General Awareness · History

Historical Dates and Firsts

2,518 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 general knowledge science & technology
  1. 1937

  2. 2000

  3. 2005

  4. 1973

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The first electronic digital computer, ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), was completed in 1945 at the University of Pennsylvania, not 1937. However, some sources reference earlier electromechanical devices like the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (1937-1942). This question's accepted answer of 1937 likely refers to the ABC project's beginning or other early computing devices.

Multiple choice general knowledge
  1. 1985

  2. 1986

  3. 1984

  4. 2001

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) made its US debut in October 1985, launching first in New York City as a test market before expanding nationwide. The Japanese version (Famicom) had been released in 1983, but the US release with the redesigned console came in 1985, reviving the video game industry after the 1983 crash.

Multiple choice general knowledge
  1. 1978

  2. 1981

  3. 1980

  4. 1999

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Pioneer Corporation introduced its first consumer LaserDisc player, the Pioneer VP-1000, to the US market in 1980. LaserDisc technology offered superior video and audio quality compared to VHS but was more expensive and never achieved mass market success. Pioneer became the leading manufacturer of LaserDisc players throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Multiple choice general knowledge history
  1. 1891

  2. 1848

  3. 1854

  4. 1876

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The 'Cheering Revolution' (or the Revolutions of 1848) was a series of political upheavals throughout Europe. It remains the most widespread revolutionary wave in European history, though most of the revolts ended in failure.

Multiple choice general knowledge
  1. 1948

  2. 1947

  3. 1949

  4. 1946

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Erling Persson opened the first 'Hennes' store in Västerås, Sweden, in 1947. The company later acquired the hunting apparel retailer Mauritz Widforss in 1968, leading to the name change to Hennes & Mauritz (H&M).

Multiple choice general knowledge
  1. 1948

  2. 1947

  3. 1949

  4. 1946

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) opened its first store in 1947 in Västerås, Sweden. This was when Erling Persson founded the company as Hennes (women's clothing). The merger with Mauritz (adding menswear) came later in 1968.

Multiple choice softskills leadership
  1. at

  2. in

  3. on

  4. none of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This question tests the correct preposition for years and time expressions. When referring to years, we use the preposition 'in' because years are considered time periods we exist within. 'In 1990,' 'in the year 2000' are correct. 'At' is used for precise times (at 5 PM, at midnight). 'On' is used for specific days (on Monday, on July 4th) but not for years. For asking about birth year, 'in' is the correct preposition. Option B correctly uses 'in'.