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Fun conversations with my girlfriend yesterday (we disagree on everything) led me to think that a quiz on Presidential Trivia would be kind of cool.

A little background information: we were talking about the current crop of candidates and trying to come up with when the last time neither party would be nominating a former President or Vice President. We were wrong by the way, and both felt stupid later, but I don't want to give anything away.

So here are a few questions that everyone should be able to have a good time with.

Update: Dave said I should give you the 42 names. Here we go.


1. When was the most recent year that neither major party nominated a previous President or Vice President at the top of the ticket? Who were the candidates?

2. 42 men have held the title Commander-in-Chief. Which one held an enlisted rank in the armed forces?

3. Which President was the youngest pilot in the Navy at the time of his commission?

4 Of the 42, only 11 have no military service, but an amazing 6 of those 11 were in consecutive order! Name the major world conflicts that happened during this time in American History.

5. Many of our Presidents served as Vice President before being elected themselves. One of the duties of the Vice President is to act as President of the Senate, and cast a tie breaking vote if necessary. In the last 100 years, what VP turned Chief Executive cast the most tie breaking votes? What about in all of US History?

6. Many of our Presidents have post graduate degrees, most in law, one in business. One started medical school but did not finish. Which President attained a P.H.D.? Hint: It was at Johns Hopkins University.

7. We all know Republican and Democrat. Which other political Parties successfully saw their candidate elected President?

8. Who is on the now discontinued $100,000 bill?

9. Everyone knows that FDR was the longest serving President. Most of you probably know that William Henry Harrison served the least; he was the guy who gave his inaugural address outside in the cold without hat, gloves, or overcoat, caught pneumonia and died 31 days after taking office. There is a 10 way (soon to be 11 way) tie for second longest in office. Who holds the record for second shortest in office?

10. 8 Presidents died in office. 4 by assassination, and 4 by illness. Name them.

11. One President died in one year and was buried the next. It was recent. Who was it?

12. 8 Presidents were born in VA, 7 are buried there. 3 of the 8 are buried out of the state they were born in, but Kennedy, born in Massachusetts, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. That brings the count up to 6. Which other president not born in Virginia was buried there, and where in the state are they buried?

So, kind of dull so far you say? Same sort of Presidential trivia questions you can get anywhere you say? Well then try these on for size:

13. The song that is the title to this post is in fact the title song to a Disney movie. It was released in 1968 during Johnson's administration but set during what historic Presidential election?

14. The picture appearing at the start of the 99 Bottles of Beer post is of Stephen Foster, famous American songwriter. He penned classics like Oh Susana, Camptown Races, and Beautiful Dreamer. Who was President when he was born? When he died?

15. The picture appearing at the start of the Camptown Races post is of Frederic Chopin. Related most famously to Stephen Foster (by me anyway) in a great bit of dialogue between Doc Holiday (Val Kilmer) and Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn) in Tombstone. Who was President of the United States when Chopin was born? When he died?

16. We all know that Jefferson founded UVA, and we know that Yale is known for educating both Presidents Bush (Taft too), but what institution graduated the most future Presidents?

17. So Barry Bonds just broke Hank Aaron's record number of Home Runs. Who was President when Hank broke Ruth's record?

18. The game was was eventually known as Super Bowl I was played between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Who was President?

19. The American Film Institute Released their list of the 100 greatest movie quotes of all time in 2005. Topping the list: "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" From Gone with the Wind. Who was President when the movie came out?

20. There has been a trend lately in the Academy Awards for actors to be nominated for playing real people. Who was nominated for playing what President, in the same year Nick Cage won for Leaving Los Vegas?

I think, with only 42 names possible for most of the answers, we can say "no looking things up". Sure, it would be easier if you knew when Gone With the Wind was released, but I'm guessing most of the ladies know that one. And Dave. Because anyone who knows Moonstruck as well as he does surely knows Gone With the Wind.

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