid Plan of 1916
Coenties Slip Plan
Manhattan Expansion Act of 1811
The Commissioners' Plan of 1811 laid out Manhattan's street grid from Houston Street to 155th Street, creating the iconic rectangular blocks and numbered streets system. It was created by a commission appointed by the state legislature. The plan guided the city's rapid growth in the 19th century. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Colonial and Early Development -

    Readers will be able to explain New York City's origins from Dutch New Amsterdam through British rule, highlighting the early events that shaped its growth.

  2. Recall Iconic Landmarks and Landmarks' Origins -

    Readers will be able to recall when and why landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Central Park became symbols of New York City.

  3. Analyze Pivotal Historical Events -

    Readers will be able to analyze how major events - such as the Great Fire of 1835, the building of the subway, and 9/11 - impacted the city's development.

  4. Identify Influential Figures -

    Readers will be able to identify key individuals, from Alexander Hamilton to Fiorello La Guardia, and describe their contributions to NYC's history.

  5. Evaluate Cultural and Economic Evolution -

    Readers will be able to evaluate how waves of immigration, artistic movements, and economic booms have transformed New York City into a global metropolis.

Cheat Sheet

  1. New Amsterdam Foundations -

    In 1624 the Dutch West India Company established New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island as a trading post for pelts. A handy mnemonic is "Dutch MAP" (Merchant, Amsterdam, Pelts) to anchor the city's Dutch roots in your mind when tackling new york city trivia questions and answers. According to the New-York Historical Society, this colonial settlement laid the multicultural groundwork for modern NYC.

  2. British Conquest and Renaming -

    In 1664 English forces seized the settlement from the Dutch and renamed it New York in honor of the Duke of York. Remember it with the simple phrase "Duke's York" to ace a new york city history quiz question about the city's name change.

  3. Erie Canal's Economic Boom -

    Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal linked the Hudson River to Lake Erie, cutting transport costs by nearly 90% and triggering a population surge in Manhattan. A quick formula to recall growth is "Trade ↑ Canal length": as the canal stretched 363 miles, trade volume soared, according to the University at Albany's economic studies. This transformational project often appears in historical nyc trivia for its role in making NYC the nation's premier port.

  4. Statue of Liberty: Emblem of Freedom -

    Unveiled in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France symbolizing democracy and welcome to immigrants arriving at nearby Ellis Island. A simple mnemonic, "LAMP" (Liberty, Arrival, Monument, Passenger gateway), helps you remember its purpose and location for any new york city fun facts quiz. The National Park Service emphasizes its status as an enduring icon of hope and American ideals.

  5. Birth of the Subway System -

    New York City's first underground line opened in 1904, launching what would become the world's largest rapid transit system. This "RUSH" mnemonic (Rapid Underground Subway Hub) makes it easy to recall in any nyc trivia quiz.

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