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Quizzes > History

Virginia Trivia: Test Your Knowledge of State History

Quick, free Virginia history quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ruta TamanauskaiteUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Virginia history trivia quiz on a teal background

This Virginia history quiz helps you check what you know about the Commonwealth's people, places, and events. Answer quick Virginia trivia questions and get your score right away. For more practice, try our American history quiz, or explore neighbors with West Virginia trivia and Maryland trivia.

What is the capital of Virginia?
Alexandria
Norfolk
Charlottesville
Richmond
Richmond has served as the capital of Virginia since 1780, when it replaced Williamsburg. Its central location and strategic importance during the Revolutionary War led to its selection. Today, Richmond is the political and economic hub of the Commonwealth.
What nickname is commonly associated with the state of Virginia?
The Empire State
The Lone Star State
The Old Dominion
The Golden State
Virginia's nickname 'The Old Dominion' dates back to its loyalty to the English monarchy during the English Civil War. The term was coined by King Charles II as a mark of favor. It reflects Virginia's status as the first and oldest permanent English colony in North America.
In which year did Virginia officially become the 10th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution?
1781
1788
1787
1790
Virginia ratified the U.S. Constitution on June 25, 1788, making it the 10th state to do so. Its ratification was pivotal due to the influence of key figures like James Madison and George Mason. The vote was closely contested, reflecting deep debates over federal power.
What is the official state bird of Virginia?
Northern Cardinal
American Robin
Bald Eagle
Carolina Wren
The Northern Cardinal was adopted as Virginia's state bird in 1950. Its bright red plumage and widespread presence made it a popular choice. The cardinal is also the state bird for six other states.
Which flower is recognized as the state flower of Virginia?
Magnolia
American Dogwood
Rose
Goldenrod
The American Dogwood was designated as Virginia's state flower in 1918. Known for its white bracts and red berries, it is common in the state's woodlands. The dogwood's significance is celebrated in festivals across Virginia each spring.
Which river forms part of Virginia's northern border with Maryland?
Shenandoah River
Potomac River
Rappahannock River
James River
The Potomac River defines much of Virginia's northern border with Maryland and Washington, D.C. It played a crucial role in early colonial trade and defense. Major cities like Alexandria and Arlington are located along its banks.
What Latin phrase meaning 'Thus Always to Tyrants' appears on Virginia's state seal?
E Pluribus Unum
Sic Semper Tyrannis
Deus Vult
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Virginia's state seal features the motto 'Sic Semper Tyrannis,' meaning 'Thus Always to Tyrants.' It reflects the state's Revolutionary War heritage and commitment to liberty. The phrase is attributed to Marcus Brutus after Julius Caesar's assassination.
Which geographic region of Virginia is known for its coastal plains and tidewater areas?
Piedmont Plateau
Blue Ridge Mountains
Shenandoah Valley
Tidewater
The Tidewater region encompasses Virginia's eastern coastal plain, including Chesapeake Bay shores. It is characterized by flat terrain, estuaries, and barrier islands. This area was the site of early English settlements like Jamestown.
Which English settlement, established in 1607, was the first permanent European colony in what would become Virginia?
St. Mary's
Plymouth
Roanoke
Jamestown
Jamestown, founded on May 14, 1607, was the first permanent English settlement in North America. It served as the capital of the Virginia Colony for 83 years. The site faced challenges such as disease, starvation, and conflicts with Indigenous peoples.
Who wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which influenced the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution?
George Mason
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
Patrick Henry
Thomas Jefferson authored the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786. It disestablished the Church of England in Virginia and guaranteed religious liberty. The statute was a model for the religious freedom protections in the U.S. Constitution.
Which battle, also known as the First Battle of Bull Run, was the first major land battle of the American Civil War and took place in Virginia?
Battle of Chancellorsville
First Battle of Manassas
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Antietam
The First Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) occurred on July 21, 1861, near Manassas, Virginia. It shattered the illusion of a short war for both the Union and the Confederacy. The Confederate victory boosted Southern morale early in the conflict.
Which U.S. president was born at Mount Vernon, Virginia?
James Monroe
George Washington
John Tyler
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington was born at the family's plantation home, Pope's Creek, but raised primarily at Mount Vernon, which he inherited. He became the first President of the United States. Mount Vernon remains a major historical site.
What was the primary cash crop exported from colonial Virginia during the 17th century?
Cotton
Rice
Indigo
Tobacco
Tobacco became Virginia's most profitable export from the early 1600s onward. The cultivation methods and plantation economy shaped colonial society and labor practices. Virginia's tobacco trade connected it directly with European markets.
Which institution, founded in 1693 in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the second-oldest higher education institution in the United States?
Harvard University
College of William & Mary
University of Virginia
Yale University
The College of William & Mary was chartered in 1693 and opened in 1694. It is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the U.S. after Harvard. The college played key roles in educating early American leaders.
Which national park in Virginia features over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail along its ridge line?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Blue Ridge Parkway
New River Gorge National Park
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park encompasses 105 miles of the Appalachian Trail along the Blue Ridge Mountains. It offers scenic vistas, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. The park was established in 1935 and draws millions of visitors annually.
Which colonial governor's policies sparked Bacon's Rebellion in 1676?
Thomas Dale
Sir George Yeardley
William Berkeley
Lord Culpeper
Sir William Berkeley's administration was seen as corrupt and dismissive of frontier settlers' safety concerns. Nathaniel Bacon led a revolt in 1676 against Berkeley's refusal to retaliate against Native American attacks. The rebellion highlighted tensions in colonial governance and class divisions.
Which Native American confederacy did Jamestown colonists interact with upon their arrival in 1607?
Powhatan Confederacy
Iroquois Confederacy
Siouan Peoples
Cherokee Nation
The Powhatan Confederacy was a powerful alliance of Algonquian-speaking tribes in Tidewater Virginia. Chief Powhatan initially provided food and aid to the Jamestown settlers. Relations fluctuated between trade and conflict until the Confederacy's decline.
Which convention produced Virginia's first state constitution and the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776?
Fifth Virginia Convention
Continental Congress
Convention of 1774
Fourth Virginia Convention
The Fifth Virginia Convention met in Williamsburg from May to July 1776. Delegates adopted the Virginia Declaration of Rights on June 12, 1776, followed by the Virginia Constitution on June 29, 1776. These documents influenced the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
What is the name of the legislative body of Virginia, the oldest continuous law-making body in the New World?
Virginia General Assembly
Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia Colonial Council
Virginia Provincial Congress
The Virginia General Assembly, established in 1619 as the House of Burgesses and an appointed council, is the oldest continuous legislative body in the Americas. It evolved into today's bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and House of Delegates. It has met without interruption since its founding.
Which Revolutionary War siege in Virginia effectively ended major combat operations in 1781?
Siege of Norfolk
Siege of Petersburg
Siege of Williamsburg
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown lasted from September to October 1781. American and French forces trapped British General Cornwallis, leading to his surrender on October 19. This effectively ended major hostilities in the Revolutionary War.
What is the highest natural point in Virginia?
Mount Rogers
Spruce Knob
Mount Mitchell
Mount Washington
Mount Rogers, at 5,729 feet, is Virginia's highest summit. It is located in the southwestern part of the state within the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. The peak is known for its unique heath bald at the summit.
On what date did Virginia officially secede from the Union to join the Confederacy in the Civil War?
May 6, 1861
April 17, 1861
December 20, 1860
January 9, 1861
Virginia's convention passed an ordinance of secession on April 17, 1861, following the attack on Fort Sumter. The decision was ratified by popular vote on May 23, 1861. Virginia's secession was vital due to its industrial capacity and strategic locations.
Which U.S. Chief Justice, appointed while residing in Virginia, served on the Supreme Court from 1801 to 1835?
Salmon P. Chase
John Jay
Roger B. Taney
John Marshall
John Marshall, a Virginia lawyer and statesman, was appointed Chief Justice in 1801 by President John Adams. His tenure until 1835 greatly shaped American constitutional law, establishing principles like judicial review. Marshall's decisions promoted federal power over states.
Virginia was the last of the original thirteen states to ratify which Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, doing so on January 30, 1880?
15th Amendment
16th Amendment
13th Amendment
14th Amendment
Although the 14th Amendment was adopted in 1868, Virginia did not ratify it until January 30, 1880. The amendment grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and includes equal protection clauses. Virginia's delayed ratification reflected post-Reconstruction politics.
What is the name of the meteorite impact structure buried beneath the present-day Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore of Virginia?
Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater
Chicxulub Crater
Richat Structure
Wanapum Impact Structure
The Chesapeake Bay impact crater formed about 35 million years ago when a meteor struck near what is now Cape Charles, Virginia. It is one of the best-preserved marine impact structures on Earth. The crater influences local groundwater flow and sediment patterns.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall pivotal moments in Virginia history -

    Remember major colonial beginnings, revolutionary milestones, and their significance in shaping modern Virginia.

  2. Identify influential figures in Virginia state trivia -

    Pinpoint key leaders, explorers, and founding figures highlighted throughout the quiz.

  3. Differentiate myth from fact in virginia trivia questions -

    Analyze common misconceptions and confirm authentic historical details about the Old Dominion.

  4. Evaluate historical impact through virginia trivia -

    Assess how critical events influenced Virginia's cultural, political, and social development over time.

  5. Apply insights from the virginia history quiz -

    Leverage learned facts to confidently tackle additional questions and deepen your knowledge of state history.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Jamestown Settlement (1607) -

    Recognized as the first permanent English colony in North America, Jamestown is the starting point for many virginia state trivia questions. Settlers faced famine, disease, and tense relations with Powhatan tribes, yet their tobacco cultivation laid economic foundations for the colony. Remember it with the mnemonic "Jamestown Jams with Tobacco in 1607" to lock in both date and significance.

  2. Virginia Dynasty of Presidents -

    Virginia earned its nickname as the "Mother of Presidents" by producing George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. Use the catchy phrase "We Just Made More" to recall their order and cement this staple of virginia trivia. These leaders shaped early U.S. policy from the Revolutionary War through the Era of Good Feelings.

  3. Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty" Speech (1775) -

    Delivered at St. John's Church in Richmond, this fiery oration galvanized colonists against British rule and remains a highlight in any virginia history quiz. The line "Give me liberty, or give me death!" exemplifies revolutionary zeal and is often quoted in virginia historical facts quizzes. Associating "Henry's Hearth" with the church helps you remember the venue and message.

  4. First Battle of Bull Run/Manassas (1861) -

    As the first major land battle of the Civil War, this clash near Manassas Junction shocked the nation with its scale and casualties. Confederates dubbed it the Battle of First Manassas, a common topic in virginia trivia questions, and you can use "Manassas Mayhem" to recall both name and chaos. The outcome foreshadowed the war's brutal nature and strategic importance of Virginia's rail lines.

  5. Brown v. Board & Massive Resistance (1954 - 59) -

    Following the Supreme Court's 1954 decision to desegregate schools, Virginia's government enacted "Massive Resistance" policies to delay integration, an essential era in civil rights history. "Brown's Board Broke Bias" is a handy mnemonic for remembering both the case and Virginia's defiant response in state legislation. This period reshaped public education and civil rights, frequently appearing in advanced virginia history quizzes.

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