General Awareness ยท History

Historical Dates and Firsts

2,390 Questions

Historical dates and firsts questions test your memory of significant global milestones in sports, science, technology, and literature. These factual questions appear regularly in SSC, banking, and state PSC general awareness papers. Use these questions to quickly memorize important historical events and their exact years.

Inventions and launchesSports world firstsHistorical prize awardsTechnology milestones

Historical Dates and Firsts Questions

Multiple choice

When did the Mexican-American War begin?

  1. April 25, 1846

  2. May 13, 1846

  3. June 18, 1846

  4. July 4, 1846
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Mexican-American War began on April 25, 1846, when Mexican troops crossed the Rio Grande and attacked American soldiers.

Multiple choice

The term 'melodrama' was first used in the:

  1. 16th century

  2. 17th century

  3. 18th century

  4. 19th century
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The term 'melodrama' emerged in the 18th century to describe a genre of theater that combined music, drama, and spectacle.

Multiple choice

When was the first international football match played?

  1. 1863

  2. 1872

  3. 1884

  4. 1897
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The first international football match took place in 1872 between Scotland and England, ending in a 0-0 draw.

Multiple choice

In what year was the novel '1984' published?

  1. 1945

  2. 1948

  3. 1950

  4. 1954
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

The novel '1984' was published in 1949.

Multiple choice

In what year was the first International Ballet Competition Varna held?

  1. 1964

  2. 1972

  3. 1980

  4. 1988
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The inaugural International Ballet Competition Varna took place in 1964, establishing itself as a prominent event in the ballet world.

Multiple choice

In which year was the first stamp issued to commemorate the return of Halley's Comet?

  1. 1909

  2. 1910

  3. 1986

  4. 1997
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The first stamp to commemorate the return of Halley's Comet was issued in 1910 by the United States.

Multiple choice

In which century did the first universities emerge?

  1. 11th century

  2. 12th century

  3. 13th century

  4. 14th century
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The first universities emerged in the 12th century in Europe.

Multiple choice

Which university is considered to be the oldest continuously operating university in the world?

  1. University of Bologna

  2. University of Paris

  3. University of Oxford

  4. University of Cambridge
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The University of Bologna is considered to be the oldest continuously operating university in the world, having been founded in 1088.

Multiple choice

When was the Rosetta Stone discovered?

  1. 1799

  2. 1801

  3. 1803

  4. 1805
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Rosetta Stone was discovered in 1799 by French soldiers during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign.

Multiple choice

In which year was the Tribeca Film Festival first held?

  1. 2002

  2. 2003

  3. 2004

  4. 2005
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Tribeca Film Festival was first held in 2002, as a response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Multiple choice

The BRIT Awards were first held in which year?

  1. 1977

  2. 1982

  3. 1989

  4. 1996
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The inaugural BRIT Awards ceremony took place on October 18, 1977, at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, England.

Multiple choice

In which year was the first edition of the Flamenco Awards held?

  1. 1995

  2. 1998

  3. 2001

  4. 2004
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The inaugural Flamenco Awards ceremony took place in 2001.

Multiple choice

When was the first Cannes Film Festival held?

  1. 1939

  2. 1946

  3. 1951

  4. 1960
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The first Cannes Film Festival was held in 1946, after being postponed due to World War II.

Multiple choice

What year did the first electronic computer, ENIAC, become operational?

  1. 1945

  2. 1946

  3. 1947

  4. 1948
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) became operational in 1946.

Multiple choice

What year did the World Wide Web (WWW) become publicly available?

  1. 1989

  2. 1990

  3. 1991

  4. 1992
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The World Wide Web became publicly available in 1991.