The First Three U.S. Presidents Trivia | Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast

Hail to the Chief! It’s time to look back at the first three presidents of the United States. These founders left their mark on the office for good or bad.

Some of this is stuff you should have covered in history class. Some…not. Let’s see how well you’ve been paying attention.

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Episode Intro

Hail to the Chief! It’s time to look back at the first three presidents of the United States. These founders left their mark on the office for good or bad.

So, get ready for trivia questions about George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson as we approach the 4^th of July holiday.

I’m your host and guy who can still recite the preamble to the Constitution, Brian Rollins. This is episode 388 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast.

Pencils ready. The test is about to begin.

The Dorky Round

George Washington Trivia

George Washington was born in which former British Colony?
a. He was born in the Colony of Virginia
Washington commanded the Colonial Virginia Regiment during which war?
a. The French and Indian War
Washington contracted smallpox visiting what island nation?
a. Barbados. It was the first and only time he left the mainland of North America.
In what year did George Washington take his first oath of office as President?
a. April 30, 1789.
What percentage of the Electoral College voted for Washington in 1788?
a. 100%. He was unanimously elected for both his terms.
What political party did Washington belong to?
a. None. He warned about the dangers of political parties.
Who was George Washington’s Vice President?
a. John Adams. He served both terms with Washington.
What is the name of the plantation where Washington died and is buried?
a. Mount Vernon. The plantation grew tobacco and wheat. At the time of his death, Washington owned over 120 slaves.
Washington belonged to what fraternal organization starting in 1752?
a. The Freemasons
How many children did George Washington have?
a. None. Some historians suspect that his smallpox infection left him sterile.

The Geeky Round

John Adams Trivia

John Adams was born in what former British Colony?
a. The Province of Massachusetts Bay
At the age of 16, Adams attended what higher education institution that is still around today?
a. Harvard College
John Adams defended British troops in court following what 1770 event?
a. The Boston Massacre. He was successful
During his Presidency, John Adams was a member of what political party?
a. The Federalist Party. It’s the first known political party in the US and was founded by Alexander Hamilton.
Who ran against John Adams in the election of 1796?
a. Thomas Jefferson. Adams barely won with 71 electoral college votes to Jefferson’s 68.
What president is John Adams’ son?
a. John Quincy Adams
What treaty, signed by Adams, stated in clear text that America was in no way a Christian nation?
a. The Treaty of Tripoli
What was John Adams’ wife?
a. Abigail Adams. They were married from 1764 until her death in 1818. They exchanged over 1,100 letters during their lives.
How many terms did John Adams serve as President?
a. Only one. He was defeated by Jefferson in 1800.
During Adams’ presidency, the US fought a Quasi-War with what European nation?
a. France. Specifically, the first French Republic.

The Nerdy Round

Thomas Jefferson Trivia

Jefferson was a member of what political party?
a. The Democrat-Republicans. He co-founded the party with James Madison
From 1784 to 1789, Jefferson acted as the US minister to what nation?
a. France. He was present in Paris for the infamous storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.
Who was Jefferson’s first Vice President?
a. Aaron Burr. Burr was not Jefferson’s pick for the 1804 election. Burr was running for Governor of New York when he shot and killed Alexander Hamilton.
Who was Jefferson’s second Vice President?
a. George Clinton
How many children did Jefferson have with his wife, Martha?
a. Six children.
Jefferson had at least six more children with which of his slaves?
a. Sally Hemings
During the Jefferson presidency, the US made what 828,000 square mile acquisition?
a. The Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson died and is buried in what Virginia estate?
a. Monticello
Jefferson appears on the US Nickel and which bill?
a. The Two Dollar Bill.
Jefferson shares the exact date of death as what other Founding Father?
a. John Adams. They both passed away on July 4, 1826. Jefferson passed at 12:50 pm and Adams at 6:20 pm.

Episode Conclusion

Pencils down because we are done. How did you fare? I wonder how many questions non-Americans got right. Let me know on Social Media or on Spotify. I’m always curious what the broader world’s take is on this show.

Next week, I’ve got video game trivia. Here’s a clue:

In what genres of video games would you find Madden, Forza, and Mortal Kombat?

Get your quarters ready (arcade games still take quarters, right?) and I’ll see you back here on Wednesday.

This was the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. If you’d like to help support the show and get extra stuff, consider becoming a patron at Patreon.com/dorkygeekynerdy.

This podcast is written, produced, and hosted by Brian Rollins. If you love audiobooks or are looking to have a book turned into an audiobook, contact me at TheVoicesInMyHead.com.

The theme music is Punchfunk by the band, Punchfunk. Listen to all their music on Spotify.

Thanks for listening.