General Awareness ยท 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

The Nobel Prize in Economics was founded in

  1. 1901

  2. 1936

  3. 1957

  4. 1969
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Nobel Prize in Economics (officially the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences) was established in 1969, unlike the other Nobel Prizes which were founded in 1901. It was created by the Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank) in memory of Alfred Nobel, and was first awarded to Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen.

Multiple choice

The first radio broadcast was made in

  1. 1976

  2. 1905

  3. 1906

  4. 1911
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The first radio broadcast was made in 1906 by Reginald Fessenden. He successfully transmitted voice and music on Christmas Eve 1906 from Brant Rock, Massachusetts. Earlier experiments by Marconi and others were telegraph (Morse code) only, not voice broadcasting.

Multiple choice

Mt. Everest was first scaled in

  1. 1955

  2. 1954

  3. 1952

  4. 1953
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Mount Everest was first successfully climbed on May 29, 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal. This historic achievement opened the door to modern high-altitude mountaineering.

Multiple choice

e first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Very popular from 1900 until the 1920's, the renewed interest in ceiling fans began when the energy crisis in 1974 forced homeowners to look for alternative methods of heating and cooling.

  1. Very popular from 1900 until the 1920's, the renewed interest in ceiling fans began

  2. The renewed interest in ceiling fans, which were very popular form 1900 until the 1920's began

  3. After they were very popular from 1900 until the 1920's, the renewed interest in ceiling fans was beginning

  4. Ceiling fans were very popular from 1900 until the 1920's, with renewed interest beginning in them
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Multiple choice

In which year was Sir Peter Ustinov born?

  1. 1921

  2. 1940

  3. 1930

  4. 1945
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sir Peter Ustinov, the renowned British actor, writer, and filmmaker, was born on April 16, 1921. He was a two-time Academy Award winner and known for his versatile talents.

Multiple choice

In which year was Voltaire born?

  1. 1694

  2. 1695

  3. 1688

  4. 1697
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Voltaire, the French Enlightenment writer and philosopher, was born on November 21, 1694. He is famous for works like Candide and his advocacy for civil liberties.

Multiple choice

In which year was Victoria born?

  1. 1819

  2. 1821

  3. 1837

  4. 1844
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819. She was the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until her death in 1901, giving her name to the Victorian era.

Multiple choice

In which year was Richard Wanger born?

  1. 1873

  2. 1879

  3. 1876

  4. 1813
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Richard Wagner, the German composer known for his epic operas, was born on May 22, 1813. His famous works include The Ring Cycle and Tristan und Isolde.

Multiple choice

In which year was Lech Walesa born?

  1. 1940

  2. 1943

  3. 1947

  4. 1949
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Lech Walesa, the Polish politician and labor activist, was born on September 29, 1943. He co-founded the Solidarity movement and later served as President of Poland, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983.

Multiple choice

In which year was Orson born?

  1. 1918

  2. 1920

  3. 1915

  4. 1929
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Orson Welles, the American actor, director, and writer, was born on May 6, 1915. He is best known for his groundbreaking film Citizen Kane and the infamous War of the Worlds radio broadcast.

Multiple choice

In which year was George Washington born?

  1. 1731

  2. 1739

  3. 1712

  4. 1732
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

George Washington, the first President of the United States, was born on February 22, 1732. He led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War.

Multiple choice

In which year was Mae West born?

  1. 1892

  2. 1840

  3. 1853

  4. 1825
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mae West, the American actress, playwright, and sex symbol, was born on August 17, 1892. She was known for her bold double entendres and career in vaudeville, stage, and film.

Multiple choice

In which year was John Wilkinson born?

  1. 1710

  2. 1729

  3. 1728

  4. 1724
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

John Wilkinson (1728-1808) was an English industrialist known as 'the father of the iron trade' for his innovations in iron manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution. He was born in 1728.