Valentine's Day isn't the only thing to look forward to in February. Satisfy those competitive cravings while learning something new during Black History Month with some enlightening trivia. Take a step back from the textbooks and quiz yourself, friends, or family with these questions.
40+ Black History Month Trivia Questions to Help You Celebrate
There are many different ways to celebrate Black History Month. Take a break from blasting through your queue of films and audiobooks from Black creatives with our Black History Month trivia.
Trivia Questions From Movies & TV
Black creatives have innovated and inspired over the years in so many ways in television and movies. See which of these Black history facts from films and TV you know.
Which famous author — known just as well for his Civil Rights and gay liberation activism as his literary works — wrote the book-turned-movie If Beale Street Could Talk?
James Baldwin
Which famous film brought the (at the time) controversial subject of interracial relationships to the big screen?
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Who was the first Black person to receive Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards?
Whoopi Goldberg
Who is credited with being the first Black person to direct a feature-length film?
Oscar Micheaux
Which Disney film is the first to feature a Black princess?
Princess and the Frog, Tiana
Who was the first Black woman who was nominated for an Oscar award?
Hattie McDaniel, Best Supporting Actress, Gone With the Wind (1940)
Which TV, music, and film global superstar rose to fame in the 90s and became a millionaire before the age of 20?
Will Smith
Who was the first Black performer seen on TV?
Ethel Waters, The Ethel Waters Show (NBC 1939)
Frank Braxton, Floyd Norman, Brenda Banks, and Ayoko Chenzira are known for being some of the first Black people in what artistic industry?
Animation
Trivia Questions Inspired by Books & Literature
From powerful authors to revered poets, there are so many trivia questions for Black History Month inspired by literature and books.
Who is believed to be the first Black female novelist?
Harriet E. Wilson, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black (1859)
Who was the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize for her work Annie Allen?
Gwendolyn Brooks, poet (1950)
What genre did Octavia E. Butler, recipient of the MacArthur “Genius” Grant, PEN West Lifetime Achievement, and Nebula Award, write in?
Science fiction
What was the first published children's book in the US to feature a Black main character (Peter)?
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (1962)
Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man beat what other famous other for the National Book Award in 1953?
Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea
What work did Maya Angelou read at the 1993 Presidential inauguration?
"On the Pulse of Morning"
Phillis Wheatley was around what age when she wrote her first poem?
12-13
One out of five children's books with Black characters are about slavery or injustice, and while those are critically important, there are so many other vibrant stories out there not to miss. Try Diverse BookFinder, a fantastic tool for identifying and exploring diverse children's literature, to find books to share with any kid in your life.
Challenge Your Sports Knowledge With These Black History Trivia Questions
Dive right into Black History Month with some friendly competition. Whether you’re putting your siblings to the test or want a few conversation starters at the dinner table, these sports-centric trivia questions are the perfect way to kick off the month’s celebrations.
Which athlete broke the American Major League baseball color barrier in 1947?
Jackie Robinson
How many major titles has Serena Williams won during her tennis career?
39
Tommie Smith and John Carlos are two Olympic medalists who became famous for what protest act at the 1968 Olympics?
They bowed their heads and raised their gloved fists during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Which basketball team did Michael Jordan win six NBA championships with?
The Chicago Bulls
Jesse Owens won four Olympic gold medals in 1936 which were hosted in which Fascist country?
Nazi Germany
Who was the first Black man to join the PGA Tour?
Charles Luther Sufford
Considered by many to be the GOAT, which gymnast currently has the most wins to their name?
Simone Biles
Who was the first Black person to win a gold medal in the Olympics?
John Taylor
Celebrate Black Culture With These Music Trivia Questions
From the memorable tunes that laid the foundation for rock 'n roll to impactful songs we still love today, Black culture knows no bounds. Test your knowledge of the Black musical artists and performers that came before you or get a taste for something new to explore with these trivia questions.
Which artist first performed “Hound Dog” three years before Elvis Presley put his own spin on it?
Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thorton
Which famous record producer brought us hits like “Billie Jean” and “It’s My Party”?
Quincy Jones
What’s the name of Prince’s legendary Minnesota estate?
Paisley Park
What is the name of Sam Cooke’s first protest song, released as a single 10 days after his murder?
“A Change is Gonna Come”
Before Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, he was bopping along with his siblings in what musical act?
The Jackson Five
What nickname was Motown’s first recording studio given?
Hitsville U.S.A.
Which blues vocalist had a slew of hits in the 1930s-1950s, including the anti-lynching protest song called “Strange Fruit”?
Billie Holiday
Marilyn Monroe helped which legendary jazz singer get a slot at a prominent Hollywood nightclub?
Ella Fitzgerald
Related: 20 of Our Favorite Black-Owned Businesses to Shop At
Quiz Yourself on These Legendary Black Figures Who Made History
Talent and determination go a long way, even when faced with adversity. Quiz yourself on some legendary Black figures who made their own history.
Which scholar graduated from Harvard and created Black History Month?
Carter G. Woodson
Who was the first Black woman to be a licensed pilot?
Bessie Coleman
Who designed Jacqueline Bouvier’s wedding dress and many other prominent American socialites’ wardrobes?
Ann Lowe
President Ulysses S. Grant commissioned a portrait bust from which bi-racial artist?
Edmonia Lewis
Which 15-year-old boycotted racist bus riding laws in Montgomery, Alabama nine months before Rosa Parks?
Claudette Colvin
Julian Bond was a founding leader of which important 60s activist organization?
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman to run for which governmental office in 1972?
President of the United States
Who was the first Black person elected to the American Supreme Court?
Thurgood Marshall
Ida B. Wells was an investigative journalist and founding member of which organization that still operates today?
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Which Black activist was at the heart of the Stonewall Uprising of 1969?
Marsha P. Johnson
Who was the first Black pilot in the United States Navy?
Jesse L. Brown
Who is considered the first Black supermodel?
Naomi Sims
Quiz Yourself on These More Challenging Black History Trivia Questions
There's so much to uncover when it comes to Black history. These questions are just the tip of the iceberg. See if you know interesting these dates and facts.
What year was interracial marriage federally protected?
1967
What is the name of the foundation that helps families today impacted by scientific experiments done without consent, such as the Tuskegee Experiment and the harvesting of a woman's cells in 1951?
The Henrietta Lacks Foundation
What year were Jim Crow laws struck down?
1964/65
How many states recognize Juneteenth as a government holiday?
27
Carter G. Woodson is considered the father of Black History Month. Prior to that, where did he first start a literature and Black history appreciation week?
His fraternity, Omega Psi Phi
What year was Black history month first celebrated?
1970
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" is a quote from which well-known Black activist?
Martin Luther King Jr.
The phrase Black Girls Are Magic/#BlackGirlMagic was introduced by what social media influencer in 2013?
Cashawn Thompson
Next time you pass through an intersection, you can thank Black inventor Garrett Morgan for keeping the traffic flowing smoothly. He's the mind behind the three-signal traffic lights we use today.
Time to Learn Something New
There may be many pitfalls to the American education system, but Black history is one area where it really falls short. Make up for lost time during Black History Month with these trivia questions. After all, there’s no time like the present to learn something new.
