American Presidents

Most of us can name the president who was in the White House the year we were born, the year we graduated, and the year our first child arrived. Presidents mark the chapters of American life. We watched their inaugurations on black-and-white sets, heard their voices on the car radio, and argued about them over Sunday dinner. Some of them we voted for, and some of them we did not.

This topic gathers forty questions about the men who have held the office, from the founders in powdered wigs to the leaders many of us remember firsthand. One quiz looks at early firsts and unusual distinctions. Another covers the presidents of the 1960s through the 1990s, the years of moon landings, Watergate, and the end of the Cold War. A third turns to the personal side: nicknames, family homes, and a few famous dogs. The last looks at elections, close calls, and the constitutional rules that shape the job.

You do not need to be a history teacher to enjoy these. Many answers will come back the moment you read the question, and a few may send you to the bookshelf. There is no timer and no rush, so pour a glass of something cold, settle into your favorite chair, and see how many you remember.