(Last Updated On: February 20, 2024)
Black History Month is a time to honor and reflect on the profound contributions of African Americans to our culture and society. In the spirit of this celebration, Sporcle Events shows throughout February have included an array of thought-provoking and fun Black History Month pub trivia questions. We’ve highlighted a handful of them in this post. Whether you’re a trivia aficionado or just curious about the world, these questions not only challenge the mind but also offer a glimpse into the rich and diverse narratives of Black history.
Black History Month Pub Trivia Questions
1. Costume designer Ruth E. Carter is the first Black woman to have won multiple Academy Awards in any category, winning Best Costume Design for what 2018 film, as well as its 2022 sequel?
2. In 2018, who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first non-jazz or classical artist to do so?
3. Although he was nominated without his knowledge and did not campaign, what abolitionist was named Victoria Woodhull’s running mate on the Equal Rights Party ticket for the 1872 U.S. presidential election?
4. In what year was Juneteenth first observed as a federal holiday?
5. Entomologist Margaret S. Collins is known for her work with which type of insect, the source of her common nickname—bees, termites, flies, or crickets?
6. Following the publication of his book Up from Slavery in 1901, what educator became the first Black person publicly invited to dine at the White House with the president?
7. What 1985 film earned Academy Award nominations for Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Margaret Avery?
8. Actress and singer Dorothy Dandridge, who was the first African American to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, was portrayed in a 1999 HBO film by what actress?
9. What luxury automobile brand completes the title of a 1981 painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat—_____ Moon?
10. What singer, whose hit songs include “Hot Stuff,” “Bad Girls,” and “MacArthur Park,” is known as the “Queen of Disco”?
11. Archie Griffin, the only college football player to win the Heisman Trophy in consecutive years, did so while playing at what school?
12. What brand of cookies was launched in 1975 by a talent agent named Wally?
Answers and Black History Month Trivia
Now that you’ve tested your knowledge with these intriguing Black History Month trivia questions, it’s time to see how you did. Were there questions that sparked your curiosity or challenged what you thought you knew? As you check your answers, consider this not just a measure of what you know, but an invitation to explore the rich tapestry of African American history and achievements further!
1. Costume designer Ruth E. Carter is the first Black woman to have won multiple Academy Awards in any category, winning Best Costume Design for what 2018 film, as well as its 2022 sequel?
Answer: Black Panther
Black History Month Fact: In 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first Black performer to win an Oscar, for her role in Gone with the Wind.
2. In 2018, who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first non-jazz or classical artist to do so?
Answer: Kendrick Lamar
Black History Month Fact: In 1950, Gwendolyn Brooks became the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize, for her book Annie Allen.
3. Although he was nominated without his knowledge and did not campaign, what abolitionist was named Victoria Woodhull’s running mate on the Equal Rights Party ticket for the 1872 U.S. presidential election?
Answer: Frederick Douglass
Black History Month Fact: Later, in 1888, Douglass became the first African American to receive a vote for president at a major political party convention.
4. In what year was Juneteenth first observed as a federal holiday?
Answer: 2021
Black History Month Fact: Officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, it was the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in the 1980s.
5. Entomologist Margaret S. Collins is known for her work with which type of insect, the source of her common nickname—bees, termites, flies, or crickets?
Answer: Termites
Black History Month Fact: Margaret S. Collins earned her PhD from the University of Chicago in 1950, becoming the first Black woman entomologist. She is known as the “Termite Lady.”
6. Following the publication of his book Up from Slavery in 1901, what educator became the first Black person publicly invited to dine at the White House with the president?
Answer: Booker T. Washington
Black History Month Fact: Washington was the first president of what would become Tuskegee University when it opened in 1881, and he remained in the position until his death in 1915.
7. What 1985 film earned Academy Award nominations for Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Margaret Avery?
Answer: The Color Purple
Black History Month Fact: It was the first film for which Black actresses earned nominations for both Best Actress (Goldberg) and Best Supporting Actress (Winfrey and Avery).
8. Actress and singer Dorothy Dandridge, who was the first African American to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, was portrayed in a 1999 HBO film by what actress?
Answer: Halle Berry
Black History Month Fact: Berry went on to become the first African American to win the Best Actress Oscar, for her role in the 2001 film Monster’s Ball.
9. What luxury automobile brand completes the title of a 1981 painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat—_____ Moon?
Answer: Cadillac
Black History Month Fact: In 2017, Basquiat’s Untitled sold for more than $110 million, making it one of the ten most expensive paintings at that time.
10. What singer, whose hit songs include “Hot Stuff,” “Bad Girls,” and “MacArthur Park,” is known as the “Queen of Disco”?
Answer: Donna Summer
Black History Month Fact: She ranked #6 on Billboard’s 2016 list of the “Greatest of All Time Top Dance Club Artists”—a list that includes Janet Jackson, Rihanna, and Beyoncé in the top five.
11. Archie Griffin, the only college football player to win the Heisman Trophy in consecutive years, did so while playing at what school?
Answer: Ohio State University
Black History Month Fact: In 1989, Andre Ware of the University of Houston became the first Black quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy, a feat that has since been duplicated by nearly a dozen other players.
12. What brand of cookies was launched in 1975 by a talent agent named Wally?
Answer: Famous Amos
Black History Month Fact: The first woman to become a self-made millionaire in the U.S. is often considered to be Madam C.J. Walker, who developed and marketed a line of cosmetics and hair care products for Black women, and whose company was one of the most successful Black-owned businesses of the early 20th century.
As we’ve journeyed through these intriguing trivia questions and enriching facts, it’s clear that Black History Month is not just a period of remembrance, but also a celebration of the monumental achievements and contributions of African Americans. These snippets of history, as featured in Sporcle Pub Trivia shows, offer a window into the diverse and profound impact of Black individuals across various fields. They remind us of the importance of acknowledging and learning from our past to shape a more inclusive and understanding future. We hope you’ve enjoyed this trivia journey and feel inspired to join in more Sporcle events, where learning and fun intersect in the most delightful ways.
